[wjsniper824]

Hello,

I would like to get other’s perspective / experience on this issue.
I found myself studying was more than AICPA recommended study hours.

For FAR, I studied about 300 hours,
and for BEC, I remember studying about 200 ish hours.

My perspective is that AICPA recommended study hours are somewhat unrealistic.

What are your thoughts/experience?
How many hours have you studied and how does that compare to AICPA hours?
I have AUD left, and this doesn’t look like 90-hours material at all.

[Anonymous]

@aaronmo – For sure. You killed it and your method definitely worked for you. I hated BEC too and pretty much went in hoping for some luck.

The tough part for me is balancing work and being a father and husband along with studying. I have to aim to pass. My wife is supportive, but this has definitely taken a toll and put some distance between my family and I.

[CPAcandidate3]

I would be curious to know what the AICPA recommends? It blows my mind how much some people study. I did around 200-250 combined for all four exams. Honestly think the biggest factor is some people simply don't know how to study efficiently.

[CS]

I don't know where they get their prescribed study hours from, but I probably put in 200 hours into FAR (many of them wasteful to be honest – learning how to study, wasted time not actually learning anything especially compared to this stage)… 140-150 hours into AUDIT…..maybe 100 hours into BEC …for REG it will probably be 150+ range.

@skolvikes I hear that, being a father and husband is most important to me, and a few incidents over the past year definitely forced me to wake up and realize I can't keep missing out on my family (meaning my wife and children – otherwise I'm pretty selfish) for this. I rarely see friends (definitely lost quite a few due to not hanging out/keeping in touch as often), but my family is my priority. I know many others have passed the exam with much more on their plate. That being said, I don't take it lightly, but on weekends, when I read people study 6-8 hours a day, I study maybe 2 hours each weekend-day ( have a 2 year old and a newborn – 1 week old this Monday ), because my weekend is my family time.

That doesn't mean I skimp out on studying, instead I'll sleep 3 hours a night and catch up on my studying then. I listen to NINJA Audio everyday going to and from work (1 hour each way). I miss the radio but it's to the point where if I can get any kind of CPA info in my head I'm all for it. My wife has a high position at a large corporation, and honestly I'm embarrassed to ask her to always ‘hold down the fort' while I study, but she is very supportive and I certainly get time when I need (i.e. couple of weeks leading to the exam she knows I'll go extra hard).

Well that was a random rant, best of luck everyone!

[Anonymous]

I tried Googling it but no luck, however I know I have seen an article that the AICPA put out about study hours that suggests 300-400 hours for all 4 exams combined. Learning how to study efficiently has been key for me and I think 300-400 hours is a plenty if you know what you're doing. I understand wanting to feel confident and ready by studying hundreds of hours per exam, but at the same time I understand that no matter what I do, I am going to walk out of those exams feeling like I got hit in the head with a brick.

[aaronmo]

I don't want to scare you…but I do think the CPA prep/friction was a factor in a separation that happened afterwards. The 80 hour weeks during tax season didn't help either. It wasn't the only factor…or the most important factor…but I think it did add to the dam.

It's really hard to manage family obligations along with those pressures put on new accountants. My advice…talk about it a lot. Don't wait for counseling…better to get it and not need it. Try, REALLY HARD, to be in the now when you're away from exams/work. Easier said then done…and this is my regret/hindsight talking.

[Author]

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