[Anonymous]

I received my first failing score yesterday and rather than be miserable over my two points shy of a passing score, I’m more determined than ever to jump back into studying and get this exam finished.

That being said, I used the NINJA Notes and MCQs exclusively to study for FAR since I did the same for REG and AUD and achieved passing scores on the first attempt for each of those exams. However, I knew FAR was going to be a problem for me because I have no practical experience or education in governmental and not-for-profit accounting and stockholders’ equity and the statement of cash flow are my worst accounting enemies.

So, my question is: do you think it would be practical to continue with my current study plan of using the NINJA Notes and MCQs exclusively or should I supplement with other material? I normally just go through the Notes multiple times (as well as the supplemental information I add to them from the MCQs) but I’m thinking that for my rematch I’ll actually write the Notes out first as suggested and then just start hammering out MCQs again until exam day while still going through the Notes every few days. I’m probably going to schedule for sometime near the end of October since it’s now extension tax time at my firm and I’d like at least a few weeks of uninterrupted evening and weekend study time. Anyway, any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[Rocky123]

I am in the same boat. I failed FAR too. It's my last section… which really makes the blow that much worse. But it's my own fault. There were weak spots in my studying. I have no one to blame but myself.

I used Becker to pass the other 3 sections. I suggest you give them a try. If you study consistently and properly, there are NO surprises on exam day. They are extremely thorough.

The tallest oak in the forest was once just a little nut that held its ground.

AUD-PASS
BEC-PASS
REG-PASS
FAR-PASS

Rocky123, CPA

[Anonymous]

I posted this in another FAR thread…

I used Becker. I studied a total of 24 days (including test day) for the exam. I only got about 50% of the Becker MCQs done and an even smaller percentage of the SIMS. I didn't take a practice exam. Going into the exam, I was fully prepared to retake…even more so walking out of the exam.

I literally jumped out of my chair in shock when I saw my score last night.

My advice: Understand which learning style fits your personality. Are you someone who can pay attention in class (lectures) and take good notes? Do you learn better with a hands-on approach (SIMS)? Does trial and error fit you the best? (MCQs)?

Either way, set a budget of hours you plan on studying (FAR = 128 for me) and stick to it. Then, use the Becker weighted percentages of the material to budget further (for example, government is 10% of the exam…so I spent 13 hours on government…no more, no less).

It is very important to not get bogged down…I could've spent 40 hours on government, or 25 hours on pensions, or 15 hours on foreign currency…but it's not worth it…expose yourself to the weighted material, trust your instinct, test your instinct, change your thinking on areas you aren't testing well on…

I am most proud of my FAR score, because I spent the least amount of time studying for this exam, which meant I wasted less time on each part (AUD – 1st, REG – 2nd, BEC – 3rd, FAR – 4th).

Good luck…you'll pass

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the advice! I've learned the most during this exam journey by doing MCQs, so I think I'm going to stick with that as my main plan going forward. I also purchased a supplemental study guide that's a bit like an expanded set of NINJA Notes just so I get to see the material in a slightly different way.

Also, I just got my score notice email and was a little surprised by the breakdown and how I still managed a 73 and not a score in the 50s or 60s. My performance report states:

– Framework and Standards: Weaker

– Financial Statement Accounts: Weaker

– Specific Transactions/Events: Weaker

– Governmental: Weaker

– Not-for-Profit: Stronger (this I find amusing)

– Multiple Choice: Weaker

– Simulations: Stronger

I was certain that the simulations were one of the main reasons I failed but I guess not. That actually makes me very happy because I was so worried I did horribly on them and the majority of them were in my weakest areas (or at least what I believe are my weakest areas, since FAR clearly thinks I'm weak in almost everything, lol). I also know now to not focus so much attention on not-for-profit since I apparently have a good grasp of that material but to focus more on some of the areas I already thought I knew. I've discovered that can be a big problem to have on this exam- thinking you thoroughly know a concept because you're used to working with it on a daily basis when really you know nothing when it comes to testing on it.

Anyway, this evening will be day 2 of studying for my retake and I'm feeling more optimistic about it now after seeing that I didn't do as terrible on the SIMS as I had thought I did. 🙂 Oh, and awesome scores, @Cramming Works! When I first started studying I was determined to break into the 90s for all of the exams and then after I started studying for BEC I decided that shooting for exactly four 75s would be a better use of time, lol. If it wasn't for REG, I'd be on my way to achieving that goal!

[Author]

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