[Jdn9201]

I have a question about scheduling FAR. I’ve passed BEC & REG, and am waiting on the 2/4 score release for AUD. My original plan was if I passed AUD, to take FAR in May because of the amount of material on it. If I don’t pass AUD, I was thinking of taking AUD in April and FAR still in May.

I’m thinking about going ahead and signing up for FAR in late February. We’re in year end at work (I work in corporate tax), but I expect that to go back to normal at the beginning of Feb. I’m using ROGER and can spend about 10-15 hrs a week studying, which would put me around 50 by test day. Is this remotely doable? If I were to take it and not pass, I wouldn’t be out anything besides the exam fees. I would also have a better idea as to what is on the exam, and would still be able to take it again in May, as originally planned. I also have a strong accounting background and passed BEC & REG pretty easily. Thanks for your feedback!

BEC - 88 8/29/15
REG - 82 11/14/15
AUD - 83 1/8/16
FAR - 80 2/29/16

[MaLoTu]

In short, yes. I did FAR in 12 days (12 hours a day, although it really ended up being 8 adjusting for dealing with my kids and the house, husband was essentially on his own, lol) … I do not know how I did until 2/4 and I am not overly optimistic. I used Becker, which has 10 chapters, I did a chapter a day for 10 days then spent the 2.5 days up to the test reviewing. If you can get through all the material in 14 days, you will have an additional 2 weeks to re-work problems and refine your week areas. Not the best set of circumstances, but not impossible.

[Jdn9201]

Thanks MaLoTu, and I hope you passed. I know I couldn't do that schedule. I know it'd be kind of silly if I fail because these exams aren't cheap. I'm just getting tired of this whole process. Don't get me wrong – these exams are hard but I've always been a good test taker. BEC is way easier, but I nearly passed it last year without studying at all (made a 74).

BEC - 88 8/29/15
REG - 82 11/14/15
AUD - 83 1/8/16
FAR - 80 2/29/16

[Tripin93]

I suppose you could attempt to do it like MaLoTu did, but I wouldn't recommend it. Is there a reason for the urgency? If you don't have a good reason for rushing, then I'd recommend waiting. If you fail, it would be like flushing $300 down the toilet. If you pass, it would be a stressed out, overworked, exhausted pass… wouldn't it be nice to pass comfortably?

Motivated by JC. I do it to make God proud.

FAR: 91 July 2015
AUD: 83 October 2015
REG: 81 January 2016
BEC: 83 February 2016

[jcbcpa]

@jdn9201, it's really all subjective. Can it be done with 50 hours of study alone? People have done it, but I'd say 50 hours would put you well below the normal average time for studying FAR.

I passed AUD, BEC, and REG all on my first try, but just barely failed FAR on my first attempt with a 73. I only studied about 6 weeks. I'd say I studied an average of 15-20 hours per week (mostly on the weekend), so I'd guestimate I probably studied between 90-120 hours total. I think if I had spent another week or two reviewing on weak areas (and not totally panicking on my SIMS and remembering to breathe and at least 0's in the SIMS I didn't know rather than leaving blank), I would have passed.

I'm currently studying for FAR now and aiming for a retake late next month. I'm currently on Chapter 3 and hope to finish it and get into Chapter 4 by the end of the weekend (got myself a little behind, but as long as I stay focused, I think I'll be fine).

The end of February is 5 weeks from now on, so I say if you decide to do it, start NOW! There's a lot more information on this section than all the other sections, but if you've already got a strong accounting background, you may have an advantage.

Do you know governmental and not-for-profit accounting as well as financial accounting? Keep in mind that these areas will average about 20% of your exam. Thankfully, I was already pretty decent at governmental accounting before I started studying, but if you aren't familiar with it, that can be a challenge (those are Chapters 8 and 9 in Becker).

Also, if you are okay with the possibility of failing FAR in February and spending the money, then I say go ahead and try it. Like you said, it won't set you any further back even if you do fail and you can get that first attempt out of the way. Plus, you still are not 100% sure you passed AUD yet. And, with 2017 looming with the big exam changes, I think getting in as many opportunities to get this thing completely done is a good idea.

I know I've given conflicting advice, but the decision is yours. If you decide to do FAR late next month, I say start some studying now and see if you can squeeze in a few more hours per week if you can.

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)

[MaLoTu]

I should have added my NTS was expiring the day I sat for the exam 🙂

[Jdn9201]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I don't have a specific reason for rushing it, other than wanting to get it over with sooner. I am aware of the 2017 changes and am aiming to be done by June this year (I received my BEC passing score in September, so I still have plenty of time on my 18 month clock). I think I'm definitely going to make up my mind this weekend so I can get started sooner. I'm not going to kill myself studying though – still in busy season at work, so I'm not going to put in more than 10-15 hrs a week. I know this test is difficult, but I also think I'd get some value out of taking the exam earlier than expected – it gives me an additional chance to pass and I will have a better idea what I need to study when/if I take it during the next window.

BEC - 88 8/29/15
REG - 82 11/14/15
AUD - 83 1/8/16
FAR - 80 2/29/16

[Author]

Replies