[Anonymous]

Hi all,

I am sure this has been discussed on here multiple times but I have yet to find a recent post regarding the subject. So is there a certain order that will benefit one taking the exam? I heard taking FAR before AUD is helpful but are there any other helpful tips in the order. What order did you guys pass the CPA with and what worked for you?

Thanks! 🙂

[jdub]

I started with BEC because statistically speaking you have the highest chance of passing that one (per the pass rates) and I thought it would be a good way to get my feet wet with a smaller section of study material (using Becker), and I passed round 1 which was a huge confidence boost.

The advice I was given was to alternate a smaller section with a larger section (again, relating to amount of Becker study material). So my attack plan was BEC, FAR, AUD, REG. Things changed and I ended up doing AUD last because of the amount of time I had in testing windows.

I will say that I've had to take victory laps on REG and AUD (yay getting 74s) and I would move on from REG and come back to it and I wish I would have just hammered at the same one until I passed it and not tried to go back and forth. But in 2017 the score release was ridic, which is pretty much how it's going to be this year too.

REG was by far the most challenging section for me and I finally passed this last quarter, and like I said I wish I would have just hammered away at it. But starting with BEC was the best advice I was given because had I started with REG I'm certain I would have given up because it was too defeating.

Do whatever material you will be most comfortable with first!

[PDiddy2000]

As @jdub said it's personal choice. My decision was to tackle FAR, AUD, BEC, and REG. When I started researching what order to take, I read so many comments about people saving FAR until last but having trouble passing it before their 18 month time period expires. Having an exam expire because you're having trouble passing FAR, which is a beast, was too much for me to even think about so I started with FAR. I went with AUD next because most people say there are items in FAR that translate to AUD. BEC and REG were toss ups for me.

[CPAoneday]

I took FAR then AUD; REG in April and BEC in June.

You have 18 months to pass all four sections before losing credits. This was my primary motivation for taking FAR first. I knew it would be the most difficult for me so I wanted to knock it out first.

Passing 3 sections and being in the awful predicament of potentially losing exam credits, because of my inability to pass FAR would've crushed me. I hope this works out in my favor because REG study material is almost as bad as FAR. *knocks on wood*

F – 91
A – 88
R –
B –

[Nate]

I did the same as jdub, I did BEC because it seemed like the easiest to me, and for me, I just needed to pass one to give myself the motivation to take on the other three, and that's what passing BEC did for me. Besides that, the order came with work experience. I took BEC right around the same time I got an offer from the firm I'm working at now, which does mostly tax but some reviews and comps (which all of them go to me), so I decided to save REG for last to give myself more tax experience before I take it. For my second, I chose AUD because the previous firm I worked for did mostly audits, so I wanted to take AUD while a lot of that work experience was fresh in my head, so I took that in December. Then, I decided that I wanted to take another one before busy season got going, and that left FAR, so I took that in February before I had to start working 70 hours. so I find that it's best to align the order with your work experience.

However, no work experience, then it depends on your confidence and motivation levels. If you're feeling super pumped and motivated, I say start with FAR, get the biggest one out of the way, and make passing all within the 18 month window. Plus, if your fresh off of an accounting degree, FAR will align with everything you've learned. If you are worried and feeling overwhelmed and need a confidence booster, start with BEC. Fairly easy material (at least for me) with the least amount of material by far. It all comes down to what you need, and it's different for everybody.

[get_away06]

I would recommend starting with FAR since that section is massive and if you pass you’ll have a head start on your 18 month time. It would also help if that is a section that’s close to what you do. If you work in tax then starting REG is probably better. If you do FAR, AUD is best to do next since topics overlap. Good luck! Study hard!

[jdub]

I lost my BEC credit because of my inability to pass REG. And had I known REG was going to be such a bear for me, I might have changed my approach so I wouldn't have been at a risk of losing credits. So everyone's points about that are very valid.

What's difficult about asking for advice is everyone is different. I didn't really hear people complain about REG and they complained about FAR, but my experience was just the opposite. So again, do whatever you're most comfortable or scared of!

[Kodiak]

I wanted to take the one I thought would be the most challenging first and then make sure I took FAR before AUD because I had heard it was helpful. In the end I did BEC, REG, FAR and then AUD. I took BEC first just because I was able to get it done before the exam changed which was recommended by the Becker rep when they came to our BAPs meeting.

[Superdude3000]

I'd recommend REG, FAR, AUD, BEC. You get the biggest two done first and you'll benefit from some overlap on AUD from FAR and on BEC from AUD and FAR.

I took it REG, BEC, AUD, FAR… So order really isn't everything. But after I took them all I think the order I recommend is the most beneficial for overlap and burn out near the end of the process. Taking FAR last killed me – totally exhausted

[PDiddy2000]

@Kodiak has a good point.

The next expected major changes for testing are for REG. AICPA will start testing for the new tax law changes that passed last year in REG for 2019. You’re probably saying 2019 is a long ways away but with the delayed score releases this year, possible exam retakes and not knowing what your strategy is for taking the exams this year, 2019 will be here before you know it. Of course, your CPA review course will play into that too. If you have one that updates for free then you should be ok. Just another factor to think about.

[cmrn89]

1. FAR
2. AUD
3. REG
4. BEC

This is the order I was recommended and also what Becker recommends. You should consider what areas you are most comfortable with and the amount of material per section. FAR or REG first because those are the biggest and you can really stretch out the 18 months if you pass one of those first.

[Tim]

I like the order I took them and wouldn't change it in hindsight. It totally makes sense to do FAR first and then once you do FAR it makes sense to do BEC/AUD while the FAR material is still somewhat in your head since you need to know it. AUD/BEC are also interrelated so it's good to take them together. So that leaves REG last by default.

[alloverit]

There is some very good advice here in previous posts.

The best strategy for most (not all!) is to pick the section that you believe will take the most time to study and do it first. That way, if you need 6 months to study and pass it, your 18 months starts after you pass the section requiring the most time!

Then, pick the section that you believe will be the easiest and do it last. The idea here is that if you have a hiccup one your 2nd or 3rd test, you can do a retake if needed and then maybe cram the easiest section in just under the wire without losing any credits.

[Anonymous]

TAKE FAR FIRST.

I decided that I wanted to gain some confidence so I took AUD (I am an auditor) first and barely passed. I am glad to have AUD and BEC done, but now I have to tackle REG and FAR and I am not looking forward to it. I think you'll thank yourself if you get the big one out of the way first.

[Tim]

@alloverit

The only problem with that is I believed Audit would be the hardest section for me since I have the least experience with that topic. Yet, of the 3 I've studied for it ended up being by far the easiest. The bottom line is the amount of material in FAR is just a lot more than the other sections. Even if it's a strong area for you like it was for me it will still probably take the most prep time.

[alloverit]

@Tim

I alluded to that issue in my post. There is no simple answer or formula that will always work. But like most things, if a solid plan is in place and it is followed, most candidates can pass this exam…regardless of order or their review system.

[Author]

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