gabe1475
offlineMember
I see lots of questions on how much time you should put in before you are ready for a part of an exam (including myself). I thought it would be a good idea to create a thread on past performance/study time/ materials used to give users an indication of what they can expect as far as time commitment to pass. I will add to this thread myself if I ever get my FAR score.
Florida_Candidate
offlineMember
I didn't keep track of my hours sorry :( I just know for FAR I spent a ton of time (but I don't think enough) and I doubt I passed (still waiting) and for AUD I spent about the same amount of time as FAR but since it's AUD I actually think that this was adequate and I'm hoping I will pass. I'll see how I feel tomorrow!
michelle119
offlineMember
I think I did close to 100-120 hrs for BEC, I don't keep exact track of my hours but I study close to 40 hrs a week and it took me about 4 weeks to get through it. I'll update with my FAR once/if I ever get my score....
Trevor
offlineMember
Approximates:
BEC (1) - 60 hrs (4 weeks) - 73
BEC (2) - 35 hrs (2 weeks) - 81
AUD (1) - 60 hrs (3.5 weeks) - 75
FAR (studying now) will get 90 hrs (5 weeks) - TBD
Using only Yaeger lectures w/ Wiley MCQ software and book.
whitesoxfancpa
offlineMember
potatogun,
The way the Sox are playing lately, I think I'd rather study more than watch them. They are really irritating me right now.
If I get a barely passing score on REG, I'll send the White Sox a thank you card for playing like crap and making me rather study.
Idrathergolf
offlineMember
My signature speaks for itself. I am using Becker self-study.
I have passed 3 of 3 on the first try.
One thing I am worried about is the fact that I have just started the FAR 4 lecture in Becker and I sit for the exam next Tuesday. I am at the 20 hour mark of studying. I am hoping there is some way that I can eek by. Id rather not have to take FAR twice.
I am just hoping to be able to get through all of the lectures and multiple choice questions (excluding supplemental) one time before I sit.
I felt like I over-studied for my first three sections and I let off the gas. Once I let off the gas it was hard to pick it back up.
Vince
offlineMember
Becker Live course
Hrs do not represent driving to, sitting in class, and driving home. Nor are they counted for in breaks, lunch, phone, etc. True hrs of sitting and learning.
FAR 397.75
REG 235.25
BEC 210.50
AUD 266.25
Florida_Candidate
offlineMember
wow Vince I think I would have died with that much studying! I have no idea about the hours :( I think knowing the # would make me depressed to know how many hours of my life I can never get back....
Vince
offlineMember
Or the amount of hrs it took to do it right the first time and pass that first time... I look back at them and see "oh I only took 1 day of break for FAR, 3 days of break in REG, 1 day for BEC, 5 days for AUD were I did not study at all for those days" and also just reflect on the hard work that I have put my mind to do accomplish something I strive for. I have that mind set that its better to over do something and get it right than to skim by and HOPE to get it done with the minimalist effort possible. but YMMV
Bobbins
offlineMember
I probably studied 40-60 hours for each section, maybe a little more for Audit and FAR. I had some serious weekend reviewing (and cramming) before each exam. And I passed each on my first try. However I am usually a very good test taker and never had to study a ton throughout school in order to get the grade I wanted.
If you feel you need the 100-200 hours per section, more power to you. You probably will retain the material better in the long run than I did. I just want people who are starting their CPA journey to realize there is such a thing as over studying. Figure out what is working for you and make your own study plan. You don't have to study the same way as everybody else. Prioritize...when time (or mental sanity) is scarce doing MC questions are probably going to be more beneficial than note cards, scanning the book is probably more useful than watching the whole lecture again, etc. And make sure you can be as close to 100% focused as possible when you study. And relax on test day! Good luck everybody!
fufusufan
offlineMember
I have found it difficult to base my study time on the history of others. I work full time and have a fear of "over-studying" so I tend to keep my study hours low. That being said, I tend to do well on standardized tests so my hours might be lower than most.
AUD - 50 hours (99)
FAR - 40 hours (90)
Starting BEC soon and aiming for 40 or 50 hours.
Good luck!
fufusufan
offlineMember
I was a Financial Analyst at a corporation during those 2 tests (working hours ranging from 40-55 hours per week). Started in Internal Audit at the same company recently (one month in this role so far, and they want me to have my CPA by April so now I have extra motivation!). As long as I watch the Becker videos, I am good to go. I didn't get to the last Becker video for FAR, but maybe I made some good guesses on that topic (my NTS was expiring that week so I didn't have a chance to complete the videos or do any MC questions). I am pretty good at test-taking (ACT, GMAT, etc.), so as long as I am exposed to the material once I am set.
It sounds like it takes most people more hours, but reading through these boards I can see huge variations from person to person. I think people will get a sense for how much time they need based on the first test they take, how many hours they prepped for it, and the score they received.
I'm hoping to finish in Jan or Feb and can't wait to be done! :)
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