[iamstrong]

Hi there,
I’ve taken FAR twice. The first time- I gave myself 3 months, took my time and left a week to review realizing I forgot everything and got a 67. The second time I hammered MCQ, trending 89 on NINJA MCQ and got a 70? I used BECKER and thought it was fine. I just got the NINJA Videos and the NINJA book. I also have the NINJA notes and the NINJA Audio notes.

For those who have taken FAR multiple times- what finally worked? I’m testing again on Dec 9th. I want to be done with FAR!

Thanks so much for any insight
Rachel

[Broag]

Hi Rachel,

I took FAR five times, finally passing on my fifth try. So, I feel I'm pretty qualified to answer your question lol. The first two times I took FAR I used Becker. Becker did give me a good foundation, but what Becker didn't do for me (it may well do this for others, I don't know) is hammer home the concepts. That is where Ninja notes/MCQ came in. I also made “big picture” notes which outlined all the concepts from most difficult to least. I would review those every single day, multiple times a day. Almost committing the notes to memory. You want to be able to recite the notes/visual them without even having to look at them.

A couple other tips that I feel helped me was to not put too much pressure on myself to pass. Yeah, it's a big deal and it decides your career, but at least you are fortunate to be in the position that you are in. Some people never get an opportunity such as the CPA exam. Also, find time to do things you enjoy. You can really create a negative mindset towards studying and start resenting it if that's all you do or think about. Go out and have fun every once in awhile, but don't slack off either!

Hope this helps a bit. You probably will pass the next time. Just try to hit every Ninja MCQ at least once and don't waste time on SIMs.

Good luck.

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

[Broag]

Hi Rachel,

I took FAR five times, finally passing on my fifth try. So, I feel I'm pretty qualified to answer your question lol. The first two times I took FAR I used Becker. Becker did give me a good foundation, but what Becker didn't do for me (it may well do this for others, I don't know) is hammer home the concepts. That is where Ninja notes/MCQ came in. I also made “big picture” notes which outlined all the concepts from most difficult to least. I would review those every single day, multiple times a day. Almost committing the notes to memory. You want to be able to recite the notes/visual them without even having to focus on them.

A couple other tips that I feel helped me was to not put too much pressure on myself to pass. Yeah, it's a big deal and it decides your career, but at least you are fortunate to be in the position that you are in. Some people never get an opportunity such as the CPA exam. Also, find time to things you enjoy. You can really create a negative mindset towards studying and start resenting it if that's all you do or think about. Go out and have fun every once in awhile, but don't slack off either!

HOpe this helps a bit. You probably will pass the next time. Just try to hit every Ninja MCQ at least once and don't waste time on SIMs.

Good luck.

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

[almasy]

Hello!

I took FAR four times before passing. Hopefully you'll knock it out on your third!

For me, I think a major factor in passing was that I moved. After moving I had two prometric centers relatively close by that weren't busy so I had the luxury of scheduling my test when I felt I couldn't cram any more into my brain. Away from family, I also had more time to myself and less distractions/obligations.

As for study methods, the first two times I used Roger and scored 67 and 68. The third time I was burnt out so my study schedule was all over the place and I scored a 50.

After the move, I used Ninja Notes, MQC and some part of Plus when it was on its trial run. I rewrote the notes twice and spent the rest of the time on MCQ. For once I also did every simulation. I was only trending 66% but I had been studying for three months so I felt I should schedule my test. I set my test up for two weeks later and went back to MQCs, focusing on sections I scored the lowest. I ended up scoring a 78!

You can do it!! Wishing you luck! Not that you need it.

[iamstrong]

Hi Broag,
Thanks so much for your comments.
So- you suggest just straight MCQ huh? I was going to go through the blizt videos (they are not long) and then get the MCQ.
Gosh- this exam is just daunting!
thanks again
Rachel

[iamstrong]

Thanks Almasy.
When you rewrote the notes- did you just rewrite them or go into more detail on some areas?
This site is so encouraging!
thanks
Rachel

[Anonymous]

Print out handful of troubled questions or questions you get wrong the first time…. Now ask yourself… can you solve it and get them right every time(week, two weeks, a month from review) you look at it again? if not, you do not have the concepts down. Do it until you get them right every time.

[almasy]

For the most part I rewrote them word for word but I remembered some tips and mnemonics from using Roger so I added those into my notes as well. I also went over any calculations in the notes to ensure I knew how to do them. The amortization table is something that I've seen in different formats over the years so I used the one I was most familiar with instead. Hope that helps!

[Bagels]

I used Becker. It took me three attempts at far. All I can really say to give you the best advice I wish I knew before I started the journey and my last test far is to know your journal entries.

Reg 82
Aud 94
Bec 81
Far

[Spartans92]

Hey TanK, no negativity here but do you get a commission or something for that book? LOL it seems you are promoting for the author haha. I know you are just trying to help! 🙂 Again, we can take something differently due to it being the internet, so just to disclaim no hating!!

BEC- PASS

[Ariah]

@ Rgleicher – I took far 3 times. Concentrate on difficult sections, print out questions that seem impossible to understand, learn them well. Every morning make a list of topics that you are unclear, and try to learn them by the end of the day. Every night before bed see if you can remember concepts and are comfortable with them. For example Consolidation – CAR IN BIG – US Gaap Full Goodwill how to solve, IFRS full and partial. Knowing the concepts is the key. And definitely know all the basic journal entries FASB, Govt and NFP.

With that said,just got Far results, scored 88. I am officially done with the CPA exams.

[iamstrong]

Congrats Ariah!!!
Thanks everyone for the advice!
I'm starting tomorrow morning! I got my notepads, blitz videos and NINJA book. I'm thinking I'll review for a week of the concepts and then hammer MCQ?
thanks!
Rachel

[Author]

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