[Stgeorge]

So I’ve been posting in this forum for a while now and on the 27th I will be taking my first Exam FAR. I am really nervous now because it took me 3 months to go through the Wiley Book, and I have been reviewing for 8 days now. I put in about 8-10 hours a day during this review time and I worked backwards from the last chapter. I am still not done with my review currently on Monetary Current Assets/Liabilities. I still have Fixed Assets, Inventory to Review, Basic Financial Concepts to review and since it has been about 2-3 months since I’ve seen this stuff it takes me a long time to review.

After each review of chapters I work MCQ anywhere from 40-60 on each chapter right after I review it. My average WTB score is practice is a 68%. With only 3 more days I am really scared.. I used 11 vacation days for this exam and would be devastated if I did not pass. On top of that I need to go over SIMs.. I dont even know if I have time for a practice exam since I also have the Ninja MCQ.

On the last day I will def be going over all the notes ive taken throughout my review I also put down some MCQ in my notes that I got wrong, but going over all that will take a whole day for sure. I guess I am having a break down and I am sure so many people go through this so for most of the people on this forum this is nothing new… This is by FAR the most challenging experience I have endured. All I do is wake up and study as much as I can before I sleep… Well back to studying sorry for venting but this is the only place where people understand my feelings of being scared and under prepared.

FAR 81
AUD 65, 84 (Used Ninja MCQ which I say contributed to my huge increase in score I love you Jeff)
REG 87 (CPA excel Wiley Self Study Book, Ninja 10 point combo)
BEC 86! I Must Pass or I lose my FAR Credit, Pray for me(Becker, Wiley, WTB, Ninja MCQ, Ninja Notes)

DONE!!!!!!

Using : Wiley CPA Exam Review Textbook, Wiley TB, Ninja Notes, Ninja MCQ

[kpb]

Stgeorge, i feel you completely hun!!! I am in the SAME predicament, scared, nervous, anxious. You are not alone! I would also feel devastated NOT to pass this exam because i start working in Big4 full time in about a month and would REALLY like to get this one out of the way…. all we can do is keep reviewing, keep doing questions, and pray/hope for the best. I did my final exam 1 yesterday and scored an avg (1st three testlets) of 56 which is a confidence killer but I need to realize the exam questions will be different than Becker's questions. Some may be easier, some may be the same, some may be harder. We just have to keep moving until exam day….but trust me, i feel your pain, this is definitely a crazy experience for me also. 3 months of studying 6-9 hours, 6 days a week. I am exhausted also but ive taken several breaks here and there to make sure i'm not burnt out by the exam day. I wish you good luck man… I take mines Monday.

BEC - 81 4/08/14
FAR - 80 8/25/14 Thank you Jesus!
REG - 69 (Nov 14),80 1/08/15 Thank God!
AUD - 70 (May 14), xx 5/1/15

Becker Online & Becker Flashcards
I definitely wish I was one of those people who got all 4 exams done in 4 months, but unfortunately LIFE (being a newlywed, stress, adjusting to newlywed life and cpa exam study life, as well as starting a job with a Big4 which I am very happy about) got in the way, just happy that I am passing period!!

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!

[Anonymous]

I fully understand what you are going through and unfortunately I have failed FAR more than a few times to say the least. You should attempt the practice exam at least one time to get a good feel for it. I never studied for Sims and paid the price. This is the first time I will study for them and you should attempt a couple on the WTB along with the Ninja MCQs. You are kind of rushing it during the review but keep at it and good luck!

[Stgeorge]

@CPAHOPEFUL11 Yeah I feel very rushed, but hopefully all the time I've put in will pay dividends on exam day. I wish I had more time but I already took days off work so no choice at this point. I am just really nervous and I wanna take a practice exam to see where I am at but I have to finish my review first…

FAR 81
AUD 65, 84 (Used Ninja MCQ which I say contributed to my huge increase in score I love you Jeff)
REG 87 (CPA excel Wiley Self Study Book, Ninja 10 point combo)
BEC 86! I Must Pass or I lose my FAR Credit, Pray for me(Becker, Wiley, WTB, Ninja MCQ, Ninja Notes)

DONE!!!!!!

Using : Wiley CPA Exam Review Textbook, Wiley TB, Ninja Notes, Ninja MCQ

[japanda]

@Stgeorge FAR was my first section as well (took it almost a month ago.) While I was studying, taking the test, and even after it was over, I thought for sure I would be retaking that section.

I studied straight through the book (Roger) doing the practice questions at the end of each chapter and would move on. Once I finished the last chapter (only FIVE days before my exam) I went back and did a comprehensive review. This is when I started to panic because of my practice scores being in the 50s-60s (even the morning of my exam). I didn't do 2,000 MC questions or sims, I studied until I stopped retaining the information /memorizing the answers.

My biggest piece of advice during the exam is watch your timing! I was proud of myself for moving on if I could not figure a MC question out, just guess and keep going because you do not want to run out of time for questions you do know. (P.S. be familiar with governmental accounting!)

Anyways, all this to say that I got my score last week and passed with an 84!

[Anonymous]

General question — about how many hours did you put into studying for FAR? I am taking mine 10/15 and plan on about 20 hours a week. I work a very demanding full time job and was wondering if about 140-160 hours is enough?

[Stgeorge]

@japanda thanks for making me feel a little better and I am very happy for you. I think i spent the most time on Govt. Accounting and will def be going over it more for my last day of review. Also thanks for the advice I will def try to not get stuck on a question for too long. Also what is your backround? studying for a masters in accounting? That usually would help you pass.

@2014CPAhopeful I think it all depends on the person, I am pretty sure I put in more than 150 total hours but I think no matter what you will never feel 100 percent prepared. Just make sure you stay consistent and determined.

FAR 81
AUD 65, 84 (Used Ninja MCQ which I say contributed to my huge increase in score I love you Jeff)
REG 87 (CPA excel Wiley Self Study Book, Ninja 10 point combo)
BEC 86! I Must Pass or I lose my FAR Credit, Pray for me(Becker, Wiley, WTB, Ninja MCQ, Ninja Notes)

DONE!!!!!!

Using : Wiley CPA Exam Review Textbook, Wiley TB, Ninja Notes, Ninja MCQ

[kpb]

2014CPAHopeful, to be honest, i've put in over 500 hours. Crazy I know. I've gone through the book 2-3 times but like stgeorge said, I still don't feel ready. I've read on another post that you will be post poning until 2025 and still wont feel ready. Anyways, a lot of other people do this exam in 100-200 hours for sure. I know you can do it too! I definitely wouldn't reccommend this many hours as i've done but i just couldn't seem to remember EVERYTHING. One piece of advice I will say is to ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS do a progress test after each chapter to keep the material fresh in your head. That was my mistake, i didnt do that. after i did 1,2 3 and i got to chapter6, i'd forgotten all about 1-4 probably. keep it fresh in your head by always going back to do questions

BEC - 81 4/08/14
FAR - 80 8/25/14 Thank you Jesus!
REG - 69 (Nov 14),80 1/08/15 Thank God!
AUD - 70 (May 14), xx 5/1/15

Becker Online & Becker Flashcards
I definitely wish I was one of those people who got all 4 exams done in 4 months, but unfortunately LIFE (being a newlywed, stress, adjusting to newlywed life and cpa exam study life, as well as starting a job with a Big4 which I am very happy about) got in the way, just happy that I am passing period!!

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!

[japanda]

@2014CPAHopeful If I had to guess, I'd say I put around 120 QUALITY hours into it. I wouldn't get stuck on the number of hours you study, just the amount of information you are comprehending.

@Stgeorge I actually just finished undergrad in May. I start my MAcc program next week, though. Trying to crank through all four sections before working full-time next year. The key is to say “no” to friends, live in your house/library, and be sad. Makes for a depressing, awful summer, but will be worth it when it's done!

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone. The amount of information is this section is a little daunting. I think I can get in 120-150 hours before exam day. I can't postpone my test because my NTS expires 10/15 and I have a pesky little problem of audit rolling off in November. I passed Audit in 2013 and then thought I wasn't going to finish the exam and then decided I need to finish it for my own peace of mind.

japanda — where are you doing your MAcc program?

[Anonymous]

I spent 180 hours total, including going to Becker live classes. I put everything I had into studying, and was only scoring in the 70's for progress tests (you know, the ones where you get the same questions over and over again) and bombed the practice tests. The actual test itself was brutal, and I was certain that I failed. FAR really messed me over. Until grades came out. Sweetest 76 ever. So I think you're in good shape to whip FAR. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Whoa Caroline, you passed all four tests in little over three months congrats! I'm hoping to do the same after failing for so long. Hopefully my new approach works but I am bummed about losing credit for my BEC exam. Oh well, but that is impressive for you to get over 180 hours of studying done in a months span.

[MAcc14]

I've been reading the forum for a while now but this is my first official post.

@Stgeorge I will be sitting for FAR (my first exam as well) on 8/26. I am feeling the same…nervous, scared, anxious!! As much as I am trying to review every single topic, I am finding it's taking longer than I expected! Trying to get through as much as I can and hit the major topics in depth these last few days. Good luck to you on Wednesday!

FAR: 77
REG: 8/31/15
AUD: 10/17/15
BEC: 11/23/15

[Stgeorge]

@car3line thank you for your kind words, I dont know if I will get as lucky as you… lol I would be so happy with a 76.

@MAcc14 Hey welcome to the forum I am sure you are just like me and been hovering around the forum for a while now. This place is really great and a lot of good vibes all around it really helps me get through this. Just wondering how have you been preparing. I am currently need to review Fixed assets chapter, Inventory chapter, and basic concepts chapter. I use Wiley test bank and i do random 10 questions of everything i reviewed maybe one every 2 hours or so.. I noticed I have forgotten something is was reviewing when I started my review last saturday. I def need to go back and just keep practicing. I am gonna review fixed assets which will probably take me another 3-4 hours. Tomorrow I plan on cranking out inventory and basic concepts. I will be continually just doing MCQ and maybe start doing another comprehensive review where I do 10 MCQ from each section just to get a feel again for every question. I do not feel confident at all… I continually score between 60-75 on all these 10 question randoms I do from time to time. Anyways I have to get back to studying.

I love you all!

FAR 81
AUD 65, 84 (Used Ninja MCQ which I say contributed to my huge increase in score I love you Jeff)
REG 87 (CPA excel Wiley Self Study Book, Ninja 10 point combo)
BEC 86! I Must Pass or I lose my FAR Credit, Pray for me(Becker, Wiley, WTB, Ninja MCQ, Ninja Notes)

DONE!!!!!!

Using : Wiley CPA Exam Review Textbook, Wiley TB, Ninja Notes, Ninja MCQ

[kpb]

🙂 that's so cute “i love you all”

BEC - 81 4/08/14
FAR - 80 8/25/14 Thank you Jesus!
REG - 69 (Nov 14),80 1/08/15 Thank God!
AUD - 70 (May 14), xx 5/1/15

Becker Online & Becker Flashcards
I definitely wish I was one of those people who got all 4 exams done in 4 months, but unfortunately LIFE (being a newlywed, stress, adjusting to newlywed life and cpa exam study life, as well as starting a job with a Big4 which I am very happy about) got in the way, just happy that I am passing period!!

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!

[Anonymous]

I don't think anyone feels confident before taking FAR. Theres way too much material to store in your brain. But, if you put in the hours and understand 60% of the material well then you'll be fine.

I had a very limited time frame too, so I never did any practice simulations. Instead, I spent that time reviewing and solidifying the concepts in my mind. IMO, practicing sims wont help you too much on the test.

Good luck!

[Author]

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