[Anonymous]

Hi there,

I bought few months ago CPA Excel for FAR. I updated the information with Wiley for 2013 and started studying one month ago, but I feel I’m not progressing at all.

I found both systems terribly time consuming. I like Wiley is really great with concepts but not so many exercises, and CPA Excel starts right away with the exams and doesn’t have so much practice on it, so when you fail, your self confidence goes down.

I’m thinking in getting Exammatrix for the comments I have heard about it.

What is your experience with time management in this FAR section?

What system worked better and how many hours you are investing per day average?

Thanks!!

[Anonymous]

@CPAJourney, I am wondering the same thing. I am using Gleim and find it to be good. However, I am looking to knock FAR out the second time I take in Apr/May window. Would like any suggestions on study material, sutdy time, etc.

[jgrfan1]

Wiley book and test bank. Yes, the book reads like a dictionary but it has the knowledge in it that you need to pass. Make time to work every MC question in the book and test bank. I usually go through the entire book while answering MC questions at the end of each chapter. I go through the test bank starting about 6 weeks prior to exam. Answer every question and understand the reasons you get wrong answers. For AUD, FAR and REG do all of the Sims in the test bank and do ones in the book if you have time left over.

I've used nothing but Wiley book and test bank. If you put the time in, they work.

BEC - 5/2012 - 91
AUD - 8/2012 - 89
REG - 1/2013 - 90
FAR - 5/2013 - 88
Wife, 2 kids and a job

[SammyJ]

The combo I think is most cost effective even though I didnt use it is to buy second hand Becker books from 2012 that already have been highlighted and there are “FC” tags next to certain things which tells you to flash card it and also buy Wiley Tests Bank. I cant guarantee you that it will work, but I think its cheap and effective.

I personally spend $2800 for Becker books, CDs and Live Lecture. I highly dont recommend it unless your company is paying for it all. Becker to me is the most reliable source, but also the most expensive. Wiley Test Banks(which are just the pure multiple choice questions/SIMs) are like $200 for all four parts and you can buy them on this site. My suggestion is to write your own notes instead of doing flash cards. I also suggest redoing the MCs as much as possible. Do a minimum 150-200/day(depending on your section). I think all in it comes out to be around $1000 which is like a 65% savings.

FAR-81!!
AUD-69, Retake: 84!!
REG-86!!
BEC-81!!
Education- Done
Ethics- August 2013
Experience- 7 Months of CPA Experience and counting!

[J]

I used Yaeger and the Wiley book for FAR; I took the exam in January 2013 but used the 2011 Yaeger course (with the 2013 Wiley book). I don't have experience with any of the other review courses, but I would certainly recommend Yaeger. I do not think it is perfect (there are several modules that could be improved… maybe they are better in the 2013 version), but overall I felt well-prepared going into the exam.

Cindy Simpson (who does the majority of FAR) might seem a little quirky, but she does a great job moving along through the material and keeping it palatable.

[Anonymous]

I agree with with @interfc1

Yaeger to teach + wiley test bank to practice + ninja notes to reinforce. I also found the roger cram helpful.

Whatever you decide, do not choose a course based on price. Go online and look at the sample videos available for each course. Make sure your learning style fits with the course.

Plan to spend at least 20 hours per week if you want to be successful. 3 to 4 hours per day. It varies but I believe that is a good starting point.

[Anonymous]

Thank you guys!

I think this is a good journey to learn and have patience in the process..

I will study to get FAR done soon!

[Author]

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