[CPA_help]

Has anyone failed reg but passed FAR on the first try. I know that these tests are all different and just because you failed one does not mean you will fail a different one but I can’t help thinking that failure is contagious. I passed AUD and BEC both on my first try and I failed REG not once…. but TWICE. That’s right TWICE. I am taking Far in a week but I spent all of today crying instead of studying. I am afraid that I only passed AUD and BEC because they are the “easier” tests. I am hoping REG is just my weakness and I am able to pull out the 75 for FAR but I am terrified. Looking for any words of encouragement.

[Anonymous]

I Passed FAR on the first try, and failed REG for the second time. I gotta retake it AGAIN! :/

So frustating

[jereumie]

That is me right here. Passed FAR on the first one, but failed REG once, then passed on the second time. I tried to finish all 4 in one window, but failed because of REG.

Personally, I feel like FAR was more manageable. I always hated TAX, so.. yeah.
Since you passed AUD and BEC with good scores, it means you can any other parts of exams.

[Anonymous]

I passed FAR and BEC on my first try. Had to take AUD 3 times and finally passed. So, no AUD aid very challenging.

Don't give up my friend!

[lhenley94]

I'm an audit person and have always struggled with tax. Passed all the exams the first time and just failed reg a second time. Third time is the charm???

[CPAgoal2017]

Hi, I failed Reg, got 69 using only Becker, what is my best course of action.Becker has expired and I don't want to spend again purchasing their software.Please help.

[CPA788]

I just wrote in the Passed REG thread my experience. I'll jot it down here. It took me 5 attempts to pass REG. 3 attempts to pass FAR. AUD is the only one I passed on the first try. I went into my REG exams feeling semi-prepared and ready to pass (I never walked in feeling like I would nail any of these exams, but semi-prepared was good for me). A 72 on my 4th (and what was supposed to be my last) attempt was gut wrenching. With BEC pending expiration I went for a tutor. Lmk if you want details on him, but I will tell you that's what got me over the hump. I could not get my Taxation on Entities out of the Weaker zone. I got it to Stronger with him and it gave me my 76 I needed to be done and not lose BEC.

This crap sucks real bad. I have been there 4 times. It can be done.

BEC - 74, 77
FAR - 72, 71 (retake 7/29)
REG - 69
AUD - Q4 '16

CA Candidate

[CPA_help]

@cpa788 I would be interested in a tutor. What area are you from? I am from NY I think I will definitely need a tutor the 3rd time around because TAX is not something I’ve learned in school and the whole teaching myself thing is clearly not cutting it. I don’t know how to go about finding one.

[famh110]

@cpa788..please share info about the tutor. i think several of us might be interested. i scored 66 in Reg, i thought i would be stronger in tax because i spent more time studying it 4 weeks vs 1 week on ethics n b/l but came out weaker in all tax areas. so, that was totally strange. anyhow, used becker but obviously it didn't help. need to solidify my understanding so i don't have to resit many times for this test

[CPAgoal2017]

Yes I would like to know about the tutor.How may I contact you? Thanks..

[dbmonster21]

I failed reg in May with a 73… Used Becker only… for my re-take, I supplemented with Ninja. I focused ALOT more on sims, because my failing score report indicated I did weak on them. I ended up with an 86 on REG this past score release.

I know how you feel… I felt so defeated when I failed reg the first time with a 73… I dreaded the next day knowing that everyone at work, friends, family, etc would ask the same question everyday… “Have you gotten you're score yet”?

Everyone's journey is different. Some people pass all four sections without failing any, some people failed over 10 times.

If this helps at all, one thing I did after failing reg the first time was to make changes outside of studying for the actual exam as well…

For example, I built a schedule that I followed strictly, where every day after work I would study at least one module on Becker. I kept that consistent throughout my studies… NO DAYS OFF…

Also, every single day I would do 20 to 30 progress test questions to refresh on random content every day… Sometimes it was 12:00 AM midnight, and I still had not started my 20-30 progress questions… Guess what? No excuses, I stayed up until I did my progress questions, NO EXCUSES!

I also made an excel spreadsheet where I will keep track of every single progress test question I did for each chapter, so I can see what average progress test scores were per chapter. It helped identify my weak area chapters so I would reread sections of those chapters or do some more progress questions.

[CPA788]

So here is the link to the tutor I used (his LinkedIn). He's a virtual tutor, you don't do video face to face, but do video Skype where you just chat like a phone convo with a screen share. Sounds sorta weird, I'll be honest. Before I gave the guy my money I messaged a few people on LinkedIn that had left reviews to make sure he was legit (though they could have been fake I guess but w/e). He's pricey, but like I said, I needed something to get me over the hump. I could NOT afford to lose BEC (literally and figuratively) so the investment in Darius was worth it. He's in Florida, but I'm in CA, doesn't matter. He has a huge window of times during the day of availability.

I did 5 sessions with him, and told him on the first session I needed to master Taxation on Entities. He wants to make the best of your time. You need to be honest with him during session where you are good and where you aren't so you can maximize the time and drill into your week areas.

I could go on and on, but here's the link. Shoot me more questions if you have them.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cpa-exam-tutoring-a7106426

BEC - 74, 77
FAR - 72, 71 (retake 7/29)
REG - 69
AUD - Q4 '16

CA Candidate

[shawn in VA]

I thought about tutors- but the cheapest I found was $45 (retired CPA and professor) and most expensive was $95. Neither of which price points I am able to afford.

Off topic–but there have been many times I needed work done around house (painting, plumbing, etc) and the hourly rates of these people with NO EDUCATION are 50/HR PLUS I have seen some handyman as high as $95 an hour.

Point is when it comes to contractors I refuse to pay them more than what I make and I work at a med size CPA firm. Usually I can find someone outside Home Depot or Craiglist for less than 20 hr

[CPA788]

Yeah – I will be honest folks. This tutor is not cheap, but for me, I was in desperation mode. I could NOT lose BEC. I HAD to be done with this.

BEC - 74, 77
FAR - 72, 71 (retake 7/29)
REG - 69
AUD - Q4 '16

CA Candidate

[LA_Wildcat]

I passed FAR on my 2nd try. BUT, I had to take REG 4 times before passing it and now I'm about to lose FAR credit. Buckle down on REG, because it is by far the most difficult section and your FAR score is no indication of anything REG-related.

BEC - 74,85 Expired (12/09/14)
AUD - 75 Expired (04/23/11)
FAR - 74, 78
REG - TBD

[cmcook]

Although I don't have my FAR score yet, studying for and taking FAR was SO much better than REG. I have thought about why I bombed REG so terribly (64!!!). Although there are a few variables, I have to think that my attitude toward this material was a big part of it. I absolutely hate it – and I feel this section is the most ridiculous since taxation, in real life, is mainly research-related (with the exception of simple tax prep, etc.).

The other three sections make SENSE – this section is pure, rote memorization. Can you sense my feelings about this exam? 😉

Anyway, I need to change my attitude and not be so resentful of the idea that I have to memorize tax code.

Long story – you can ABSOLUTELY pass FAR on the first try and not REG. FAR is based on accounting, REG is based on tax code. Completely different.

[Author]

Replies