[Anonymous]

I’ve come to this website a lot to read advice, but it’s finally come to the point where I’ve decided to post.

I’m currently suffering through a recent failure of BEC– with a 73. In the second quarter, I took FAR and AUD the first time ever and failed both with a 74. This last quarter, I took FAR, AUD, and BEC. I passed FAR with a 78, but then failed AUD and BEC.

How do I recover from this and get away from these close call scores? I’m currently using Becker. I plan on retaking BEC on the 1st, but I’m still coming to terms with the fact that I may not get this test done before 2017 changes due to tax season coming up shortly. My only option is to take my next 3 in the next quarter, and if I fail I can possibly take on the first week of January.

Any advice from anyone who has also received several close scores in a row? Is it a bad idea to take 3 tests in one quarter (two being retakes)?

[Mayo]

1. Study more
2. Take again.

Otherwise just quit temporarily or permanently. Not really that complicated.

Scores do suck though (in terms of how close they were). Good luck next time.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Duskfall]

Take more time for exams, study one at a time. Get Ninja MCQ, and don't book your exam until trending above 80%

FAR - 07/07/2016 - 81
BEC - 08/23/2016
AUD - 10/05/2016
REG - 11/23/2016

[HelloCPA]

i tried cramming in 3 sections in one window and it was a disaster for me. If you can sit before Q2 of 2017 then you may avoid the changes. study 2 months for one section at a time. Good luck!

[Mike J]

As I shared in another post, I know OP's pain. Last period I could have been done–I took REG, BEC & AUD before FAR would expire June 30. I essentially swapped REG for FAR, as I earned a 77. This quarter, however, I was able to pass AUD (90) and BEC (79).

See which (in my case) two topics were Weaker Than and go through as many multiple guess questions as you can within those topics.

Also rework your notes. Assimilate explanations to questions you're unsure about. If you're a NINJA, put a MCQ that stumped you into a google search. Alter your notes accordingly. I did that A LOT for BEC.

You may even benefit taking yourself back to school–go through your old textbook(s) and notes relevant to these sections. I did that for REG. When/IF you need REG. Browse IRS.gov. Try also this: https://tax.cchgroup.com/downloads/files/contemporary-tax-practice/Module4/Topic3/B-Corporate-Alternative-Minimum-Tax-Computations.asp

I hope you find these study tips helpful.

In short, you have to basically start over. You don't have a 73. You have a zero. Start from there. You'll get it done.

[Valar Dohaeris]

I'm not sure if lengthening BEC and REG as of next April will change the fact that FAR is the hardest exam. So, congrats on getting FAR done. Now, just worry about your next exam. I would take BEC next and do not study for the next section until you've passed BEC. Take BEC before 10/20, and you'll find out score by 10/31. Then, you'll have all of November to study for AUD/REG.

Just do one exam at a time.

BEC - 85
AUD - 81
REG - 84
FAR - 7/24/16

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure about taking three in the same quarter but I just got done with taking two in the same quarter and ended up passing both. One I had previously gotten a 59 on (REG) and then passed second try with a 75 (wohoo!). I also took AUD and passed with an 84 (disclaimer: I'd already passed audit once but lost credit). It's doable and with your scores being close on the retakes, you could probably manage to take one in October (before the 15th preferably) and take another at the end of November. But these would only be for the retakes. For the one you haven't taken yet, I'd think you'd want to give yourself a bit more time. Some people have different methods but for exams I'm “re-studying” for, I skip the lectures and go straight for lots of reading and taking my own notes and OVERKILL on the multiple choice. With the multiple choice, I would do similar to what the exam does. Don't just do multiple choice on a specific topic, do it on ALL of them. Unfortunately, I'm not sure if you can do this with Becker but the NINJA MCQ function has that feature. This way, you'll get a better idea of where you really struggled because that score release notification is pretty useless in my opinion. Once you've identified some weak areas hit those ones first and hit them hard! Don't move on until you're ready to teach a 101 course in that area. Just my two cents though, good luck!!!

[sancasuki]

If I were you, I'd do AUD and BEC in Q4. I have a feeling if you do all 3 in Q4 you will fail one or two of them. Save REG for January maybe.

[Valar Dohaeris]

@CPA_M3OW, Becker has an option to do Progress Tests which can be comprehensive MCQ tests.

During my study routine, I do daily progress tests by chapter, and once I'm through all the chapter material, I'll do progress tests on all of the material (typically during my 2-3 day final review).

BEC - 85
AUD - 81
REG - 84
FAR - 7/24/16

[Mike J]

@Valar,

I don't believe practice tests are helpful. They tend to introduce information rather evenly, that won't happen on the exam. Tho, I would just take random groups of 20 MCQs. Then, take some practice problems in the areas that you get wrong. Rinse and Repeat.

[Author]

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