[lisa]

It is so hard to start studying for the next portion of the exam when you don’t even know if you passed the last portion. How do you focus on another section without worrying that you might have to go back and re-study for the last section you might not have passed?

[sacpa]

@lismichellecz: I messed up recent BEC attempt though I had prepared better than last time & exam was not so bad except for some sims. Was so frustrated after the exam. But got over it the very next day & posted here too. Since then, I moved on to AUD & it helped in forgetting the bad BEC experience.

@CPYay: Nice strategy! So while waiting for scores for 1st 2 sections, you should not get NTS for other 2 sections? Also, when you fail in one of the 1st 2 sections, do you get NTS for the failed section & remaining sections or just for the failed section?

Here's my dilemma. I took BEC in October, not hopeful of passing. Currently preparing for AUD, planning to take on 12/9. Got my application approved, but have not chosen sections yet. I can get my NTS in 2 days or so once I select the sections. So no problem there. But do I select AUD & FAR or pay for just AUD & wait till I get BEC results on 12/19? The problem is there is 10 day wait period from 12/9 – 12/19. Also, BEC score might be released a week later from 12/19 due to extra evaluation. I don't want to waste that time. Maybe I'll study topics overlapping BEC & FAR during that time. What say you?

FAR - < than 75, 10/2013, 2/2015
BEC - < than 75, 10/2013
AUD - < than 75, 8/2015, 1/2016

~ Winners fail until they succeed. Losers quit when they fail. - Robert Kiyosaki
~ I survived because the fire inside burned brighter than the fire around me.
~ Something will grow from all you are going through. And it will be YOU.
~ Right now you may not be where you intend to be, but it's where you need to be in order to get where you want to go.

[sacpa]

@Ana: Why didn't CPYay's strategy work for you?

FAR - < than 75, 10/2013, 2/2015
BEC - < than 75, 10/2013
AUD - < than 75, 8/2015, 1/2016

~ Winners fail until they succeed. Losers quit when they fail. - Robert Kiyosaki
~ I survived because the fire inside burned brighter than the fire around me.
~ Something will grow from all you are going through. And it will be YOU.
~ Right now you may not be where you intend to be, but it's where you need to be in order to get where you want to go.

[jenpen]

@sacpa I read your post wrong – schedule AUD for 12/9 and then take a breather. Last window, I took the week off between my last exam and the score release. It's nice to get a little breather before you jump back into studying. Once I got my scores back, then I immediately sent over the application again for my other 2 sections. I'm taking 2 sections this window, and then I'll breathe between the last exam and score release. Depending on that outcome, I'll send over another application if I need to retake either/both of them in January, or I'll celebrate.

AUD - 56 - 68 - 61 - 9/8/16
REG - 75
FAR - 7/15/16
BEC - TBD

Wiley CPAexcel and NINJA 10 Point Combo

[Ana]

A mix of reasons including the delay this year and that scores are not released as often in 2017. Also, the amount needed to study for an exam wouldn't line up with trying for two exams a quarter, so at times I felt I was rushing it or had a bit more time than needed. Another downside was forgetting info while taking another exam. From my experience it seems to work better to stick to one until it's done. I don't think there's a perfect strategy other than starting with FAR first and sticking to one at a time, unless of course there's another 4 month delay.

[sacpa]

@Jennifer: Great plan you have! I work during tax seasons so I want to start studying & take another exam in January. Been in this for a long time & I am so angry with myself & determined to pass all sections. Also, I have the house to myself for 1st 3 week of December so want to make the most of it. Probably I'll just pay for AUD, then pay for the next section after I get BEC results.

@Ana: Ya, this year's late score release is causing so much havoc. As you can see from my previous post, I too struggle with scheduling & preparing for sections, late score release or not. That's another mistake I need to avoid.

FAR - < than 75, 10/2013, 2/2015
BEC - < than 75, 10/2013
AUD - < than 75, 8/2015, 1/2016

~ Winners fail until they succeed. Losers quit when they fail. - Robert Kiyosaki
~ I survived because the fire inside burned brighter than the fire around me.
~ Something will grow from all you are going through. And it will be YOU.
~ Right now you may not be where you intend to be, but it's where you need to be in order to get where you want to go.

[CPYay]

That schedule probably won't work well for 2017, especially given the terrible score release schedule. It's still ideal to take two exams per window though. This maximizes your efforts and forces you to study, which was paramount for me because I work full time and have a family. I can't imagine waiting 3 months for a score, but if you want a chance to finish in 6 months, this is a good way to do it. If you're just starting your journey, hopefully they have more score releases in 2018 and you can apply this method. If this is the case, only schedule 1 exam to start (typically the hardest). Your clock doesn't start ticking until you pass the first one.

@sacpa I was fortunate to pass each attempt, but if I had failed one, I planned to still schedule two in the next window to keep the ball rolling. To be fair, I planned to pass all exams before the April changes and my first exam was Aug 2016. So I was rushing.

[jenpen]

@sacpa It's definitely hard to study during tax season! I tend to take off from studying until after the deadline. I just work too many hours to accommodate any studying. I'm praying that next year it won't be an issue.

AUD - 56 - 68 - 61 - 9/8/16
REG - 75
FAR - 7/15/16
BEC - TBD

Wiley CPAexcel and NINJA 10 Point Combo

[sacpa]

@CPYay: Great strategy & happy for you that it worked. As for me, I am kicking myself for not passing the exams before the changes.

@Jennifer: Yes, which is why I am hoping to take another exam in January. Plan to study maybe 1-2 hours during tax season if possible & take one more in late April.

FAR - < than 75, 10/2013, 2/2015
BEC - < than 75, 10/2013
AUD - < than 75, 8/2015, 1/2016

~ Winners fail until they succeed. Losers quit when they fail. - Robert Kiyosaki
~ I survived because the fire inside burned brighter than the fire around me.
~ Something will grow from all you are going through. And it will be YOU.
~ Right now you may not be where you intend to be, but it's where you need to be in order to get where you want to go.

[sacpa]

@Ana: That is so unfair that you lost credit due to the long wait. I thought people got time extension for score credits expiring during long wait.

FAR - < than 75, 10/2013, 2/2015
BEC - < than 75, 10/2013
AUD - < than 75, 8/2015, 1/2016

~ Winners fail until they succeed. Losers quit when they fail. - Robert Kiyosaki
~ I survived because the fire inside burned brighter than the fire around me.
~ Something will grow from all you are going through. And it will be YOU.
~ Right now you may not be where you intend to be, but it's where you need to be in order to get where you want to go.

[Jen-J]

I start studying for the next exam right away, so my schedule has been dictated by the week that I started and the blackout periods (I will finish in 39 weeks instead of 38 because of a blackout window). The only way I could handle the enormity of this undertaking was to think of it as a 9 month study course. The exams are the last hurdle before I can switch subjects (and believe me, after 13 weeks of FAR I was happy to switch!). That way I'm not focusing solely on the exams, I'm focusing on the studying. I have plans in place in case I fail any of my exams, but I have some score waits of 6-7 weeks – I can't wait around for scores before studying again.

[Ana]

@sacpa Not in California unfortunately. Been hoping it's a nightmare I can't wake up from but with BEC retake on Dec 8th it's becoming more real. I wish I knew how to transfer to states with extensions (some are up to a year) but get licensed in CA.

[sacpa]

@ Ana: Seriously!! That doesn't make sense at all. What a nightmare!

FAR - < than 75, 10/2013, 2/2015
BEC - < than 75, 10/2013
AUD - < than 75, 8/2015, 1/2016

~ Winners fail until they succeed. Losers quit when they fail. - Robert Kiyosaki
~ I survived because the fire inside burned brighter than the fire around me.
~ Something will grow from all you are going through. And it will be YOU.
~ Right now you may not be where you intend to be, but it's where you need to be in order to get where you want to go.

[Anonymous]

I agree. FAR was my last part. Took it in May. Wanted to study just in case I failed so I could take it in August. Wasn't able to do it. Ended up getting a 74. Ended up taking it again in Oct but if I dont pass I start over (all 3 previous parts).

Now I think I failed which sucks because I couldve had two chances to repeat and I only took one.

And the 4 month wait didnt help. It was complete horse****. We should all have 4 months added to our current expiration date.

[Ana]

@sunni you'll lose credit for the 3 other parts if you fail far?

[Go.For.Broke]

@lisa I remember feeling your pain. Sometimes, I had to wait over a month for a score (though I know that doesn't compare to the Q2/Q3 testing windows of 2017 (new exam rolling out and long grading periods). I agree that “what's done is done.” Just press forward, setting yourself up for success with the next exam, regardless of if you passed the prior one. If you passed, you'll be glad you didn't waste time dwelling on the “what-ifs.” And if you didn't pass, try not to let it steer you off course from focusing on passing the next section.

I do understand, though. Anxiety/fear can be overwhelming. You just have to take it a step at a time. You'll get it done!

[Author]

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