Alright, well I am way behind where I wanted to be in studying at this point… My test is November 22nd, a Monday. I am studying FAR, but I am currently only on Chapter 5; it is basically at the end of chapter 5, but I still have 4 chapters (2 of which I am aware are heavily tested: Ch 8 & 9), and only 17 days to do it in. I work full-time, so that cuts out a huge chunk... I have been studying about 4 hours a night (occasionally a little less or more) and basically all day on the weekends. Should I just push back my test? Or can I do it in that amount of time? I wanted to get it done in this testing window so that I didn't have to learn the international rules and whatever else they are adding in 2011, but I don't want to take it if I'm not prepared and will just fail anyways. Please help!!!
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Bryn333
offlineMemberI say go for it and push yourself and make it work. I'm in the same boat, testing for FAR on Nov 22nd as well. I'm finishing up CH 7 now. I'm going to take the exam and hope for the best. If I fail, at least I will know what the exam looks like and know my weaker areas and a restudy won't be so bad. Obviously I want to pass, but I know I need to give it a shot now before the changes next year. How did you score with other exams? Is this your first exam? Good luck with your decision!
BEC 77
AUD 68, 73, 75
REG 72, 77
FAR 77Posted 1 year ago # -
Manderz
offlineMemberI took BEC in August, but failed so I'm taking that in January or February... but that was my first test so I'm fairly new to this! I just can't afford to take all these tests several times! My company doesn't reimburse me for anything, so I'm on my own on a not-so-great salary. I think I will just keep plugging and take it, I know I can get through the material, I just want to make sure I can get a lot of multiple choice in too, since I know the problems are heavy on the exam compared to theory for FAR.
It's just extremely frustrating because everyone keeps telling me I'm "smart" so I should stop worrying because I will pass "for sure". I wish they could understand this isn't like a normal college exam that you can study like 1-2 nights for & be done with it!! Almost everyone who takes the exam is "smart", yet over half who take it fail anyways! I know they are trying to make me feel better by saying this, but it's just making me feel worse, like if I fail I'm completely incompetant.
Thanks & good luck to you as well!
Posted 1 year ago # -
CPA Someday
offlineMemberHaha.. Manderz everyone on this website knows how you feel! You're going to hear "you're smart" even when you accidentally fail.. other people will never truly understand but it's nice to know they try...
You'll make it!! Just keep studying and try your best!
I just took FAR.. fearful of the result.. no advice can be given from me because I don't know if I failed or not...
REG 81; BEC 79; FAR 81!!; AUD 71, 92
Ethics 98
Illinois DOES post on Saturdays!!!Posted 1 year ago # -
75 CPA
offlineMemberThe 18 month clock is not ticking yet. Take your time with FAR. It is a lot to digest! Push off taking FAR until the first part of January and retake BEC at the end of February.
Be sure that you have up-to-date study materials for 2011. Additionally, you may want to try a different review course for BEC since you failed to pass it on your first try. I would suggest Yaeger for BEC. Cindy Simpson is awesome!
Only get an NTS for two exams at one time. Wait until you get your grades in March before getting another NTS.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Manderz
offlineMemberThat is the thing I am worried about, I don't think I can retain all this information AND learn everything new for the 2011 test.... Where do you get the updated materials anyways?? I really can't afford to spend another $400-$900 for another book & dvd lecture... At this point though, I am still only on Chapter 6 and I have 2 weeks til my exam, never going to happen. I guess it just takes me longer than most to get through all this material! So much of it!
Is there another way to get updated materials without having to buy a whole new set for FAR?
I think I will stick with Becker for BEC, I really think they did a good job with it, it was just my first test & I had a complete panic attack for the first hour of my exam... I have horrible anxiety & I'm just not a good test-taker! If I fail it again I will definitely change review materials though...
Posted 1 year ago # -
Bryn333
offlineMemberManderz - it def takes me a while to get through each chapter too. I'm also not a good test taker. On a good study schedule I get through a chapter a week, due to working full time and some weekend responsibilities. Some advice i received from a coworker who took FAR last year and passed her first try, she said that since i'm running low on time when it comes to CH 8 & 9, she suggested skipping the lectures and just pounding out the MCQs. This way you can get used to what/how they are going to form their questions and then you can also read why you got an answer correct/incorrect. I'm going to spend a full saturday on CH 8 and a full sunday on CH 9 - other than that, i'm in final review mode now. You really just need to take advantage of every second you have from now until then (if you plan on taking it in Nov). If you really really dont feel like you have a shot at passing then I might reschedule BUT then you have to tack on an additional study section, the international stds. Its so hard to make that call so i dont envy you. I'm going for it, at this point and i'm just realizing that i have to give it all i've got. Can you fit in an hour of studying during your lunch hour?
In terms of whether to stick with Becker, i say since you have the materials stick with it. I'm a fan of becker so far, i passed BEC first try, failed REG first try, failed AUD first try, then passed REG second try. I just needed some additional time, and going through REG with a second review actually gave me more time to understand things i didnt grasp my first time around.
BEC 77
AUD 68, 73, 75
REG 72, 77
FAR 77Posted 1 year ago # -
CPAwaldo
offlineMemberManderz - if your Becker has not expired, you can get the updated materials for 2011 here. Soft copy is free. Hard copy is $20.
http://www.becker.com/accounting/cpaexamreview/enrollnow/pupLegal.cfm?productCode=CDROMSWAP
FAR - 77 (8/6/2010)
BEC - 89 (8/31/2010)
AUD - 78 (11/5/2010)
REG - 77 (10/27/2011)
ETHICS - 95 (9/23/2011)Posted 1 year ago # -
Manderz
offlineMemberGreat! Thank you... I can deal with $20/book compared to like $400!!
I think I will just take FAR on my scheduled day, if I put in like 4 hours/night and maybe 10/day or more on the weekends and possibly take a day or 2 off work I think I can do it... Talk about motivation!
Posted 1 year ago #
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