[for_3_letters]

Can someone advise me on the length of time needed to study for FAR, in weeks? I’m trying to study and take FAR by Sept 9 which is about 7 weeks. Wondering is that actually enough time or should I just wait until Q4 and take first week of Oct probably the 6th? This would be 11 weeks which seems a bit more reasonable. I have been studying since this past Monday, but it is taking every bit of my time just to keep up. This is mainly due to taking notes and massive amount of material. I am using CPAexcel.

Why am I attempting to do this? I simply was trying to take in Q3 and if I didn’t pass have another chance to take in Q4. I have been thinking lately that with the amount of time it is taking maybe I should just spend more time and increase my chances of passing.

I am aware it is based on hours. I’m converting to weeks. I have about 3 hours a day to study.

Thanks for your time.

AUD - NINJA in Training
BEC - NINJA in Training
FAR - NINJA in Training
REG - NINJA in Training

Faith to pass!

 

[Anonymous]

^ Good point @ crazyleon

The amount of material that a candidate must cover to pass FAR is pretty brutal. Especially if u haven't taken all of the needed courses and have been out of school for awhile.

Anyone who can pass FAR in less than 4 weeks of studying is very, very smart and has a solid education. It's just way too much material to work through and master. But, there are a few exceptions out of the population, so I'm sure it has happened.

Anyhow, I would never think about stepping foot into the Prometric Center without at least 100 hours of studying. Honestly, more like 150 hours to 250 hours depending on the section. I'm also a perfectionist and have OCD, which can help but also create problems moving through the material.

Goodluck to everyone and don't take any section lightly. There honestly is no such thing as an “easy section” of the CPA exam! But, they are passable if u put in the time and effort and don't give up!!

[Anonymous]

Definitely right about 100 hours minimum per section. 100 hours is basically four 24-hour days of studying. Or eight 12-hour days. Or sixteen 6-hour days, etc etc.
I have personally only met one person (my boss) – who took the exams 25+ years ago – who spent like 1 month per part. I think in those days the exams were shorter and
easier – although you had to pass 2 parts in order to even go on to the third and fourth parts (old rules!) But unless you already know all the topics extremely well, it's pretty difficult
to prepare for one of these exams in 30 days or less. In every one of these that I've studied for – FAR, BEC, AUD – I've hit lots of stuff that I never learned earlier and have had to spend time learning that stuff before I could even begin to study it for exam purposes.

[Anonymous]

@crazyleon

Well said. And, I agree that any new material can be very time consuming bc u have never seen it before or barely touched on it in undergrad. Depending on the section, I have adequate knowledge of 25%-60% of the material. The rest is pretty much all new material to me. It's strange how some chapters can go relatively well, then you get absolutely mauled by another chapter. Lol.

Anyhow, anyone who can pass any section with less than 100 hours is either very smart and/or has a really solid background in that section. A little luck can help too.

Goodluck everyone. Don't let this exam get the best of u. It seems impossible, but u have to keep pushing though and not throw in the towel. It's all about sacrifices and hard work.

[Anonymous]

@Blue Collar Nerd – I forgot to add, my boss is one of those “very smart” people. His ethnic group frowns on underachievement, big-time. Even when I told him I took 4 months to study for FAR (well 5 after cancelling it and rescheduling it for another month out) he thought I was nuts. Other people I talked to have said the same thing or words to the same effect (“you've taken 3 exams now and haven't passed any of them?”) I'm losing respect day by day with this whole process LOL I'll probably end up back on anti-depressants before it's all over because most days, it's all I can do to even study. And yes, undergrad does not often cover every single topic of these exams. And, they actually go more in depth in college courses on many of the topics (like business combinations and consolidations, which are not tested in depth on the CPA exams, just one example.)

[Meg267]

@CrazyLeon, don't let not passing an exam get to you. I came across this quote when I first started studying for the CPA exam and it's kept me pushing through. “No one ever fails the CPA exam, there are only those who give up.”

I've failed all three that I've sat for the first time. I even failed BEC twice. But I kept pushing through. Who cares if another person I work with passed all 4 on the first try. It doesn't mean she's a better accountant than I am.

I'm studying for FAR as well 🙂

BEC - 57, 68, 78
REG - 62, 82
AUD - 61, 76
FAR - 79

Licensed.
No one ever fails the CPA exam, there are only those who give up.

[Scared-cpa]

I haven't read all the posts on here but I'm going to give you my two cents. I personally would push the exam to October, but I have learned that I'd rather take the extra time and increase my chance of passing the first time around. I have failed both sections I've taken so far the first time. My first time with FAR, I just didn't understand the level of comprehension I needed for the exam and I didn't take it seriously enough, given that it was the first test I had sat for. My retake of FAR consisted of four weeks of working Ninja MCR (averaging 70% and trending 85%) and I passed with an 82. My first time through AUD, I didn't have enough review time. My NTS was expiring and I only had four days of final review. My second time around, I spend a month with Ninja MCQ, as well, and think I did better than the first time although my score has yet to be revealed.

So in regards to your question, I would try to push through the material when studying at a decent rate but get a good understanding of it. I think everything comes together in the final review, which is why I personally like 4 weeks of final review with Ninja MCQ to really get a solid and confident understanding of all the topics. I hate the feeling of checking my score and seeing that I failed, not to mention having to take the time to restudy and paying $200 for an exam I've already taken. So I would suggest pacing yourself and pushing it out until October. Good luck!

"The more I practice, the luckier I get."

FAR - 67, 82 (Expires 07/31/18)
AUD - 68, 79
REG - 75
BEC - 82

Wiley CPAexcel + Ninja

I cannot believe I am done.

[Author]

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