[ochaudhry410]

Hi All!

As a preface, I have been a regular lurker in this forum for 2 years now. The community here has been nothing but helpful and I’ve seen so many people get help that I don’t think you can find anywhere else on the internet. General optimism and a retrospective view of the CPA is something that I pick up from posts here all the time. This is my first post resulting from an issue I’m having that I know this community can help guide me with.

Little background: I have been working full time for 4.5 years now (some of that experience is public but now in private/corporate accounting). Alongside working I managed to get my masters and now have been studying for my CPA for nearly 2 years. I had passed BEC (80), FAR (78), and AUD (76), with 2 months left to take REG. I just found out a failed REG, for the second time, this morning and now have lost BEC as well (I have to pass both by 2/28/17). I’m not mourning the failure of REG nor the loss of BEC but want to get your thoughts on my proposed study plan to ensure I’m not missing anything. I need to get back on the right track to pass!

Study plan/points needing feedback:

1. Is it wise to study for both BEC and REG concurrently? BEC is by far the easiest section for me to both study for and practice. I initially passed it during busy season and finishing my capstone for my masters (with only a month of actual studying). After purchasing NINJA MCQ and running through a few hundred questions, I realize that I’m still comfortable in about half of what BEC covers, requiring me to study for the remaining half. REG I’ve been studying for since August and obviously something isn’t right if I’ve failed it twice. I had used Becker initially but then supplemented it with NINJA notes/MCQ. My becker online has expired and am now thinking of getting WILEY test bank to supplement the notes/MCQ and my Becker Book.

2. I plan to split up almost all of my time working through MCQs (both Wiley & NINJA), with approximately 2 hours per weekday and 5-6 hours on the weekend. As I do for my other exams, I’ve created a spreadsheet breaking down the required level of questions per day and their time allotment. Does anyone feel this is still not enough and I should revert back to studying notes/the book? I don’t want to spin my tires reading since that is what I did before and it resulted in two failures and 2.5 months gone. Does anyone have a better way to read/take notes that helped them?

3. I need to get both REG/BEC passed by 2/28/17. Currently, I am planning on taking both of these tests by Mid/End January in order to get my results by Mid/Feb. I am doing this so in the event I do not pass I can still squeeze in another attempt before 2/28. Do you think this is a good approach or should I extend my study plan in anticipation of passing both on my first January attempt? I’m hoping others can share their opinion here and help me out!! (Also, I’ve reapplied to take REG and am aware that Q1 17 timelines haven’t been released. I don’t think I’ll schedule anything for another week or so).

I, as have us all, have gone through balancing acts trying to get my education and career in line when attempting to become a CPA. This exam has been the biggest hurdle I’ve had to encounter in my life by far. With the time dwindling down and me having only two months to pass these two tests I’m hoping my fellow ninjas can help provide some advice, optimism, and tips!

Thanks in advance!

[rocky3124]

@ochaudhry410 – You can only take each section once per quarter, so there's no reason to rush it before Mid/End January, you can't “squeeze in” another attempt of the same section. If I were you, continue studying REG since it's fresh in your mind and take it early January. Then use the remaining time to study and take BEC late February.

[ochaudhry410]

@rocky3124,

Thanks for that. I completely forgot about the once per quarter rule. Good call, I'll continue focusing on studying REG.

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