[Anonymous]

Hi Everyone,

I have been a long time lurker of this board which has been a tremendous resource for me. This is my first time posting. I was hoping I could get some feedback on a couple of questions. I have researched the board diligently on these topics but I was hoping for a fresh perspective. Thanks for your help in advance.

1. Study Plan – On the recommendation of this board I purchased Yeager for FAR. I went through every single video and did all the recommended questions. In addition, I purchased Jeff’s NINJA notes. I have been going through the Wiley test bank questions and I also purchased Gleim’s test bank questions. After going through everything I have found the Multiple Choice questions to be the best practice for me. I think everyone learn’s differently and for me going through the book and the videos just isn’t doing it for me. I have only been retaining about 10% of the information that has been present. Has anyone had a similar experience? My plan was to just do MCs until my eyes bled. I have done this in the past for other tests (California Real Estate Broker Exam) and that worked for me.

2. Tests per Window – I keep reading how some people only take 1 test per window, sometimes all 4. I thought about doing 2 per window, however working full time, finishing up my MBA and having a family (2 year old daughter) might just be too much. I would rather take only 1 test per window so that I can focus on it and then move on. My fear is that I may run into problems with the 18 month requirement should I get stuck on one of the tests. I also thought of doing a hard test with an easier test (FAR and AUD) during the same window, but I keeping reading how some people are getting stuck on the supposed “easier” tests of AUD and BEC. Any advice or feedback on this?

[Anonymous]

I was working 50+ hours a week in public accounting, and a full-time masters program. I tried to get 2 test in per window, but was not able to do it. It was a real struggle to even get 1 test in per window.

I don't think pairing FAR or REG with an “easier” test is really possible either, because even though for some people BEC and AUD may be easier than FAR and REG, they are still very difficult sections to get through.

I would wait until after you are finished in your master's program, then pick a slow time of the year for your industry. Then you can have the best chance to make time for studying because work will be slower, and you won't have the master's program competing for your time. Start with 1 test per window, get into the practice of a rigorous study routine, and then just see how it goes. Then if that works out, you can try for 2 tests in the next window, or keep doing 1 per window and then later if you get down to the 18 month deadline, and you haven't passed some sections, then consider making changes to try to get 2 test in per window.

Also, if you are worried about the 18month window, take what you would consider to be the most difficult section first. Your 18 month window doesnt start until after you have passed your first section. So if you start with the most difficult one first, then you give yourself the best use of the 18 months after you've passed it.

Also, I'm have been studying using only Wiley and Gleim practice questions, studying the answers for questions I got right and wrong, and making notes on anything I got wrong. I had Becker, but watching the lectures really didn't do anything for me. In my opinion, practicing the actual questions is better preparation because it's exactly the kind of thing you will see on the exam, and it teaches you not only the materal, but also the skills on how to read, understand, and answer the questions.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Thanks CalCPASoon. Any preference between Wiley and Gleim? I have been leaning towards focusing on Gleim as the questions appear to be slightly more difficult, there is more of them and an easier to use interface. Also, how many questions on average did you try to go through per day? My plan was about 100 divided up among two 1 hour sessions of 50 questions each.

[Anonymous]

I usually try for 75-100 questions per day, but I don't always get that many, especially if it's a tough section and I'm spending more time writing notes. I have wiley book, wiley test bank, and gleim test bank. I usually read the chapter in wiley, then do the odd numbered MCQ's in the book, then if I feel like I need more practice, i'll go back and do the even numbered problems, or I'll also do the MCQ's for that chapter in the test bank. Sometimes its just easier to do practice MCQ's in the testbank because you can get instant feedback, and sometimes it just seems easier on a computer than doing them out of a book.

Every day I'll also try to do about 30 MCQ's in the online test bank across all the chapters. This helps me reinforce what I've already learned, and exposes me to what else is going to be on the test. In the beginning I don't score well on these tests, but in the end I've finished everything in the book, and have also done gotten in a lot of practice on doing testlets.

If I had to choose between Wiley and Gleim, I would choose Wiley because I feel its more comprehensive, and its the same material that Yaeger uses in their home study program. But at the same time, I think the Gleim test bank is a really good complement to Wiley. It prevents me from memorizing answers to questions I've seen before, and gives me lots more practice. I have online access to Wiley test bank, so I can do it while I'm at work during lunch.

[Author]

Replies