[Anonymous]

So I just found out that I failed Audit with a 46 even though I though I studied real hard for this exam. I also failed REG and FAR with mid 40’s as well. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong and no matter how hard I study for this exam I keep failing. What do I do? I feel like no matter how hard I try I can’t retain this information. Is there anyone who’s been in a similar situation?

[Mjganier]

First, pick a section and stick with it until you pass. Hopping around isn't going to help. What study materials are you using and what are your study habits like?

FAR 8/18/2014--87
AUD 10/18/2014--78
REG 11/24/2014--76
BEC 2/28/2015--76

"If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough"-Albert Einstein

Study Mats: Cpaexcel study text and EQ, Ninja MCQ, Ninja notes

[Broag]

I know what you mean. I've failed both of the exams that I've taken. REG was a 57 (only studied for a month and didn't prepare well enough) and FAR I got a 47 (same deal, however I was learning a lot of the material for the first time). The FAR score hurt the most because I studied really hard for it. I took a couple weeks off to set a game plan on how I should attack these exams differently. The common consensus is to do tons and tons of MCQs and to NOT neglect the practice SIMs.

People who pass this exam on the first try are really smart, but I don't know if passing the first time through helps them become a better CPA. Maybe I'm just saying that to make myself (and you) feel better, but that's honestly how I feel and what I've been told by my colleagues who are CPAs. Failing these exams multiple times forces you to really learn the material.

Don't give up. I know I'm not. This test is more a test of will power and persistence. Keep at it.

REG - 79
FAR - ?
AUD - ?
BEC - ?

[Anonymous]

I used Becker and the past 2 weeks leading up to Audit I studied 8 hours a day.

[REG-FTW86]

With all do respect. I am SO glad you posted this because I'm in the same boat.

I felt better about AUD than BEC and I FAILed harder, much harder. I am going back to square one. Good luck to you. I'm re-taking AUD next month and BEC in May. Look at my signature. See my FAR score? Yeah, well my AUD score was worse (54) and I know more of AUD than FAR for sure. I obviously don't know it as well as I thought I did. I missed two weeks of study time for FAR (I had 6 weeks to study) because my mother in law was in the hospital. I walked out of FAR feeling like I got punched and the gut. I knew I failed. I didn't practice much MCQ with FAR. I didn't feel this way with AUD. I studied much better or so I thought.

Literally wondering if I will ever see a passing score because of this AUD exam (3rd fail – 3rd different test) now i'm sticking with AUD and not hopping around.

Like @Broag said, “Don't give up. I know I'm not. This test is more a test of will power and persistence. Keep at it.” I just have to keep reminding myself of that.

Regulation For The Win!

FAR 57, 62, 77
BEC 70,77
AUD 54,78
REG 66, 62, 7/29

FAR.BEC.AUD.AUD.BEC.FAR.FAR.REG.REG

Roger CPA Review / Ninja MCQ Supplement

Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time - Thomas Edison

[leglock]

I was lucky to pass all 4 on first try, and for me, the key was pulling out my college textbooks. The review courses didn't go deep enough for my liking. I know most people complain about FAR because of the amount of material, but for me, it was the easiest section because it was the material I was most exposed to via my classes. I had a great depth of knowledge for FAR and the review course was a good aid in brushing me up. But if I was relying solely on my review materials to prepare me for FAR without having a good understanding of the material presented in my college classes that dealt with FAR material, I do not think I would have passed.

[Broag]

@leglock

That's a really good idea to utilize old textbooks. Would you look through them for your weaker areas or would you go through all of them to refresh on everything? I definitely think I should go back and relearn bonds because I felt our text book from Intermediate was really good. I have it sitting in my office.

Also, what other things helped you pass?

REG - 79
FAR - ?
AUD - ?
BEC - ?

[wr8280]

Horrible idea to read old textbooks. The information may be outdated. Also it expressly says in the Wiley text books not to go back to your college text books. Everything you need is in the Wiley books and the authoritative literature that supplements it (which is a much better idea to read).

FAR- 82
REG- 93
AUD- 89
BEC- 88

You are smarter, more focused, and more brilliant than you give yourself credit for. Believe in yourself and truly know in your heart that you can do it.

[Broag]

@wr8280

You might be right, but they're probably saying that because they want you to buy their product. Old textbooks are outdated, but most of the theory is still good in terms of the bookkeeping.

REG - 79
FAR - ?
AUD - ?
BEC - ?

[wr8280]

@ Broag

I know people that buy the latest texts and software and still wonder if it's outdated so they watch podcasts and look for FASB updates. I was always very paranoid about not having access to the latest authoritative literature.

FAR- 82
REG- 93
AUD- 89
BEC- 88

You are smarter, more focused, and more brilliant than you give yourself credit for. Believe in yourself and truly know in your heart that you can do it.

[Anonymous]

OP, are you saying you pent 8 hours a day for two weeks leading up to FAR and that is the extent of your studies for FAR? Some people may be able to pass FAR with under 200 hours study time but if you're failing that bad then you should definitely invest more time. FAR has by far the most material of any section and it takes serious time for most.

[Anonymous]

@CTM

No It was for AUD. I'll admit I didn't study as hard for FAR so the score for that one was pretty much my fault. But for the life of me I can't seem to get a score higher than a 50 and I just don't understand why. I must have done close to 1000 mcq's for AUD I also studied almost 4 months for REG and got a 46.

[Anonymous]

You really have to understand the material if you want to pass. When you are getting questions wrong make sure you understand why and focus on those areas. If you are consistently failing you may want to re-assess how you are studying.

[Jenny]

MCQs, MCQs & more MCQs, take notes as you do them and then do more MCQs!

Oklahoma Candidate
AUD - Pass (8/14)
FAR - Pass (11/14)
REG - Pass (2/15)
BEC - Pass (11/15)
Ethics Exam - Pass (12/15)

[s2sylvir]

What CTM said.

I failed AUD 4 times, too. I reread every single word in Becker book. I didn't skimp, didn't take shortcuts. I did all the MCQs, all the SIMs, and the MCQs I did at least 5 times through each MCQ. Finally, I understood it. Not thought I understood, but actually understood it.

BEC - PASS (79)
AUD - PASS (63, 71, 74, 74, 83)
REG - PASS (88)
FAR - PASS (58, 89)

Becker for all + FAR 10 Point Combo

[Anonymous]

One section, 3 months, 200 hours (mostly MCQ) you will pass.

I never read through the books, that's just me. You learn to identify the tricks in the MCQ after you do each one 7 times. Talk yourself through the answers (correct and incorrect)

[Author]

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