I studied a little over 2 months. I had a slight advantage being that I had just finished school in December so the material was still fresh. The one disadvantage I faced was that I don't work in accounting so basically had no real world experience with any of the topics.
Being that it was my first exam, I wasn't sure how to effectively study in the beginning so I was trying different things. Everyone learns differently so it's really important to know what works best for you because you could be wasting a lot of valuable time doing something that won't help you in the end.
For FAR, I did kind of a modified NINJA method. I would watch the videos and then read the chapter and take notes. I tried doing some mcq's along the way, but it was taking forever so I stopped doing that and just got through the videos and notes with almost 4 weeks for nonstop mcq's. My wife had a baby a little over 3 weeks before the exam so my pace took a hit, but I somehow managed to pass with a 75.
I got lucky with my exam because it was heavy in Gov/NFP and I had just finished taking that class right before I started studying. I even got 2 sims on them and I'm positive that's what helped me pass. Had I been hit with a sim on bonds or leases instead, I for sure would have failed.
It seems daunting in the beginning, but it will start to make more sense the last couple weeks before the exam. The one thing I will say is don't waste too much time on a certain topic. Just keep moving and if you have time at the end you can come back to it. For FAR you need to be a jack of all trades and master of none.
"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity."
Roger & Ninja
FAR: 75
AUD: 73, 81
BEC: 71, 73, 82
REG: 68, 82
FAR: 75 Roger & Ninja (notes/flashcards/audio/MCQ)
AUD: 73, 81
BEC: 71, retake 8/29
REG: