[testsz]

Hey guys,

I know I can get more help going to the official website for the AICPA that administers the test and the DCA that looks over your transcripts to evaluate if you can sit for the exam, but I am in a HUGE dilemma and need help (kind of in panic mode and was hoping someone here could help me out).

I went to my academic adviser (at university) to have my transcript looked over in order to determine if I was eligible to sit for the exam and he said I was. Stupidly, I took his advice to heart (without DOUBLE CHECKING) and ordered in CPA review material from Yaeger. The material just came in today and I also went to see a professor regarding a letter of recommendation and brought in my transcript and told him how I am going to study for the CPA exam while I am looking for a job. He said I still need to take one more course (4 units) to sit for the exam (FML). I called the DCA and they told me that I cannot sit for the exam unless I have all of the units fulfilled…and I told them that I am taking an Accounting course in the fall and will be done with it in January, and they said until they receive the transcripts they cannot process it (takes 6-8 weeks).

I ordered the full package from Yaeger, which includes all four sections. I only received FAR because Yaeger told me that January-February tests 2012 material and the rest will be on 2013. Thus, they will send me rest of the material when I start studying for those parts. The thing is, what if I don’t qualify in time to take FAR in the first testing window? Will I have to restudy the latest updated material? Has anyone been in my position?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thank you.

[momto5]

What state are you in? I don't know if every state is different, but in WI I could apply to sit for the exam while taking my last 3 credits as long as my transcript showed I was enrolled. The class had to be completed prior to actually sitting for the first exam and the final transcript had to be turned in within 30 or 60 days (can't remember exactly) after sitting for the exam in order for it to count and for me to get my score. I took my final class from January – April of this year (a CPA review course for FAR, which counts as a graduate level credit at my college) and applied in February to sit for the exam. Had everything in place by the end of April so that I could take the exam and get my final transcript in as needed. Guess you have to check your state's rules.

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

[testsz]

I am from California.

Which website should I check that would show my states rules regarding this question?

Any help is appreciated.

[Anonymous]

The website you need is https://www.dca.ca.gov/cba/

Here's some relevant information I found from page 8-9 of the Uniform CPA Exam Handbook (https://www.dca.ca.gov/cba/publications/exambook.pdf):

“If you are applying for the CPA Exam for the first time, you should ensure that all educational requirements have been met prior to submitting an application. Due to the high volume of applications processed, the CBA does not pre-qualify courses. If the CBA has previously qualified you to sit for the examination, you are not required to resubmit official transcripts/foreign academic credentials evaluations.”

“The CBA uses official transcripts/foreign academic credentials evaluations as the sole basis for determining if candidates meet the educational requirements to qualify for the CPA Exam. In unusual circumstances, the CBA may accept such other evidence as it deems appropriate and reasonably conclusive.”

[jaredo155]

I am in a similar situation, I live right on the border of IN & KY and work in KY. Well KY requires 27 accounting hours while IN only requires 24, but I didn't notice that IN specifies that you have to have had an Auditing course. To make a long story short, I bought the 2012 Yaeger full set before I realized I would have to wait until December (when I will finish my auditing course and have 27 hours) to start taking exams. I did some research on it, and none of the exams are changing in 2013 except for AUD which doesn't change until the 3rd testing window. Anyone please feel free to correct me on this if I am mistaken. The way I see it this should make our 2012 Yaeger reveiw materials valid through 2013, and at least the 2nd testing window for AUD. Hope this helps.

AUD - 2/2013 - Passed!
BEC - 5/2013 - Passed!
FAR - 8/2013 - Passed!
REG - 11/2013 - Passed!
"Do or do not, there is no try." - Yoda

[LittleMoe]

I am in AL but taking the exam through GA because I had to take one more class over the summer to be eligible in AL. GA let me sit with fewer hours. Now that I have the class on my transcript, I can transfer credits from GA to AL to finish taking the exams and/or get my license.

I have decided to continue through GA and finish my exams. Then I will transfer my credits when I am done. Seems to be a pretty common practice.

AUD 4/12/12 79
FAR 5/29/12 76
REG 8/2/12 82
BEC 8/30/12 72 Retake 10/18/12 76!!! DONE!!!!
ExamMatrix, Wiley Books, NINJA notes and audio
LICENSED ALABAMA CPA 11/30/12

[testsz]

Hey guys, thanks for the clarification.

I made some calls today and unfortunately you do need to have ALL of the requirements met in order to sit for the exam. Oh well, I guess I will have 4-5 months to study for FAR….Does anyone recommend studying for 2 tests in this window? I feel like its a waste of time to do that much studying on one freaking section…..even though it is best to concentrate on one section at a time.

Any help would be appreciated.

[momto5]

Are you studying full time, or working also? Even with a full time job, I don't think you'd want to spend much over 3 months studying for one section. Once you get through all the information, then spend some time reviewing, you get anxious to get the test over with while the information is still somewhat fresh in your mind. The longer the review time goes, the less effective it becomes because you are tired of looking at it and it starts to jumble all together in your brain.

Many people successfully study for more than one section at a time, but it's not something I would want to do unless it HAD to be done for some reason. Seeing that it looks like the earliest you can take your first exam would be the end of February, I probably would start studying in December (or later, if you are studying full time) and just concentrate on FAR this time around. In the April/May window you could knock out AUD and BEC, then take REG in July or August. Some of your decision will depend on how much time you can devote to studying, how well your brain retains information, what else you have going on in your life, etc.

If you would decide to try to study for 2 at a time, I would probably combine FAR with AUD as there is not much crossover to confuse and very little calculation in AUD (more theory and reporting). Just my 2 cents.

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

[testsz]

Thanks for the response and input momto5.

Unfortunately I do not have a job so yes I am studying full time;however, I am also taking 3 classes via Community college to get enough units for the CPA license. So I still have a lot on my plate lol.

I think ima first start on FAR and see how long it takes me to get it down. If I still have ample amount of time before my first exam I will start on AUD and than review FAR a few weeks before the exam starts.

[testsz]

Thanks for the response and input momto5.

Unfortunately I do not have a job so yes I am studying full time;however, I am also taking 3 classes via Community college to get enough units for the CPA license. So I still have a lot on my plate lol.

I think ima first start on FAR and see how long it takes me to get it down. If I still have ample amount of time before my first exam I will start on AUD and than review FAR a few weeks before the exam starts.

[Author]

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