[Anonymous]

Hi guys,

Sorry but I’m just freaking out about my FAR exam during the first week of July next month. This is my second time around taking FAR, last exam was a 58 – May 2011. I didn’t have enough time to study due to busy season and honestly, I wasn’t accounting major, so lots of concepts are so hard for me and not to even mention the AMOUNT of material to understand and remember in FAR.

I have been taking so much notes and really studying hard for the last 2 weeks and I even take work off just doing half time in June just to have more time to study, so I’m desperate to pass this exam. Please HELP and give me ANY advice for those who have already pass FAR.

I have been using Becker review and I think I understand the concepts, but when it comes to doing MCs, I’m not scoring too well in some sections, usually around 55-70 % – I find myself always over thinking, over analyzing the questions and at the end picking the wrong one, when I had the right answer to begin with 50% of the time.

I don’t know at this point should I invest in Gleim FAR exam review for about $300??? or Yaeger? the review with those MCs problems and etc. A friend of mine told me she passed after she used Gleim for FAR and AUD and so did her friends . I just don’t know anymore, I just want to pass and not fail. I’m so tired from working and studying and getting ONLY 60% on the MCs..!!!!!

I’m desperate, please help!!! How can I make sure to pass this time? With one month and a week left, can I actually pass?????

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[lauramaria]

Created with Compare Ninja

[Sandra]

I know I sound like a broken record on this board when it comes to Gleim, but I hate them a lot. don't buy Gleim. If you are having a hard time understanding the concepts it won't help you. I vote for Yaeger or Roger.

[tbstew]

I use Gleim. So far it's worked… but I have to say, if I could do it all over again (with more $$ available to spend), I would have chosen a different program. Gleim gives you all the essential info (and then some). But the delivery is painfully boring. So unless you really like being taught by a program that acts like a textbook, Gleim may not be for you.

Since you already have Becker, I really wouldn't invest in a full review course. Just grab the Wiley test bank, maybe some NINJA notes (and audio, if that would help you during your commute, etc…), and hit the MCQs like a crazy person.

Good luck!

AUD - 79
BEC - 88
REG - 87
FAR - 86 - Woot, all done!
Ethics - 100

[Jack_K]

How about Roger? Check him out! I passed all 4 sections with his course. : )

FAR - 77
BEC - 71, 76
REG - 76
AUD - 73, 85

Roger CPA Review

"Study hard you WILL pass" Roger P

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much guys for all of your advice. I really appreciate that. For Wiley's test bank, is it just completely MCs from past CPA exams? How about if I need practice to Stimulations too? I feel that Becker's Stimulation is not hard enough??? Exam ones are way harder I feel…Does anyone feel this way??

[lateralus ag]

Not to rain on anyone's parade here, but I have used Becker Self Study exclusively and I also bought the Final Review. For FAR, I did the multiple choice questions until I got them all 100%. I found that I was memorizing the answers, so what I did was I went back and when I remembered a question, I actually went through the answers and wrote down why the right answer was right and why the wrong answers were wrong. It was PAINFULLY slow work, but I really believe that is what helped me.

I have a different take on the SIMS than most things I have read on here. Its not about doing a bunch of hard simulations in my opinion. Its about KNOWING THE MATERIAL that makes the difference. So, don't go find a bunch of sims just to be doing sims. Try to remember what it was about the sims on your first go around that gave you trouble. Then study that MATERIAL more and try to find someone to explain it to. I heard people talk about that approach all the way through school and I never gave it much thought. School was easy and it didn't take much to ace those tests. We all know the CPA is a different animal completely. So, I made my wife sit there and listen to me while I tried to explain some of the harder concepts. I think it went a LONG way…..

Then again, everyone is different. Jeff makes a business out of this stuff, so he obviously knows what he is doing. I have a few friends that have had great success using becker and the Wiley test banks.

FAR 88
REG 89
AUD 89
BEC 86
DONE!!!
Using Becker Review and Becker Final Review, and Ninja Audio for BEC

[jenuno01]

@brainhurtsfrom_CPA – if you're using Becker, stick to it…no need to spend extra money on other reviews. TRUST your review course. Candidates need to realize this whole CPA-review thing is a business, any full review course will have AICPA released questions and it is very likely they will have the same questions. If you're looking to supplement, get the Wiley Test Bank and concentrate on understanding the material…and for FAR, keep in mind most, if not all, the calculation questions can be solved via Journal Entry or T-Account…don't try to find short-cuts for calculations. Knowing how to construct a JE and plug for the correct answer will help you understand where the numbers are coming from, and most importantly, how the Financials are all connected in the great circle of life. Lol I watched the Lion King last night, don't hate.

Class of 2012

[lateralus ag]

@jenuno01

Excellent advice. Love the JE approach. I believe that helped me immensely as well.

FAR 88
REG 89
AUD 89
BEC 86
DONE!!!
Using Becker Review and Becker Final Review, and Ninja Audio for BEC

[Anonymous]

you guys are so amazing! THANK YOU! I feel better after reading all these posts.

@ lateralusog ag – I think your approach to the MCs are right – I actually also found myself starting to just remember the answers to MCs and wasn't effective at all. So I'll definitely try to answer and write down why right answer is right. very useful advice – thanks!!!

@ jenuno01 – I know your are right deep down myself – i need to trust the study program I'm using and sticking to it. I guess I'm just freaking out and seriously don't want to fail again. Who wouldn't? but thank you for the reassuring advice.

[Author]

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