Guide for Full Time Study?

  • This topic has 7 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 9 years ago by Anonymous.
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  • #192736
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Does anyone have an opinion on scheduling study and exams with full time study? My initial thought is if I start now, I can take my first part in May (probably FAR then AUD in the next window). Also, can the Ninja materials really stand alone? My first impression on everything else is that it’s overpriced legacy publishing industry. Even with full time study, two parts at once is not recommended, right? Thanks!

    First post, quick backstory – Graduated 11 years ago, didn’t go into public, got an entry level job at a hedge fund. Quickly realized those auditing my firm were only working in public to someday get a job like mine. I was lucky enough to work with good people and, long story short, I’m currently a Controller at a private equity/hedge fund. The company has decided to relocate accounting to someplace they perceive to be cheaper. I’ve decided not to relocate and want to use this opportunity to study for exams as I search for a job. CPA hasn’t stood in the way of job growth yet, I want to make sure it never does.

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  • #657086
    highlightnumb
    Participant

    To respond to your 2nd question, it is recommended that you do not take 2 exams in one window but I took Reg and Bec in one testing so its definitely doable especially if you are not working.

    Mario Marcel, CPA

    FAR. Feb 2014 76
    REG. Jan 2015 79 half way there!!
    BEC. Feb 2015 79 thank you God!!
    AUD. Apr 20, 2015 and will be done. Hold that thought 65, 7/14/15 85!
    Ok where was I? Oh thats right now I'm Done!!!!!!!!!
    Ethics 92!!

    "You down wit SEC?, yeah you know me!!!"

    Cali Candidate

    All Becker Materials, Wiley Test Bank, Ninja audio, Ninja MCQ, Ninja Notes

    #657087
    sweetmoon
    Member

    Here is my story, see if you can get some inspiration. Graduated in 2001. Started studying for CPA full time around the mid June 2014.

    Aug '14 – wrote FAR and failed

    Oct -Nov window – Rewrote & passed FAR, passed BEC, Failed AUD

    Jan'15 – wrote and passed both AUD & REG and Done with CPA

    The period from June to Jan was pure hell. But I studied full time and did not want to waste more time not working. So if you really want to do it you can, it is totally doable in my humble opinion.

    FAR : 71, 83
    AUD : 73,88
    BEC : 87
    REG : sweet 82 and DONE !!

    #657088
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Studying for 2 at once is different than taking 2 in one window. While I'd generally agree that studying for 2 at once can be troublesome, I'd be 100% behind taking 2 or 3 in one window, especially if you're not working so free to study full-time. On the quick end of things, I've seen people who weren't working take all 4 in one window (want to say 1 guy on here did all 4 in one month – like one per week – can't remember his name though to look it up and see). The only reason I'd see to study for 2 at once would be if you were finished studying with 1 and the window hadn't opened up yet, so you started prepping a 2nd while keeping the 1st fresh in your mind.

    If you're starting now (or within a couple weeks, depending on notice at work, etc.) to study full-time, you should be able to take FAR the start of April. 6 weeks of full-time study would be 240 hours of study at 40 hours/wk – most people recommend around that many hours, many can do it in less. So, planning 240 and studying more than 40 hours near the end if needed should be fine. Then I'd take off a couple days after FAR just to get a little break, then start with AUD and plan it for the end of April or start of May – again, 4 weeks would be about 160 hours, should be doable. BEC at the end of May would get you done with 3 in one window, then by mid-July at the latest you could take REG (again, about 6 weeks, about 240 hours, should be more than sufficient), and within 3 months from today you could be done with your tests.

    All that being said, I wouldn't put off the job search to study. You never know when the right job will pop up. It's a competitive job market, so I'd keep my eyes open and be applying to jobs throughout that. If you get a job, you might have to slow down your exam-schedule a bit, but you can still pass them and be fine. Generally I'd advise against being job-less to study, but in this situation, I'd say you're job-less because your company eliminated your position locally, and you're using the opportunity to study. So, keep searching for a job, but if you don't find one, being able (I assume) to draw unemployment to help pay the bills while you study isn't an all-bad situation.

    The NINJA materials as a stand-alone product came out after my studying was done, so I can't say for sure if they can stand on their own or not, but most opinions I've seen have indicated that they could. When I was studying, only some supplementary tools were available, so the “NINJA supplements” in my signature wasn't using the full materials as supplements, but using the supplements as supplements. 🙂

    #657089
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I wouldn't try to study for two parts at once, but with studying full time you should easily be able to knock out 2 exams in the next testing window. I would recommend starting with FAR and aiming to take it end of April/beginning of May. Then maybe take BEC or AUD end of May.

    #657090
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Thanks for all the good advice. I think the safe thing to do is commit to FAR at the beginning of May. Study is going to have to be not quite full time in order to continue the job search. I'll be optimistic that I have a job in May, so the remaining 3 parts are going to be part time study.

    #657091
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I study full-time and I started studying AUD on 1/5 and took it on 1/31. Started studying for BEC right after and took it on 2/28. I think taking 2 per window is a good idea. However, I wouldn't study for 2 sections at one time it can get confusing and overwhelming. I also studied for FAR full time last summer I don't remember exactly how many weeks I think it was about 6 weeks. Studying for REG right now and I plan on taking it May 4th and enjoying my summer. You can do it!

    #657092
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Take tests on the last day of the window.. If you fail retake 3 weeks later.

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