[Spalding]

I’m using Becker only right now and I am not working. I am only on F2 but I spend about 8+ hours a day studying and I feel like it still takes me about 2-3 days to finish a F unit. I hope to take it in July but I feel like I’m moving very slow.

My method with becker is to watch all the lectures one day. Then the next day I do the MCQ HW + try simulations all in one go. Is there any advice on how to improve retention/efficiency?

FAR - August 2014 - Passed
AUD - November 2014 - Passed
REG - May?
BEC - Feb 2015 - Passed

[Jspann225]

@Spalding I am right there with you. I am using Becker and plan on taking FAR July 1. I started studying 2 weeks ago and I'm moving on to F8 today. Although, I haven't taking any exam I really believe the only way to get better is through repetition and doing all of the MCQ. You will be surprised by how much you naturally retain through working MCQs and reading the solutions.

With all of that being said, I wouldn't mind receiving some other tips from a CPA exam vet. I can feel myself becoming more anxious a July approaches. I am getting restless already.

FAR - 93 - 7/1/14
AUD - 94 - 7/25/14
REG - 92 - 8/30/14
BEC - 89 - 10/6/14

[Ntw6817]

I think they recommend 15-20 hours per section so I don't think your pace is really that slow.

[smeech8000]

It picks up a bit after F3; that being said, the material in F2 & F3 is extremely important to know so don't rush through just to get past it. Nonmonetary exchanges and cost/equity/acquisition method accounting are concepts that get hammered and you need to be able to quickly know when and how to apply them based on the fact pattern.

Remember, FAR has the most material of any section; IMHO I don't feel that any section is digestible in the fashion you are going about it. Better to watch a single lecture, then follow up with the corresponding MCQ's immediately after. This may require more than 1 day to do per lecture/HW, especially if you only have 3-4 hours per day to study.

B 92
A 99
R 90
F 92

Becker Self-Study

OH CPA since 2/18/14

[Spalding]

@Jspann, if you don't mind me asking…how did you finish 7+ lectures in two weeks? That's an amazing pace

FAR - August 2014 - Passed
AUD - November 2014 - Passed
REG - May?
BEC - Feb 2015 - Passed

[tomq04]

@ Spalding,

Cocaine is one hell of a drug.

REG- (1) 76
FAR- (2) 64, (5)74, (7)83 (Over achiever!)
AUD- (3) 70, (4) 75
BEC- (6) 75

[Jspann225]

@spalding I don't think I am moving that fast, I have probably studied about 16 total days. I am going at a pace of a little over 2 days per section. I study for 7 hours a day monday – friday, about 3-4 hours on Saturday, and try to take sunday off.

FAR - 93 - 7/1/14
AUD - 94 - 7/25/14
REG - 92 - 8/30/14
BEC - 89 - 10/6/14

[The Ex Lurker]

I studied for FAR first as well. Granted I was working full time. My goal was to complete one chapter, including HW and SIMS in a weeks time. According to my plan, I had a couple weeks where I needed to complete 2 chapters in a week. By the time I hit F4, I was slacking and fell off track. Studying for FAR first is a risk because it has the most material and it can take a mental toll on you. You may feel discourage to go on, as I did but I ran into this forum 2 weeks before I took my exam. After reading a bunch of posts, I regain my confident and interest and finished strong on my studies. In a nut shell, Started to study late in Jan and sat on April 4.

My route is exactly the same as yours, except I started a window earlier. Also, you have plenty of study time since you are not working. I believe the SIMS weighed my score down. I didn't use the AL on any of the SIMS except for the research. I didn't realize I could use the AL to help with other SIMS. Be sure to practice navigating through AL while working on SIMS. Good luck with your studies.

F: Apr 14' Passed
A: May 14' Passed
R: Jul 14' Passed
B: Aug 14' Rematch in Oct *Passed*

[Author]

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