Retake FAR…Study Plan and Study Material

  • Creator
    Topic
  • #186261
    qfolmar
    Participant

    I am retaking FAR in October. What study plan did any retakers use that worked and what study material do you think are the most beneficial for retaking FAR? I currently have WTB, Yaegar textbook, Ninja notes and audio. Any assistance will be helpful.

    Thanks!

    FAR-79
    REG-82
    AUD-83
    BEC- August 31st

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 17 total)
  • Author
    Replies
  • #570342
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I used CPAExcel when I took the exams. It was all I used for my first attempt at FAR, which I failed. For my retake I added Wiley TB, NINJA Notes, and NINJA Audio to my strategy.

    I pretty much didn't touch CPAExcel for my re-take. I did tons of MCQs in the Wiley TB (this was before Wiley bought CPAExcel and I thought the questions in Wiley were much better than the questions in CPAExcel – not sure if that has changed at all).

    In addition to tons of Wiley MCQs, I read and rewrote the NINJA Notes and listened to NINJA Audio on my way to and from work every day. Re-writing the notes did take a lot of time, but I think it helped me. I also really recommend getting through the NINJA Audio a few times. There were a couple questions on my exam where I could here Jeff's voice from the Audio in my head reading the answer.

    #570343
    qfolmar
    Participant

    Thanks, k917! I think I will devote more time to rewriting the notes this time around and ordering the Ninja MCQs.

    FAR-79
    REG-82
    AUD-83
    BEC- August 31st

    #570344
    taxgeek83
    Participant

    Definitely get the Ninja MCQs – I only studied for about 4 weeks for my retake (I studied about a solid week and a half the first time around). I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have passed if I had stuck with Wiley.

    #570345
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    So I am kind of in the same boat of wondering what study platform to use. Everyone really seems to like Ninja MCQs more than any other test banks. I had Becker but I haven't been a fan of it.

    #570346
    qfolmar
    Participant

    Taxgeek 83, did you only use Ninja MCQs for your retake?

    FAR-79
    REG-82
    AUD-83
    BEC- August 31st

    #570347
    taxgeek83
    Participant

    As far as test banks go, pretty much. I went through a couple of Wiley quizzes, but 99% was Ninja. I also had the Ninja notes, Ninja flashcards and Wiley textbook for reference when I didn't fully understand something.

    #570348
    qfolmar
    Participant

    Thanks everyone for the feedback!

    FAR-79
    REG-82
    AUD-83
    BEC- August 31st

    #570349
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I just wanted to add that I finished my exams before Ninja MCQ were available. So just because I mentioned Wiley, doesn't mean I thought Wiley was better than Ninja. I just couldn't get Ninja. If I could have, I definitely would have.

    @amk23 – I started the exam for my first attempt in 2009-2010 using Becker and I HATED Becker. So many people rave about it, and it definitely helps a lot of people pass, but it just wasn't the right program/approach for me. You're not alone in not liking Becker. I ended up getting CPAExcel through work and thought it worked great for me – especially in combination with Wiley TB, Ninja Notes, and Ninja Audio.

    #570350
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    @k917 – I'm glad I'm not alone on hating Becker, because honestly I do hate it. I have been using it for a year and I have only passed one test and that was after I got Ninja Notes. So I've been thinking of going all Ninja with the 10 Point Combo maybe?

    #570351
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    @amk23- Believe or not I only used becker and actually was enough to cover all main points… I never used other courses

    My journey was 1 year and 2 months but it felt like an eternity

    FAR: PASSED

    AUD: PASSED

    REG: PASSED

    BEC: PASSED – took it on 05-29-14 :O)

    #570352
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Aguirre81 – I know a lot of people love Becker, but for some reason it doesn't seem enough for me or I just can't get it with how they teach it. I'm glad you are finished though! I see you just recently finished! Congrats!!

    #570353
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    @amk23

    Have you tried to buy additional questions? I think the more questions you do the better you are prepared for the exam… trust me it wasnt easy… I had a hard time with Audit and when i saw the SIms in the exam i wanted to die … they were not like the sims from becker..

    Good luck!

    My journey was 1 year and 2 months but it felt like an eternity

    FAR: PASSED

    AUD: PASSED

    REG: PASSED

    BEC: PASSED – took it on 05-29-14 :O)

    #570355
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Aguirre81 – No I haven't tried buying any additional questions, and I totally agree that the sims on the exam were not like the sims on Becker. Which that is always my weakness on my score reports. I can usually swing the MCQs with a lot of practice, although I do notice me just memorizing the answers sometimes. But the sims are really what get me on the tests and I was never a fan of how Becker explains things when you get something wrong. Thanks for the suggestions though maybe I'll look into the questions.

    #570356
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Personally I thought going through the videos helped me, and I don't think I could have gotten through the exams just using NINJA. There are a lot of people though that find the videos to be pointless and not helpful. And they take a lot of time so they're only worth it if they're helpful.

    If a different study program is an option for you, take a look online for some trials and see what program might work better for you.

    My problem with Becker (and this didn't occur to me until after I had given up on my first attempt at these exams) was that I spent too much time trying to make sure I highlighted, underlined, etc. everything they told me to highlight, underline, etc. I wasn't learning the material because I was too focused on making sure I did everything they told me too.

    I used CPAExcel, and what I liked about it was the lectures were “bite-sized”. I could pick and choose small topics and really set my own schedule. If I needed to go over something again, the lectures were small enough I could focus on that one small topic for a bit.

    But as I mentioned earlier, adding Ninja Notes and Audio were what did it for me. I may not have added 10 points, but they helped me pass.

    #570357
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    @k917 – I think smaller like you say “bite size” lectures would be much better! I have trouble focusing and really learning something when they have almost 2 hour lectures. It is also hard to find the area you need to go back and listen to when they are so long. That is one reason why I only listen to the lectures once and never again. I have been looking online at others. I just can't decide what to do. Thanks for the suggestions! Greatly appreciated.

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 17 total)
  • The topic ‘Retake FAR…Study Plan and Study Material’ is closed to new replies.