[Biff Tannen]

So I have until Thanksgiving week to take FAR per my NTS, but I can’t possibly see how I can prepare for that exam in 5 weeks. I had already began studying for this section this summer and I completely got distracted, and now I’m facing the consequences. The over achievers on this site say that I can prepare for FAR in 5 weeks, but I find that nearly impossible while working full time at a big 4 and having a family to support. After all, passing all 4 sections is not a race, the way I see it, as long as I pass all 4 sections before I make senior, I should be okay. So with this new approach, I’ll be studying for audit with a target test date of 12/5, which gives me ample time to study for auditing. I’d rather take a test that I know I can do well on the first time (I work in big 4 audit, so I have knowledge of auditing), and let this boost my confidence so that I can tackle FAR. Has anyone used this approach before? How did it work out in the end.

PS: I had began my studies for FAR using Gleim, and while I certainly learned A LOT (more than I ever learned in intermediate accounting, that’s for sure), I felt Gleim focused too much on the detail, and not enough on the strategies to pass the exam. I have since changed to Becker, and I feel Becker fits better with my learning style. Hopefully the switch from Gleim to Becker pays off in the long run!

[To0ld2Pass]

If your NTS expires why not go ahead and try to take it anyways? You can't roll it forward(pun!) to the next i don't think. I did it in 6 weeks but I also do not work full time nor do I have a family so I can see how that would throw a wrench into studying. However I am somewhat a slow leaner so it may be possible for you to do it. I used becker, watched all lectures, did all MPQ(not mastering them all), only did a couple sims just to get format down, and then did the AICPA practice test(this saved me i think). I ran out of time and finished the last section of becker like 4 days out from exam.

[TryAgain]

I did the same. I did not feel ready for FAR last testing window so instead pushed the test to this window and took REG instead (which I passed). However my FAR NTS was not expiring.
If you are very confident you can pass Audit then take it. If you are not sure, take FAR before it expires.

[Recked]

If you're going to lose the NTS money anyway I would still sit, even if you're not prepared. Chalk it up to a learning experience, get those first test jitters out of the way.
Do the AICPA sample for FAR and just wing it. You have nothing to lose except 4 hours.
5 weeks should be enough time for AUD, especially if you have already invested some time in FAR as a lot of it carries over.
I pulled off AUD in 3 weeks, while working full time, with no audit experience. You can def do audit in 5.
Keep on keeping on, plugging away. You'll get there. Good luck!

[Author]

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