[kmaahs]

Title kind of says it all: Have any of you walked into FAR confident that you can answer anything they throw at you?

I’m about half way through CPA excel’s 239 lessons of FAR (for comparisons sake, the rest have between 117-138) and have about 60 hours of logged study time (probably closer to 70 or 80, as CPA excel doesn’t count certain time spent on the software).

I have been studying 5 days a week for 8-10 hours a day and working about 20 hours during my “weekend” of friday and Saturday.

I decided to take August off from work (waiting tables, no big loss really) because I felt that I was getting behind. So moving forward I will be studying 8-10 hours a day, 7 days a week to wrap up FAR and REG by Aug 31.

Despite being comfortable with the material as I complete it, I can’t help but feel like I will see questions on the test and think “hey, I remember doing this, but not how I did it….” The pile of information possible to be tested is just so incredibly vast… I just don’t know if the material is really sticking or not. It did with AUD and BEC, but those were much smaller tests, in terms of scope.

Does anyone else feel this way? I guess I’m needing some encouragement, as I’m still a couple weeks away from my exam date but I’m already feeling like I’m going to fail…

C.P.A.

[littlenumberrobot]

I felt better going in my 2nd time than my first, did I think I knew enough to pass… NO. But I passed with some cushion too. Just make sure you get through all the material, even if you don't feel strong in it all. FAR isn't tricky, if you have seen the material and understood it once upon a time and can create a T account, you will be fine! Also, seeing your score on AUD, I think you will do fine. Good luck and keep chugging along.

CA CPA - All because of the journey listed below
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FAR - 53('10), 8/25/12 79 PASSED!
REG - 66('11), 69('12), 12/06/12 77 PASSED!!
BEC - 58('10), 74('12), 01/05/13 77 PASSED!!!
AUD - 43('11), 66('12), 69('13), 74('13) 7/29/13 85 PASSED!!!!!

(Combinations of Roger, Yaeger, Wiley Book, Wiley TB, & NINJA Notes)

Ethics 90%

[Anonymous]

I have 15 days until my final, epic battle with FAR. However, I know from experience that there is a little troll that lives at Prometric and he has the uncanny ability to assess my weak areas as I walk through the door. Then the mean little monster sets up the test to focus on just those areas. As I study the material, I feel like I have a firm grasp on the material but I know Prometric troll is out to trip me up. I will get questions on areas that I feel strong in but they will ask me the ONE thing I don’t know about that area. It’s so frustrating. I keep trying to build my arsenal of defense every day but NO – I never feel super confident because I know Prometric Troll is just evil…the worst kind of evil! Thank heavens I will have my Ninja Tshirt to scare him off this time!

[peetree]

I think its impossible to feel fully prepared for FAR. You squeeze one item in your brain that you didn't know before and you completely forget another rule. FAR is just a brutal thing to deal with.

FAR 02/21/13 - 95
REG 07/02/13 - 87
AUD 08/02/13 - 94
BEC 08/30/13 - 85
Ethics Exam - 90

Illinois candidate awaiting his license

Used Becker Self Study | Ninja Audio | Becker Flash Cards | Ninja Notes | Wiley Test Bank

[Anonymous]

I am taking FAR in 4 days and, as of tonight, I will have gotten through all of the Becker self-study material twice (except I don't practice more than a couple of simulations). Honestly, this has been an incredibly emotional exam preparation period for me, as I have gotten incredibly frustrated throughout the majority of the process. I didn't understand the notion that “nobody goes into FAR feeling fully prepared,” so I did my best to ignore this “advice” and perfect every topic in every chapter. Five and a half weeks later, I finally understand what all of those people who say that mean. While I feel like I know a lot of “stuff,” I am fully aware that I haven't retained every single thing that I have learned this past month. I am really not sure if that is possible for any human being. My goal is to improve on my weak areas the next two days, then take a few comprehensive progress tests on all of the material, and go into the exam feeling confident enough to pass. I'm not sure if that was me venting/pep talking myself, or a valid answer to your question…

[10keyLeah]

It's totally normal to not feel prepared for FAR. I studied four months at 5-6 hours per day and still felt unprepared. In fact, I think I studied too long and wouldn't have done any better on the exam I was given if I had studied an additional month.

Just stick to your study strategy and think positively. Use that little bit of nervous energy to your advantage and tell yourself you are going to crush the exam. If i can pass FAR, and plenty of other people pass FAR, you can too!

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

[yeo34th]

Studyng for FAR was the one of the worst experience in my life. There are so many subjects to digest and I ended up givin g up on couple sections like consolidation, government accounting. I could never get over 80 % on Becker problems and kept getting same questions wrong. I was so nervice night before the test that I could not even sleep worrying about the exam. Fortunately, I passed with 86 but FAR is definitely the last section I will do over again over any other sections.

[Anonymous]

Baxter,

I hope when you've finally finished you'll write a long detailed blog of your journey. I can't believe you've taken so many exams. I would've given up A LONG time ago. Especially if i got a 74 on AUD three different times. Good luck to you in August.

[Anonymous]

Baxter,

I hope when you've finally finished you'll write a long detailed blog of your journey. I can't believe you've taken so many exams. I would've given up A LONG time ago. Especially if i got a 74 on AUD three different times. Good luck to you in August.

[MinSeokYi]

I don't know if it's possible to go into the exam knowing every topic well…

I am just making sure I understand the basis of every topic and in depth on a few chapters (NFP, GOVT, conso, SE, etc)…….

The more time I give myself to prepare, the higher chance the information I studied a few days ago gets lost!!!

(I hate FAR).

BEC: Passed
REG: Passed
FAR: Almost Past (lol)
AUD: I thought I passed with flying colors, but I wasn't close!

[Tncincy]

I absolutely do not feel ready for far. I am going to cram until 7/31 (just to be sure I know what I don't know). I am resisting rescheduling because a. I can do this, and b. I don't want to spend anymore money. Time to get it done. I need to move on, I'm getting to old for this.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader.....time to pass

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Anonymous]

DC: Maybe I will…it is quite the story. Sometimes I am embarrassed to post my scores but I know the hell and high water I've been through so I don't dwell on it. It's not a walk in the park for everyone…and if I can inspire someone to keep going then the embarrassment is worth it to me. I will say that I never intended for it to go like this…it just evolved and took on a life of its own. =/

[Anonymous]

BaxterCPA – You have inspired me. I have looked at your post from the surgery thread, multiple times today. I am trying not to think about it, and what will happen after. It has helped a lot with keeping me more focused than I have been last weekend.

I totally understand testing not going the way I anticipated when starting this journey. One thing I learned during this journey is that life will throw the unexpected at you, and somehow, we persevere.

You are a true warrior, and will pass FAR in Aug, and finally be finished!

[Anonymous]

Aww, Beach Girl, you are going to be OK. Don't let the unknown of surgery scare you or deter you. You are STRONG!! I decided to take the cpa exam and almost as soon as I made the decision I came down with pneumonia which went from bad to worse. I ended up basically on death watch and had a MAJ-AH lung surgery (google thoracotomy if you dare think that was a walk in the park) which put me out of commission for almost 2 years. My first attempt was FAR. Now, my last exam will be FAR and I have another surgery planned so it will be “perfect” bookends. Like I said in my other post, you can't change it so don't let it bring you down. Just focus and you will be past surgery and onto recovery in no time. You got this! =)

[MintsRGood]

@Baxter My sneaky FAR ninja twin, I want you to know that I think you rock!!!!! Your commitment to this exam blows me away and I know you will destroy FAR on the 10th!!!!!! 🙂

@OP I don't know if there is a way to feel 100% ready for FAR ever, considering the massive amount of technical topics! That being said, I also firmly believe that with enough hard work and patience that a 75+ is possible! Unless you are a candidate for the EWS award and will receive a 5 figure bonus from your employer for winning it, don't stress yourself out trying to be “perfect” on every single topic!!! I'm not suggesting that we shouldn't strive to do the best we can, but sometimes that pressure of nailing EVERY testable topic with a 90%+ average is not reality for most candidates (myself included!!!). Focus on having a strong and serviceable knowledge base and keep at it!!!!!! It will all come together in the end and you will be surprised at just how much you do know!!!!!!!! 🙂

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

[Anonymous]

BaxterCPA: Wow, you are an inspiration! I googled the surgery, You are a true ninja, going through that surgery, and still testing!

I am having a “full” hysterectomy. I have a good surgeon, and the surgery has come a long ways in recent years. That part will go smoothly. The only thing surgery wise I am afraid of is going into full blown menopause weeks before my test. I can't control how my body will react right away, so I try not to think about it. besides it could be a good reaction. What my biggest distraction is: I will never be able to carry my own children, I have always wanted to become a mom, experience being pregnant and this decision hurts a lot. My distraction, if my mind starts to wander, I think about what what I am giving up. Sometimes it is hard to refocus after.

[Author]

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