[Mrs 300]

Alright folks, I’m back in the game. Kricket gave me my smackdown, I felt sorry for myself, I screwed around all day, I checked my score 600 times thinking it would change. That’s over. Mrs 300 is ready for FAR. I went over my NINJA notes for an hour, got my handwritten notes together, organized my flashcards and set up my study station again.

I’m bummed that my fire last night didn’t consist of burning these materials, but so be it. I’m ready to move on.

Here’s my question. How does one get “medieval?” And I’m not joking. There are people on this forum who go from a 70 to a 90. Or a 65 to an 85. I don’t want to squeak by with a 75. I want a score in the high 80s. I’m ready to work. I have the time. I have probably 20-30 hours per week to study and I’ll have about 50 the week before the exam. I’m looking at 7/13 to sit again. If the damn ILBOA would give me my NTS coupon I could be moving forward! 😉

So what do I need to do to get into this range? You can see from my scores that I have always been close. I don’t want this. I want to leave nothing to chance. I have the time and the patience and the determination.

Help a lady out!

REG - 80 (Becker only)
BEC - 76 (Becker only)
AUD - 71, 76 (Becker only)
FAR - 65, 74, 81! (Becker, Wiley Test Bank, Ninja notes & Audio)

CPA Class of 2012 🙂

[Givemesleep]

Stop the drama, just study take it from me

Reg 11/15/2011 - 80
Aud 02/28/2012 - 81
Bec 05/31/2012 - 78
Far 08/31/2012 - 83 Do you believe in Miracles, YES !!!

CPA License received 10/2012 !!
CFE License received 04/2013 !!
EA License received

Givemesleep

[Sandra]

Well she said she's done with the “drama”, not that I would call a day of self-pity drama. But then again I have a 15 year old staying here for a few days. You haven't seen drama until you've seen a 15 year old girl who forgot her makeup at home combined with a “cute boy” by the mailbox. She is currently refusing to leave the bedroom because “OMG. No one should see her like this!!!!”

Anyway- I always feel a little dumb posting on these since I haven't passed or failed any section. That being said I'm well on my way with FAR now and am determined to crush these tests so I can get my life back.

The other day I posted that I was worried about not knowing everything in the Wiley book since much wasn't covered in the Roger Review text. I thought about it some more, and I've decided to read over the Wiley book- downloaded it on my kindle even though I have the physical book, but that way I'll actually read it at night. I figure I can make it through the book twice by the end of the month. Hopefully it will net me an extra point or so- either way, better over prepared than under prepared.

As I'm learning this stuff I'm making sure that I understand it well enough that I could TEACH it. And at times, like a crazy person, I lecture my dog on things. He thinks I'm nuts, but he knows more about operating vs. capital leases than any other GSD in town.

[Anonymous]

@Sandra – I have a 14 year old son at home and I cannot imagine having a 15 year old girl in the house. My hat is off to you!!!

@Mrs.300 – Sandra gave some great advice, read the book over and over if you learn by reading. If you have to hear it then get the Ninja Audio. The FAR section is less than 4 hours and I've listened to it 3 times today while cleaning my house. I learn by hearing things over and over again so I don't know if that will help you or not. For the past 2 hours I've worked MCQ's on nothing but Gov. If I get a question right and know why I got it right then I move on. If I guessed or if I got it wrong, I write the rule and the answer. Then I start at the beginning and work them again. If I get it wrong or guess, I write. Looking at my score report, I was weak in Gov so I started there first. Jeff says in the audio that you cannot go into FAR without knowing Gov/NFP. I also agree with Sandra about talking to the dog. If you can explain something to someone else then you know it. My dog is outside and husband and son are sick of hearing this stuff so I have a pillow that I “teach”. It might sound crazy but it works.

[Mrs 300]

Thank you, ladies! I LOVE the thought of teaching! I usually find myself talking out loud. Putting my study materials to the side and saying, “OK” and talking to myself. But I have a dog and I have pillows! This can work! By the way Kricket, I can't stop picturing you teaching a pillow.

I still have my Becker materials so I'm going to stick with those. In all honesty, the two FAR tests I have taken, I have felt completely prepared. I know that sounds strange b/c I didn't pass, but there was not 1 “unfair” question. It's weird because I feel like FAR is the most straightforward test of all when it comes to being tested on material that's in the software packages. Again, it makes no sense b/c I didn't pass, but I feel like my review materials are solid.

The exciting part is, I feel like the material is coming back to me! Geez, I've only been back at it for a few hours, but I actually still know about 60% of my flashcards and the others, I'm just a bit rusty! That's the beauty of retaking tests so close together! Now I just need to work on fine-tuning.

REG - 80 (Becker only)
BEC - 76 (Becker only)
AUD - 71, 76 (Becker only)
FAR - 65, 74, 81! (Becker, Wiley Test Bank, Ninja notes & Audio)

CPA Class of 2012 🙂

[.Drex]

I've said this in other posts, but go to Wal-Mart and buy a $20 whiteboard. Try teaching FAR with it to a classroom full of pillows. Don't be surprised if they ask you a few questions now and then to explain topics further lol some pillows need more attention 🙁

AUD - Passed
FAR - Passed
REG - Aug 20th
BEC - TBD

[Anonymous]

I used Becker for FAR and I really think it does a good job with it. You are so close, and even though some people disagree, these tests has lot to do with luck. Obviously I knew GOV/NFP, but I felt my knowledge was very basic…and luckily that was enough for the exam. I had an hour drive to the testing center, and I mainly used my Ninja audio for that. I kept repeating GOV/NFP section and it was so helpful. I could literally finish Jeff's sentences by the time I reach to the testing center.

My advise is to read Becker chapters twice and work all the MCQs/SIMs in the passmaster. I read all the chapters twice (minus NFP and bit of GOV) and that really helped since most of my test was conceptual.

Good Luck, you can do it!

[mgoloubenko]

Getting a 74 may indicate weakness in the SIMs, not the MCQs which is why you may actually feel very comfortable with the material. I'm not sure if this is correct but if your score report does indicate that, the best thing you can do is bulk up your JE knowledge to pull it out during the SIMs.

FAR 4/9/12- PASSED
BEC 7/13/12- PASSED
AUD 8/16/12- Ughhh 71, Rematch: 90!!!
REG-12/6/12 PASSED

USC MAcc- Fight on!

They say good things come to those who wait, but only those things that are left by those who hustle.

[jomarie]

I agree with Kricket. I listened to NINJA audio for FAR so many times I was talking along with Jeff by the time I was about to sit for the exam. I'm planning on doing the same thing for BEC.

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!!

[ledgermaven]

I am learning from all of you 🙂 Retaking FAR and just got into prep mode where my notes are close, the Wiley book propped in front of me and the monitor, and favorite gell pen at hand.

I'm making a master note list with my previous Yeager notes and some other study materials, integrating the little fact nuggets I got from doing mcqs, and wiley text. Also at same time using the Ninja notes and adding a few items for the fast track memory list. So the big bad list and the quick memory aid. Will try to do more integrated mcq testlets this time instead of single subject, and every sim I can get my hand on.

Question: I bought Jeff's audio FAR but am so far unable to download it into Itunes to sync with the ipod. It is sitting in a document file and I have tried copying it into itunes but no luck. What am I doing wrong?

Thanks and best to all you great folks…

[Sandra]

@ledgermaven- what format is the file in? itunes can be a little fincky. How are you uploading it/importint it to iTunes?

You might want to just try and re-download the file and go from there. Maybe there was some minor glitch in the download.

[MsVentoux]

@ledgermaven With the audio I couldn't copy it from the document file and paste it into iTunes. I believe we have to click or double-click on the tracks as though we were trying to open them, and that transfers it to iTunes.

[Anonymous]

My problem is finding the motivation….I'm tired.

[Mrs 300]

@mgoloubenko I'm actually very curious to see my score report b/c if it says that I was comparable on MCQ and weaker on SIMS, I'll be very surprised. I'm going to be the first person in the history of mankind who got comparable on SIMS and weaker on MCQ. But you're right and that's usually what I see! Good luck w/ BEC!

I admit that I panicked when I got to the 2nd testlet of questions and they were difficult, lengthy, and wordy. Instead of RTFQ, I sat there with my thumb up my a$$ and blanked out. I just started guessing (I know – stupid!) and felt under the gun that I had to get to the 3rd testlet to have enough time for the SIMS! I freaked out. Then the 3rd testlet went well. And I felt comfortable on SIMS. I bet that stupid 2nd testlet did me in, but I know I have no one to blame but myself!

@CPApending, is there any way that you can take a break or are you hell bent on moving forward? When does your first part expire?

REG - 80 (Becker only)
BEC - 76 (Becker only)
AUD - 71, 76 (Becker only)
FAR - 65, 74, 81! (Becker, Wiley Test Bank, Ninja notes & Audio)

CPA Class of 2012 🙂

[ledgermaven]

learned something new today. when doing cash to accrual I had memorized the formulas but was stuck on some of the problems until I realized they were different – going from accrual to cash, so if I reversed the formula it worked great!

[jeff]

1. Pliers

2. Blow torch

3. Pipe-hittin' A/P Clerks

AUD - 79
BEC - 80
FAR - 76
REG - 92

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS)
NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE | Another71

[Author]

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