[Shua Jo]

Hello,

I have a question regarding timing of retake exams. I recently took the FAR Exam on May 27, and I’m not feeling very confident that I passed. Of course, I will find out the result soon on June 8th and can take further action then, but I want to prepare and organize my schedule/calendars for a potential retake.

I made the mistake of applying for an NTS for all four exams, and have already scheduled my 4 tests through prometric on the following dates: AUD July 11, REG, Aug 8, BEC Aug 31. I applied in that way to try and finish all exams before work starts in September. The six month period for my current NTS ends on September 18. During this summer, I am relatively free and have plenty of study time.

In the event that I fail the FAR exam, should I try reschedule all the other exams (AUD, REG, BEC) as far back as I can and apply for another NTS to schedule the retake? (As my current NTS expires in September, I would only really be able to push the dates back for each test maybe a week or so and then cram for the next test after I retake FAR). My only concern with this option is that by reducing the amount of time to study for the other exams so that I can retake the FAR exam, I may fail the other sections and lose more confidence.

Or would you recommend that I finish all my other scheduled exams since they are bunched close together and my NTS ends soon, and then retake the FAR exam during the October/November window while working? My concern with this option is that I would be having to relearn more of the FAR material a little later (so it is less fresh in my head) and also work at the same time.

Which option do you think would be the best course of action? Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

FAR - May 27, 80
AUD - July 11
REG - Aug 11
BEC - Sep 8

[Nessie]

Do you think 4 weeks is enough for REG? It’s less than 4 weeks if you take a needed day or two off from your AUD exam. I understand you wanting to get everything done before you start work, but it might be better to leave BEC for after your start date. I assume you will be a new employee and will be in training for the first few weeks? So, you will likely have evenings and weekends free for studying for the first month. Study for BEC before and after your start date. This will give you more time for AUD and REG.

REG Aug 20/15: 88
AUD: Feb 29/16: 80
FAR: Jun 10/16: 80
BEC?

Becker self-study, Becker Final Review & NINJA MCQS

[Anonymous]

Three things: one, I suspect from your post that there's a good chance you passed FAR.

Two, I would take the score you receive + your perception of the exam's difficulty to calibrate how much time you'll need to study for the last 3 sections. That would help you decide if you've got time to retake FAR. For example, you've left yourself 1month+ to study for AUD, less than 1 month for REG, and 3 weeks for BEC. Judging by your writing skills, do you really need 3 whole weeks for BEC? I'd look at AUD again too; in my experience, people with stronger writing/communications/”lib arts” skills tend to have an easier time with that section because of all the conceptual questions. I'm one of those types of people, and I studied three weeks each for BEC and AUD and ended up with a 94 and 85, respectively. That left me extra weeks to put into FAR and REG.

Three, if your work involves audit in public accounting and you need to retake FAR, I would boot AUD down the road, even if it overlaps with the start of your job, and retake FAR ASAP. The type of work you'll do as a new audit associate can be pretty good review for some parts of AUD, but that's not the case with FAR.

Good luck on the exam!

[Sang]

Assuming that you failed FAR, these are the options that I might consider if I was in your shoes.

July 1 = FAR
Aug. 1 = AUD
Sept. 1 = REG
Sept. 10 = BEC

Or you can drop one exam and do:

July 1 = FAR
Aug. 6 = AUD
Sept. 10 = REG or BEC

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)

[Missy]

Just forget FAR and move on. You don't have time to squeeze in four exams between now and September and if you do have to retake a section treat it like you're starting from scratch.

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

[Anonymous]

Well good news 3rd quarter has the highest passing rate.

Have you seen Jeff's pass in 20 days post?

I agree with MIA, I wouldn't try and cram another one in there.

[Shua Jo]

To everyone that replied, thank you so much for your advice and input. I ended up passing FAR, so I won't have to worry about retaking it. This is such a helpful and supportive community! Thanks!

@Nessie, I will look more into the spacing of my exams and potentially reschedule to allow more time for REG and less for BEC. Thanks again everyone!

FAR - May 27, 80
AUD - July 11
REG - Aug 11
BEC - Sep 8

[Author]

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