[mfbc23]

Seems like instead of “Another 71” it’s more like Another 68 for me. I took FAR October 2014 – 68; AUD February 2015 -68; Retake FAR May 2015-68… I’m traumatized. Is it me? Or is this really weird? Should I check with NASBA on this? Please give me your opinion.

I just retook AUD on Friday, July 24th; I’m hoping not to see another 68!

I was also scheduled for FAR on Aug. 26th, but I just moved it to October 3rd. I hope this is enough time to be more than ready, since this is my second retake, but if I don’t pass AUD, I sense I’ll be in much more pressure. NASBA, no more 68’s please!

AUD - 81
BEC - 83
FAR - 77
REG - 77

Don’t wish upon a star for your CPA- go past the sky and own it! You can do this!!

AUD: 83 (Aug. 2015)
FAR: 78 (Nov. 2015)
REG: TBA
BEC: TBA

[TaxGod]

That is really tough, but you're making 68s not 58s meaning you're much closer than you think! If you can make a 68 you can make a 75 just dont give up! That is literally what this forum was founded on hence the name!

AUD: 02/28/15 - 89
FAR: 05/29/15 - 80
BEC: 08/03/15 - 81
REG: 08/27/15 - 76

[Skynet]

If you are continually getting 68's, you really need to look at your score report and go over all the weak areas listed. You should also be able to get a feel of what you need to work on too after taking the exams. Reviewing the CPA review materials, you should also know what your troubled areas are too and spent a lot more time on them.

AUD - 90
BEC - 78
FAR - 84
REG - 87

World Domination Plan

Phase I : Pass CPA Exams - Complete
Phase II : Megan Fox - In Progress
Phase III : Megan Fox & Scarlett Johansson Lingerie Pillow Fight
Phase IV : Form the new Charlie's Angels with Megan Fox, Scarlett Johansson, & Gal Gadot
Phase V : TBD

BEC : 78
REG : 87
FAR : 84
AUD : 90

World Domination Plan

Phase I : Pass CPA Exams - Complete
Phase II : Megan Fox - Initiated
Phase III : Bring back 8-Tracks
Phase IV : Megan Fox & Scarlett Johansson Lingerie Pillow Fight
Phase V : TBA

[Missy]

Don't view FAR as a retake where you need 7 more points. Treat it as if it's your first time and start from scratch.unfortunately contacting NASBA only results in time and money wasted.

What is your study routine and what are you using for materials?

Old timer,  A71'er since 2010.

Finance manager/HR manager

 

 

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Gabe]

I agree with mla and previous posters.

1. You CAN do this.

2. Treat this as if you've never taken FAR. You don't need 7 points, you need 75, and every FAR test is different.

3. Focusing on journal entries helped me immensely.

CPA, CFE
CISA- Experience will be completed by August 2016

[mfbc23]

Thanks for the encouragement TaxGod, I need it.

Skynet, thanks for the advice. I have been in a battle with Nasba because I never received my score notices for any of the 3 exams. I literally just got to see them last Thursday. They kept sending them to a different address even though I updated my info with them and they refused to give them to me by email. It was very important for me to see where my weaknesses were in those particular exams, but I had to do without the notices. Since I finally got to see them, now I feel more confident in being able to prepare for the one in October.

Thank you mla for the advice too. I have been using Becker, but I had 2014 material. I have also been kosing money there because I bought the materials in 2014 planning to pass all 4, but I ended up only using FAR & AUD and never even touched REG and BEC. So I don't have material right now and I'm looking for options, such a waste of money and time!

For my routine, I study in the morning from 7-8:30 in my office at work. I also look at material at lunch and then look at it more after I out my daughter to sleep at night, usually 9:30 pm until about 10:30 or 11. Some days I can't stick to each time frame for one reason or another but try to get something in at any time since I had the Becker app.

Gabe, thank you for the advice. I thought I eould just have to work on my weak areas. I really never thought about having to start from scratch, but you and mla are right. I need 75 points, not 7.

Thanks to everyone for the encouragement. I'm not giving up! I see everyone's passing scores and that motivates me to try harder. Any other study tips, etc would be helpful. I work a full time job and have a toddler at home, but I know I'm not the only one out there.

AUD - 81
BEC - 83
FAR - 77
REG - 77

Don’t wish upon a star for your CPA- go past the sky and own it! You can do this!!

AUD: 83 (Aug. 2015)
FAR: 78 (Nov. 2015)
REG: TBA
BEC: TBA

[Missy]

How about weekends? 2-3 hours a, week is a good start. You want to get to 20-25 hours a week consistently. I realize it's hard with kids and a full time job but it's temporary so if it even means a sitter for a few hours on Saturday afternoon just to go to Starbucks and study, do what has to be done in the short term.

Old timer,  A71'er since 2010.

Finance manager/HR manager

 

 

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Anonymous]

I agree with mla11692 in that you need to remember that you have to get 75 points on each exam. The first time I took FAR I made a 64. When I started studying for the retake, I focused on the areas that my score report said I was weak on. When I took it the 2nd time, I improved my score to a 69 but was weak in the areas I was strong in the first time. Just remember that you won't be able to remember everything because it is a lot of information.

I work full-time in public accounting but have no kids. I can't imagine how tough it must be to manage it all. My goal has been to continually work MCQs until I want to scream…and then work some more. That helps to solidify the concepts and make sure I really understand how to read and work the problems. Also, keep a notebook with key points on things you keep forgetting and review it everyday. If you have notes and/or flashcards with key points to review, you can do that anywhere.

[ruthnla]

Every time you retake it, treat it as if you're studying for it the first time.

CPA (MN) officially NOW DONE AS OF 8/4/15:
* FAR – 79 (11/2014)
* BEC – 82 (1/2013; lapsed 2014), 71 (10/2014), 83 (7/11/15)
* REG – 89 (11/2012; lapsed 2014), 79 (10/2014)
* AUD – 74 (11/2013), 72 (4/2014), 89 (8/2014)

Ethics - 91 (7/15/15)

Used CPA Excel Silver and CPA Excel Iphone App. From 2012 to mid-2014 I was also in law school fulltime while working fulltime.

[Mamabear]

You need to try to get around 20 hours per week of studying if possible. The longer you draw your studying out over weeks/months the more likely you are to forget things you previously learned or start diminishing your studying due to burn out. I would shoot for 8-10 weeks to study for any of the tests if possible. Previous comments are correct–you have to start from scratch and not just focus on your weak areas or you risk turning your strong areas into weak areas. You can do it! You are right there so you obviously understand the material, but you have several weak areas in each section that kick your butt as you go into the exam. Make sure you have a decent understanding of all of the material and don't go into the test with the frame of mind that you don't need to know something because “it probably won't be in a lot of questions”. That statement bit me in the behind several times. The AICPA knows your weak areas and will use them against you!! 🙂

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!!

[ruthnla]

@Mamabear – Good advice!!

CPA (MN) officially NOW DONE AS OF 8/4/15:
* FAR – 79 (11/2014)
* BEC – 82 (1/2013; lapsed 2014), 71 (10/2014), 83 (7/11/15)
* REG – 89 (11/2012; lapsed 2014), 79 (10/2014)
* AUD – 74 (11/2013), 72 (4/2014), 89 (8/2014)

Ethics - 91 (7/15/15)

Used CPA Excel Silver and CPA Excel Iphone App. From 2012 to mid-2014 I was also in law school fulltime while working fulltime.

[Anonymous]

You can do it!!! Do not give up.

Same thing is happening to me.

I also have kids and it is hard to concentrate but

do not give up.

I am trying to study more at the library.

[mfbc23]

@mla11692 Yes, I also study during the weekends. I try from 4-8 hours in total between Saturday and Sunday. When I study on the weekends I do leave the house or ask my hubby to take the baby out. I have found that in the past, like @Mamabear says, I will start studying, but not consistently, then it ends up dragging and then I forget concepts. Thanks for the advice @mla11692, @Mamabear, @ruthnla and @cpa222. I am not giving up!

@acarter12 how do you approach simulations?

AUD - 81
BEC - 83
FAR - 77
REG - 77

Don’t wish upon a star for your CPA- go past the sky and own it! You can do this!!

AUD: 83 (Aug. 2015)
FAR: 78 (Nov. 2015)
REG: TBA
BEC: TBA

[sdguy]

20 hours weekly should be the bare minimum. And try new testbanks.

AUD: 83
FAR: 77
REG: 86
BEC: 86

[mfbc23]

Thanks @sdguy. When you say new test banks you mean like a different provider of review material other than Becker?

AUD - 81
BEC - 83
FAR - 77
REG - 77

Don’t wish upon a star for your CPA- go past the sky and own it! You can do this!!

AUD: 83 (Aug. 2015)
FAR: 78 (Nov. 2015)
REG: TBA
BEC: TBA

[Mamabear]

I suggest getting Ninja MCQ. The one issue I have seen posted several times about Becker is that you start memorizing questions and not necessarily retaining the information. Another test bank would help with that and it may just make it a little more interesting for you since you have studied for this test twice before.

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!!

[Author]

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