[LLin89]

I chose to start my CPA exam experience with FAR. I figured that slaying the beast first would provided the motivation I needed to push through the 3 remaining sections. Well, after receiving my score last night….I feel like the beast slayed me. Two months of studying wasted on a 54. After a little breakdown about how hard this whole process is, I’m ready to formulate a new plan of attack.

For the Battle of FAR round 1: I used Becker and NINJA. I watched the Becker videos (which I now feel was a complete waste of time) followed by the corresponding MCQs/SIMs. I read the the NINJA notes several times, listened to the NINJA audio, and worked NINJA MCQs regularly. I allowed for 2 weeks of final review. Clearly, that plan did not work well for me.

SO, are there any suggestions for studying for round 2? Also, should I take FAR again in the next window or tackle another section and come back to FAR?

Any advice, words of wisdom, stories of shared defeat, or successful battle plans are appreciated!

Thanks ya’ll!

[CPA soon]

I put some tips on the link below!

https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/for-all-the-ninjas-that-failed

FAR - 71, 68, 74, (8/31/14) 78 ✔
REG - 67, 71, 71, (10/18/14) 78 ✔
BEC - (11/29/14) 86 ✔
AUD - 73, (4/4/15) 86 ✔

I can't believe this is over! 2 years and 3 months..

[LLin89]

Thanks for the tips! Congrats on the pass!!!!

[elvinglara]

People learn using different methods, but if it were up to me I'd take Jeff's advice from the 20 Day Plan to skip the lectures, and apply it to every study plan. I never learned much by passive listening in school, and watching videos are no different. I especially disdain the constant highlighting that people who have used Becker do. Its one thing to hear something and think you know it, and quite a different beast to apply it in question form.

I learn best by working problems, by learning concepts in bite-sized pieces when I get a question wrong, and deciding then whether it's something I should make a note or flash card on, and by banging my fist on the table when I should have had something right but made a dumb mistake (a great way to remember to not make the same mistake again). Personally, I am also big on flash cards to memorize formulas, steps, and mnemonics, and I make my own when it's not covered in the Ninja cards.

My advice would be to spend the vast majority of your time doing MCQ's, with most of the rest of your time (but still everyday) reviewing flash cards from previous days' studying, to make sure you recall it and transfer it into long term memory. If you prefer notes over flash cards, that's also fine, but again make sure you're recalling concepts you covered previously. It's very easy to get something down pat today and realize that you're really fuzzy on it next week or next month, and then you will have wasted your time.

FAR (8/17/14) - 86
AUD (8/22/14) - 90
BEC (8/31/14) - 86
REG (2/29/16) - 90

Study Materials: Ninja Notes, Flash Cards, and MCQ

[LLin89]

Excellent tips! Thank you! Good look on your last exam!

[Anonymous]

I agree with @elvinglara regarding the lectures. They are a HUGE waste of time. I understand people have their own style of study, but with the lectures you generally only take away about half of what you actually need to know for the exam. Unless your extremely intuitive and can link all concepts, focusing on the lectures and book are a big waste.

Also, I'm not sure if you are working or studying full time but for me (I am 3 for 3 thus far, 1 to take in October), I've passed three parts 1st try with less than 4 weeks of studying for each. Ironically I got the highest grade on one I studied for in only 6 days. I'm not trying to toot my own horn, I'm just saying for the majority of people, short term memory kills long term memory any day. So if possible (which it may not be if you're working), try to condense your study time by a few weeks so the information stays fresh.

As for specific studying tips for FAR, I will reference what I said above by saying to shorten down your studying time. FAR is a freaking BEASSTTT, and the more you try to remember every little detail the more likely you are going to start forgetting what's actually important. So stick to the major concepts and pick up on little details as you go, but don't freak over them because you will worry yourself sick. And my best advice is to learn, understand and APPLY JOURNAL ENTRIES. Journal entries are your best friend. A lot of times when you're stuck on the exam you can make a great educated guess by understanding and trying to balance a journal entry. And always try to understand WHY you are doing something, don't just memorize or it will kill you.

I know this exam is a beast. I took FAR first as well and I literally wanted to go hulk on the prometric center after I left because I felt so defeated. I haven't taken AUD yet, but BEC and REG don't even come close to comparing to the difficulty of FAR (obviously IMO). Hang in there, when you pass it will be all down hill from there. GOOD LUCK!

[Anonymous]

Half-way through material and I couldn't agree more. Wish I hadn't left this for the end.

[Author]

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