[12tang]

If you don’t use hours as a guideline then this post isn’t for you. For those that do, what do you recommend for study hours with REG for someone who isn’t very strong with tax? I’m seeing lots of variability. I’m thinking 160 hours. But then I think that’s crazy, I only went 145 with FAR. BEC was about 80 for me and AUD was 110. Is REG really up there with FAR?

Using Becker self-study
FAR: (82) 175 hours - 1st attempt
BEC: (XX)
AUD: (69) 45hrs of study - 1st attempt
REG: (XX)

[thunderlips]

I did 200 and still have yet to pass. That is 200 per attempt

[DocJ]

100-ish hours.

At least that's the “sweet spot” I keep hearing people say for each section. Any less, and it might not be enough time to soak in all the material. Any more, and you'll start forgetting stuff or get overwhelmed and burned out.

I also hear people say it's best to spread that over 2 months. Personally I agree, because the bulk of my study on the first 3 exams I did was 2-ish months, then I spent like 4 months on FAR. Guess which one I failed.

[Recked]

The AICPA says the average candidate will spend 300-400 hours to pass the exam.
I think that's very low, but perhaps for the overachievers that are fresh out of college and get right to it.
I'd recommend about 160 hours for REG, especially if you have no tax experience.
I have extension tax experience and still invested quite a bit of time on REG.
You'll know better once you start digging in to the material.

[bigstakk]

I’d say 6 weeks and around 120-130hrs would be enough to pass. That’s about what I did and passed. I had no prior tax experience other than 1-2 tax classes I took many many years ago. Everyone is different, but obviously spending more time will only benefit. Good luck!

[Journeyman]

My recommendation is to budget for 200 hours then gauge your understanding as you progress. As you progress, if you find yourself really grasping the concepts then reduce the hours. Focus on completely understanding the concepts and remember, the cpa exam doesn’t care how many hours you studied, but only how many correct answers you have at varying levels of difficulty.

[Lindsey_p87]

I agree with Bigstakk – I think 120 ish hours is enough. But of course, this is going to depend on the person. If you are studying 20 hours per week give or take, I think budgeting about 8 weeks to study is a good idea. That gives you some wiggle room to study/review more if you need to. I studied 80-100 hours for REG and passed with an 86, so I think 120-150 hours is a safe estimate.

FAR - PASSED 11/14
AUD - TBD
BEC - TBD
REG - First take 2/16

[12tang]

Thanks everyone. I'll be coming in around 150 hours. This test feels easier to study for, for some reason; it's different than the others.. I'll know for sure once i'm in my review phase. I always get my spidey senses around that time.

Using Becker self-study
FAR: (82) 175 hours - 1st attempt
BEC: (XX)
AUD: (69) 45hrs of study - 1st attempt
REG: (XX)

[bhunt815]

I studied for 7 weeks and maybe 120 hours tops. I barely passed REG though so maybe 150 hours might have been better.

FAR 04/11/2016 - 84
AUD 05/12/2016 - 79
BEC 07/06/2016 - 81
REG 08/29/2016

[Author]

Replies