[mattypxam14]

After a yearlong journey, I finally was fortunate enough to receive my final passing grade for the exams. I looked to this forum for help and advice and I thank those that took the time to respond to my questions or share their exam experiences. Another71 is a great study tool, so take advantage of it.

The following are study tips that helped me along the way.

I preface this by saying everyone is different. Everyone learns at a different pace. Everyone has their own way of learning. Hopefully everyone reading this can find a piece that relates to them and their study habits.

1. Give yourself plenty of time to study and prepare for the test. Do not fall into the trap of having unrealistic expectations for test dates. Work, family, or events always seem to present themselves, and it is always good to have a cushion to fall back on. I cannot stress this enough if you feel you are not prepared for a test, PUSH IT BACK. There is a small fee for pushing it back within certain time frame, but it is well worth it for the extra week or two of studying. I learned this the hard way.

2. Make your own review notes. I used Becker for my studying materials. It was extremely beneficial for me to rewrite or re-type all of the highlights I made throughout the book. The act of re-typing/re-writing made the information stick better in my head. This flows into the next point.

3. Review notes allowed me to compartmentalize each section of my study book. I found that when reviewing the book there was too much information and a lot of said information would get clumped together. Breaking each section into my own notes allowed me to separate each section within my head and ultimately allowed me to better understand the material.

4. Your review is the most crucial stage in your study plan. How can one read over/do lectures over the course of a month and remember what they did in chapter 1? This is where my review notes came in. Having the condensed version of the book (my notes) I was able to review all of the books highlights within a couple days. The tests especially FAR have so much information. Reviewing notes or outline is crucial to remembering all of the information. I read over my notes/outline 4 or 5 times over the course of my review to fully understand the material.

5. DO NOT take Sims lightly! They are a huge portion of the test and it is very easy to glance over and just put in the “answers” without truly understanding the material. Force yourself to ask how/why your review program got a certain number or answer. I fooled myself countless saying “I know this, that’s easy” without fully understanding the concept or sim. It’s very easy to glance over them, but this will hurt you in the long run. Go over problem Sims in your review. There were Sims I went over 4 0r 5 times my review stage to fully understand a topic.

6. After taking the test, DO NOT stress yourself out by thinking about the test. What’s done is done. Searching another71 for answers about testlets getting harder or how the test is graded was useless for me and only made me worry more. I feel as if a lot of people say how the test is graded without really having an idea. I’ve seen countless contradicting comments from people about how the test is graded. In the end I’ve talked to people who thought they failed and passed, and people who thought they had a good shot of passing and failed. What’s done is done don’t, don’t beat yourself up over it.

Just my two cents, take it for what’s it worth. Anyone that ones to add on/ or disagree please feel free. The above tips are just my opinion. Anyone who has any questions, I’d be happy to answer. Those who answered my questions and comments throughout this journey I am extremely grateful for, and I would like to do the same.

Thanks another71!

[cpasoon]

Thank you for the advice!
Gotta go back to study now…

[mattypxam14]

Good luck @cpasoon

[msquared17]

Congratulations! Thanks for the tips. I will definitely use them since I have to retake FAR.

[rincpa]

Hi @matty

Any tips to improve SIM?

[mattypxam14]

Hi @rincpa

The sims in my opinion are the most challenging aspect of the exam. There are so many different questions the AICPA could throw at you. I found to be successful with sims I needed to have a good understanding of every single topic covered in my study book. Make sure you are thoroughly understanding the practice sims in your study materials. From my own experience, it is very easy to trick yourself into thinking you have a topic simulation down, only to find out during test day you don't exactly remember how to do something. Go through simulations multiple times by completely redoing problems, not just by reviewing the answers you calculated previously. This will help you to remember. Also, in my opinion there are just some topics that translate well into simulation problems. For example, cash flow statements translate easily into simulations for FAR. Basis problems translate easily into simulations for REG. Make sure to know these topics through and through because they will probably be touched on heavily throughout the text.

Best of Luck!

[rincpa]

Thanks Matty.
I took only Reg ( 2 times) and failed. I am using wiley and ninja. but none of them helped me in TBS. Is there any test bank for TBS 😉

[mattypxam14]

I used becker, and they only had a couple. I always looked at DRS questions as MCQ questions in greater detail. If you thoroughly know topics it should be easier to complete the DRS questions. That being said, I do feel the test DRS questions were tougher than becker's questions.

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