[accountaholicc]

When I sit down to take an exam, I immediately take a few minutes and write down notes for reference – topics that it helps to have the structure laid out in front of me. For example, I’ll definitely write down the different components of OCI and the conceptual framework stuff. Any other ideas of what could be helpful?

Any FAR advice is greatly appreciated. This is (hopefully) my last exam and after a year and 1/2 of this process, I could not be more ready to put this all in my rearview. Thanks!

AUD - 78
BEC - 77
FAR - 64
REG - 77

REG - 77
BEC - 77
AUD - 78
FAR - 64; retake 1/6

REG- 66, 77
BEC- 72, 77
AUD- 55, 78
FAR- 8/16

Using Becker self study

[hasy]

I feel that it's helpful for BEC since there are a lot of formulas. If you understand the journal entries, they should be pretty easy to remember.

I made it a point to write down all the journal entries there is. Especially cost and par value, lord, those were annoying. Review Gov't.

AUD - 83
BEC - 80
FAR - 83
REG - 78

BEC - 80 (Roger + NINJA MCQ + WTB)

FAR - 72; 83 (Roger + NINJA MCQ)

AUD - 83 (Roger + NINJA MCQ + WTB)

REG - 52; 78 (Roger + NINJA MCQ)

Ethics - 68, 96 (how I dislike you)
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This forum is more addictive than drugs. Still returning after licensure.

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved - Helen Keller

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BEC 80 (10/23/15)
FAR 72 (4/2/15); 83 (7/11/16)
REG 52 (4/28/15)
AUD (9/9/16)

Roger + NINJA MCQ + WTB

[reallytired]

Are you using Becker? You could write down the mnemonic for the gov't stuff, such as the NUCAR or the GRaSPP SE PAPI, etc.

B- Pass
A- Pass
R- Pass
F- Pass

B 10/29/16
A 10/1/16
R 9/2/16
F 7/26/16

[jenpen]

I wrote down the different governmental funds, along with a little more info, such as what types of accounting they were and what they are generally used for on some of them. It helped me later when I felt like I started to confuse myself.

AUD - 85
BEC - 84
FAR - 82
REG - 78

Ethics - 95
Licensed in IL & MO

AUD - 56 - 68 - 61 - 9/8/16
REG - 75
FAR - 7/15/16
BEC - TBD

Wiley CPAexcel and NINJA 10 Point Combo

[Saraaa Li]

I did the same thing when I took all parts of exams. It definitely helped me during the exam so I can save some time.
Suggestion for FAR: study hard for npf and gov't part !

REG-84
BEC-76 (Thank you God!)
AUD-71,82
FAR-79 (what a surprise and I am finally done !)

[Anonymous]

@accountaholicc Where do you write the stuff down? On a white board? Sounds like a good idea, for FAR anyway. I almost wish FAR was in two parts because there is so much to memorize. I also experience the “know it today, forget it by next week” thing because I am not blessed with a really great memory. I'm often overdrawn at the memory bank in fact. Good point about writing the conceptual framework stuff – those are the easiest questions on FAR I think (judging from practice exams, I haven't taken FAR yet), but I'm sure many people miss them. Often, the easiest questions are the most missed because people spend an inordinate amount of time cramming for the harder topics with a lot of forgettable info.

[accountaholicc]

@crazyleon all of the exams I've sat for, I haven't had a white board like Becker told me I was supposed to. It's two, lamented pieces of paper and a sharpie you can't erase. The prometric workers will come give you a new sheet if you raise your hand, but they make you turn one in so make sure it's not the one with your outlines. Also, make sure the prometric site you sit at gives you the skinny sharpie markers, NOT THE FAT ONES. I sat for my first exam with a fat marker and with those tiny scraps of paper I was hurting. One site told me they didn't have any until I begged them to search around the whole office and ended up grabbing the only one from the secretary. I know it sounds silly, but when you're frantically scribbling away, it makes a huge difference. Also, sometimes they give you a hand calculator. Not sure if they're supposed to, but it's happened to me before so it couldn't hurt to ask.

AUD - 78
BEC - 77
FAR - 64
REG - 77

REG - 77
BEC - 77
AUD - 78
FAR - 64; retake 1/6

REG- 66, 77
BEC- 72, 77
AUD- 55, 78
FAR- 8/16

Using Becker self study

[Anonymous]

@accountaholicc what state are you taking the exams in? What you just described, if it happened to me, would mean a failure. I could never take an accounting test with a fat Sharpie! I don't know why they don't just give everyone a big stack of paper to work with, or maybe a notepad, and then you submit the notepad or staple the sheets together and hand them in at the end. They could mark them with your test ID number and identify anyone who might have pulled some unauthorized activity but I seriously doubt that ever happens. I wish they had some arithmetic calculators because doing them with the computer calculator just adds to the stress I think. I'm using this first FAR exam as a “get a feel for it”-type test. If I don't pass, I have another shot at it in the Q1 window before the exam changes. Sigh.

[letsrun4it]

Personally don't like this idea. You need this stuff in your brain for real. These tests aren't anything to mess with by trying to download info you're barely hanging onto.

AUD - 86
BEC - 85
FAR - 76
REG - 78

DONE!

BEC: 85
REG: 74, 78
AUD: 86
FAR: October?

[Pete]

Hopefully, you do this after you get through the “click to agree to these terms” page? If not, be VERY careful you don't exceed the 10 minute mark; the test might lag with the displayed timer so, AGAIN, BE VERY CAREFUL.

I was actually told by pro-metric, you're not even supposed to write anything down, until you get through the agreements page.

B=84 This exam was such a b**** that I thought I failed-don't know how these things work
A=76 Slacker I am, I'll happily take it
R=81 I LOVE taxes
F=80 I don't wanna get banned for an expletive I'm thinking with "yea" proceeding it

[accountaholicc]

Yes, definitely don't write anything down until after you've begun the exam. Each seat has a camera pointed at it and they are able to see if you've started your exam. Not worth it for 2 minutes of test time. As far as information to write down, I usually don't go into much detail, just quick structural outlines to help me keep concepts straight. Definitely going to throw the Government funds on there with the different components of their ending balances (the NUCAR, RUN, PUT- becker acronyms), probably an outline of the income statement…really if anyone else has items that would be helpful, please share. I feel like reviewing for FAR is making me so much more unsure of how much I actually know. Starting to freak out a little about how much I've forgotten on becker chapters 3-6. I'm coming up on the 24 hour mark where you're not allowed to reschedule and having second thoughts. Then again theres no way to feel 100% confident on all the material. I pretty much get this feeling before all my exams.

@crazyleon I'm definitely being dramatic and scaring you with my horrific marker story. You'll be fine with or without the thin markers. For reference, it's the super fine point sharpies vs the standard size sharpie. Good luck on your first exam!

AUD - 78
BEC - 77
FAR - 64
REG - 77

REG - 77
BEC - 77
AUD - 78
FAR - 64; retake 1/6

REG- 66, 77
BEC- 72, 77
AUD- 55, 78
FAR- 8/16

Using Becker self study

[GeauxAwayCPA]

@accountaholicc – I have been given a handheld calculator for all four of my exams. I feel like it would be so much more miserable having to use a computer calculator. I am likely going to have to take my FAR re-take at a different location because of availability and I'm making sure to call ahead of time to make sure the new location will give me a handheld calculator. I'll fly to another major city in Texas if it means having a handheld calculator vs not!

@crazyleon – totally agree on the scratch paper situation…give me paper and pencil please!!!

Licensed CPA in Texas trying to start up my own tax practice

[Author]

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