Flip-flop between tests, or stick it out one at a time?

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    Topic
  • #192963
    Kettlepot
    Participant

    Hey all!

    I’ve got Audit coming up on Apr.6, but I’m not sure what to do after that. I’ve taken a few sections now and only passed 1. Is the best strategy to either:

    A) Take Audit on Apr 6, keep studying for Audit afterwards until grades are released and at that point switch to Reg or keep studying for another shot at Audit in July?

    B)Take Audit on Apr.6 then on Apr 7 start studying for REG. if Audit was failed, then plan to re-take it in July.

    C) Take Audit on Apr.6, then on Apr7 start studying for REG. if Audit was failed then re-take in August, with a re-take of REG in July since it will still be fresh in my mind for a “quick” retake.

    Far: 49
    BEC: 79 (Expired)
    AUD: 51, 67, 64
    REG: 59, 64, 59, 69

Viewing 8 replies - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)
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  • #659858
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Take the hardest/biggest sections on the last day of each window.

    #659859
    shanek327
    Participant

    @CFO – what is the strategy behind testing in the last day of the window?

    FAR - 75
    AUD - 78
    BEC - 82
    REG - 77

    2 Corinthians 5:21

    Our value does not come from our skills and abilities, as good as they may be; it does not come from our GPA, our job, a promotion from that job to a better job, our success on the CPA exam, or anything of the like; but our value comes from the fact that we have a Creator who loves us, cares for us, and desires to help us navigate the rough waters of this life in a way that provides security, hope, and true, everlasting joy while we anticipate the life to come, with Him.

    #659860
    Gabe
    Participant

    I am assuming less wait time for scores/no time to start studying for another section if it's only 1.5 weeks between test and score release.

    CPA, CFE
    CISA- Experience will be completed by August 2016

    #659861
    Kimboroni
    Member

    …and then if you didn't pass, you only have to wait about a month to retake it, versus 2-3 months if you originally tested earlier in the window. It makes it easier to keep the original study info fresh in your mind.

    Kettlepot, when does your BEC expire?

    AUD 84 (1/9/14-Wiley books/TB + free materials)
    FAR 83 (5/21/14-the above + NINJA 10 Pt Combo Lite)
    REG 84 (7/9/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC/Notes)
    BEC 76 (10/5/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC)

    Disclaimer: My ninja avatar is not meant to imply that I have any affiliation with this site other than being a forum member. That's a pic of a T-shirt that my daughter gave me for my birthday. 🙂

    #659862
    Zuly
    Participant

    Good advice from everyone here. I personally feel it's best to stick with one test until you pass it but I would change up the test bank so you're not just memorizing questions when you're studying for the re-take. If you haven't already, get NINJA MCQs. 🙂

    FAR - (11/01/14) 71 (02/07/15) 79
    AUD - (04/30/15) 86
    BEC - (07/21/15) 73 (10/01/15) 75
    REG - (11/30/15) 55 (05/19/16) 74

    #659863
    Kettlepot
    Participant

    Kimboroni, my BEC is going to expire at the end of May. There's no saving it, even if I really bring my (CP)A game to the table. I'm not too phased about it though, my job is pretty much BEC all day every day. I'll put off that retake until after FAR.

    Far: 49
    BEC: 79 (Expired)
    AUD: 51, 67, 64
    REG: 59, 64, 59, 69

    #659864
    taxgeek83
    Participant

    I always tried to schedule as close to the end of the score release block as possible – Gabe's right. Less time having to wait for a score. That, and if you're only waiting a week and a half, you have plenty of time to give yourself a break and just have fun for a little while. I know a lot of folks sense an immense pressure to keep studying, studying, studying no matter what (even studying sections that they just tested for), but for me personally, there is absolutely no way I would have been able to make it through all four exams doing that. If nothing else, I needed the breaks to keep sane. If I had a longer score release, I took a break for a bit and then started studying my next section and either kept going if I passed, or dropped it and re-studied for the prior section if I failed.

    That's what worked for me though. 🙂

    #659865
    Kimboroni
    Member

    Ah, okay. Well there's no reason to rush through things, then. That's why I was wondering.

    Looking at your previous scores, I'm wondering if you're trying to get through these too quickly. Trash the idea of a “quick retake.” You probably need to increase your total amount of study time for each section by 50%, give or take.

    I would think your option C will work if you'll go right to REG and put the time in, then take it in late May. But there's definitely something to be said for sticking to one until you pass it. That was my plan. But it so happened that I was able to pass each one the first time by putting in 6-8 solid weeks (at least an hour every work day, and 4+ hours on weekend days) per section.

    But whatever you decide, it sounds like you might need some fresh materials and a revamped study method so you can go kill these things next time.

    AUD 84 (1/9/14-Wiley books/TB + free materials)
    FAR 83 (5/21/14-the above + NINJA 10 Pt Combo Lite)
    REG 84 (7/9/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC/Notes)
    BEC 76 (10/5/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC)

    Disclaimer: My ninja avatar is not meant to imply that I have any affiliation with this site other than being a forum member. That's a pic of a T-shirt that my daughter gave me for my birthday. 🙂

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