[vessli]

Hi all. I’m pretty new as a member to this site, but I have been reading some of the forums over the last few weeks, and it’s great to see what a supportive community there is here. It’s also nice to see such a range of candidates/CPA’s; all of whom are so driven and determined to pass, no matter what!

Anyway, I was hoping maybe some people who have taken all 4 parts could possibly “fill in the blank” with the following, and maybe give a short explanation as to why (or why you CAN’T fill this in):

“If you can pass the ____________ exam, you can pass any of them.”

Just curious about your thoughts between AUD vs. FAR vs. REG vs. BEC!

Thanks 🙂

[Givemesleep]

If you can pass FAR you can pass the other parts.

Reg 11/15/2011 - 80
Aud 02/28/2012 - 81
Bec 05/31/2012 - 78
Far 08/31/2012 - 83 Do you believe in Miracles, YES !!!

CPA License received 10/2012 !!
CFE License received 04/2013 !!
EA License received

Givemesleep

[smp73]

I think it is more along the lines if you put in the time and really study hard you can pass them all. REG was the hardest for me but I passed that one last. No one part is the hardest…it depends on you. I know there are people on here who hate AUD…for me AUD was almost fun.

Put in the time, study well and you can (and will) pass them all!

NYS CPA License # 113563
CIA: Done as of 2/15/14

Training for a half marathon post studying!

[Anonymous]

I agree with SMP. I loved Audit. hated Reg and I don't know how I feel about FAR yet (I will get my score on the 23rd) but I'm starting BEC and after chapter 1 its very similar to Audit so I'm hoping for a smooth transition. You just have to do you, and I would recommend (if you haven't already started your study plan) to take Aud or Far first because those are the two larger. I am taking BEC last because I, like most, thought it would be the “easiest” but I've come to find out that it can be an Achilles heal to most and I am just hoping thats not the case for me so I am taking it very seriously.

[Anonymous]

I know a lot of people say FAR is the hardest. It does have the most chapters in Becker, so I guess that is the most time intensive. I have 20 years of financial accounting experience, though. So, I thought FAR was the most straightforward and felt the most comfortable going in. The sims were hard, but I was able to do all of them. It is interesting to note that I did not think I passed that one. It was very cool to find out later that I did.

I had to take AUD twice. I think it was a combo of my taking it for granted, not knowing how to study, and the fact I had surgery and was in pain. I did not know there were two practice tests at the end in Becker, nor did I go back and review all the ones that I missed. I believe if I'd have done those two things, I'd have passed first go round.

No test should be taken for granted. BEC almost kicked my butt. I thought it would be easy, it's not. Studying the things that Becker says are lightly tested is critical. I didn't study those things and am sure I missed all of those questions on the test. If it weren't for having decent writing skills and knowing the FAR topics asked on the essays, I might still be studying for that one.

I'm working on REG now and do think I can pass it. Since I have literally NO tax experience, it is my scariest. I'm prepared, however, that if I don't pass it…I'm going right back in. This test will not defeat me.

I think it's all where you are most comfortable. None of them are easy, but if you know how to study, you can pass.

[vessli]

Thanks for your insights! I took FAR this month; it was my first CPA exam, and I am beyond ecstatic to say that I did pass. I put an enormous amount of time and effort into that.

I am studying for Audit now, and I am just afraid that I am letting my guard down. The material doesn't seem nearly as difficult, and I hope I'm not underestimating the exam…

But of course you're right, it will vary from person to person. I guess I'm just glad I got the one with the most material out of the way, and just have to keep plugging away on the rest!

[MintsRGood]

I would rather eat broken glass than study one more minute for auditing!!!!!!! I'm still blown away that I passed and thrilled that can now burn my audit materials in my backyard (I've been dreaming of that moment for months BTW). Give me REG any day over the slippery, slimy, tricky, subjective auditing standards all day, every day, and twice on Sunday!!! I like tax and I like things that I can compute!

BEC is completely bizarre, I feel like it's made the same way that hot dogs are…all the leftover random parts that don't belong anywhere else get diced up and stuffed into BEC! I haven't taken FAR yet, but I did complete a live review course from my grad school for FAR this past fall to get a refresher on the topcis, it was 14 sessions @ 4 hours per session…it blew my mind how much material is captured in FAR. FAR is a monster but at least its financial accounting topics and not completely weird and unrelated to my job..unlike evil auditing!

Best of luck studying for Audit…it's a sneaky one so be careful!!!!!

Good luck everyone!!!!!! 🙂

REG: 75 DONE 🙂
AUD: 61, 71, 68, 92 DONE 🙂
BEC: 76 DONE 🙂
FAR: 72, 74, 79 DONE 🙂
Licensed Michigan CPA 🙂
-Some people dream of success...others wake up and work hard for it!!!
-The cowards never start and the weak die along the way!
-You better work, b***h!
-Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.-JFK

[smp73]

Mints…your description of BEC is perfect and made me laugh. 🙂

NYS CPA License # 113563
CIA: Done as of 2/15/14

Training for a half marathon post studying!

[Author]

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