[Broag]

Failed FAR for the fourth time. I really have no idea how to prepare for this exam anymore. I put in the time and work. I do MCQ like crazy, rewrite notes, read the book, study J/Es and T-accounts, and review all F/S. Can’t find that winning formula that seems so damn easy for everyone else. Sick of those people who say they think they bombed, but end up getting a 93. What garbage. I need to wipe the slate clean, but I just have no idea where to go from here. If you can help me (which I am in desperate need of) I would appreciate it. If your answer is “you need to do 7,000 MCQ per section, etc. etc.” I’m not interested. Doing that many MCQ is counterproductive and is not effective. Sorry for the ramble, I just can’t stand failing. Basically, the harder I try…the worse I do.

REG - 79
FAR - ?
AUD - ?
BEC - ?

[jess919jaf]

Unfortunately I can't help you because I am in the same boat. When I failed the other sections I knew why and that I wasn't putting enough time into it. But with FAR I feel good about it and come out not even close. I have lost two sections because I can't pass FAR. If you find something that works please let me know. I am as desperate as you. Failing FAR is making me want to throw in the towel.

AUD - 69, 74, 74, 76 --> PASSED
BEC - 72, 70, 76 --> Lost Credit
REG - 62, 72, 77 --> PASSED
FAR - FAIL

[bhunt815]

Maybe give FAR a break. You are pissed off right now and that's understandable, but FAR is no joke. Take BEC, pass it, and get your mojo back.

As for FAR, I used Becker self study, Becker Final review, and Ninja MCQ's and managed an 84. I don't do thousands of MCQ's like some do. I do about 50 a day for a few weeks before the test and give myself some time to study what I got wrong each night. I concentrate on understanding concepts and not memorizing a bunch of questions. That works best for me, but figure out what works best for you.

AUD - 79
BEC - 81
FAR - 84
REG - 78

Becker Self Study supplemented with Ninja MCQ's for BEC and REG.

Licensed CPA in Louisiana.

FAR 04/11/2016 - 84
AUD 05/12/2016 - 79
BEC 07/06/2016 - 81
REG 08/29/2016

[Broag]

Thing is…I felt really good going into the exam. I know I know this stuff. I probably know it better than most people who pass. I just can't seem to break through mentally. That's what it is. A huge mental block.

@jess – I feel that people like you and I may work too hard. We both want to be a CPA more than anything. If I find a solution I will definitely let you know, but I feel like I'm getting colder and not warmer…unfortunately. I feel like I need to sell my soul or something to pass this part. I know 99% of this is having a positive attitude, but it's hard to be positive when you put in 20-30 hours a week of studying your heart out only to be belittled by this exam. I wish you the best of luck with FAR.

@bhunt – I have roughly 7 months to pass three parts before I lose my only credit. I'm not overly worried about losing that part because I work in tax and I'm confident I can pass it again. I'm taking AUD tomorrow and I KNOW that I'm going to fail because I gave myself less than three weeks to prepare. Would you suggest doing the live classes with Becker? I am thinking that structure may be key here. I have a family so studying at home is not always productive.

REG - 79
FAR - ?
AUD - ?
BEC - ?

[Broag]

Anyone else?? All I see is red right now.

REG - 79
FAR - ?
AUD - ?
BEC - ?

[westy34]

@Broag The thing that stood out to me in your last post is that when you study its not always productive because of the family at home. This will sound really harsh but you need to shut them out during your study time(set aside a block of time each day and unless its an emergency you cant be bothered. I had to do it and hated every minute of it but it was a necessary evil. My wife and son understood but there were many arguments. As far as the live lectures go for Becker I found it to be a waste of time if you are on top of your schedule(I stopped going after I passed REG). The live lectures are just gearty and olinto with a different voice, people use the live lecture to make sure they stay on top of their studies. Lastly, really challenge yourself in your trouble areas and really try to learn it and not just memorize/wing it.

BEC- 74, 86
REG- 85
AUD- 98
FAR- 90

Becker Self-Study

[N4]

I think the thousands of mcq thing is annoying. It's like I have work do u think I have time to do a thousand mcqs? What study materials do u use? Maybe try a different test bank? Bc if u do the same mcqs over and over you start to memorize. If you cant afford more test banks (like me dishing out so much money on Becker) verbally explain to yourself what you did to get a question right. Also, this is important : What are u weaker on? Sims? Mcq? If it's Mcq you need another test bank and to get a solid grip on the materials. If it's simulations perfect journal entries/procedures for each major topic or say there is no way you can prepare for some sims after u studied everything (which is so true) make educated guesses, approach it like u do at work. Say your boss gives u a random assignment that you have no clue of (like my company lool) and you have to do it to the best of ur ability and make educated guesses and fill everything out to the best of ur ability. Focus on your timing and make sure to finish everything. Try your best on the dims and make educated guesses on those and mcqs if u don't know. Keep at it u will pass! God knows how these tests are graded. There are some people who work hard and fail Bc of running out of time or getting hard sims. Luck will be on your side don't give up!!!

AUD - 90
BEC - 81
FAR - 76
REG - 88

Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations.

FAR DONE -Becker

REG DONE -Becker, Ninja Audio/Notes

AUD DONE- Becker

BEC DONE- Becker

 

FAR (5/31) PASS (Best birthday gift ever!)

[Anonymous]

Family can be a blessing when they're supportive but it can be hard for them to understand what that really entails unless you make a point of explaining it. Maybe it's time to have a heart to heart if studying at home isn't helping you get the results you want.

It also sounds like you're casting your study net really wide in an attempt to cover all your bases, but it hasn't worked before so maybe it's time to try targeted studying instead. What does your performance report say your strengths and weaknesses are? What study materials are you using? I know for some parts of FAR, I thought Wiley and Gleim and Becker all had question with slightly different emphases.

Lastly, if you know the concepts, maybe it's the test format that is getting you, like trick questions, difficult angles, or little points designed to trip you up. When I studied, I didn't just take notes on things I got wrong, I also kept a running list of tricks that the questions would use to try to steer you to the wrong answer. I ran into several of them when I took FAR.

[bhunt815]

@ Broag – I can't really speak for or against the live classes since I've chosen online courses, but the pass rate is higher for the folks who take them according to Becker. I also have a family, including a 6-year-old daddy's girl. My wife has been tremendously supportive, including taking our daughter out for a few hours at a time so i can study in peace. I also bought some noise cancelling earphones made for shooting guns that really help at night when the TV's are on and such. Silly I guess but it seems to help me concentrate. I stay a couple hours during the week after work when I can because it is a better study environment than my house.

I've taken 3 tests so far. Once I felt like I wasn't ready for the test and I made a 71. The other 2 times I went in thinking that I knew my sh!t and I passed (even though both times I didn't feel all that confident leaving the testing center). Study until you know your stuff. Even if you guess at some questions, you're likely guessing correctly. And most of all…relax during the test. Make sure you're giving yourself a real chance to pass.

AUD - 79
BEC - 81
FAR - 84
REG - 78

Becker Self Study supplemented with Ninja MCQ's for BEC and REG.

Licensed CPA in Louisiana.

FAR 04/11/2016 - 84
AUD 05/12/2016 - 79
BEC 07/06/2016 - 81
REG 08/29/2016

[Anonymous]

Hi Broag,

I can totally understand. I can feel the pain. I think all your hard work is not wasted. Maybe some additional time to complete the exams. I am sure you will come out with flying colors. Mark my words.Just be focused and keep doing it.

Here is my situation and experience.If it helps you then I will be happy.

First I am kinda of age wise old to do this exam. My 2 kids are graduating today – one middle school and another one going into 3rd grade . At 44 yrs it is really difficult to study. Getting some time for myself is a great challenge.I don't have accounting background or experience. I did few accounting courses in the community college to get the CPA eligibility.

I passed BEC – 80, Failed AUD 74, Failed FAR first attempt 63 and then in the FAR retake passed with 80.

I used BECKER self study, BECKER Final Review and Ninja Notes – PDF file with approx 120 pages.

Yup it was very depressing after failing AUD at 74. I thought I need to understand FAR to take the AUD.So registered for FAR and started studying for FAR. After failing FAR at 63 was a disaster. I literally quit studying few months .I thought FAR will kill me and I can't pursue CPA further.

I know I need to understand the accounting basics to study FAR.

I used the below Youtube channels to understand the basics

https://www.youtube.com/user/rutgersweb
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-0aTImt5gVOgND70k8MCew
https://www.youtube.com/user/NotePirate

For JE's I definitely practiced the below

https://www.principlesofaccounting.com/illustrative%20entries/entrieslist.htm

The above link I got it in this forum.

The difference between 1st and 2nd FAR retake is

1.Understood the basic concepts.

2. Practice JE's for all the chapters or all the scenarios.Practice..practice..practice..Just spend one whole day and you will master it.

3. Memorize the IFRS Vs GAAP differences.This is very critical. Again in BECKER Chapter 10 they have summarized in a nice way – Tabular form – 4-5 pages only. Also the HW questions 60 worth doing it.

4. Don't ignore any topics. I tried reading all the Chapters in Becker – From 1 to 10. Ignored only Financial Instruments in Chapter 10. In my experience MCQ's appear from all topics.

Sometimes it is overwhelming. Just focus..focus..focus..I can do it and you can do it and better than me. Just keep studying.All the best 🙂

[Author]

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