[Anonymous]

I’m scheduled to take FAR on January 7th. I started studying a couple days ago (with Becker – firm paid for it), and I have the adequate suggested 2 weeks of review time before the exam. However, I don’t think I’ll need all 2 weeks to review. In addition, I’m going back home for the holidays so I’m probably going to take a few days off during that time.

Lectures & Homework – Now until Dec. 22 or so

Break for holidays

Final 1.5-2 week review – After holidays until Jan. 7, exam day

My question to all of you is, will those few days in the middle throw me off? I’ve only completed a couple lectures thus far but it seems like the information is going to continuously build on itself and I’m afraid taking a few days off will break my momentum. On the other hand, it could be beneficial to clear my head and hit the books hard for review to see what I really need to work on since the memorization will likely fade in those few days off. I could find out that I really didn’t know certain topics as well as I thought I did, and could focus on them in the week leading up to the exam.

Any advice would be helpful. I will study all through the holidays if that’s what it really will take.

Side note (not to be arrogant) – I received a 4.0 in both Intermediate Financial Accounting 1 and 2, and also Advanced Financial Accounting in undergrad. I took all 3 of these courses within the last year and a half or so. My point is I’m a decent student, so I don’t want to attract any responses like “you should study all waking hours until the exam” because I think that would actually hurt more than help.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I think only you can decide if a break in the middle of studying is going to help or harm. Everyone learns differently so that decision is up to you. Sometimes a break is good. And not to be rude, but most of the people on this forum, myself included, made a 4.0 in Intermediate and Advanced Financial Accounting. Tests in school and the CPA exam are two completely different things. Good Luck!

[Minimorty]

Not to be arrogant, but…..

Lol

[momto5]

Are you working full time or studying full time? I agree with Kricket – CPA exam is different than college exams (I was 4.0 as well). FAR is a LOT of information to retain. I think I would at least make flash cards and find some time to run through those during your break, just to try to retain as much as possible. I studied 12 weeks for FAR while working full time. Did OK, but I felt like I was thinking about FAR information constantly – last thing I was thinking about as I fell asleep and first thing I was thinking about as I awoke. Good luck! In my opinion, it's the best to get FAR out of the way first!

FAR - 92 (4/27/12)
AUD - 96 (7/17/12)
BEC - 92 (8/30/12)
REG - 91 (11/12/12)

[Anonymous]

I completed ALL of my accounting courses with a 4.0 (intermediates, advanced, tax, government, audit, etc..) and started testing as soon as I finished school. That was in 2010. As you can see I am still here trying to finish this. This exam is NOTHING like school. Be prepared to devote your life to this exam if you want to pass. I know this is exactly the answer you didn't want to attract, but you need to be prepared for the reality of this exam. I work full time and have a family to take care of so there are constant breaks in my studying and I always feel I need to be studying more.

Good luck and welcome to the forum!!

[Minimorty]

Man, did everyone get a 4.0 in college? I had a 2.4. Lol

[Anonymous]

@mini, I had about the same gpa as you my first time in college for my marketing degree when I was partying and working two jobs to pay my way through college. I went back years later to get my accounting degree and was way more focused.

[Anonymous]

I'm studying full-time. I also received the Becker flash cards since the firm pays for them so I think reviewing them during the break is actually a pretty good idea to keep things fresh. Thanks for the suggestion!

Also, I didn't have anywhere near a 4.0 in college, I just did well in those classes, which happen to pertain to FAR. I wasn't trying to sound like a d-bag, although that probably didn't work out too well lol.

[Anonymous]

even if you take a “break” during the holidays, it is definitely a good idea to use the flashcards to keep it fresh. You may want to consider also doing the progress tests on Becker. I can't remember if you can determine the number of questions you can do on them or not but I know you can choose the chapters to test on so you don't forget any of the material. I use the wiley test bank both online and the ipad app. I like to do 20-30 question testlets periodically over all the sections to keep it fresh. That would be a good investment for additional questions to work. You can purchase it here through another 71 in Jeff's store for a very good price (online version).

[Da Bears]

Who doesn't get straight A's?! Just kidding, I am in same dilemma, going to be done with all my lectures for REG then go to Hawaii 16-24, Xmas, then studying until jan 5th exam. I am planning on doing flash cards during breakfast and 20 questions each day to keep things fresh.

FAR- 8/14/12 91
AUD- 10/16/12 88
BEC- 11/07/12 92
REG- 01/05/13 86
NIU CPA Review

[samdiegoCPA]

Ha – my GPA was slightly higher than Minimorty. As long as I was going to class and PASSING, I didn't really care about grades :/

As everyone else has said – I'd definitely review flashcards at the very least. I took two days off of studying for Thanksgiving & the day after but was doing flashcards on my phone while at my friends house to eat, at the bar later that night, and hungover the next day. It definitely helped,

AUD: 84
REG: 84
BEC: 79
FAR: 83

[Author]

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