[abby10]

I am trying to sit for FAR in February for the second time. The first time I tested I made a 55, that was back in December. I don’t feel like this time around I am becoming any more prepared than I was the last time. I even hired a coach for the test to help me plan a schedule and study and even that is not really helping. I read, take notes, listen to the lectures and do the multiple choice and SIMS but can’t remember the information that well after I study. I am using Becker and I can literally listen to a lecture, take notes, do the skills practice and then when I get to the multiple choice questions it is like I might as well not have even done any of that because I struggle with the questions. It takes me a long time to even cover one chapter or module. I don’t know if I am just really tired, or really dumb or just bored sometimes with the material. Sometimes I think its a combination of the three. I am just really so sick of FAR. There are some parts I do find interesting and do well on and then other parts, like bonds, leases and derivatives that just give me a lot of trouble. I don’t know how to maintain interest in the topics I don’t like and move through them fast enough and study them well enough to pass the test. Plus I end up spending more time on these and then forget the things I studied in the beginning of the book. If someone has any advice for this I would appreciate it. I have took REG as well, but made a 69 on it. I did do a little bit better with that material than I did with FAR, I work in tax. I just decided to try to get FAR completed since I feel like it is the hardest for me.

[Ken]

I'm in the same boat. I think you gotta find a study material or video material that will get you interested enough in studying all that's required. Then get a review plan that works for you, such as a note taking system or flash card system that you like. Forget the coach if it's not working out. What state are you from out of curiosity?

[abby10]

I am in Oklahoma. I work for in the tax department of a wealth management firm, it is great firm with a lot of supportive co-workers, so at least I have that. I used to be in investment administration before I switched to tax accounting about 3 years ago. I agree with not working with the coach anymore, my subscription to her services ends soon and I don't plan to renew it as it is just not very helpful. I think she would be great for someone who just needed some extra motivation, but I need more than that. I just feel more confused by the Becker lessons than anything. I just scored a 68 on the multiple choice quiz on derivatives and hedge accounting. I actually worked with puts and calls in my former job role carrying out the execution of some of these transactions (I worked on a trade desk as part of my job) and took the series 7 securities license and made a 92. Only the CPA exam could take something I used to work with and enjoy and make it confusing 🙂 Seeing it from the other end, where I am booking journal entries and recording the gains and losses is just different for me. And then there are parts of FAR that I have only seen in an accounting class and so that is still a little hard for me since I have not worked with it in real life. Sorry to come out here and vent, it is just so frustrating sometimes. I know the CPA will be a great license to have no matter what I do in the future within the financial field, it is just frustrating getting there, but I suppose if this was not a hard exam, then the CPA would not be worth much.

[Anonymous]

Have you tried doing the MCQ open book on the first try? I do that sometimes and it helps reinforce the concepts much better. I know t seems like “cheating” but if afterwards you do retain the information, and know it, it will be a lot easier to commit to memory.

[Anonymous]

I'm in a similar situation where I start to forget the earlier chapters I learned. I just finished F6, and I have been doing cumulative Progress Tests (from F1 to F6) until I consistently score a 75 or above, then review the concepts by using the flashcards before going to bed. I go through 2 chapters a week to be on my schedule so I will have 2 weeks of just review prior to my exam date (3/2).

[Author]

Replies