[Anonymous]

I take FAR in a few weeks and I am very nervous. I am about to graduate college and this will be my first exam. I have no idea what to expect. How did everyone else feel before taking their first exam?

[Spartan15]

I was in the same boat last spring, having just graduated from undergrad. I took AUD first and had just finished my undergrad audit course but I was still extremely nervous. I'm not sure how much time you have between graduation and the exam, but try to dedicate as much time doing MCQ and reviewing as possible.You have to remember that you are almost an an advantage having just graduated college, as the concepts are likely still fresh in your mind. I'm also currently studying for FAR, and also feeling a bit overwhelmed, but the best advice I can give is to just continue to grind and relax because it will all work out in the end.

AUD - 99
BEC - 96
REG - 92
FAR -

[FIFOisbetterthanLIFO]

I was very calm and then proceeded to get my butt kicked and received a 73 on FAR. Woke me up!

FAR - Passed (82)
BEC - Passed (76)
AUD - Passed (89)
REG - Passed! (81)
AICPA Ethics

Licensed CPA

[FIFOisbetterthanLIFO]

I was very calm and then proceeded to get my butt kicked and received a 73 on FAR. Woke me up!

FAR - Passed (82)
BEC - Passed (76)
AUD - Passed (89)
REG - Passed! (81)
AICPA Ethics

Licensed CPA

[CPA2BEE]

Nervous and unprepared!

FAR - 80
AUD - 82
BEC - 80
REG - 85

ETHICS - 90
EXPERIENCE - COMPLETE
Application for California license mailed 8/4/2016

[Track55]

Positive I would pass. And then I failed.

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

Studying for Ethics exam

California candidate
Business and Industry

[Bnots]

I took AUD first, and like Spartan15 above I had just finished my audit course requirement. I was very confident until I started doing my final review and realized I had big gaps where I hadn't done nearly enough studying on a topic. I did a lot of cramming the final week, but did end up going into my exam feeling I had everything important covered. I had my exam day schedule planned out in advance, meals and everything, and was able to stick to it perfectly, which made me feel really good going in. I left sick to my stomach. I did pass though, so I guess it worked out.

Sadly, I've done the same damn thing on my second section (REG), realizing as I hit my final review this week that I am woefully unprepared still. This time I decided to push it back ten days. To me, REG just has too much material and too little margin for error to risk going in not feeling razor sharp.

[theunexperienced]

I took FAR first. A couple of weeks out, things were really starting to click. Bonds, pensions, NFP…it all started to make sense. The final week, however, I started panicking as I saw my gov't trending score in NINJA MCQ dropping. I took that week off from work and crammed. I struggled with my wife as I completely ignored her and everything around the house (I made up for it after the test). I was starting to think I couldn't do this. Then I got to the facility and felt a calmness that I hadn't experienced my entire time studying. Got in there, gave it my all, ended up with a 75.

FAR - 75 (2/25/16)
AUD - 80 (4/8/16)
REG - 80 (6/10/16)
BEC - 79 (7/19/16)

You only get one shot with the spirit bomb.

[hasy]

Like I needed to study so much. 3 weeks before BEC, I practically rewrote the book and I did a lot of NINJA questions. Somehow, despite how much SMALLER the BEC book was compared to FAR, I felt more UNprepared going into BEC than I did for FAR. Maybe because I knew that I personally memorize a lot of concepts and for FAR, you actually had to understand it.

But yeah, keep doing MCQs. I personally wouldn't do 2 days before the exam, take those 2 days to review. Like it totally stresses you out if you got a low score from 1-2 sets. Just review the day before.

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved - Helen Keller

-

BEC 80 (10/23/15)
FAR 72 (4/2/15); 83 (7/11/16)
REG 52 (4/28/15)
AUD (9/9/16)

Roger + NINJA MCQ + WTB

[sar_rah]

I took FAR first as well. I was a nervous wreck. Once I finished and got into “review”, the reality of actually taking this exam that I've been devoting all my time to hit me. Was literally having panic attacks and crying at the thought of going in there to take it. But….I'm a very anxious person. I was much better with my next 2 exams. Still nervous, but not as crazy!

AUD: 98
REG: 91
BEC: 86
FAR: 83

DONE DONE DONE and DONE all on the first try! It IS possible, just keep on studying!

[Skynet]

My suggestion the day before the exam, just a light review and then spend the rest of the day relaxing. I didn't even study on the day of the exam. The more you stress during those two days, the worse you might do. Better to just clear your mind. I was really surprised at how much info I had retained during the exams especially when it came to FAR my last exam. A lot of GNP questions popped up and I thought I was not doing well, but I knew the answers to all those questions and ended up passing. I did that for all the exams.

[richaarora]

I used to feel nervous. But after clearing FAR and Aud and pretty fine with CPA exams. I can understand your situation but don't your lose confidence right now. Practice as much as you can and take some mock exams before the final exam which will boost your confidence.

[Author]

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