[Anonymous]

I realize this is a fairly subjective topic based on numerous factors but I am trying to estimate how long I should anticipate studying for each section before taking the exam? I do not have a BS in Accounting, have a 3.5 yr old along with a wife who is newly pregnant, work full-time and have a second job that takes up about 10 hours a week. I will be done with the second job by the end of August so I will be able to study a lot more than, but not much before that. While I have taken all the required accounting classes I would say that the material does not come naturally and it is something that I need to really concentrate on. With all of that said I am trying to get the CPA done as soon as possible but I also don’t want to rush through and not pass the test when it comes to sit. I was going to use Yaeger and supplement with something else but still deciding what that will be. I was going to give myself 3 months/section. Does this seem like a reasonable/unreasonable amount of time given everything going on? Any advice from people who have done it or are doing it currently would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[MCLKT]

https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/recommended-hours-to-study-for-each-section-woah

https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/how-many-hours-and-which-part

8 Tips for Passing the CPA Exam

Here are a couple of discussions^^^

I think Jeff has done a podcast on this too.

FAR was the only section I would even dream of taking 3 months on.

https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/new-instant-download-50-things-you-must-know-about-the-cpa-exam-2

A:[73]97 F:[74]85 R:86 B:[74]82
*NINJA 10 Pt. COMBO & Yaeger*

[Anonymous]

The difficulty is that 3 months is long enough to forget a lot of material, but something shorter – say 6 weeks – can be hard to have enough time to study in! It just requires maximizing every minute…and since I'm at the start of this journey, I can't really offer advice. lol. I saw some great tips in a single mom's thread the other day, though. I know you're not a single dad, but with a pregnant wife and a young daughter, I'm sure family obligations till keep you quite busy! A lot of it is just figuring out what you can and can't do.

But if I was in your spot, I'd schedule one for 6 weeks out, and then be willing if needed to reschedule it once I got closer, and just accept the $35 rescheduling fee. However, once a date was set, I'd try my hardest to meet that date. You might study for 6 weeks, take a test, and then take off a month to “catch up” on family things…I don't know. It's tough to deal with any way you look at it.

[mla1169]

3 months imho is too long to spread it out. As was said above you're more likely to start to forget things that you studied 8+ weeks ago.

To give you some perspective when I was studying I was working f/t, in school for my masters and had an active 10 and 17 year old. It's going to mean sacrificing some sleep but with a 3.5 year old you likely turn your little one in to bed a lot earlier. If you can study an hour in the morning before work, an hour at lunchtime and an hour sometime in the evening, you're looking at 20+ hours per week of studying (and complete exhaustion, but you'll be so much more sympathetic to your wife when she's juggling a newborn and a pre-schooler!)

Not for the faint of heart………

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

everyone studies differently. i don't think 3 months is too long. i did FAR/REG/BEC in 2.5 month, audit in 1.5,months. If you do a lot of questions, you will not forget anything. when i study, i only went over the materials once or twice and rely on the MCQ to re-enforced what i've learned.

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone for the responses, I really appreciate. This is some great advice and will definitely help me to plan the best strategy.

[Author]

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