[12OatK]

Hi everyone, need some advice.
Started on CPA a little less than a year ago when I was working at a small, flexible, 40 hr/week job. Even with that it took me almost 6 months to be prepared enough that I felt comfortable taking AUD, which I failed.
Ended up getting a Big 4 offer with a Fall start date so I quit working before the summer thinking I could knock out at least 2 exams with all the extra time, right? Nope, it took the entire summer- about 3 months of full-time study, and 2 reschedules to finish the material for FAR, which I failed.
Now I’m about to start at the Big 4 firm with no exams under my belt. I’ve used Gleim and Becker and I usually have to either watch the lectures at like .75 speed or read the whole module/subunit multiple times to even get a preliminary understanding, and that’s not even including the time spent on MCQ’s. And then by the time I’m done I’ve forgotten most of the early chapters…
I feel that, knowing how long it generally takes me to understand things, the study time available to me while working Big 4 hours is just not enough for me to get a good enough grasp of the material to pass. I know people say to pass asap, but tbh I’m really questioning whether or not this certification is something I really want or even need now that I’ll have Big 4 experience. I’m also thinking about postponing the exam until after I’ve transitioned into industry and the hours are more manageable. Would appreciate any thoughts.

[Nbmorty]

Did you major in accounting?
Is English you mother tongue?
Do you have some kind of mental disorder like adhd/ocd or plain depression?
(please don't get me wrong for asking about mental issues coz if u have any i could maybe help you get around it from personal experience)

[FutureCPA123]

If you spend too long studying, yes, you will forget what you studied in the beginning. No exam should take longer than 9-10 weeks, some even less than that. Depends on the section. It sounds like it’s your study habits that need corrected. I don’t think you should give up, you should continue to pursue your CPA. We will always make time for what’s important to us. I work for a large publicly traded company and have a 40 minute commute and 6 month old. I started my CPA exam journey while 29 weeks pregnant. It came down to me fixing my study habits to be successful in passing these exams. I wake up at 4:30 and study in the mornings, I study on lunch breaks, I listen to audio notes when I drive. It’s all super depressing and sucks to be quite honest. But that’s the only way I’ve been able to manage it. I did fail FAR in July, but I was just back at work for only a month from maternity leave and was learning to balance work and newborn. I’m currently waiting on my AUD score. Do not give up, keep studying and just make time. Be sure to consistently review as you go too before you do your big review/test bank multiple choice at the end.

[jombe]

I honestly don't think there's a such thing as “studying too long.” I spent 6 months for the first section I took (FAR) & 3-4 months per section for the rest. I passed all four on the first tries, but I never felt prepared when I walked into the testing site. Could I have passed w/ less study time? Perhaps. I guess I will never know.
–
W/ that said, I think the key is always the “quality” of your study time & method. Where do you study? Are there any distractions when you study? Does your mind wander while you are listening to lectures? Etc, etc, etc. Have you tried different methodology when it comes to studying? Lectures, textbooks, flashcards, taking own notes, mock exams or quizzes, etc, etc, etc. Not everyone learns the same way & sometimes instead of just asking around, YOU have to try different things out to see what works for you. For me, I did a combination of lectures, books, own notes & NINJA notes, plus 2,000+ MCQs & 100+ SIMs per section (this includes all end of chapter quizzes & mock exams). Each method added different things & they all came together at the end to allow me to pass the exam.
–
I truly believe CPA exam can be passed anyone w/ average intelligence if they are willing to put in the time & efforts. It's not easy, no, but it's not rocket science either. If you are not passing, it's not because you are dumb, it's because you didn't put in enough time & efforts that's applicable to you. Just because someone else passed all four sections 3 – 9 months, doesn't mean everyone can do that. We all are different & requires different amount of time & efforts.

FAR - 94 (10/4/15), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ
AUD - 99 (1/19/16), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ
REG - 96 (4/19/16), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ
BEC - 91 (7/19/16), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ

581 days of listening to lectures, reading texts & 10,000+ MCQs...

[PC]

I didn't have the energy (or emotional discipline) to study during my 4 years in big four. It was audit though – different departments (and cities) will vary. You'll have to feel it out.

Nothing wrong with taking a few months per section in my opinion, but echoing what others have said re: quantity vs quality, your process is what's important. When you get done with a lecture, do you also complete the related MCQs? Do you actually understand it before moving on to the next? Are you periodically reviewing to ensure you remember? Are your practice exams indicative of the actual scores you received?

[bigstakk]

Your problem is you are studying way too long. You only need 4-6 weeks per section -8 tops. Anything beyond that is not efficient unless you are shooting to get high 90s. Just focus and cram hard the last two weeks of study time and taking hundreds-thousands of practice problems. It’s much easier to learn from sample questions. I used GLEIM and find it to be really great. I know others that have used it and had success as well. If you take 6mo per part you can’t finish all 4 exams in 16mo let alone give yourself a chance for a retest if needed. Comes down to focus. Prioritize your studies and really put in effort and not just go through the motions. For AUD and REG working for a CPA firm will definitely help you a lot, so maybe work experience is what you need to get a better grasp of the material. Don’t give up. Keep pushing.

[turo9992000]

BIGSTAKK is right, Studying hard for 4-6 weeks per section is ideal. Everything is fresh. I was finally able to pass when I started studying about 30 per week. 6 weeks for REG, 4 for Aud, 2 for BEC and 8 for FAR. I studied everyday after work until midnight and sometimes I would wake up at 5 and do an hour of MCQs before showering. It was rough, but it worked.

[Recked]

Those should not be your only 2 options, giving up or postponing.
Time to double down. 25-30 hours per week, 10 weeks for FAR, less for the rest.
It has to be your #1 priority. Maybe try a different provider, or change something up. Whatever you are doing is just not working for you, time for a change.

[Anthony]

6 months just to prepare for one exam? I can't believe how long it would for you take to prepare for a section like FAR.

[Jonah]

I was in the same boat as you, I passed FAR and AUD (failed AUD once), but I am now taking REG tomorrow. I have been studying while working full time (45+ hours a week). It is horrible, but its worth it. Getting the CPA opens doors, even if you decide not to go through all of them, while not getting it would close doors. Its a personal decision, and I know its defeating and hard. You have to buckle down and get it done, REG took me 6 weeks while working full time. I haven't hung out with friends or done anything very fun, but i got through it.

[Author]

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