[hopelesscpa89]

FAR 63,63,63,64,62,57

Hi everyone,

These are my FAR scores. FAR 63,63,63,64,62,57. How on earth am I doing so poorly? How do people pass on the first try? I just don’t understand what I am missing. I’ve done the questions thousands of times. I should atlas be getting better scores but the first three times the exact same score. It’s already been $1,200 i’ve spent not including all of the time on these tests of just the 4.5 hour long ordeal… all the studying.. tears.. sweat… sacrifices.. I just feel like I don’t see how the next time I take the test I could get any better. How are people doing so much better than me? I leave the tests feeling I must have passed, but surely each time i fail miserably. I hate this exam. I hate it, it has taken so much out of me. I wonder if I’m crazy in the test room and just select the wrong letters or i’m dyslexic. I just don’t understand. I use Becker… how could someone who does all the becker questions and simulations.. do so poorly? I hate this test. I hate it.

[Skynet]

I don't have much work experience yet have been able to pass the CPA exams. I paid everything out of pocket. To save money at first, I was using cut-rate CPA review course such as Wiley's (before the became CPAExcel), Bisk, and Lamber's CD's. They didn't help me pass, as I was only memorizing the answers. I also found out that I was memorizing the answers too no matter how many questions i did and not understanding the concepts or working on my weak areas. I was skipping tough sections and not putting in enough time for it.

After the first 6 Fails, 3 of which I didn't necessarily study for, I Switched to Gleim and changed my study approach. I followed their study method, but tweaked it a little. I took a hard nosed approach where i would work on my weak areas, study journal entries, memorize formulas, and created hundreds of practice exams from questions I flagged and kept getting wrong, as well as studying the SIM's. That hard nosed approach, even though time consuming, allowed me to pass all the Exams Consecutively without any more retakes. Keep in mind though that I didn't rush on scheduling and taking the exams. The study time I took for each exam was between 5-7 months each depending on the exam section.

Based on your scores, you need to change your approach to get over the hump. You need to look at all your score reports to understand where you're weak at and work on them. As others have said too, you may want to supplement Becker with other study materials like Ninja. Working thousands of questions does you no good if you're just memorizing the answers and not understanding how to solve them problem or the concept.

[Tncincy]

Well, I think the summary is check your study habits, maybe even change review courses, and be realistic about if you are studying or zoning out…..Frustrated is absolutely in order….just go back and take a look at study. Someone else said try another section…..not a bad idea. 5-7 months of study?….no way. You won't need that much time unless you study twice a month. I am sure you are trying to pass before the new changes in 2017. Buckle down…..you can do it.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Skynet]

I should also clarify that 5-7 months was due to studying for two exams at the same time.
REG & BEC then AUD & FAR.

[John Doe]

Everyone saying use a different prep course probably works for the company selling the other prep course…

I think its less about the study materials and more about being able to grasp the concepts you are being tested on.

[Author]

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