[financetx]

Exam candidate here looking for a strategy in light of the new CPA exam coming in April. Under normal conditions I would take FAR first. It is typically regarded as the hardest test and I would like to start my 18 month window with the hardest part out of the way.

However, with the new exam format coming I have enough time to try and squeeze BEC and REG in before the April window. Would this be an overreaction to something that we don’t know is harder? My biggest fear is struggling with FAR on the back end and having exams expire.

Thanks for any advice.

[kiwi9990]

That would be awesome if you could get those two in before the exam changes. Everything I have read says it is wise to get BEC done before, since it will change significantly. Plus if you got both of those in, you could save a little money since they will become 4 hours and AUD and FAR are already at the 4 hours each. I take FAR on Oct. 8 for the third time, and it is a beast to tackle! I'm not sure exactly how much it will change though in April. Best of luck to you!

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure you BEC and REG first because they are going to be harder, because as you pointed out, who knows – you do them first because each of them are having an additional hour added. Or at least that's what my thinking would be.

I would also add that I struggled a lot more with AUD than I did with FAR. I know FAR has a lot of information and that can be intimidating, but that doesn't mean you'll struggle. Plus, I found it helpful to get one of the “easier” tests done first that way I didn't have those “first test don't know what to expect” jitters on top of the nerves of that come with it being a “harder” test.

[sancasuki]

I would do FAR and BEC. The simulations in AUD, REG, and BEC are currently 40% of the score and will be 50% of the score. REG is going to be an hour longer but I don't think that's a big deal. I would be more concerned with how simulations are going to be 50%. Definitely want to get BEC out of the way since it doesn't have any simulations currently.

The only thing nice about the new exam format is that you will get a 15 minute break that won't cut into your test time. I'm a slow test taker and ran out of time on FAR, so that would have helped. Time was not an issue for REG and AUD though.

[Anonymous]

@financetx Check out Roger CPA Review's advice

BEC and REG will be the most affected by the changes, if possible you should try to knock those out before April 1, 2017. FAR will not be that different and I would not do it first.

[Anonymous]

I've known a lot people with the same philosophy of taking FAR first because it's the “hardest”. For a few it worked out, for most it was not very successful and led them on a very difficult start to taking the CPA exams and left them feeling overwhelmed and slightly defeated. Also if you've mentioned losing credit potentially if taking FAR first. Obviously, no one hopes that will happen to them and are confident they can get the rest done in 18 months… but that 18 months goes by fast. And there are limitations on taking the same exam twice within the same quarter. The worst thing would be passing FAR to get it out of the way, and then it sneaking up on you towards the end of the journey and god-forbid you are taking it again.

And from what everyone said above, FAR isn't going to change that much. Just my two cents though. If you could fit two in now, DO IT!

[financetx]

I guess the way I thought about it is that if you pass FAR first then you have the ultimate confidence that you can do it. Plus, it probably requires the most studying before so you get to knock that out while your 18 month clock isn't ticking. Also, what if you pass the old versions of BEC and REG, struggle with AUD/FAR and then risk the new versions of BEC and REG creeping up on you again. Tough decisions.

[sancasuki]

Oops. I meant to say “AUD, REG, and FAR are currently 40%.”

God, I really hate how this forum only allows you to edit your posts for 15 minutes. It's so stupid. Can't imagine the reason for that.

[Anonymous]

as someone else pointed out, I'd much rather have one of the “easier” tests expire than have one of the “harder” tests expire. They're all hard in their own way and there's honestly no way of knowing what you will struggle with until you're in it. And the 18 months really does fly by. Just getting FAR done first doesn't guarantee you'll easily pass the others or you won't have unexpected life events come up that throw off your studying.

and what if you can't pass FAR the first time and you spend the next 2 windows trying to get it done and miss the opportunity to avoid the tests with the most changes?

[Anonymous]

with the testing windows being extended, you could probably get both REG and BEC in the next window if you start studying now. Take one at the end of Oct and the 2nd one the second week in December. Then if you have to do any re-dos, you still have another window, or ,hopefully, you'll just be able to move on to your next test.

If you go with FAR, I wouldn't recommend trying to get two tests in one window – which normally is fine, except if you're trying to beat the CPA changes then I don't think this is a smart use of your time.

[financetx]

I think some great points have been made and that it would be best to try and knock out BEC and REG before the changes. Planning on going in this order as of now: BEC/REG/FAR/AUD.

[financetx]

So when people take two exams in one testing window do they usually study for both of them at the same time? Or do they study for one, take it early in the window, and then study for the second one taking it at the end?

[Anonymous]

FAR, REG, BEC and AUD. Even after BEC and REG changes, FAR will remain to be the unbeatable ultimate nightmare.

[Anonymous]

study for one, take it early in the window, and then study for the second one taking it at the end – YES!

[Bnots]

I would give myself as many chances (2) to pass BEC before the change as I could. Being a guinea pig for the BEC sims is an unnecessary stress. BEC will also be an hour longer under the new format. You lose ten MCQs and gain five sims that you have no tested examples for. No thanks.

If your BEC then does expire later, by the time you take it again at least you'll be able to learn from the experiences of others who have already taken the new version.

Other than that, I think it depends on how you feel about your ability to apply your knowledge. If you have experience doing tax work, the new REG might play into your hands, even despite the longer test. Similarly, if you've worked in audit, the new AUD might give you a better chance to score well than the old AUD. If you have no experience in AUD, on the other hand, it might be in your interests to pass the current version if you can.

I also don't think it's necessary to take FAR right away. For many takers FAR is the most work, but when you try to take it in a window with another exam, you're also necessarily putting greater stress on your available study time, either for FAR or the other section you've scheduled for that window. How you respond to failure might be a consideration as well. Passing FAR can be a confidence boost, but putting in a gazillion hours only to fail — as half of all takers do every window — can also be incredibly discouraging to some people.

[jeff]

Some dude with a beard and apparently crazy-video-face chimed in…

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS) | Another71 | NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE

[Author]

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