Hi Hank, have you already scheduled for Jan. 5th? In other words, did you have a date set for this window and then decided to swallow the money and not take it? I only ask because you might as well take the exam if you already had it scheduled.
I don't think I am alone in stating that many of us who passed FAR didn't feel prepared going in. There were massive sections of the material I wasn't comfortable on. However, I got extremely lucky and the test gave me questions and sims on the material I was most comfortable with. As such, I passed. However, I also have no way of knowing that if had I been tested on the other material that I would have passed or not.
It's a big test, that's for sure. I went into it with the perception that it had the lowest passing rate when in fact for 2013 the pass rate for FAR was 48.32% and the lowest, AUD, was 45.87%. Someone on this forum earlier stated that FAR was actually their easiest and they feel that they way it's talked about just feeds this perception that it's harder than it is. Now, I will say studying for FAR is the worst thing on the planet and I had a bonafide emotional breakdown when I left Prometric feeling that I at best got a 60. When I saw my 81 I was in absolute shock, the score proving that feeling prepared for FAR just isn't a common feeling.
All that being said, if you're going to wait until Jan. 5th you are going to have to keep the material consistently fresh in your head through the holidays. Don't ever go too long without revisiting any one area. I am using Becker (and I am not sure of the progress you have already made) but I would do the MCQ's and SIMs only and then revisit the videos when you need further explanation. Also, I highly, highly, highly recommend the Final Review. There are shorter videos and it focuses in on the main points. Doing that the handful of days leading up to the test would be a good technique.
You've got this. Remember that you have conquered a million tests before and that although this one may be the most difficult, it's not unbeatable.
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