[ihatestudying]

@Path to CPA, Lady in Red, to_be_a_CPA, bjo………………up to page 34 of FAR ninja notes and already discouraged and have no clue how im going to get through this info, and master it before 11/30… let the stress begin

AUD - 2/27/12 - 76
REG - 5/31/12 - 78
BEC - 8/31/12 - 77
FAR - 12/6/12 - 76

[omgthtcpa]

@ QQ@Nasba thanks for sharing!

i'm doing something very similar to your strat at the moment. can i ask how long it took you to study for FAR? i work full time and right now its quarter end and i'm working longer hours than i normally do so i'm afraid i wont be ready by Thanksgiving…

FAR - Nov 2012 = 73; Feb 2013 = 83!!! WOO!!!
AUD - Apr 2013
REG - Jul 2013
BEC - Aug 2013

[sarah210]

I swear, studying for FAR is like trying to hold onto a big handful of sand. The information just keeps falling out of my head. Ugh. 6 more days. I'm reviewing deferred taxes tonight, and I'm at least grasping better than I ever have before. Not that that's necessarily saying much.

REG- 53, 91
BEC- 88
FAR- 62, 85
AUD- 85

Ethics- 93

[stokey45]

I got up early to study and I did not accomplish one MCQ. I attempted 3 in 50 minutes and ended up printing them out. I cannot figure out the answers. I am hoping once I get to work I will be more awake and can figure them out. So frustrating! I am tripping up on bonds issued between interest dates. Ugh! C'mon brain WAKE UP!

[wantCPA]

Hey guys!

Just wondering, if any of you using Becker, do you read through the appendices?

Is it worth it to read/do problems on them?

BEC 5.31
FAR 86
REG 84
AUD 78

[rsoxtim]

For the stuff Becker tells me to “read on my own,” I will read but not put much effort into understanding it. If I get a homework MC on it, I'll study it more in depth and possibly make a flashcard to include with my others. For example, in F-7's ratio appendix, I'm only studying those that appeared in the MCs.

Virginia

F - Passed
R - 1/19/2013
B - February 2013
A - April 2013

[jimstein77]

It's been awhile since I visited this site. I was fortunate enough to have successfully completed FAR in May which marked the completion of this long and sometimes painful journey. Trust me, if I was able to do this, you can too. I found that the Wiley Book and Test Bank prepared me very well for all 4 sections of the exam. In fact Wiley is the only study material I used for each section (saved a fair amount of money). My plan consisted of focusing solely on one exam section at a time and allowing at least 4-5 months of study time for each, about 20 hours a week. I went through each section of the Wiley book, took very detailed notes, and did the practice tests (over and over again). I found that if I did all of the test questions (both book and online test bank) at least 3-4 times, I was fairly well prepared for exam day. It was also much easier to go back and study my notes as opposed to digging back into the book. I would also recommend that you don't ignore the Simulations. While I've heard several people mention that they are a crap shoot on exam day, I found them very helpful and in fact had several exam Sims that were very similar to what I found in the Wiley text. If you are struggling to get by any of the 4 sections and haven't reorted to the Wiley material, please strongly consider it. It's a bit painful but if you stick to a consistent study plan and nail 20 hours per week over a 4-5 month time period, you'll be surprised how much of the material sticks with you.

[stokey45]

A jimstein 77.

Thanks for the encouragement. I am always looking and reading posts on this website and love to hear success stories. I have been trying to go fast as I can to get thru this section but it is taking longer that I originally planned. I can see how much time you took to study and it reminds me that it is more important to be prepared than to say I am finished with the book.

Also, I am going to need to retake REG and I have been thinking of using the Wiley material. Your success helps to confirm it for me.

Thanks for the post.

[jimstein77]

Stokey45

Keep plugging and yes give the Wiley book and test bank a look. REG is an absolute bear but you can handle it. Just pound a way at those MCQs as often as possible. Good luck to you.

[Tncincy]

Hi,

I'm starting from the top since I miserably failed reg in August and cancelled far so I'm in regroup mode. I am using Cpaexcel which I am not enjoying at all. So since then I have purchased ninja notes, ninja audio, and wiley test bank. I already have wiley books I used in my masters program so I don't know if I need new wiley books since mine are 2011/2012. I really want to take at least one test in this last window. I plan to study 20-25 hours starting Monday. Should I go for Far or retake Reg…

Listen gang…I am 47 years old and I really want to get this Cpa exam behind me so I can enjoy some of the medicare the presidential candidates are debating about.(lol)

Help with any tips of preparation and how do I join the study group?

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[stokey45]

@tncincy

You are not alone! I am 48 and studying/working with very little time left for “life.” I have not tried any other review material other than Becker so I cannot comment on if you should get new Wiley books or not.

I can tell you that when I failed AUD I went right back to the material and studied it again. I wanted to retain as much of the previously studied material as possible. At that point I followed the study plan recommended by Jeff and it worked for me. I passed. I felt more prepared than I had felt for any of the tests taken so far. I am continuing to follow the same schedule for FAR. I have come to the realization that I am not going to sit for the exam until I feel I am ready. In the past I set my exam date, studied like crazy, ran out of time but took the test anyway. It did not work for me.

If I can give any advice to myself and others it would be don't look at your age. It doesn't matter how old we are; it does matter that we accomplish our goals. We will get there! (we will probably have to work until we are about 100 anyway Ha, Ha) Best of luck to you.

[Anonymous]

@tncincy

I have used Becker, WIley, Ninja Notes and Ninja Audio. I love the Becker Lectures as I needed to be taught a lot of things because either it wasn't taught in school or I didn't remember it. I used Becker for a year. I passed AUD just using Becker but I am an ex-auditor so that was pretty simple for me. For BEC I used Becker and Ninja Notes. For REG I bought the Wiley testbank and am thankful I did. I took REG twice with just Becker and Ninja Notes and made a 62 both times. The third time I took it I added Wiley Testbank and jumped up to a 76. For FAR, I took it in May using the same method and got a 72. My Becker expired before I took FAR again so I just used Ninja Notes and Wiley and made a 72 again. Now I have purchased the Ninja Audio and am hoping that between that and a million more MCQ and practice tests I will get those last few points. I think that Becker is great if you need to learn or relearn information. If not, I think Ninja Audio and Notes with the Wiley testbank is sufficient. I don't have the Wiley Books but if you have the Ninja Notes you should be fine on making sure you have all the updated information as much has not changed between 2011 and 2012 for FAR.

As far as which section to take first, I am glad I took AUD first becuase I needed the confidence boost. Part of me wishes I would have taken REG or FAR next instead of BEC but it felt great to get halfway through the test in 1 window. The last exam has been the hardest for me to be motivated to study for, another reason I wish I would have saved BEC for last. If you are not a tax person, REG is going to be hard. That one was my least favorite. Best advice I can give is pick one and stick with it until you pass. If you try to switch back and forth, especially between FAR and REG, it will be way more difficulte to retain information if you fail.

Good luck to you!

[Tncincy]

@akb9874 a lot of candidates must be using becker. I only have one problem …cost. I would like a good lecture program tough(if necessary) CPAexcel is just not getting it….I mean I could just read Wiley books for what I am getting. Outside of the lectures there are plenty of mcq's and task based simulations. So I could combine the wiley testbank with the reading materials but the reading materials and my ninja notes and audio. I am feeling my way believe me…but at any rate I'm going to go with Reg first since I am a tax person and just need to plain ole study and tackle far after. I will get it done though. I am yet open for any tips. Does anyone know beckers pass rate?

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[MsCPA544]

Hi Everyone!

Im new to this Forum. I just submitted my Transcripts for evaluation and waiting impatiently for the Board's Approval. I'm in CA and they said its going to take 6 weeks to get back to me! Once approved (I hope I get approved) I will take FAR first, I am planning to take it in Feb 2013! I am excited and nervous at the same time from reading good and bad experiences here on this blog.

FAR-7/27/13
AUD-5/25/13
REG-NOT SCHEDULED
BEC-NOT SCHEDULED

[kwin]

Hi guys!

I'm new to the forum and just thought you guys might be a good group to help motivate me through my last section of the CPA. This will be my 3rd time taking FAR. I have passed all 3 of the exam on first try. I made a 70 on the first try and a 72 on the second try. Simulation is what killed me both time. My advice for those that are trying for the first time is to be in control of the time, especially with the simulations. I did beyond average on MC portion, just failed miserably on the simulations because I gave myself an hour to do it as supposed to 1.5 hours, and i freak out when i went through the simulation that i almost left it blank. DON”T MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE 🙂

REG-76
BEC-81
AUD-79
FAR-70, 72, 81

You haven't failed until you give up

[Anonymous]

I seem to be doing pretty well on multiple choice (been taking 100Q progress tests almost every day). How do you recommend preparing for the simulations? I have Becker.

[Author]

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