[cpamonkey124]

I know title is a jumble but I have far test scheduled for 1/4/16. I am planning a test in the beginning of a testing window and one at the end of the testing window. Is this a smart move or is there a better way to plan this. My reasoning is, if I fail a test in one window, you can always take one in the next window and also it is cheaper to apply for the rest of the three tests at one time .

Example Far 1/4/16

To be scheduled

aud 2/27/16

reg 4/27/16

Bec 5/27/16

The reason bec only gets one month is that I can only fit it in that window and I heard it was doable in a month. If bec doesn’t work I can always study more and retake in the next month.

F-1/4/15
a-tbd
r-tbd
t-tbd

[CPAlife04]

The best lesson I learned during this process is to schedule exams as I am ready to take them. Initially I scheduled all 4 exams at once and the scheduled killed me because I was not ready when I “thought” I would be.

Also, this is the first I heard it is cheaper to schedule all four. My state does not provide a discount.

Audit: 11/28/15 (72) April 2016
Regulation: 2016
Financial: 2016
Business: 2016
NINJA

"The CPA exam is not a test of my ability, it is a test of my will. I have the will!"

[wombataholic]

I did all 4 sections in pretty much the same pattern as cpamonkey, just swapping bec (4 weeks to prep) and reg (8 weeks to prep). It's doable, but it takes the discipline that it takes to pass the exam and a bit more testicular fortitude to be able to do it for 7 months without more than a day off here and there. If I had to start the exam again from scratch, I would do it all again exactly the same way.

I also applied for FAR, then once that went through I applied for/scheduled the next three sections together because it's a couple of bucks cheaper with only 1 application fee for the three.

Licensed CPA
Passed each section on the first try with Ninja Notes/MCQ/Audio

[Anonymous]

I think its do-able. My schedule is just like yours but I feel like there are lot of time for me to review after each exam. I just took AUD last week and taking a break for 1 week before I start with BEC. I am working full time plus 3 part time job(contract) during weekend. I still manage to do my review.

[cpamonkey124]

This way also gives me a deadline to kick my butt into high gear if I start slacking. But studying for far now it feels like I might have to retake, the future doesn't seem to be bright with so much material.

F-1/4/15
a-tbd
r-tbd
t-tbd

[Anonymous]

It is personality specific. If I did the ‘wait until I'm ready method'….I still wouldn't be done. I set a date and try my best to make it happen. 3 in a window is doable(I did it) but it is stressful. 2 in a window is optimal. 1 per window is risky, what if you fail? You start eating into that 18 months when you only take 1 per window and fail a couple. I think the best thing to do is take the first one on the first day of the window and the second one on the last day of the window. I think some people spread this stuff out way too much.

[the LAST Coffee]

That was the exact method I used, although slightly different.

FAR on August 4th (studied all July)
BEC on August 31st (3.5 weeks of studying in August)
AUD on October 5th (all of September to study)

Then started my job on September 28th

REG on November 28th (most of October and first half of November)

Was originally going to take REG earlier but glad I didn't because my job made studying more tiring and boring.

FAR 84 (AUG '15)
BEC 83 (AUG '15)
AUD 79 (OCT '15)
REG 71, 78! (NOV '15, FEB '16)

[Jason]

This was an extremely informative post, thanks everyone. Hoping to get my NTS by next week, get my NINJA on, and take the exam at end of Jan or beginning of Feb (not sure yet).

@cpamonkey124
Nice acronym to describe the CPA exams, a mere fart that's deadly if not prepared to endure its foulness and loathe by everyone in its vicinity. Well deserved “HiYa!”

Filled with uncertainty, the treacherous journey has begun.

FAR: 02/06/16
AUD: 05/21/16
BEC: TBD
REG: TBD

[Author]

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