[Anonymous]

I’ve failed REG 3 times. I don’t know what to do now. I have one more shot before I lose FAR.

The first time I failed: My NTS was expiring and I wasn’t even remotely close to being ready to take it. I used Roger’s lectures/book with Wiley test bank. I ended up with a 62. I moved onto BEC before I attempted a retake.

The second time I failed: I used Roger’s lectures/book with Wiley test bank and supplemented with the Ninja audio and notes. I read over the notes a few times, but I didn’t rewrite them. I didn’t get to study as much as I had hoped (work got in the way), but I felt like I had a good chance of passing. I ended up with a 70. I moved on to AUD (took it 2x) before I attempted a retake.

The third time I failed: I used the Ninja book and test bank. My personal life got in the way and I was weeks behind on studying. I didn’t really dedicate to studying like I should have. I wasted a lot of study time browsing the internet and having a life. I didn’t get to use my Ninja notes and I only listened to the audio like 2x. Based on my Ninja trending score, I knew I wasn’t ready to test but I wanted to go ahead and take it (two chances of passing are better than one!). I ended up with a 62.

I feel like if I had dedicated more time/effort to studying, I could have passed. I feel like if I had the time to rewrite my Ninja notes a few times, I could have passed (I truly believe that is how I finally passed FAR and AUD). Since I have FAR at stake, a lot of people are telling me that I need to just bite the bullet and buy Becker. I am having a really hard time justifying that cost. We really can’t afford to buy it. I guess I could always finance it, but I hate to do that if I really don’t need to. I NEED to pass. I don’t want to retake FAR. I struggled so much to pass it the first time and I don’t know if I can do it again. If I fail REG again, I will only have 2-3 months to pass REG and FAR before I lose BEC. I’m practically hyperventilating at the thought of that! All of my previous test scores have been really close to 75, so it’s not like I really mastered any of the other exams.

I have until February to pass. Since I’m piggybacking on my studying I just finished, I have actually retained a lot of information this time. My plans are to use my Roger lectures/skim his book, read my Ninja book, use the Ninja test bank, rewrite the Ninja notes 4x, and listen to the Ninja audio every single day. Do you think this should suffice or do I need to buy Becker?

[EuroAddict]

Tough love time: Just effin' study. Your 3 fails have 3 different excuses. Buckle down and get this $hit done.

-----------------------------
BEC - 77, 03/2015 (first try)
FAR - 79, 05/2015 (second try)
REG - 83, 12/2015 (first try)
AUD - 84, 03/2015 (first try)

I got 99 problems but the CPA ain't one.

[lswang]

I think you answered your own question in your post. 🙂 “I feel like if I had dedicated more time/effort to studying, I could have passed. I feel like if I had the time to rewrite my Ninja notes a few times, I could have passed (I truly believe that is how I finally passed FAR and AUD).”

I used Becker for REG and honestly wasn't a fan. I used Becker for everything else and passed, but REG is really just not my thing, and I felt like Becker left out a lot of important, clarifying explanations. I'm currently using Roger Cram and Ninja MCQ for my retake, and I feel way better about it this time around.

Just buckle down- you already know what you need to do. Give up your social life for like a month. I deactivated my Facebook, etc… Just because I'm the kind of person who will distract myself if given the chance (I mean, hellooo, I'm on this site instead of listening to Roger). You've passed the other three so you obviously have what it takes. I don't think throwing more money at the materials is going to help you so much as your work ethic will.

FAR | 81 - July 21 15
REG | 66 - Oct 1 15 | 87 - Jan 7 16
AUD | 90 - Oct 29 15
BEC | 86 - Nov 25 15

[GHardesty]

BananaPancakes,
To echo EuroAddict and Iswang, it seems as if REG has proven to be the most difficult section for you due to various reasons. It seems as if to increase the odds of you passing (and not losing FAR), that you need to take into consideration the reasons why you didn't pass and apply that to this exam. Looks like you did this in paragraph 5 where you provided a solution for future studies.

In addition, although it is important to identify problems and provide solutions. You used language like “I NEED to pass,” and “I'm practically hyperventilating.” Do some mental exercises to provide calmness and focus, so that you can create an environment of study and not have yourself in a fear/survival mode, which will probably prohibit you from learning.

Good luck,

AUD 80 05/31/16 (1x)
BEC 80 01/16/16 (3x)
FAR 78 11/23/15 (2x)
REG 87 02/29/16 (2x)

[hrhoadcpa]

@bananapancakes Since you have already studied a little for the past times that you took REG, i would focus on knocking out as much Ninja MC questions as you can. I personally think that is the way to go! I had about the same experience as you. The first time I took it was because I had aready gotten my NTS and needed to take it before it expired. I was not prepared at all and got around a 50. All in all, I took it 5 times…but I blame it on not being as focused as I could have been. Once I buckled down and truly studied hardcore, it all clicked and I passed with an 83. This was mainly by reading Ninja notes and doing as many MC questions that I could. If you do the Ninja MC, you want to make sure you are trending in the 80s at least. I felt that the trending score was very accurate to my actual result.

I don't think it is necessary to spend the money on Becker or another review course when you have already studied a little and have some knowledge. By really focusing and committing your time, the Ninja book and notes, and test bank should really help. Hopefully this helps you a little!

AUD-71,81(expired), 81
BEC-72,79
FAR-77 (after multiple attempts)
REG-83 (after multiple attempts)

[Anonymous]

Dive into the Ninja MCQ. Get to the review stage no matter what!! Start doing 100 questions per day NOW!!
Listen to Ninja Audio everyday in the car. Read the Ninja Notes 4 times as you said. And do not skimp on the law portion of this exam.

[octobergirlie]

@BananaPancakes As you can see in my signature, I failed several of the tests multiple times. My advice would be to get through the material as quickly as possible (set a study plan and stick to it), then just drill questions for 1-2 weeks. Those questions are where you will learn and retain the most. Make sure you understand why you got certain questions wrong.

It's good you have the NINJA Audio as well, that will play a key role in your conceptual understanding to pass the test.

FAR - 63, 66, 59, 76
BEC - 76
REG - 77
AUD - 63, 66, 82

DONE 🙂

[If I can, u can too!]

@BP i completely feel your pain and i'm in the same boad. unless i pass Audit, my FAR will expire. i posted my concern and ppl have given me some good feedbacks that will be helpful for you too.
https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/72-3-times-on-audit-got-any-advice

Licensed CPA since Apr 16
Order in sequence of passing
FAR-71,71,79
BEC-80
REG-72,77
AUD-56,72,72,72,80! Thank you, thank you, thank you Lord!
FAR/BEC/AUD: Becker & Yaeger lectures (Wiley & Ninja MCQs). REG: Becker lectures (Ninja MCQs).

[mitchmatch]

Beckers is expensive, and its easy for me to speak because my school paid for most of it. But they are amazing, i have been out of school for a while and forgot a lot, additionally i had very little knowledge of audit and tax and it worked for me. Second you have to set the time aside, and knock out as many mcq's as possible, i did thousands for every test to the point were no question was unfamiliar, the last few weeks i was doing 200+ per day, before i go to work, sneeking in some during work and after. Last dont skip on sections that your afraid of get down and figure out it, ask questions here, people are very helpful. Best of luck!

FAR-76 First attempt.
AUD-79 First attempt.
REG-79 First attempt.
BEC-79 First attempt.

Done!

BECKERS

[FIFOisbetterthanLIFO]

Like others have said, you answered your own question. Don't take this test unless you are ready to fully commit the time and focus. I promise half-assing the exams will produce failure after failure. At this point, you can't risk studying just enough to get by… you gotta go all-in.

FAR - Passed (82)
BEC - Passed (76)
AUD - Passed (89)
REG - Passed! (81)
AICPA Ethics

Licensed CPA

[Texan_176]

For REG you have to know the small details of business law. I watched all of the Roger videos on business law the day before REG at 2x speed and I am convinced I would have failed had I not done that. The recency of the material helped me recall the details on the test.

Of course, like the others have said you have to Ninja MCQ like crazy. However, in business law I found the MCQs alone will not be enough. Also, do not go and waste a ton of time on a concept you are having trouble with. For the life of me I never got a single problem about corporate AMT right during my review and I just could not get it to stick. I moved on and focused on details in other areas. In other words, it is okay to miss 1 or 2 problems if it means you will get 5-7 100% right by diverting time to those topics. This strategy worked for me in REG so do with it what you will; people will disagree with me and that is fine too.

BEC 11/29/14 77 (Roger)
AUD 2/23/15 60 (Roger) 4/13/2015 83 (Roger & Ninja MCQ)
REG 5/30/2015 66 (Roger & Ninja MCQ(7 hours only)) 8/23/2015 78 (Roger & Ninja MCQ)
FAR 11/23/2015 60 (Roger & NINJA MCQ) 2/24/2016 74 (Roger & NINJA MCQ) 5/25/2016 83 (Roger+Roger CRAM & NINJA MCQ/NOTES)
Texas Ethics Exam 92%

Licensed TX CPA Aug 2016

[If I can, u can too!]

for REG, i studied for it like crazy, taking good notes and making audio notes myself and re-listened on the way to/from work. <- this will save you a lot of time since REG has the most amount of information you need to memorize.

when i was doing MCQ's, i read the explanations whether i got the question right or wrong. i also used IRC's and read them just as i was doing a SIM or an MCQ. knowing where to look in IRC will only benefit you while you're taking the exam. you probably knew this. i read a guy who said to study the IRC's to do well in SIM and this guy got 99 on it.

hang in there. YOU CAN AND YOU WILL DO THIS!

Licensed CPA since Apr 16
Order in sequence of passing
FAR-71,71,79
BEC-80
REG-72,77
AUD-56,72,72,72,80! Thank you, thank you, thank you Lord!
FAR/BEC/AUD: Becker & Yaeger lectures (Wiley & Ninja MCQs). REG: Becker lectures (Ninja MCQs).

[monikernc]

just to ligthen the mood, if your question WWYD is what would Yoda do? i believe even he would say let the force be with you.

FAR 7/25/15 76!
AUD 10/30/15 93
BEC 2/27/16 82
REG 5/23/16 88!
Ninja Book and MCQ and the forum - all the way!!!
and a little thing i like to call, time and effort!
if you want things to change, you have to do something different

[Author]

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