[sevik]

Hi everyone,

I’m using Becker to study for FAR (my first exam). I am really struggling. I feel so dumb when it comes to the MCQ’s and simulation. I’m barely on F1 M2 and I’ve been studying for 5 days now… I watch the lectures and follow along in the book, but the questions throw me off. I don’t know if I truly don’t understand it or whats happening. Any tips on how to study better?

Thanks!

[Vanquished]

FAR is the hardest test imo.

I studied for 11 weeks and did 100% of everything. Including the final review.

Take all the practice exams and go over what you missed then take them again.

[AGI]

I took FAR first, I spent 5 months before I get into the test center.

New York - NYC
Passed CPA Exam (11/2014)
In search for a position in NYC that will fulfills the license requirement.

[monikernc]

I think FAR is hardest for folks who have been out of school for awhile and those who did not do well in Intermediate Accounting. I was lucky that Appalachian State University offers 3 semesters of Intermediate, a great Govt and Non-Profit and International Accounting courses (tested 2015 -2016.) I was incredibly lucky (I was a great student) and able to pass FAR, 9 months out of school without any additional studying. I took the exam for the hell of it when my NTS was about to expire and fully expected to fail but squeaked by with a 76! You really have to know the basics of financial reporting to pass. Do not skip sections and take no shortcuts! Set a goal of no retakes and think positively.

FAR 7/25/15 76!
AUD 10/30/15 93
BEC 2/27/16 82
REG 5/23/16 88!
Ninja Book and MCQ and the forum - all the way!!!
and a little thing i like to call, time and effort!
if you want things to change, you have to do something different

[AusNat]

Just keep working at it. Read & listen to all the question explanations and keep moving through the material. Don't let yourself get stalled out or hung up on one part right now, and don't get discouraged. Part of studying for a lot of people is learning question formats and how to work through them. A lot of the material also connects so you key info will repeat over and over as you study more.

[ellabella]

I know all about lack of motivation, even in the initial outset of the exam. I'm doing FAR as well, with UWorld Roger CPA. What I do to keep myself accountable is to set an alarm on my cell that tells me to wind down what I'm doing, and start studying. This is five days a week, with very little excuses.

[azariy]

Hi!
Don't stress out, I see how hard you are working. You will pass this hardest (imo) exam. Wish you luck!

[AGI]

Maybe reading the lectures are not your options. I didn't read a single page of the textbook or video (obviously I'm also those type that learn from try and error). Sometimes when you are stressed you can't read it, sometimes you just can't focus and sit on the chair. I also blame age (getting old), plus I was never a good student anyway.

I'll say, get a general idea of what's on the exam first, fly though the chapters, and figure out which ones you know and don't know. Create a timeline plan before you study. There are topics definitely on the exam and topics that only take away 2 questions.

Don't stress out and spend too much time on “one thing” that you can't do, or “one question” that you are stuck on. It will only hurt you and get mad. Post your questions on the forum and someone will give you the answer (within reasonable time). You will save yourself a look of Wiki / Google / Textbook flipping.

New York - NYC
Passed CPA Exam (11/2014)
In search for a position in NYC that will fulfills the license requirement.

[Rich]

A wrong answer is an opportunity to learn. Read why the answer you chose is wrong as well as they the correct answer is the correct answer for every question. Do the same if you got it right but was not completely sure of your answer so you drill the information into your head. I was trending in the 40%'s on my first run through FAR. And even before I took the exam I was trending in the 60%'s for some topics. It's tough, but you're not alone when you're getting a lot wrong on the first run through of the material. Just keep going over it.

[Author]

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