[Anonymous]

I am using Roger and the Wiley test bank and have given myself a year to pass the CPA while working full-time. So far I took FAR in February and AUD in May. I failed both. I absolutely didn’t feel ready for FAR so wasn’t surprised I failed with a 61 but was really disappointed that I got a 67 in AUD since I felt prepared for that one. I’m studying for REG now and feel like I just can’t remember all the rules. I’m wondering if the study material I’m using isn’t right for me or maybe the CPA just isn’t my thing. Any advice?

[Sang]

I think it can be frustrating if you set a goal of passing all of the exams on the first attempt.
I think on average, between 10%-20% of test takers pass on their first attempt.

So don't feel bad about failing your first exam attempts.

How many weeks are you studying for each for each exam?
How many hours are you studying for each exam?
How many MCQs are you doing for each exam?

For me, I was a C student in college, so I plan to fail the first exam for each section.
I plan to pass each section on my second or third attempts.
I won't feel frustrated until I fail my third attempts.

I am using Roger CPA review also, and I don't think the books and videos cover every detail.
I think the MCQs cover more information.

Have you already scheduled the test date for REG?
Since you have taken FAR and AUD already, I suggest retaking FAR and AUD in July/August, before moving on to REG.

If money isn't an issue, you can also try adding Ninja MCQs, Notes, and Audio.

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)

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the advice Sang. I actually have a Bachelors degree in Foreign Language so I spent the last 3 years taking classes in Accounting/Business to meet the 78 units requirement to sit for the CPA. I was only required to take 100 and 200 level classes and all online so I feel like I'm missing a lot of information. I'm studying on average 15 hours a week and giving myself 3 months per exam. Maybe I should go in with the mindset that I'm going to fail all of the exams on the first try but it's frustrating to think I'll have to give up another year of my life to retake them all.

[Missy]

I am of the opinion that this exam is truly a function of short term memory and studying longer than 6-8 weeks starts to produce diminishing returns. I think if you studied 20-25 hours per week for 6 weeks-you'd have a better result. You almost have to eat, breathe and sleep the concepts even when you're not actively studying.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Ryan – Just Another Dollar]

I agree with mla11692. I had a similar issue when I began my push to pass this year. I started studying FAR with Roger in November for a late January test date and found that by the time I went to take the test I was burned out on the topic and a lot of the initial material had washed out. Got a 67. I passed BEC in Feb and then went back to FAR, covered about half the lectures again and added about 35 hours of Ninja MCQ and improved my score to 84.

The method I've developed for the 3 exams I've passed in the last 4 months has been to watch Roger lectures while taking notes on the material (maybe 25-30 pages of notes per exam), I don't do any of the MCQ or sims in the Roger program and instead try for 10-15 days of Ninja MCQ review at the end before each test.

I worked full time throughout college and had to take many of my accounting courses online, so I understand that feeling too. Sometimes I feel like these review courses have taught me more in 6 months then I learned in 4 years of college. I think it really comes down to finding the motivation to pass. I decided (with the support of my SO and family/friends) to give 100% effort to pass in 6 months while working full time. I didn't want to give up a year or more of my nights/weekends just to cut a half hour off each study session. Use your failed sections as motivation and realize that the material you learned in your first review is still there, it just needs to be honed and built upon to pass the next time.

B - 88 (2/16)
A - 84 (4/16)
R - 73 (6/16), 82(7/16)
F - 67 (1/16), 84(4/16)

Ethics - 93

Roger course & Ninja MCQ - HiYa!

[Spartans92]

@ana, I totally feel your frustration and I share that same feeling. Initially I thought I could finish all sections by August before I start full time but that isn't happening. Likewise, I failed both Audit and FAR back in Feb and May, respectively. I too felt I had a great chance of passing Audit because I 4.0 the class (semester before taking the CPA) and a lot of the material was very fresh. You're not too far off with AUD so brush up on the concepts and retake it. I think it is normal to not pass on the first attempt, perhaps, reevaluate your study methods. Best of Luck!

BEC- PASS

[Author]

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