[CPANOVICE]

Hello Everyone,

This question is for people who failed FAR on their 1st attempt and than subsequently passed. What would you say the you did wrong the 1st time and how did you adjust your study the second time around in order to pass?

Thanks

FAR:TBD
REG:TBD
AUD:TBD
BEC:TBD

I am using Becker self study, ninja blitz and Wiley (I am using the paperback version of the testbank)

Brief overview of study method:
1. Skim through chapter quickly
2. Watch lecture videos
3. Take a lot of notes on what the lecturers emphasize
4. Complete half HW after lectures half after rewriting notes

[zieba]

I would say that FAR does not allow you to simply memorize MCQ's. All of the four sections allow you to do this to a certain extent, but much more than others FAR requires total immersion. After banging out Beceker MCQ's for attempt #1, I added Ninja audio and Wiley Test Bank. The Ninja audio and notes aided my comprehension on a higher level, and WTB challenged my newlyfound knowledge with MCQ's that are – in my opinion – more representative of the true exam.

AUD - 75*, 88 done 5/14! (*exp)
BEC - 74 , 77
REG - 65 , 76 (10 point combooo!!)
FAR - 69 , 75

Dr: perseverance
Dr: intelligence
Dr: luck
. Cr: . advisory score

[zieba]

I would say that FAR does not allow you to simply memorize MCQ's. All of the four sections allow you to do this to a certain extent, but much more than others FAR requires total immersion. After banging out Beceker MCQ's for attempt #1, I added Ninja audio and Wiley Test Bank. The Ninja audio and notes aided my comprehension on a higher level, and WTB challenged my newlyfound knowledge with MCQ's that are – in my opinion – more representative of the true exam.

AUD - 75*, 88 done 5/14! (*exp)
BEC - 74 , 77
REG - 65 , 76 (10 point combooo!!)
FAR - 69 , 75

Dr: perseverance
Dr: intelligence
Dr: luck
. Cr: . advisory score

[CPANOVICE]

@zieba thanks for your response. . So for your first attempt you only did Becker homework mcqs?

FAR:TBD
REG:TBD
AUD:TBD
BEC:TBD

I am using Becker self study, ninja blitz and Wiley (I am using the paperback version of the testbank)

Brief overview of study method:
1. Skim through chapter quickly
2. Watch lecture videos
3. Take a lot of notes on what the lecturers emphasize
4. Complete half HW after lectures half after rewriting notes

[CPANOVICE]

@zieba thanks for your response. . So for your first attempt you only did Becker homework mcqs?

FAR:TBD
REG:TBD
AUD:TBD
BEC:TBD

I am using Becker self study, ninja blitz and Wiley (I am using the paperback version of the testbank)

Brief overview of study method:
1. Skim through chapter quickly
2. Watch lecture videos
3. Take a lot of notes on what the lecturers emphasize
4. Complete half HW after lectures half after rewriting notes

[Anonymous]

The first time I took FAR I did alot of MCQ but in actuality I did not get the concepts down like I needed to. I found myself memorizing the MCQ rather than learning them. It showed up in my SIMS score. I went back and learned the concepts and did not do one SIMS and passed the second time.

[Anonymous]

The first time I took FAR I did alot of MCQ but in actuality I did not get the concepts down like I needed to. I found myself memorizing the MCQ rather than learning them. It showed up in my SIMS score. I went back and learned the concepts and did not do one SIMS and passed the second time.

[CPA soon]

I have not passed, but I can tell you that the Paperback version of the testbank is a waste of time, but the online testbank or the ninja testbank. Going through the paper testbank you don't know when you answered a question wrong until you look in the bed then you have to reread the question to remember what you answered. Big mess, using a software it will tell you why you answered right or wrong instantly with the explaination as well a tracking your overall score. I tried the paper version and ended buying the online access. WTB is like 300$ on amazon for the online access for one year and Ninja testbank you can get a section for $47 so it's pretty cheap, worth the money. You need every minute you can get.

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..

[CPA soon]

I have not passed, but I can tell you that the Paperback version of the testbank is a waste of time, but the online testbank or the ninja testbank. Going through the paper testbank you don't know when you answered a question wrong until you look in the bed then you have to reread the question to remember what you answered. Big mess, using a software it will tell you why you answered right or wrong instantly with the explaination as well a tracking your overall score. I tried the paper version and ended buying the online access. WTB is like 300$ on amazon for the online access for one year and Ninja testbank you can get a section for $47 so it's pretty cheap, worth the money. You need every minute you can get.

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..

[Gatorbates]

Back to back 74's … first time, Drilled SIMS, avg on MCQ … so I spent more time on MCQ. Second time, drilled MCQ, but ran out of time on SIMS, so I did weaker in those (the last 3 I had two minutes left, so I just sped through and started putting somewhat educated guesses in).

Third time, I focused more on time management, since I felt I knew the material after 2 prior attempts. I read through everything … still did some MCQ, but not ad nauseum. Only got deep into material I wasn't completely comfortable with.

Licensed Florida CPA:
B: 71, 73, 79
A: 83
R: 78 (expired), 77
F: 74, 74, 80

It's finally freaking over.

[Gatorbates]

Back to back 74's … first time, Drilled SIMS, avg on MCQ … so I spent more time on MCQ. Second time, drilled MCQ, but ran out of time on SIMS, so I did weaker in those (the last 3 I had two minutes left, so I just sped through and started putting somewhat educated guesses in).

Third time, I focused more on time management, since I felt I knew the material after 2 prior attempts. I read through everything … still did some MCQ, but not ad nauseum. Only got deep into material I wasn't completely comfortable with.

Licensed Florida CPA:
B: 71, 73, 79
A: 83
R: 78 (expired), 77
F: 74, 74, 80

It's finally freaking over.

[zieba]

I concur with the other posters, on this section, you really have to understand the concepts… all of them.

To answer, yes I only did Becker. I barely skated through practice SIMS… on the retake I utilized NINJA to get it conceptually, and WTB to see “looks”… or how it is asked on the exam.

FAR was so brutal… shudders, it's over at least. By the way, you are absolutely correct to do FAR first… had I done it your way, I would not have had to retake AUD. It may not be easiest way to get through it, but it's the smartest (AUD next!).

AUD - 75*, 88 done 5/14! (*exp)
BEC - 74 , 77
REG - 65 , 76 (10 point combooo!!)
FAR - 69 , 75

Dr: perseverance
Dr: intelligence
Dr: luck
. Cr: . advisory score

[zieba]

I concur with the other posters, on this section, you really have to understand the concepts… all of them.

To answer, yes I only did Becker. I barely skated through practice SIMS… on the retake I utilized NINJA to get it conceptually, and WTB to see “looks”… or how it is asked on the exam.

FAR was so brutal… shudders, it's over at least. By the way, you are absolutely correct to do FAR first… had I done it your way, I would not have had to retake AUD. It may not be easiest way to get through it, but it's the smartest (AUD next!).

AUD - 75*, 88 done 5/14! (*exp)
BEC - 74 , 77
REG - 65 , 76 (10 point combooo!!)
FAR - 69 , 75

Dr: perseverance
Dr: intelligence
Dr: luck
. Cr: . advisory score

[CPANOVICE]

Thanks everyone for your responses. I really appreciate it. FAR is my first section so I'm trying to take my time on grasping the immense amount of material it consists of. I plan on getting through all the Becker lectures and homework questions before I schedule. After I finish the lectures and homework, I will work on AICPA released questions and WTB MCQ nonstop. During this phase I will schedule my exam. Not sure if his is a good idea. Any thoughts?

FAR:TBD
REG:TBD
AUD:TBD
BEC:TBD

I am using Becker self study, ninja blitz and Wiley (I am using the paperback version of the testbank)

Brief overview of study method:
1. Skim through chapter quickly
2. Watch lecture videos
3. Take a lot of notes on what the lecturers emphasize
4. Complete half HW after lectures half after rewriting notes

[CPANOVICE]

Thanks everyone for your responses. I really appreciate it. FAR is my first section so I'm trying to take my time on grasping the immense amount of material it consists of. I plan on getting through all the Becker lectures and homework questions before I schedule. After I finish the lectures and homework, I will work on AICPA released questions and WTB MCQ nonstop. During this phase I will schedule my exam. Not sure if his is a good idea. Any thoughts?

FAR:TBD
REG:TBD
AUD:TBD
BEC:TBD

I am using Becker self study, ninja blitz and Wiley (I am using the paperback version of the testbank)

Brief overview of study method:
1. Skim through chapter quickly
2. Watch lecture videos
3. Take a lot of notes on what the lecturers emphasize
4. Complete half HW after lectures half after rewriting notes

[michaelabs22]

I would suggest a few things:

1. Do weekly reviews/progress tests on everything you've done ( I usually did these on Sunday afternoon with Becker comprehensive progress tests). There is so much material it is hard to remember it all unless you keep it fresh.

2. Make sure you give yourself enough time to get through ALL of the material without cutting corners – you never know if that NFP fund accounting will make up a much larger part of your exam than you planned!

3. Take a deep breath, make sure to give yourself regular time to have a (little) bit of fun. I found when I immersed myself the second time, even taking 45 minutes at the end of the night to watch a show with my wife helped clear my head.

4. Schedule your exam when you're ready to take it, but don't push it back too far because you'll start to forget things!

A - 10/28/12 - Passed!!!
B - 11/20/12 - Passed!!!
F - 11/12/13 - Passed!!!
R - 02/01/13 - Passed!!!

Work Experience - Done!
Ethics Exam - Boom! Done!

RI Licensed CPA.

[Author]

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