[Bear-Bear]

When I take BEC at the end of April, I’m going to have to wait over 3 weeks for my score. Obviously I can’t sit around doing nothing until then, as the clock is ticking. That said, I’m thinking that if I feel confident that I passed, I’m going to go ahead and apply/register/schedule the next section and begin studying for it. Should I not do this? How realistic is it that I’ll have a hard time finding empty seats at Prometric if I wait 5ish weeks to schedule my exam (3 weeks until score release, then 2 weeks to apply, get NTS, and schedule)? Should I just start studying for the next section and wait for score release to actually apply/schedule? Help!!

FAR - PASS
BEC - PASS
REG - PASS
AUD - PASS

Done and licensed!

[Track55]

I would always send the state $25 a week or two before my test. That way I could make an appointment right away after I get my score, especially if I failed the section.

AUD - 99
BEC - 83
FAR - 86
REG - 92

California - Internal Audit

CPA since December 2016.

(took seven tries, 1 year 10 months).

AUD - 74, 99 !!
REG - 74, 92
BEC - 83
FAR - 73, 86

Studying for Ethics exam

California candidate
Business and Industry

[Anonymous]

I think that depends on the exam section and where you are located. I started studying for my next section right away. Since you passed FAR and gained exam experience already, BEC will feel easier and probably not be an issue for you.

As far as the test center availability goes, I have 3 test centers close to me and 4 to 5 weeks ahead was available in my area. The end of testing period seems to fill up quicker though.

Hope these help.

[Anonymous]

I usually had my next test scheduled prior to taking the prior one (so, for example, I had AUD scheduled before I took FAR), definitely didn't wait till after getting the score for one before scheduling the next. There's no reason at all to waste 3 weeks waiting to see what happened. Just forge ahead with the belief that you passed. If the belief is wrong, then you can re-take after taking the one that you've been studying in the 3 weeks that you were waiting for results.

[jcbcpa]

I say definitely start studying for the next one. In 3 weeks, you can get a lot of studying done for either AUD or REG. In fact, I would tackle one of those two sections by the end of May. You can't retake BEC until June at the earliest because that's the next testing window.

AUD is a bit shorter, and for me, was my easiest section, but for others, it can be their hardest section. AUD is way more conceptual, but can be tricky if you haven't worked as an auditor. REG is mostly tax law with a few Business law concepts sprinkled in, but mostly tax. If you are strong in tax and weak in audit, I would approach REG. Otherwise, I say go for AUD because it's definitely the shorter section of the two. Either way, if you work hard, I think both sections can be conquered in a month.

AUD - 85 (8/30/2015)
FAR - 73 (10/13/2015), 85 (2/29/2016) (AND DONE!)
BEC - 83 (11/04/2015)
REG - 81 (11/30/2015)

[jcbcpa]

Oh, and I say go ahead and register for the next section at the end of May now, if you decide. I registered for all 4 sections last summer and took them all by the end of the year; failed FAR but fortunately passed the others. Reapplied for FAR, retook and conquered it end of February. Some people say it's not a good idea to get your NTS in advance, but for me, it helped keep me on track and motivated so I wouldn't slack off. The CPA exam is brutal and was not something I wanted to drag out for a long period of time.

AUD - 85 (8/30/2015)
FAR - 73 (10/13/2015), 85 (2/29/2016) (AND DONE!)
BEC - 83 (11/04/2015)
REG - 81 (11/30/2015)

[Author]

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