
Couple of tips here:
http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/staying-motivated
and here:
http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/far-review-planning
And I feel exact same way. Financial accounting is not as difficult, as it is boring for me... I like concepts better than numbers.
Ok. I'm done with the lectures having done so little of the homework questions. I tried to do the questions as i went along but it was taking so long and i was afraid not to finish the lectures. I am taking FAR on 11/04 and left with about 19days. i just started on the questions starting from the latest chapters i finished going back to chapter 1. i now feel overwhelmed coz i am faced with so so many questions to do and still start the Final review. this is my last exam and i just feel so so tired in the process when i'm so close to finishing. someone pliz tell me its doable i mean based on the strategy i've started already, i feel like i did it wrong. can i really get back on track and finish these questions and Final Review in time for my test?????
You can get through it as long as you really buckle down and get it donw. Try going through a chapter in the book and then doing the problems for each chapter, that way your reviewing the text material as you go as well. FAR is just long and its just awful haha
I would try and get through the questions multipel times. and do progressive exams in the software as you go to gauge yoru progress.
Thanks CPAPlease!!!! I needed that. A boost!!!
No problem! FAR is a beast!
I just need some kind of advice on what to do. I took Reg In August and failed.65) I have been checking the state board to at least see my score analysis, at least to see my weakest area. Although looking at my score, I feel like I am weak in all area but still want to know. I
bought yaeger homestudy and it has about 10 tape. I am working on tape five which dosn't seem like a lot of progress. I am trying my best by puting at least 15-20 hours a week because I work full time and I have 4 year old. I also follow Yaeger's guideline by doing all the multiple choice question before watching another tape.
My problem is that I have lost all the confidence in me about the exam. I am always scare that even with all my effort that I might fail again just because I have not been able to pass one. I am not strong in communication because English is my second language. I desperately want to be a CPA but I am fighting hard to overcome my fear. Has any of you been in this king of situation? I have spent so much money, it is no longer about money, it is just what I want to be. I have Reg retake in November.
Any advice to overcome my fear.
Exam64:
Was the 65 in REG the very first CPA exam you have taken? Have you taken others and failed? If it was your very first exam, you might be underestimating how much studying it actually takes to pass an exam. I don't think you can just watch videos and then jump to questions and expect to get it. You have to study the material, takes notes, make flashcards, etc. Once it starts clicking in your head, then you'll know you are making progress.
Exam 64,First - couldn't agree more with Tim94111 about flashcards and stuff. You need to make sure you STUDY the material.
Second, beleive me, there is nothing unique about the way you feel - you have fear of failing exam despite all the effort... I feel exact the same way about each exams I've taken and about exams I am going to take. It's just like fear of losing the job - always with you. I'm certain most of CPA candidates have it. Because this exam is very serious, has lots of info to study... very difficult.
Best thing to do is to study as hard as you can, and try to focus on getting your knowledge, not on thoughts about failures... positive thinking may sound like something banal, but it really helps. Say to yourself that eventually you will pass, no matter how hard it is... Look at people here, some of them made 3-4 attempts for each session!
One of things they often say on this forum - failure is when you give up trying to reach your goal...
I am currently studying to retake FAR right now too. I took it in August and failed with a 74. I also retook REG last week, which I had gotten a 74 on the first time too. My test date for FAR is in two weeks, so my time to review is minimal. I've decided to intensely study the Final Review for Becker, because there is just too much information to go through the giant book in detail again. I'm not sure if anyone else has been in this position before, but I think it might be the best option for such a short retake (and considering I only need ONE FREAKIN' POINT). Regardless, I sympathize with anyone else who is struggling with FAR, because lets be real - this test is SERIOUS.
Anyone else have any experience with Becker Final Review? I'm just hoping it rekindles my memory to where it was 6 weeks ago.
I used the Becker Final reviews for every section. I liked them, for each one I felt liek they explained something a little differently than the book that made me go oohhhh now I get it!
However, I don't think they are much use without the rest of the course. I would recommend at least skimming through the chapters again as well as going back through the practice problems and supplementals in each chapter. Wouldn't hurt to review the simulations either
The final review is set up to only take 6-10 hours total including problems and simulations
I totally agree that the Review is useless without the other course, however I already DID all the intensive studying that is required, and I was definitely prepared to pass the test, I just did not perform well on actual test day. My time management was terrible, and I had 45 mins for both sims which didn't even give me an opportunity to guess. I feel like as long as I can get back to what I knew the first time I went in and I use my time better this next time, I should be in a good way to pass. Yeah? haha
Ya it sounds like you did a good job studying it for sure! I'd probably go back and do the homework problems again to supplement the final review, theres so many more questions than in the final review I think those will help refresh your memory.
Or maybe go through all the supplementals if you feel comfortable with just that! I went through all the homework questions like three time haha, but it takes forever for things to stick in my head!
For the sims, my personal strategy is to always hit the written comm. part first if possible, it counts for the largest amount of points so at least if you run out of time you'll have that section done!
No doubt... I think I'll use it to see where I'm the least comfortable, and then review those points in more detail in the actual book. I also definitely plan on retaking the two final exams, those are key. Cannot WAIT to be finished!!!
Tim94111,
Have you read much of this forum? If you haven't, I would suggest you read some of what people post about their CPA exam experiences. You are not alone! So many have failed and decided to keep trying. Sometimes it takes 3 or 4 times to pass one section. Face it, there are naturally great test-takers and people like me who are not. I really have to work at it.
I took REG in August and was so discouraged when I left. I thought the CPA exam was far beyond my test taking skills, no matter how much I studied, and I figured I would not waste my time if failed. Then I read this forum and felt that if others get discouraged and keep trying, then I can too. Luckily, I passed, but I still have three more sections and I just keep reading this forum to get insight into the exam, encouragement to study, and to laugh at some of the hilarious comments that only CPA candidates can appreciate.
You can do it and when you do, it will be worth it.
Now I have done 18 of the 1,359 multiple choice questions in my Becker FAR book. It seems impossbile right now, but we gotta keep the faith!
Being finished is pretty wonderful!!!
Now if I could just get that boyfriend of mine to be finished....hahaha
The final exams are a good tool, they always freaked me out though, I never did well on them, they can be a bit of a shock to yoru confidence!
OOPS
I meant to address EXAM64, not Tim94111. But Tim94111 is right!
Thank you Anna, CPAwanabe and Tim94111. I will always go back and read your advice and try all my best especially making flash card.
Tim 94111, this is not my first exam, I have taken financial and Audit before and did not make it. That I will not blame on material, I did not study at all and I have no help with my baby that time. I also didnt know about this site. I thought CPA is just any other exam one take in school, but this required a lot of commitment.
As for my first trial when I took Reg in August, I used becker. Not to say Becker is not good but I have so much difficulty in Simulation. In terms of multiple choice, I think Becker did a wonderful job. Oh, well, is time to work hard and get over with this monster.
i hope to come back one day and talk about my sucess. Thanks all
It takes a lot of time, it's not like the exams in school, I don't know how you people with kids do it. I use Becker too, and I've done a real hatchet job on these exams.
Don't let the simulations scare you. Think of them as a lot like the multiple choice questions. The correct answer is usually there for you to choose. The answer is not "given" only where you have to do calculations and in the writing sections. Also, in the multiple choice questions, don't just try to choose the right answer, try to figure out why the other three answers are wrong. As for the ESL issue, I don't think I can help you there.
TIM94111,
I see you improved your AUD score from a 70 to an 85. How did you do it?
I am ESL - 6 years in this country. I was scared about memos. So i practiced them (I think I am the only person who does that).
I literally took Becker practice simulations - wrote assigned memos and compared my answers to Becker suggestions.
I think it helped a lot. I felt confident about both of my auditing memos on real exam.
Plus, i used research tab for correct terminology.
I used the score report. I was weaker in Planning and Internal Control and Written Communication. I studied hard on the weaker areas and continued to study the areas where I was comparable or strong. I think those score reports are a great tool to tell you where to concentrate. The bad part is that you have to fail an exam for it to be of any use. I hope I can sew this thing up with a lucky No. 7 in November...
I agree with Anna. Use the research tab to write the memos if at all possible. In AUD, I copied out of research word for word. They let you cheat like that, ha! Probably a bit more difficult now that they have the "new" research style in the exam...
Great idea. I will practice a lot of writing before the exam as well as use research button. Thanks for the advice. Anna and Tim94111, wow! I am motivated by your results, though I have to study hard like you guys.
There's definitely some test taking strategy to these exams. I don't waste any time in the research tab because, apparently, the research questions are only worth one point...
So i just took Becker Final review for FARE in Penn hotel today (let me tell you - even though I had to add Yeager, cause Becker regular course wasn't enough - Becker final review is something I am admiring - unbelievably well organized course).
And I just wanted to share 4 simple strategy taking techniques that 99 % of you know, but maybe for one person it'll be helpful and it's good enough:-)
MCQ taking techniques:
1) Read question carefully; watch for always, never, only, must, not, least, required, recommended and other tricky little words.
2) Read requirement part of the question first: what do they want from you. That helps to segregate unneeded part of info.
3) Never choose "a" right away. Make sure you force yourself into reading all choices.
4) Before you look at choices for theory questions, pause for 2 seconds and think what the answer might be... then search for it.
Good luck to all of us.
Thanks Anna, am left with well under 2 weeks for this exam.
BTW, I got the Gleim MCQ's for WINDOWS MOBILE to supplement my Becker materials! And it has EASILY added 10-20 minutes of practicing questions on to my study time a day.
When I am in a cab or waiting for someone to meet me some where or waiting in line some where that I can't pull out my laptop or a textbook I just start doing questions on my phone.
WHY DON'T ALL THE REVIEW COURSES OFFER SOMETHING LIKE THIS YET!
Some of the sections are hard to do with just a phone but any of the theory questions and the ones that require minimal calculation (on my smartphone calculator) are easy to do on the go. I think this will be even better when I am taking the parts that are less calculation driven.
Just wanted let everyone know since every moment counts.
Becker covers dollar-value LIFO in Homework reading only, whereas Yaeger covers it extensively... Is it normally tested? Could there be a simulation on it?
Anna - It's certainly fair game...I would have a general understanding of how it works and be able to do a calculation on it. I wouldn't spend a ton of time on it though.
Eh, I was afraid so :)
LIFO and inventory in general are my least favorite topics on this exam... had super-bad professor in college in Interm. ACC-1 - got B, couldn't stop crying for 3 days:-)
Thank you, Jeff. I'll try to overcome my disgust with it:))
Dollar value LIFO is kind of a fringe topic...but you need to be strong on LIFO, FIFO, and Weighted Avg for sure.
Just took a deep breath and dealt with it... it's not that bad once you start doing more MCQ.
thanks for the tips, Jeff
I was just about to nod off during my Becker F2 lecture DVD when I hear cheesy disco music and see a flashing picture of Olinto in a leisure suit "Stayin' Alive".
That was just wrong.
:-) I actually loved that one...
It will probably help Franchisee's Intangible Assets stick in my mind a little better. LOL!
Arrgh, I am rapidly losing steam. I have FAR on Monday and when I went to bed last night I was all geared up to take my first practice final this morning, review the tough areas, practice some sims, and then take the next practice final on Sunday to really pinpoint my weak areas, but I woke up this morning miserable and with no motivation! I'm sure it didn't help that my 20 month old woke up at 5, but I am seriously in a bad mood and I am the least moody person so I don't deal well when I get like this. I need some motivation! Since, after 6 months of this, I am afraid to even mention it to my husband in fear that he will get all annoyed and just make it worse, I figured I would come here and see what you guys to do get that last boost of energy when you feel like you have lost it??
kmcauliffe...do not let yourself get down this close in!!!! Believe me, I have taken FAR 3 times now and I am anxiously awaiting this last score so that I know I'm done w/ this exam forever...so I know how you feel! All I can say is, go for a walk, have some coffee, basically just take some time for yourself this morning and wind down...if you need some retail therapy, go get yourself something you want but don't "need" as a treat...I found that can perk your spirits up! Then, tell yourself you're just going to do it. I was at the point that I didn't know what else to do...my average on Becker was a 98% and I failed FAR twice...while others I know that could barley crack 80s were passing without issue. It was a huge blow to my ego and making myself study again and again just about drained everything I had left out of me...but I told myself that I was going to pass this test one way or another and I pulled up my Beckers and got back into it. Unfortunately, our husbands, if they've never done anything like this before, can't TRULY understand what it's like or how this makes you feel! Believe me, we all do here...you have a good 3 days to nail this down...YOU CAN TOTALLY DO THIS!!!
Hey kmcauliffe, I know what you mean, FAR is horrible, I'm reviewing Govt. this week and it's horrible! But I'm OK cause last weekend I took-off, I was burn-out from Bifurcation, Consolidations and Investments ect.
But what fueled my motivation was plenty of rest and hanging-out with the family for two days (I explained to them how important it was for all of us$!)....which pushed back my exam date by 2 days...but that's a fair trade cause now they're on my side....
I totally agree with cpatx. Sometimes you just have to step away and regroup. I was almost in tears yesterday doing the practice multiple choice questions for FAR. I am trying to stick to a schedule, but it is taking so much longer because the problems are so complex. I've had three semesters of financial reporting, but it has been a few years ago so I feel like I am relearning it all over again and it is OVERWHELMING.
The other day, I decided to plan an overnight trip out of town with my husband in a few weeks to take a break. It will give me something to look forward to and take my mind off of it. He also needs a break from it (all my whining about CPA this and that).
Kmcauliffe, it is really hard with a young one, and she/he is too young to realize what a great example you are as a mom trying to accomplish this. I have two young boys and I hope I am getting the message through to them that sacrifice and hard work pays off... and not the message that mommy locks herself in a room with a bag of Chips Ahoy and gets mean when she brings out that Becker book ~ kidding!
TO ANYONE THAT HAS ALREADY TAKEN FAR:
What do you think should be the exam strategy for the FAR Exam? Should I go very fast during the MCQs to leave enough time for the SIMS?
I took REG and did not give myself enough time for the SIMS; failed with a 74).
I took AUD and went too fast during the MCQs and left myself with too much time for the SIMS (I failed with a 70). I should have gone slower during the MCQs, but was influenced by timing issue with REG....
So what do you think about timing issues for FAR?
(BEC 77, REG 74, AUD 70, FAR 10/30????)
OnePointAway, the 1st SIM was a killer, took me 30 minutes to figure out what I was suppose to do........The 2nd SIM was easier, but I only had enough time to do the RESEARCH and MEMO Tabs...I didn't do any of the calculations for the 2nd SIMs; actually the 2nd SIM was way easier than the 1st.
I was an idiot spending so much time with MCQs. My Canidate Performance Report shows that I was stronger in MCQs (orverall) but weaker in SIMS and Written Communication.
Thanks everyone for your encouragement. Well, I decided right after I wrote that message earlier that it would be a good time to do a Becker practice final...BAD IDEA. I only got a 70 on it and now, not only am I completely unmotivated, I am freaking out too. Some of the wrong answers were just stupid things like not reading the question properly, but others were things I need to brush up on. It wasn't just a couple of topics that I was struggling on, it was more little elements of a variety of topics. I do feel like I have most of the major concepts down. Also, the sims were pretty easy, I am guessing they are harder on the real thing.
If you have been unsuccessful with Becker a couple of times, try something different. Not every course is right for everyone. Everyone studies differently, everyone learns differently.
@Tampa:
It depends on how comfortably fast you can do the MCQs. I consider myself I fairly fast exam taker, and I was finished with all 3 MCQ testlets with about two and a half hours remaining (30 mins per testlet). I spent over an hour on each simulation, but that's because I knew I had a lot of time and wanted to make sure I was answering what they were asking. If you can spend less time on the MCQs but still be confident about them, then that will make the simulations much less daunting. Of course still keep in mind that the MCQs compose 70% of your grade.
@km:
I wouldn't freak out about that. From what I hear, Becker finals are somewhat more difficult than the actual exam. I cannot attest to this because I used Bisk, but it seems to be what most others say. This past summer when I was finishing undergrad I worked with a girl who was about to take FAR and she scored a 45 on the Becker final. She took another and got a 67. Then she took the actual exam and got an 83. The simulations on the real exam are difficult because they put you in odd situations and scenarios. For example, instead of giving you a list of transactions and say: "Make these journal entries" they instead will give you that same list but make you do weird adjustments or reconciliations.
kmcauliffe...do NOT get discouraged over those Becker disk practice exams! If you were only getting a 70 on the Becker simulated exam that is in the same section as the homework and practice tests, then you might need to reassess things; however, given the fact that you got a 70 on the Becker practice exam, you should be elated!!! Several people I work with only averaged scores between the low to mid 60s on those 2 exams and they passed FAR with no problems! I never took the ones for AUD and then, the night before REG I, for some reason decided I had to take one. I took it and got a 66. I woke my husband up in tears and was just questioning whether I should even go forward at that point. I was a nervous wreck when I went into the test, yet, I passed REG just fine on the first try...so, that just goes to show that those exams aren't too great of an indicator! Your confidence is key when you go into this exam b/c of the time...you need to secure your answer and move on without second guessing yourself, so, if taking those exams is making you lose confidence and feel bad about things, then I might suggest not even doing another one. Just look at the things you missed on this one and call it quits with those. Focus on the simulated exam in the homework part of Becker just to keep your mind fresh on all of the topics. I know other people who didn't even take a single one of those practice tests for any of the exam sections and passed each part the first time around! You don't have to do those...if you are solid on the HW, you will be fine!
I agree!! The Becker final exams are a great tool, but are much more difficult than the actual exam and can be very discouraging. I think I only ever passed one for BEC, and I passed all parts no problem. In my Master's class we all had the same issue and found that we averaged 20 points higher on the actual exam than on the becker final exam
I took FAR today and I feel great about the MC and the memos, but the other parts of the simulations did not go so well. This is my last test and I'm just wondering if there's still chance of passing even though both simulations were pretty rough. Overall, I thought the MC were easier than any of the other exams, I just got really discouraged after the simulations!!
Stilltrying hope you did well, were the MC qns manageable, what was the most challenge you had with seems, length, too many tabs ,or the structure of the qns.All the best mate .
I think I am going to take everyone's advice and steer clear of the Becker finals. However, how is the Wiley practice final in their book? Does anyone think theirs is a pretty accurate predictor??
I think that taking Becker final exam is a good thing to do. Not as something that predicts your result (because, yes, they are super difficult), but something that puts you into your best shape. Becker professors highly recommend taking them at least once and at least look through questions you did wrong. Plus they help you to practice time management.
Of course, if they make you panicky, it's not a good thing. But why not just realize that they are just a study tool - not result prediction tool.
Thanks Anna. Maybe I will take one later tonight after I review the 200+ pages of notes that I have taken. So, to anyone out there that has taken FAR any last minute tips? I just want to hear from other who have taken it things that they wish they would have known going into it. This is my last one and it has been a long 6 months and I am ready to be done!
kmcauliffe,
Good luck tomorrow. Let us know how you think you did. I'm sure you'll do great!
OMG, i'm overwhelmed, overwhelmed... I can't believe the amount of info I have to remember...
Anna, I agree FAR is a monster! I finished the Yeager FAR review course last Saturday. I started this review at the end of August, but now it seems I have to re-learn everything...cause I don't remember what I learned 2 months ago....... So I'm going through the review course again for a 2nd time to make sure what I have learned stays in my brain!
Maybe it just me, but how do people here retain FAR material that they have learned 2 or 3 months before the exam....?
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