[needhelpfar]

Hey there.

This is my first post – I have one last exam to go – FAR, the beast, as it’s rightly called.

My initial view of FAR was “oh, how hard can it be?! It’s accounting, I should be able to manage.” Of course the material was huge, thus intimidating, but I thought I would stick to the plan of breaking it down to small parts and would be able to do it.

Here I am, three weeks away from my exam, and I’ve not even finished the material once!!! This is very unlike my usual preparation where I ensure to give myself 3 weeks of revision and only practice. So for obvious reasons I’m freaking out.. and I desperately need your help/advice/suggestions…

My problems –

1) I haven’t finished the material fully even once

2) I’m scoring around 60ish in the progress tests/practice

3) I’m working full time so I have barely 2-3 hours

4) Finding it real hard to retain the information

5) EXTREMELY DEMOTIVATED!!!!!!!!!!

Can anyone tell me how I should go about it for the rest of the 3 weeks?

[Anonymous]

How much have you covered upto this point? If you are only 2 or even 3 chapters away you might still hv a chance.

But if its more than 3 chapters, I would consider moving your test to July unless you risk losing another exam.

That way you will hv time to finish the material once and time to do a comprehensive review. That my 2 cents.

[Anonymous]

How much have you covered upto this point? If you are only 2 or even 3 chapters away you might still hv a chance.

But if its more than 3 chapters, I would consider moving your test to July unless you risk losing another exam.

That way you will hv time to finish the material once and time to do a comprehensive review. That my 2 cents.

[needhelpfar]

Yes, I have 3 chapters left. I'm intending to complete these by May 18th, and then allow myself 10 days of revision – my exam date is May 28, 2014.

My last testing window is July/August as I start losing credits thereafter, hence the hurry to complete FAR.

Any advice?

[needhelpfar]

Yes, I have 3 chapters left. I'm intending to complete these by May 18th, and then allow myself 10 days of revision – my exam date is May 28, 2014.

My last testing window is July/August as I start losing credits thereafter, hence the hurry to complete FAR.

Any advice?

[005]

Remain calm and keep trucking forward.

you got this.

BEC - ✔
REG - ✔
AUD - ✔
FAR - 11/29/14

CPAExcel, Ninja MCQs, and a sh*t ton of coffee

[005]

Remain calm and keep trucking forward.

you got this.

BEC - ✔
REG - ✔
AUD - ✔
FAR - 11/29/14

CPAExcel, Ninja MCQs, and a sh*t ton of coffee

[SeePeaAye]

I would say once you finish going through the material, do multiple choice questions like there is no tomorrow. I wouldn't waste any time on doing sims; if you know the material you should be able to get the sims correct. When doing the multiple choice, read why your answer was wrong and also read the other explanations. I really think that helped me this last time; understanding not only why the right answer was right, but why the wrong answer was wrong. I would do blocks of 20-30 questions then go back and look at which topics gave me the hardest time. Then I would do one block of 20-30 concentrating on those areas.

BEC - 69,77(exp), 77
REG - 65,60,79(exp),73,79 DONE!!
AUD - 50,71,68,69,73,87!
FAR - 57,59,74,72,66,76!

[SeePeaAye]

I would say once you finish going through the material, do multiple choice questions like there is no tomorrow. I wouldn't waste any time on doing sims; if you know the material you should be able to get the sims correct. When doing the multiple choice, read why your answer was wrong and also read the other explanations. I really think that helped me this last time; understanding not only why the right answer was right, but why the wrong answer was wrong. I would do blocks of 20-30 questions then go back and look at which topics gave me the hardest time. Then I would do one block of 20-30 concentrating on those areas.

BEC - 69,77(exp), 77
REG - 65,60,79(exp),73,79 DONE!!
AUD - 50,71,68,69,73,87!
FAR - 57,59,74,72,66,76!

[ChristieF]

@needhelpfar… if you want this bad enough, you can do it! Are you able to study on the weekends? Dont know if you have kids, etc. Finish reading/reviewing the chapters you have, you said there are 3 left, right? Then after that… hit the test bank. Don't blow off SIM's either… do some of those at least here and there. Take a day off of studying to relax and veg out for a day… then hit the books the next day, a day off can be wonderful for motivation. If you have any of the ninja materials… on your commute, listen to audio, while you're taking a break and watching tv, do some flashcards. you CAN do this if you set your mind to it. Good luck!!!

[ChristieF]

@needhelpfar… if you want this bad enough, you can do it! Are you able to study on the weekends? Dont know if you have kids, etc. Finish reading/reviewing the chapters you have, you said there are 3 left, right? Then after that… hit the test bank. Don't blow off SIM's either… do some of those at least here and there. Take a day off of studying to relax and veg out for a day… then hit the books the next day, a day off can be wonderful for motivation. If you have any of the ninja materials… on your commute, listen to audio, while you're taking a break and watching tv, do some flashcards. you CAN do this if you set your mind to it. Good luck!!!

[super_cpa]

^ I was thinking about weekends too.

I think you should be okay as long as you understand the material and do enough MCQs to see what/how they will be quizzing you on the exam. But the most important part is to understand the material. There is, indeed, a lot to retain but having a good understanding will definitely help. Stay motivated and good luck!

- "Of all people, you know who I am… who the world needs me to be. I’m Wonder Woman."

[super_cpa]

^ I was thinking about weekends too.

I think you should be okay as long as you understand the material and do enough MCQs to see what/how they will be quizzing you on the exam. But the most important part is to understand the material. There is, indeed, a lot to retain but having a good understanding will definitely help. Stay motivated and good luck!

- "Of all people, you know who I am… who the world needs me to be. I’m Wonder Woman."

[lauren725]

Hey needhelpfar – I am pretty much in the same boat as you. Taking it the 29th and still have a few chapters to go. I am spending some extra time each night reviewing the first few chapters (hopefully will be to F4 this weekend). There is just no way I will be able to review all of this at once so I am trying it that way and then I can hopefully make some progress over the next few weeks. Might be doing F10 a few days before the exam. I want to try to get a good grasp on most of the other material first I think. Stay motivated, we can do this!

AUD - 73,91
FAR - 79 - Thank you God!
BEC - 73,79!!!!
REG - 92 whatttt??!

I used Becker review + flashcards, Ninja Audio, Ninja MCQ supplement on BEC and REG.

Done! Praise God!

[lauren725]

Hey needhelpfar – I am pretty much in the same boat as you. Taking it the 29th and still have a few chapters to go. I am spending some extra time each night reviewing the first few chapters (hopefully will be to F4 this weekend). There is just no way I will be able to review all of this at once so I am trying it that way and then I can hopefully make some progress over the next few weeks. Might be doing F10 a few days before the exam. I want to try to get a good grasp on most of the other material first I think. Stay motivated, we can do this!

AUD - 73,91
FAR - 79 - Thank you God!
BEC - 73,79!!!!
REG - 92 whatttt??!

I used Becker review + flashcards, Ninja Audio, Ninja MCQ supplement on BEC and REG.

Done! Praise God!

[Anonymous]

I would kick into high gear at this point. Assume you have no life, at all. Go to the store and stock up on healthy frozen meals and snacks so you don't have to cook. You will need plenty of brain food. Streamline you life and skip everything unnecessary. With ELL you should easily be able to get in 4 hours a day. Could you take a day or two off here and there? Maybe create a 3 day uninterrupted study weekend .

Map out your plan for the next 3 weeks and stick to it. Skip SIMs. Your plan should include finishing the material and going through all MCPs at least once. Your weak points should be apparent and you can do more MCP's on those points in the last few days. Don't skip stuff you don't think is important or is unfamiliar. Nonprofit and government are often underestimated.

Since you've passed the other 3 exams I don't think there is any harm is taking this one in May, even if you are unsure. You will still have one more opportunity for a retake. But study as if this is your last chance! That way you can enjoy your summer exam free 🙂

[Author]

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