[Anonymous]

I take FAR on Friday and needless to say I am terrified. I took REG nearly 2 months ago and in final review averaged an 81% on WTB problems (I did every problem and didn’t repeat any) and felt comfortable going into the test. However, with FAR on the horizon and having averaged a 69% on 900 unique (i.e. no repeats) MCQ in FAR WTB, I am constantly questioning my preparedness for test day. I am frustrated doing MCQ sets because so often there are random, overly specific rules that throw me off and half the time I can’t even find the answer in my Becker text – especially those related to IFRS.

I spent July 10 – August 11 completing all of Becker Self-Study except for SIMS, which I plan to go through this week. After that I had a family reunion to attend and didn’t get much studying in (only ~40 MCQ per day), and since returning for the past week I have averaged about 100 MCQ per day. I spend about 3 minutes per MCQ because I write down the rule behind the answer for any question whose rule I don’t feel 100% confident about, so it is difficult to get a whole lot more than that done in a day without my mind going numb. Until test day I will be rereading Becker text and taking notes, and doing 30-50 MCQ per day so I don’t get rusty on them. By test day I will have done roughly 4,000 MCQ (500 more than I did for REG).

To those who have passed FAR, how did you feel going into the test? What did you do during final review to tie everything together, and how did you manage to handle all of the minutiae?

Thank you!

[kmaahs]

I didn't feel good going into the test or coming out of it.

I only truly “reviewed” one day. With that day, I skimmed through some big areas like bonds, pensions, consolidations because I figured they would end up on the test in some form or another.

Reviewing for something you have put in 150+ hours of study time for is rather difficult. You reach a point where you either know it or don't.

I would spend time knocking out sims (they were very hard for me, personally.) and look through the big areas a little bit just to refresh a tad.

With your REG score, I can imagine whatever you are doing is working, so keep at it!

C.P.A.

[so1913]

My exam is on Wed, I'm going through the HW MCQ's in Becker for the second time and not doing too well, especially on these earlier chapters:( I'm up to F4 and will try to get through at F5 2nd round by tonight. I don't know if this is the best route…it sure isn't building confidence.

AUD - 90 Pass
REG - 70,61,81 Pass DONE DONE DOOOOONNEEE!!!!!!!!
BEC - 79 - Pass
FAR - 70,82 - Pass

[Anonymous]

In the same boat, FAR on Wednesday. For REG and BEC I felt much more confident, I actually had time to read through my entire textbook twice and go through WTB at least 2 times. I was also averaging much higher scores for those tests. For FAR I'll take 30 mcq quizzes and average around 70%, sometimes as low as 50%! I just finished going through my text the first time which leaves 4 days for review. I literally don't even know where to begin, the CPAexcel text is 1200 pages and I'm having trouble in so many different areas. Sorry I can't be of any help, just know there are others out there scared as well haha

[Anonymous]

Hey, when I went into FAR i was about 75% ready worried I rushed the studying. All throughout the test, I had nausea, and had to take a bathroom break, haha. I felt so sick, I started to not care as much about certain questions, and kept pushing to the sims. I made sure I had 1:45 minutes for sims and needed it all. I came out sure I failed, and convinced myself further that I had failed during the waiting period.

low and behold, 87. I was very surprised. I would say remember that nfp & govt is 20-30% of your test per the AICPA handout. Know govt/nfp inside out upside down and backwards. That will make or break you test day.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

@co10101 Our schedules are the exact same- I'm taking it on Wednesday too and literally just finished going through the material once (with the exception of F10). Actually for those using Becker, does anyone know how important that last chapter is? I figured it's a bunch of miscellaneous topics not worth spending any time on since reviewing is more critical. Am I making a huge mistake here?

[TripleNetAcct]

@ampersand – I was wondering the same thing. I am about to finish F9 and am not sure if I should rework all of the F8 & F9 MCQs immediately or if I should spend 10 hours working through F10. What do the Another71 peeps think? Thank you!

AUD 73 (Aug 12) 77
BEC 66 71 (Nov 12) 80
REG 54 81 (May 13) 81
FAR 63 (Dec 13) 75 TEXAS

[Anonymous]

Definitely do chapter 10 as there are many little topics that may or may not be tested. Once your done with ch 10 come back to ch 8& 9.

You still have about a week to review once your done.

[Kls238]

I take FAR on Tuesday and I'm right there with you. I took my two practice exams and scored in the 60s then 50s on the MCQs. However, I got 100s on almost all my SIMs. I also have done almost all the wiley questions and average in the 70s. I thought I knew governmental and NFP well until those final exams. Man, they were tough. Although I'm not sure where to focus my attention, I'm going to try to keep plugging away at MCQs and hope I end up with a favorable exam. You seem in better shape than me, so I'm sure you'll do great. I hear you score 10+ better on the regular exam. Good luck to you!

Passed all sections.

[TripleNetAcct]

@kls238 – Good luck on Tuesday!

@dutkas – Will do. Thank you for the advice.

AUD 73 (Aug 12) 77
BEC 66 71 (Nov 12) 80
REG 54 81 (May 13) 81
FAR 63 (Dec 13) 75 TEXAS

[Author]

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