[jairvin3]

Not going to lie, I am extremely depressed. I just failed FAR for the 3rd time.

70/72/70

Each time, I have worked all the way through Becker (SIMS and MCQ’s). I have taken the time to work through on pencil and paper, every single calculation. I had a good understanding of the concepts- at least I thought I did. I had flashcards made for each question or concept that I was getting wrong here and there.

Where do I go from here…I need to continue on FAR because I have so much of it in my head. Do I keep working in Becker for a fourth time through? Do I purchase NINJA MCQ’s? Something needs to change but I do not know what that is and I don’t have a lot to spend as Becker has already robbed me.

Help.

[mommyof3texans]

I would definitely consider getting Ninja for new and different questions. It is also good for identifying your weaker areas. I think seeing different questions can be very helpful. Wiley offers a 24 hr free trial of their MCQ bank which isn't very long but good just to see different questions… maybe for an all day Saturday or Sunday study session.

BEC - 02/21/15 - 82
FAR - 05/29/15 - 82
AUD - 07/09/15 - 93
REG - 11/14/15 - 80

All done!!!

[MonkeyVA]

Take it again. I failed FAR 4 times (the only one I've failed using Becker) I kept doing the same thing; same results. I switched to Ninja this last time and ONLY used that. It pushed me over the edge and I got my final passing score today. Trust me…I've been there. It's devastating but you have to keep moving forward. Get Ninja…I felt the questions were harder and in the end more in line with the test.

AUD - 77!!!
FAR - 71, 73, 72, 73, 77!!! DONE!
BEC - 75!
REG - 75!

[EuroAddict]

I got a 73 my first time then just got an 82 (found out today, yay!). First time was all Becker. This time I purchased Ninja MCQ's. I can't say if they pushed me beyond the 75 or not. All I know is the more different Q's you can see the better.

GL!

-----------------------------
BEC - 77, 03/2015 (first try)
FAR - 79, 05/2015 (second try)
REG - 83, 12/2015 (first try)
AUD - 84, 03/2015 (first try)

I got 99 problems but the CPA ain't one.

[jairvin3]

Monkey VA, thanks for the insight. I here NINJA has a 50 dollar package or so-maybe I can look into that. Did you find yourself focusing mostly on MCQ's or SIMS? Time allocation is important here, and I need to make sure if I make a switch from Becker that I devote my time to the most efficient thing.

[sweetmoon]

I can understand your depression. But hang in there as you have been consistently scoring in the 70s, it means you are almost there but for a few weak areas or concepts. The first time I failed FAR I paid attention to tricky topics like Governmental and NFP, Bonds, Leases etc and I was able to pass it the second time. If I were you, I would buy Ninja MCQs and Sims and practice them over and over. Since you have already used Becker thrice, I m sure by now you would have memorized most of the questions. A slight change in the strategy should really help you now…Also FAR is really tough because of the sheer volume and depth of the material and it is not uncommon to need multiple attempts before you pass. Fear not ! You can do it !!

FAR : 71, 83
AUD : 73,88
BEC : 87
REG : sweet 82 and DONE !!

[MonkeyVA]

I focused on MCQs mostly because I feel like if you understand the material, you can handle SIMS. They're a crapshot anyway. But everyone is different…The last one I failed, I knew that even if I had studies SIMS more, I wouldn't have passed…they were so out of left field. For $50 definitely get Ninja, at least as a supplement. I also REALLY liked that it told you your trending scores and your averages in each area. That helped me focus on the things I needed to work on. I don't think Becker had anything that helped in that way. Good luck to you!! You'll get it!!

AUD - 77!!!
FAR - 71, 73, 72, 73, 77!!! DONE!
BEC - 75!
REG - 75!

[Anonymous]

Did you take the final exams on Becker and assessed your weak areas? (usually finals in becker are new questions)

[okcpa2015]

@jairvin3 I haven't used Becker, but you mentioned you worked all the MCQs. Does this mean you got them all correct?

To gain confidence going into the exam and to know actually were you stand I suggest just doing as many MCQs in sets of 20 or 30 as possible… go back and study the areas you are struggling with on the MCQs… then do even more MCQs. NINJA MCQ is the best to accomplish this.

The CPA exam is testing only 1 thing in my opinion, “Can you answer AICPA questions.” You don't need to know everything about accounting, just how answer the questions correctly. Going through as many MCQs as possible should give you a understanding of what the questions are asking for or even clues in the questions to get you to the correct answer.

Good Luck!

FAR - 91
REG - 88
AUD - 98
BEC - 88

[jairvin3]

I worked the Becker MCQ's through and through and marked the questions that I got wrong, and came back later and worked them until I understood the concepts. However, I have noticed that the Becker items usually do not represent the actual exam that well. Hopefully NINJA does a better job with that. Like I said before, I have been through Becker so many times now that if went through them again, I wouldn't have to try very hard as I would simply memorize things. A new set of questions might be all I need.

[MaLoTu]

I don't have as much experience on the matter as a lot of the others, but I do also use Becker and have failed FAR. I am going to retest sometime in August. I think I will buy some other supplemental materials to get more exposure to different types of questions. I don't feel that Becker questions are like the exam (almost at all). I do good on the questions by exam time and then end up failing. The ninja stuff isn't very expensive. I have heard good things about Roger. I don't know what I will choose, but I will definitely supplement.

There is this online exam practice I have been using … it is called CPAreviewforfree.com. The questions they ask are way different from Becker. Don't know if it is going to help or not, but it is free.

[Last Chance CPA]

okcpa2015 has great advice. I passed FAR (by some miracle) on the 3rd try. I don't remember my experience, but I did work thousands of MCQs. Back then, I don't think I even focused on SIMs as much as I am with REG. But practice makes perfect.

70/72/70 are great scores to get you over the hump. Create a 5 point plan. I know people say it's 75 points not 5 points, but it really is just 5 more points. You have the basics down, you just need to drill away on the MCQs/SIMs. Do sets of 30 MCQs over and over again. FAR truly is a mile long but only an inch deep, meaning there are many topics, but nothing is tested in depth.

I have to battle a 66,62,65, and 69 on REG…and it's my last try. Imagine my depression!

You got this…

FAR - 76
AUD - 75
BEC - 75
REG - 76

Now I need some experience!!! And some networking...

[makiu]

@jairvin3

I know exactly how you feel, it happens to me with BEC that I took it 3 times. I failed FAR on this testing window and I

loss credit for Regulation. I started this journey back in August 2013. Almost 2 years, and the only thing that keep me

going is my son. He wear braces on his legs to go to school, and believe me I want a better quality of life for him. This

morning when I found out that I failed I really was sad, because either was to finalize the journey or to continue with 2

sections. I do not feel well today. Life is not about how many times we failed is about in how fast we recover. I do not like

to use the word depression. Its a negative thinking. We are blessed that at least we can walk or think. Wish your best on

your studying. And for those of you that failed the test please continue working hard. I'm planning to sit for again for FAR

in July 20th. Be strong and move forward, life is a precious gift. Right now, I'm going to worked out, Body, Mind and Spirit.

You will pass the CPA test.

Makiu

[Author]

Replies