[Anonymous]

I knew FAR wouldnt be easy. So far I have only done the first 2 subsections of chapter 1 (Becker). Which were 1.Accounting standards and conceptual frameworks and 2. Income Statement

I didnt have much trouble on the Accounting standards subsection homework, but for the income statement subsection, for the 57 questions, I only got 53% of the questions right and it took me a whopping hour and a half. I cant believe how long it took me for the lousy amount I got right.

The only other time a section took me that long to complete for that bad a score was chapter 4 on aud which was much easier in retrospect.

Anyways, just wanted to know if anyone else experiences this and any advice.

Thanks

[jvcpa]

This exam will teach you how to take things one step at a time. Just keep moving forward and take notes on the things you get wrong. You can do it, it just takes discipline.

Passed: R-F-B-A - Persistence is the key to passing.

[momto5]

Exactly why, in retrospect, I am glad I took that one first! Also was glad I was taking an exam prep class for that one as it forced me to keep going through the material and not get bogged down. Just make sure to keep moving! I had to do every question until I got them 100% correct (not all at once, just at least once). I had to complete every SIM. And I had to finish each chapter in 7 days (working full time) in addition to doing a separate presentation and a separate essay. You may have to double up a bit to give yourself enough review time at the end, so I wouldn't dwell on any one section too long. Just get through the material and then practice, practice, practice during your review and it should all come together at that point. (Well, at least as well as FAR can come together – your brain will feel like it is going to explode by the time you get to the end, but just remember that you only have to remember it all long enough to make it through the exam!)

FAR - 92 (4/27/12)
AUD - 96 (7/17/12)
BEC - 92 (8/30/12)
REG - 91 (11/12/12)

[Jobless2CPA]

Mrs Momto5, if you could allocate 17 of your FAR score to my future score as a deferred score asset I would be very happy. Sorry I think I have studied too much and I don't know what I am talking bout.

[momto5]

@Jobless2CPA – lol! Right now I am wishing I could allocate it to my future REG score! Too bad they don't just add up all the scores to make sure we get at least a total of 300 points!

FAR - 92 (4/27/12)
AUD - 96 (7/17/12)
BEC - 92 (8/30/12)
REG - 91 (11/12/12)

[Anonymous]

Thanks momto5, I think I left myself a reasonable amount of time, taking it Jan 4 right before busy season starts.

I technically could take it November 30th, but its not going to end in me passing, I just started today and work full time now as opposed to summer. Additionally, this is much more information and much more difficult than both AUD or BEC.

However in terms of the HW and understanding right away, is it normal to be getting between 50-60%s on HW? I feel like a complete failure when I do.

For AUD and BEC I was getting 70s to begin with at minimum.

[momto5]

Well, I can't say that I exactly remember what my first HW scores were like, but I don't think I paid a lot of attention to that anyway. I look at the HW as a continuation of learning the material. The test is not just about learning the information but about learning the way they ask the questions and becoming familiar with that. With each question there are additional learning opportunities by reading all the of the answer explanations and why the wrong ones are wrong. I do remember having to take a quiz at the end of every chapter for my class and there were times when I only got 70% on them. That was after doing all the lecture, all the HW, all the SIMS, and reviewing. I could even use my notes if I needed to. You would think I would have gotten 100% on ALL of them that way. But many of these questions are tricky, just by the way they are worded. Just take that time as more learning time. The only scores that really count are the ones on your real exam. You are not a failure while you are studying!

FAR - 92 (4/27/12)
AUD - 96 (7/17/12)
BEC - 92 (8/30/12)
REG - 91 (11/12/12)

[TheBsEr]

Don't worry about your homework scores, getting 50%-70% is usually pretty normal. Remember this is your first time doing it, and this is an important part of the learning process. Whenever you get it wrong, look at the answer and understand why you get it wrong. I typically write down the important ones I get wrong so I can review it before the exam.

Also, don't get too hung up with those chapter 1 stuff and other smaller areas. Most of it is pretty much just read over a few times and the moving on. Focus on the big topics and knowing how to do those problems. Typically the questions will be similar to becker, except different numbers and usually a bit easier. The big topic questions will almost guarantee to appear on the exam so make sure to know those (Consolidation, government/NFP, inventory, cash flows). The other smaller areas just keep it in the back of your head in case it pops up on the exam.

Oh and by the way, it's going to be normal that when you get to F8-10, you're going to forget things from F1-3 for example. Just review it comprehensively a few times before the exam and you'll be fine!

AUD - 91
FAR - 90
REG - 87
BEC - 91
Ethics - 98

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all of the guidance!

[Anonymous]

Its normal. I scored about 50%-60% my first time around and got really frustrated. Just learn from your mistakes and keep trucking along. You will re-work all these again multiple times and eventually see 85%+ on the sections.

[Author]

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