[average joe]

Quick background first. I have been out of school for about 6 years now. I went to a smaller college, my accounting degree there was not as challenging as it should have been. I also took many courses online which is mostly homework based, not test based. Anyway I began studying FAR, gave myself 15 weeks and have now scheduled. I am using Yaeger. I just got done with Module 9 A-C and honestly I am not grasping anything. Maybe small things here and there, but it’s just not clicking. I know my understanding of the true basics just is not strong enough. Phil and Cindy will go into more complex journal entries from them beginning ( not complex – just not basic basic ) and I get confused. I understand the importance of understanding them and if I did understand them I am sure the questions would open up. I will watch 1 video, take solid notes and then do the MCQ’s at the end of the module and may know 1 of 10 questions. This can’t be normal, especially this early on? Does it take a few weeks for things to click and make sense? I hate moving on to the next module without really fully understanding the first one.

[tmacpa]

I'm currently studying FAR with Yaegar as well.

If you find you're not understanding, reread the sections of the book she is going over to yourself. Pause the video after she has gone through it, and reread.

Also, practice practice practice. I supplement with Ninja MCQ because it changes things up and I like how you get to see the answer/explanation after each question.

[MaLoTu]

Also, try writing your own notes.

The first test is harder than the rest. You don't know what to expect. FAR is a lot of material. It was my first exam, as well. I failed and just recently retook it and I am not even sure if I passed it this time. However, I have 2 of the exams passed … just because FAR makes you feel stupid doesn't mean that you are, nor does it mean that you cannot pass these exams. It is just a huge learning curve!

[RE2PECT]

I just think the enormous amount of information for FAR can become overwhelming at times. I'm studying for my first exam as well and even though I understand what's going on in the videos it's hard for me to apply it when I tried to do questions afterwards. I'm hoping that now that I finished all the lectures and am going back to do non stop mcq that it will start to come together for me.

FAR: 75 Roger & Ninja (notes/flashcards/audio/MCQ)
AUD: 73, 81
BEC: 71, retake 8/29
REG:

[Kel Kel Kel]

It is understandable to overwhelmed by the information- I was too! I would take your time and learn the module before you go on to the next. There is A LOT of information to learn, so you want to make sure you have a solid understanding. FAR is very overwhelming- I remember having to rewind and pause the lectures multiple times to make sure I understood the concepts. I had been out of school for quite a while, but took my time learning all the information, and passed FAR on the first try. You can do it too!

F- 84
A- 81
R- 86
B- 74, 71, 83
Licensed in CA

[Anonymous]

Stop reading and start doing. Dive into the MCQ test bank and figure out a good way to learn from that angle. Take notes on things you get wrong more than once. Strive to hit 85% on any bank you do , whether it be 10 questions or 30. If you aren't hitting 85, then you need to ! I learned much better this way, and it also helped me tighten up the material. I found that I couldn't not stretch any session beyond 6 weeks. Between work, wife, kids, charity , it was too tough to do it all.

[04cobra]

I am 12 years out of school and did horrible in my accounting classes and passed the exam this past year while working a full time job and 2 kids. If I can pass this exam anyone can. I am not kidding. You just need to put the time in. I would start studying each part almost 2 months ahead of my scheduled exam date. Every night when I came home from work I would study from 7pm – midnight and put in 8-10 hours both on Saturday and sunday. The material isn't hard, you just need to put the time in, which I find a lot of people that are failing do not do. Good Luck!

REG - 78
BEC - 83
FAR - 77
AUD - 74 (Bulls***), 85

[Joe C.]

04 cobra,
I love your screen name! I just sold my 03 Terminator in April :(. Anyway I am out of school 1 year (took audit last) and have 1.5 year old to manage while my wife works. Glad you made it…gives me hope.

BEC 75
AUD 9/6
REG TBD
FAR TBD

WI Candidate

[LongShot]

You'll be fine. I also went to small school with a terrible accounting program, taking huge majority of accounting courses online. Had 2 years between graduation and finally taking my 1st section, even used Yaeger, too. I felt exactly like you every step of the way thru FAR and ended up with a perfect score! Just keep at it-I struggled through the video courses, then worked like crazy on mcq's in book and test bank for about 2 weeks for that exam. And remember-this is supposed to be hard!

FAR - 75
AUD - 72; 87
REG - 64; 74; 84
BEC - 88

Done!!

[Fanta25]

04 cobra
Which review course did you use? Did you supplement the materials with Ninja multiple choice questions?

[Track55]

It doesn't matter where you went to school. The exams cover more advanced material. My school was so easy my cat could have graduated.

Why did you pick FAR first?? Anyways I agree with the others. Take your own notes.

AUD - 74, 99 !!
REG - 74, 92
BEC - 83
FAR - 73, 86

Studying for Ethics exam

California candidate
Business and Industry

[average joe]

I took FAR first because it's the consensus of what most people think you should take first. Also, it seems like understanding the material in FAR could be a good foundation for future test. Alot of my problem is becoming frustrated when not understanding a concept or watching a video, then reading the book and doing the yaeger MCQ and still not knowing the question. Thanks for the post guys! Extremely motivating!!!!

[Anonymous]

if i were you i would also change my name to “supersmartcpa” and stop beating myself up. that negative reinforcement isn't gonna help you with the exam. from your alias and your tone it seems like you've got it in your mind that you will fail. and once you've set ur conviction, no amount of studying is going to change it(the subconscious is a fascinating thing, you will doubt yourself on test day second guess and be nervous where your mind is going to be telling you you failed.)

my advice is not study related one- but its every bit as important. with some time before the exam, please change your mindset and your name. that is IMPERATIVE to positively motivate yourself, imagine as if you have already passed. i promised myself i'd buy a nice watch as a gift to self once i pass. every time i study i look at my wrist and envision a shiny swiss timepiece there, i look at the wall and see a framed CPA certificate,i imagine how my salary will go up and i will move out of apartment and give my kids a backyard. that keeps the goal fresh, that keeps me motivated. i will kick ass on this test. and so will YOU, supersmartcpa!

[Anonymous]

I am buying myself a red shiny Vette when I pass ALL 4 CPA tests! Haha

[Anonymous]

you got it Amor! you seem to know your scriptures. (signature)

i believe somewhere in the Bible, perhaps Luke or Matthew it does say:

“thereupon CPA passage thou shalt get a shiny new corvette and thou shalt driveth it!”

[Anonymous]

you got it Amor! you seem to know your scriptures. (signature)

i believe somewhere in the Bible, perhaps Luke or Matthew it does say:

“thereupon CPA passage thou shalt get a shiny new corvette and thou shalt driveth it!”

[Author]

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