[MikeDin Dallas]

So I started studying in Dec for FAR, my exam is next Saturday. On average I score roughly about 58%-62% correct on my MCQ’s. Lately I have also had sessions where I scored 35% correct. I feel that I will definitely fail my first try, so needless to say my confidence is non existent at this time. What are your study tips? I work full time, study at night and on the weekends.

[Lola23]

I advise you to keep practicing as much as you can. It's ok if you don't feel confident by now. When you get your scores back, and if you failed, don't give up. Readjust your study plan and focus on understanding the concepts and keep practicing until you get it. No one ever failed, they just give up.

[Mike J]

Is there any topic that you just don't understand?

Bonds and leases were BIG stumbling blocks for me.

So I decided to put the CPA exam materials away one day. I determined instead to use my study time to become an expert in them.

I tore through my old college Intermediate textbook and class notes. I performed internet searches. I watched youtube videos. I took a TON of notes. Then, I incorporated those with what I took while going through practice MCQs and SIMs

No. I didn't become an expert. Haha But my mindset was to learn as much as I could. That was my goal for the day, weekend. That goal replaced the daily goal of trying to hit a given percentage right on MCQ.

Also, a word of caution about % right and practice tests. There is NO way to know what topics you will get. In theory, you could miss bonds all together, for instance, or get a lot of questions on them on the exam.

In my opinion, I think its better to be as comfortable with as many topics as you can be. The exam is a mile wide and an inch deep. Because they can test you on a lot, they can't afford the time to go TOO far indepth with each topic.

[Go.For.Broke]

@MikeDin Dallas even though you're scoring low on your MCQs, keep after it. You're probably beyond the “no-fee reschedule” period, so – if you intend to forge ahead and take the exam, feeling severely unprepared, prepare yourself the best you can over the next week. Allow yourself to have some confidence, because if you walk in thinking “I'm going to fail,” you may as well not use up the 4 hours for the exam. Commit to memory what you can, and do your best on the rest. If you do not pass, structure a different study plan that might provide more success. Everyone is different. Best of luck to you!

[Anonymous]

In addition to MCQ I would revisit the book the comes with your review course and definitely take notes! It's a bit low for being two weeks away from the exam. Take a step back, and study which areas you keep getting wrong, and focus on those. Make sure you do the SIMS-take one day and do SIMS only-those are key to passing, in my opinion. MCQ is easier and only 50% of your grade but the SIMS get to what you do or don't know in a different way all together…

[Author]

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