[Anonymous]

Hi Everyone,

I’ve been lurking on the forum and finally decided to jump in. I just took FAR for the second time yesterday (May 16). I took it the first time in January as my NTS was expiring and at that time I had only gone through about 2 1/2 chapters of Becker Self Review and I got a 59. I am married and have a full time stressful job so like many of you, I don’t have a lot of time to study. I just took my second attempt at the FAR exam yesterday May 16, and don’t feel very confident about it. I’m wondering what others do when they fail? I plan on re-watching the video lectures and tackling each chapter all over from scratch and purchasing the Ninja MCQs (I have the Ninja notes, audio and flashcards and while I did use them, I did not use them as I should have), however I think I could be overwhelmed between the 2000 Becker MCQs and the 5600 additional Ninja MCQs (btw, is it 5600 MCQs per section or total for all 4 sections?).

[Mamabear]

I think it is 5,600 for them all, not for each section. I agree with starting from scratch, but make sure the hours you spend are effective for your learning style. For instance, I don't learn by watching the lectures so I skipped them. I learn best by practicing MCQs and reading the explanations. Figure out how you learn best and make your study plan around that. Cut out all ineffective learning and get through it all. You can do it!

CPA Exam - Finally DONE (November 2014)
BEC (08/10/13) 80
AUD (08/24/13) 65 (11/13/13) 85
FAR (04/12/14) 81
REG (07/19/14) 69 (11/29/14) 87!!

[Mamabear]

I think it is 5,600 for them all, not for each section. I agree with starting from scratch, but make sure the hours you spend are effective for your learning style. For instance, I don't learn by watching the lectures so I skipped them. I learn best by practicing MCQs and reading the explanations. Figure out how you learn best and make your study plan around that. Cut out all ineffective learning and get through it all. You can do it!

CPA Exam - Finally DONE (November 2014)
BEC (08/10/13) 80
AUD (08/24/13) 65 (11/13/13) 85
FAR (04/12/14) 81
REG (07/19/14) 69 (11/29/14) 87!!

[10keyLeah]

It sounds like you really need to buckle down. Your time is precious and it's really not worth it to just half do everything and waste time and money. Like mamabear, I skipped video lectures and went to re-reading, hammering MCQ hard, and going over Ninja combo stuff. I didn't re-write notes because that's not how I learn best.

This is your second attempt at FAR, so if you did fail it, (and you may have passed!) then you'll have an idea of your weak areas. Study in a way that works best for you.

Ninja Combo, Yaeger, Wiley -- Licensed CPA, May 2015

[10keyLeah]

It sounds like you really need to buckle down. Your time is precious and it's really not worth it to just half do everything and waste time and money. Like mamabear, I skipped video lectures and went to re-reading, hammering MCQ hard, and going over Ninja combo stuff. I didn't re-write notes because that's not how I learn best.

This is your second attempt at FAR, so if you did fail it, (and you may have passed!) then you'll have an idea of your weak areas. Study in a way that works best for you.

Ninja Combo, Yaeger, Wiley -- Licensed CPA, May 2015

[Gatorbates]

“I am married and have a full time stressful job so like many of you, I don't have a lot of time to study.”

Excuse. Honestly. Be real with yourself. This is temporary sacrifice for permanent gain. Can you not study all day on the weekends? Can you not study after work 'til 1 or 2 am?? Can you not wake up an extra hour earlier?

Stop making excuses and just freaking do it. If your married, you can find time. If you have kids, you can find time. If you're like Jeff, married with 6 kids, you cannot find time. So he's the only one with an excuse. But he doesn't need it.

Licensed Florida CPA:
B: 71, 73, 79
A: 83
R: 78 (expired), 77
F: 74, 74, 80

It's finally freaking over.

[Gatorbates]

“I am married and have a full time stressful job so like many of you, I don't have a lot of time to study.”

Excuse. Honestly. Be real with yourself. This is temporary sacrifice for permanent gain. Can you not study all day on the weekends? Can you not study after work 'til 1 or 2 am?? Can you not wake up an extra hour earlier?

Stop making excuses and just freaking do it. If your married, you can find time. If you have kids, you can find time. If you're like Jeff, married with 6 kids, you cannot find time. So he's the only one with an excuse. But he doesn't need it.

Licensed Florida CPA:
B: 71, 73, 79
A: 83
R: 78 (expired), 77
F: 74, 74, 80

It's finally freaking over.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the others. If you want it bad enough you will find time. You've already passed 2 sections which tells me you can pass this thing. Regroup and get it done.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the others. If you want it bad enough you will find time. You've already passed 2 sections which tells me you can pass this thing. Regroup and get it done.

[Lindrobe]

Well said, Gator!

FAR 12/3/14, 87
AUD 2/3/14, 90
BEC 4/1/14, 88
REG 5/27/14, 94

Licensed CPA, Indiana

"Successful people do things that unsuccessful people don't want to do"

[Lindrobe]

Well said, Gator!

FAR 12/3/14, 87
AUD 2/3/14, 90
BEC 4/1/14, 88
REG 5/27/14, 94

Licensed CPA, Indiana

"Successful people do things that unsuccessful people don't want to do"

[Mamabear]

Hey Gator–So how many kids do I need to have before I can have an excuse? 3 kids and working full time isn't enough for an excuse? 🙂 I guess I'll just have to become Mommyof4 then. Is 4 enough or do I really have to get up to 6? I don't think I can handle that. Easier to just pass the darn test. 🙂 Jeff's wife is a special woman.

CPA Exam - Finally DONE (November 2014)
BEC (08/10/13) 80
AUD (08/24/13) 65 (11/13/13) 85
FAR (04/12/14) 81
REG (07/19/14) 69 (11/29/14) 87!!

[Mamabear]

Hey Gator–So how many kids do I need to have before I can have an excuse? 3 kids and working full time isn't enough for an excuse? 🙂 I guess I'll just have to become Mommyof4 then. Is 4 enough or do I really have to get up to 6? I don't think I can handle that. Easier to just pass the darn test. 🙂 Jeff's wife is a special woman.

CPA Exam - Finally DONE (November 2014)
BEC (08/10/13) 80
AUD (08/24/13) 65 (11/13/13) 85
FAR (04/12/14) 81
REG (07/19/14) 69 (11/29/14) 87!!

[WileyoleYaeger]

Just put all your eggs in the “Win the Lottery” basket and forget about the CPA.

[WileyoleYaeger]

Just put all your eggs in the “Win the Lottery” basket and forget about the CPA.

[MintsRGood]

Embrace the tough love from Gator, he speaks the truth!!!! We all have busy careers and families but you'd be surprised how much time you can carve out of your day IF you seek it out!

Try this: wake up 1 hour earlier to study, listen to Ninja Audio while commuting, eat lunch at your desk and study rather than going out with coworkers, listen to ninja audio while commuting home, have your spouse or kids (if old enough) quiz you with flashcards while you make dinner, listen to audio with headphones when you do housekeeping, stay up for an extra hour after spouse/kids go to bed for the night. That's 4 hours of study time right there for you. The weekends should be a study bonanza. You can carve out 6 hours per day on Saturday and Sunday. That's 32 hours per week. You're welcome!

This is how I managed to fit in 4-5 hours of study per weekday while jugging a busy life and high pressure job in public. Was it fun? No. Was it easy? No. At times it was completely ****ing terrible and I was very miserable…especially when I got a 74 on my LAST part as did my NinjaTwin Gator. The only thing to do is regroup and buckle down. Are you taking notes on incorrect responses? I kept a separate spiral to write up 1-2 sentences on incorrect MCQs (Jeff refers to these as fact nuggets) and I would reread and recopy that notebook over and over again. I also recopied my Ninja notes at 10 pages per day, everyday until test day (credit to @mla1169 for this awesome tip!) It was a great way to make the info stick!

Make the sacrifice now so you can get back to your family ASAP!!!!

REG: 75 DONE 🙂
AUD: 61, 71, 68, 92 DONE 🙂
BEC: 76 DONE 🙂
FAR: 72, 74, 79 DONE 🙂
Licensed Michigan CPA 🙂
-Some people dream of success...others wake up and work hard for it!!!
-The cowards never start and the weak die along the way!
-You better work, b***h!
-Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.-JFK

[Author]

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