[Keely]

I need some advice. I started studying for FAR a couple weeks ago, got to F2 and then just stopped. I got sick and then, I don’t know, I just completely stopped caring. F2 was insanely overwhelming and I got flustered and quit.

My strategy for the past three exams has been to study one lecture per week. I don’t feel rushed this way and it gives me a chance to take at least a day or two per week to review past chapters. I’ve passed all three on the first attempt, BEC and AUD were a breeze, but I felt REG took a lot of my time and when I took the exam I thought it completely kicked my ass, especially when it came to SIMs. I felt very underprepared.

I have my FAR exam scheduled for November 30th. I could either start tomorrow and try to cram and essentially get a ‘freebie’ attempt at the exam, but if I failed, I know I would want to start studying from scratch and do it my old way of one lecture per week, which puts me taking the test at the end of February at the absolute earliest. More than likely I’d have to wait until April because of the Christmas holidays, etc. OR I could start tomorrow doing the one lecture per week and feel much less rushed but lose my free attempt at the exam for this quarter, and take the exam at the beginning of January.

Does anyone have an opinion as to which plan sounds better? I don’t exactly work well under pressure, but I’m hoping to hear from people who were daunted by FAR in the beginning but once they started studying, it became less so. Hopefully…ha. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

BEC: (4/2012) 88
AUD: (5/2012) 91
REG: (8/2012) 82
FAR: (1/2013) 78 🙂

VA CPA #42010

[mmcgrad1]

I think you have enough time to study everything without feeling rushed for Nov 30 if you use the weekends to study 6-8 hours a day in addition to 3 hours for 4 days during the weekdays.

You have a month and a half to study that is plenty of time.

NIU CPA Review Correspondence is awesome!

I passed all four sections on the first attempt

[Anonymous]

I am in the same situation… except my test is on the 29th and I haven't started studying at all.. and I am out of town for a week in Vegas and California. Plan is to get 120 hours somehow.

[jomarie]

Stop looking for excuses and just do it. Bring your books, laptop, flashcards, etc everywhere you go!!!! End of November is plenty of time. Good luck and go get it!!!

Started sitting in May 2002, on and off. But since 2008 I've been nonstop and my scores are....
AUD - 39, 48, 56, 65, 68, 73, 76!!! (Finally passed in Oct 2011!!!) Becker, NINJA, & Wiley
REG - 75 (Lost Credit) 72, 68, 73, 75 (Passed again in Aug 2011) Becker, NINJA, & Wiley
FAR - 65, 68, 75 (Lost Credit) 68, 73, 73, 80 (Passed again in May 2012) Roger, NINJA, & Wiley
BEC - 65, 68, 71, 72, 72, 71, 76 (Lost Credit)- 70, 76!!!! I AM DONE!!! - Roger, NINJA, & Wiley
After 10 long years of studying, I AM DONE!!!! Finally a Licensed CPA in the State of New York!!

[momto5]

@Keely – I am like you, don't like to rush through it, take one chapter a week, etc. FAR was my first exam and I followed that schedule, then took a couple weeks to review before taking the exam; hence, about 12 weeks. I still didn't feel as prepared as I would have liked, but evidently it was good enough. I think it depends on whether you think you can double up somewhere along the way, maybe not feel as solid as you would like, but take the test and hope for a passing grade and be done…………or whether you'd rather be as solid as possible and aren't in a big rush. If it were me, I would probably work through the holidays and take it the beginning of January. FAR is a lot of material, and I hate feeling unprepared. But everyone's personality is different, so you have to go with what you feel comfortable with. If you take a freebie shot at the test and make it, it's wonderful! If not, you end up studying 6-7 weeks now and another 10-12 weeks after – too long to spend with FAR if you don't have to. Good luck with your decision!

FAR - 92 (4/27/12)
AUD - 96 (7/17/12)
BEC - 92 (8/30/12)
REG - 91 (11/12/12)

[mla1169]

You are one test away from putting this monster behind you. Obviously based on your scores, you know exactly what you are doing. You've got 7 weeks give or take, which is PLENTY of time to study for FAR (I did 6 weeks, barely passed but honestly studying didn't get the attention from me that it should have). Give it your ALL so you can call yourself a CPA early next year!

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[samdiegoCPA]

I started studying a week ago. I am planning to take FAR on Nov 9 (haven't scheduled yet, but everyday is still open here in San Diego to schedule). So… 4 weeks from today. I have 1&2 completed already except MC which I will do this weekend. Plan is to do 2 sections each week (I am doing Roger, he has 8), then the last week is “open” so I'll be studying everything front to back and back to front.

I don't work/have kids/etc, though, and have 24/7 whenever to study. I DEFINITELY think you should try… there's a ton of time!

AUD: 84
REG: 84
BEC: 79
FAR: 83

[LSNYC]

You mentioned freebie attempt, is you NTS going to expire? If so take it! You have nothing to lose, you can even try for 1 chapter every 5 days and get in most if not all of the material by Nov. 30

If your NTS isn't going to expire and you will be more confident you can postpone and take it in January, I know I hate going in feeling under prepared, it stresses me out more but that's just me.

A - 61, 91!!
B - 78!
F - 76!!!
R - 71, 73, 74, 69, 77!!!!

Finally done!

This is my 2nd attempt at the exam, I had two parts passed (failed many) and I stupidly quit, big mistake. Now I'm back and with a vengeance!

[Sandra]

I think you should take it. I did put in more time for FAR than the other tests- a full month, probably 80 hours total. Part of the benefit of going through it quickly is that you don't forget stuff you've already learned once. Based on your other scores you have these tests down. I would take it and get it done.

[Rukus]

Just go for it! Knock it out and enjoy the holidays as a CPA! Yes it is lots of info, and you will feel overwhelmed the majority of the time you are studying for FAR, but keep going. My experience was… holy crap this is a ton of stuff… to there is no way I'm passing this freaking albatross of a test… then with a 1-2 weeks to go it started clicking and the jumbled pieces came together just enough for me to never have to study that crap again (barring a disaster of course).

FAR - 81 (8/31/12)
AUD - 93 (10/19/12)
BEC - 79 (11/27/12)
REG - 92 (2/8/13) DONE! All 1st attempt!

[Anonymous]

I agree with everyone above, you have PLENTY of time between now and Nov 30. Put in the extra effort to get comfortable with the material by then and kill it/ enjoy the fuck out of your winter holidays.

I just got done going through REG my first time and I can assure you that I will trade your REG grade for my FAR grade any day and restudy FAR. It's honestly not that bad of a fight once you break it down and take it chapter by chapter. I'm taking it on Nov 2 no matter what because in my mind I will pass this SOB on Nov 2nd. Just stay mentally strong and grind it out, no time to falter, not at the finish line.

Good luck on your decision regardless!

[Shay]

@Keely…HIYA..I am going to be studying starting monday, (maybe not) I took AUD this friday and doubt it if I passed…I am hoping to take FAR 11/30. I think we have enough good time to focus and pass. It will be alot better to get this this over this year, and be done it. If I dont pass AUD, I will move my FAR to jan. Only reason I am pushing myself, is that I just want to be DONE his year…

but based on your previous score, I personally think you will be just fine. You got job now right?

[Path To CPA]

@ Keely and everyone who commented in this thread,

Thank you all.

After reading all comments, I cannot really explain what have happened to me but it was almost like a revelation (for those who are believers) or a wakeup call. It just occurred to me that FAR is my last exam and that passing it means that I won't have to study ever again for a CPA exam. I knew I passed 3 parts but I never really felt it like I did today. Something just clicked in my brain “This is it”. I procrastinated a lot lately and found comfort in blaming my lack of time in my long work hours with a Big4 firm and my family (married with 1 child).

This is exactly what I needed to read to start studying like I never did before. Starting from this Monday, I will go straight to my school library after 10 hours spent at work and study for at least 3 hours before going home. I will instead at least 20 hours on weekends. I will not find any excuse any longer and I will not compromise about my study time. I'm taking the exam on 11/30 and this is the last pain before the cure. I don't want to have to worry about CPA this holiday season (Christmas is my favorite holiday and I start getting in the mood and spirit of Christmas around mid-November). I want this Christmas to be the best ever and to finally enjoy quality time with my family without having to study. I have never been that motivated before. Sleep is overrated and I will do without it just to pass FAR.

Dear FAR, ready or not, here I come and you can't hide – You're going down. Thanks for the motivation everyone. I invite you to check my FAR grade in December, I will pass it because it's a do or die (Not real death but you know what I mean – Who will really die for this crap lol).

Good luck to anyone taking any exam soon.

REG: 68, 75
AUD: 80
BEC: 77
FAR: 24, 67, 69, 72, 80 Thank you Lord!!!!

Finally Done! Perseverance is the key to success

NYS Licensed CPA - 2013

[Anonymous]

THE greatest Christmas present you will have is passing the CPA Exam. Just close your eyes and imagine the FOOD, family, friends and not having the exam over your shoulder.

That feel…OMG

[Path To CPA]

@CashMoney10,

I'll do all it takes to make it happened. Oh I cannot wait! I see that this Christamas will also be your 1st one post CPA exam. It will be unforgettable, enjoyable and most importantly worries-free.

Enjoy it!

REG: 68, 75
AUD: 80
BEC: 77
FAR: 24, 67, 69, 72, 80 Thank you Lord!!!!

Finally Done! Perseverance is the key to success

NYS Licensed CPA - 2013

[Anonymous]

I also plan to take FAR-my first exam at the end of Nov. I started in August but on and off so until now I haven't studied all 10 parts yet. I feel so angry with myself everyday because of not following my plan. I usually waking up at the mid night because of the fear that the exam is coming but I'm not ready yet. Can I pass it? I'm so desperate….

[Author]

Replies