[Fratty Redneck]

I’m thinking about taking FAR September 8th. I took BEC yesterday and am still awaiting my score from AUD. I have REG under my belt. I would really like to squeeze FAR in the Q3 window so I do not have to wait until Christmas to get my score. Is it possible to study effectively in this time frame? I work full-time…

Thanks!

[Recked]

Chances are very slim but I guess it depends on how long ago you were in school and how much information you retained from college that would apply to the exam.
I think you would need to wait for your score release before you could reschedule for Q4, so that might play into your planning process.
If you can't reapply for NTS until Sept 22nd, then have to wait for the NTS to schedule, how full will your local Prometric be, and will you be able to get the date you want in Oct/Nov?

[Holly]

What is this a total of 42 days? I'd say yes you can, if you don't have kids or some other responsibilities. I think Jeff has a guide for taking a test with 20 or 21 days studying time. It won't be easy.

BEC - 79
REG - 85
AUD - 5/27/16

[Fratty Redneck]

@reckedracing that is a great point and further validates how ridiculous that this scoring process is. It is cruel and unsual punishment.

[Jdn9201]

Yes it can. I took the old FAR (2/29/16) but passed it after studying for 3 weeks. It's the most difficult thing I've ever done but it's possible. I would say time management is key. Good things about studying over a short window are it forces you to focus on what's important (instead of trying to remember every detail) and you need less time to review, because you have less time to forget the material.

BEC - 88 8/29/15
REG - 82 11/14/15
AUD - 83 1/8/16
FAR - 80 2/29/16

[IwannabeaCPA2017]

@jdn9201, I have about 5 weeks and I'm still working on chapter 5 (5 more chaps to go) I'm getting all nervous as you can see. Were u working full time at the time? if so, how did u deal with burn out i mean we all feel tired after 8-9 hours sometimes even 10 after work. for instance, did you go for a walk before studying etc? I always feel tired after work and I'm trying to change that by giving myself an hour break before opening books. thanks i appreciate any feedback!

[Jdn9201]

At the time of studying I was working about 45 hrs a week. It wasn't my plan but I work in corporate tax. I has intended to begin studying right after the new year but was working close to 70 hrs a week for year end. I decided to postpone studying until year end was over.
I don't have a family but to fight burnout, I didn't keep a study plan. People can become a slave to their plan. That meant some nights I'd study 4 or 5 hours after work but when I really needed to take a night or two off, I allowed myself to do that. As long as I hit the halfway point after 10 days or so I'd know I was still on track. I realize people need more time than others but looking back, people focus on study time too much. Who cares if you put 200 hours into it if many are crap time because you are exhausted.

I also obviously can't tell you what was tested, but I relied heavily on the outline the AICPA puts out to prioritize my time and it was very helpful. I also recommend being familiar with the AL. U dedicated mist of one day of my review on just doing research SIMS so I'd be more familiar. If there was anything I did that helped me pass the most, focusing on the AL was it.

I realize I took the unconventional route but I like to share my story periodically to encourage other people that it can be done. I don't consider my pass more special then someone else who did thousands of mcqs or studied for 200 hours. At the end of the say, the route you take to cross the finish line (pass) doesn't matter – you just have to pass 🙂

BEC - 88 8/29/15
REG - 82 11/14/15
AUD - 83 1/8/16
FAR - 80 2/29/16

[IwannabeaCPA2017]

Thanks @jdn! Thats very insightful. haha this is my 3rd time with FAR as embarrassing as it may sound so I'm aware what my weaknesses are this time. Its quite funny how I use to be strong in an area can completely be my weakness this round and vice versa. These exams just a mind trick sometimes, at least what I feel like.

Thanks again!

[Author]

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