2017 Changes/First Exam

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    Topic
  • May 25, 2016 at 5:16 am #202252
    jdagna
    Participant

    I plan on starting to study in August and think I can hopefully get 2 exams out of the before the 2017 changes take place. I originally thought of starting with FAR since it has the most material and would be hardest to retake if I need to. But what would everyone recommend?

Viewing 9 replies - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
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  • May 25, 2016 at 5:39 am #778285
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I would do the hardest ones. IMO thats FAR and REG. I also think, since the changes dont start untill the second quarter, that you can finish the CPA exam in its entirety.

    May 25, 2016 at 10:16 am #778286
    Trele6
    Participant

    BEC is going to be much harder I think with the new changes, WC plus 3 SIM and more MCQ I think. I think they see that more people pass BEC than any other section so they definitely want to bring that percentage down with the new changes.

    REG and FAR would still be difficult I imagine also.

    First go at the CPA! Only using Becker
    Reg / Nov 2015 - 87
    Far / Apr 2016 - 79
    Bec / May 2016 - 80
    Aud / Aug 2016

    May 25, 2016 at 6:24 pm #778287
    CPA2BEE
    Participant

    I would do REG and BEC first. One of the changes I heard is that in 2017 ALL of the exams will be 90 MCQs and more SIMS. AUD and FAR are already 90 MCQs, so I would try to take those shorter exams while they are still available.

    FAR - 80
    AUD - 82
    BEC - 80
    REG - 85

    ETHICS - 90
    EXPERIENCE - COMPLETE
    Application for California license mailed 8/4/2016

    May 25, 2016 at 6:28 pm #778288
    jdagna
    Participant

    Thanks for the advice. I am scared pushing FAR back and possibly having to retake any and missing the 18 month window. But I think taking the shorter exams while they are available is a good idea. At the end of the day I have to take them all regardless.

    May 25, 2016 at 6:39 pm #778289
    CPA2BEE
    Participant

    That just my opinion. Shorter definitely does not mean easier, but I just remember not being as exhausted after BEC in comparison to FAR and AUD lol. In the end, they are all their own monsters, just gotta pick your poison.

    FAR - 80
    AUD - 82
    BEC - 80
    REG - 85

    ETHICS - 90
    EXPERIENCE - COMPLETE
    Application for California license mailed 8/4/2016

    May 25, 2016 at 8:47 pm #778290
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I agree with the other posters. I would recommend BEC and REG first to hopefully take the shorter version of the exams. I think these exams are still be very difficult, but not as mentally and physically exhausting because you have to be done in 3 hours. Also, there have not been SIMS on the BEC exam before so there will be very little insight in study materials and this forum to refer to when studying for those SIMS.When looking over the changes to the exams, the number one thing that caught my attention was how much more awful BEC will be.

    May 25, 2016 at 8:55 pm #778291
    Sang
    Participant

    When are you planning to take your first exam?

    Are you able to take your first exam in July?

    FAR: (05/24/16) | (07/15/16) | (10/22/16)
    AUD: (09/07/16) | (11/29/16) |
    BEC: TBD
    REG: TBD
    Using Roger CPA Review + Ninja (MCQs, Notes, Audio)

    May 25, 2016 at 9:09 pm #778292
    jdagna
    Participant

    No I am giving myself a break from May- Aug. I just graduated Grad school in May and need a break. So I figure if I start studying in Aug I can take my first exam October or November, and then one more the first quarter in 2017. I may possibly be able to squeeze another on the first week of March since they now test the first 10 days of March (if I understand that correctly). So best case I will have 3 done before the changes.

    May 25, 2016 at 11:26 pm #778293
    Sage
    Participant

    I agree with the other posters to get BEC out of the way first.

    My main advice is to make a plan of when you will take each section and stick to it. I understand taking some time off, I did the same and really regret it. I wish I would have gotten at least one out of the way in July or August after I graduated, and then taken another in November and have two out of the way going into busy season. As it played out for me, I ended up not taking my first one until the January after I graduated, then I moved to a new city, took one in July because my NTS was about to expire and I barely passed. Then I didn't take another one until the following January because of life, and am taking my last one this Saturday, with the knowledge that my first one expires on July 5. I wish I would have planned better. So decide your order, decide when you will take them, and stick to it no matter what. Life has a tendency to throw things in the way that can distract you.

    I recommend BEC in early October, FAR or REG in early January, and the other of FAR or REG in early March if it's open. I think the changes to audit will be the least intimidating, so I would recommend that one last. But also think about your strengths and weaknesses. I took FAR first because those classes were my best when I was in school, and I sucked at tax. I saved REG for last because I know it would be motivating since it was my last one. It gives me a different determination that I don't think I would have had if I had other exams to go.

    FAR - 89
    AUD - 78
    BEC - 81
    REG - 5/28/16

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