[CPAlife04]

Has anyone passed the exam by studying 10 hours a week?

I am a Manager, a wife, and a Mom of two (under 3). I only have about 10 hours to study a week. With just two weeks of studying under my belt, I fear that I will not be prepared. Has anyone passed the exam by studying 10 hours a week? I need some motivation.

Audit: 11/28/15 (72) April 2016
Regulation: 2016
Financial: 2016
Business: 2016
NINJA

"The CPA exam is not a test of my ability, it is a test of my will. I have the will!"

[mla1169]

Possibly but i couldnt have. You will need to get creative, from listening to audio while commuting or foldin laundry, more take out than usual, hire a housekeeper a few hours a week and maybe get a few hours a week of help from family and friends (if close by). Even a local teen a few hours on weekends to entertain the munchkins so you can study. My kids were older (but also had activities/sports i had to get them to) and i managed to finish somehow while working full time and taking classes for my masters.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Wanna_B_TXCPA2014]

Dont sweat it. If that's all you have time for, you have to be sure to make it count. Some ppl need can pass studying for 50 total hours some need a 160hrs. Time is not really the question as much as how proficient you can become with the time you have. Quality should be your #1 focus.

[y_u_no_pass]

I've spent about 70-80 total hours per exam. So with only 10 hours a week it should take about 8 weeks to be ready. Hopefully you can squeeze in a few extra hours the week of the exam to review. But I think it is doable. Good Luck!

Florida CPA!
Took final exam 2/25/15.
Sent in Application 3/12/15.
Issued License 3/20/15.
Used CPA Excel solely for all exams.

[Anonymous]

It really just depends on who you are and how you learn. Really try to figure out what that looks like then build a study plan around it. You have a full plate but you should try to find a few more hours; after the kiddos go to bed, during lunch breaks, Ninja audio. I fear that with 10 hours your brain won't start to learn how to store the information into long term memory as opposed to short term. I have a horrendous long term memory so I require a lot of study hours plus a cram the days leading up to the exam where I actually take days off of work…which is what I'm doing right now (2015 floating holidays already gone). Also weigh how long it's been since you were in college.

[Determined CPA]

What study materials are you using? If you're using Becker, it takes 4 hours alone just to get through a lecture. Maybe do the ninja method. Read the ninja book and do those MCQ's.

I bet you can find more than 10 hours somewhere. Sneak them in the morning, listen to ninja audio in your car (that counts as studying!) do questions at lunch during work, stay up at night, even tho you will be EXHAUSTED! I cant tell you how many times I have gotten a cold or something bc of how much I've pushed myself (including the cold I am fighting off now bc I work full time and then come home and study another 4 hours each night).

10 hours isn't a lot, that's usually what I put in on a Saturday. BUT!! Anything is possible!! I wish you luck!!

A - 75
B - 78 God is good.
F - 77 Answered prayers.
R - 84! Done!!

Paperwork sent - waiting for license!!
Still on a cloud and in shock. Through God, all things will happen.

[Anonymous]

BEC and AUD should be not problem. REG, probably, but def more content. You'll probably have to step it up to 15 hrs. per week for FAR, though.

My advice is based on studying for 6 to 10 weeks per section, depending on your studying efficacy.

[State Aggie]

The second time I studied for FAR going about 10 hours a week for about 12 weeks. I took a year off after my first attempt because I wasn't ready to commit. The real problem with 10 hours a week is are you really motivated and can you retain the information. It is doable, but try to find the extra time.

BEC - 87
AUD - 74, 92
REG - 82
FAR - 65, 85

[CPAlife04]

Thanks for the feedback. I am using Becker materials. I am studying Audit and it has taken 2 weeks to get through one section. I plan to step it up to get through at least one section a week. Wish me luck!!!!

Audit: 11/28/15 (72) April 2016
Regulation: 2016
Financial: 2016
Business: 2016
NINJA

"The CPA exam is not a test of my ability, it is a test of my will. I have the will!"

[Anonymous]

You'll be able to figure it out. Some food for thought though:

A goal of 1+ sections a week for AUD using Becker is good. If you're taking two weeks for one section of AUD though you will have a difficult time in following a realistic timeline for passing all four sections in 18 months. With FAR being so large it takes just that much more time. One section every two weeks multiplied by 10 sections and then at least a week of final review is over 5 months. That's 30 percent of the total exam window. Apply the logic to all three sections after you pass AUD (which you will!) and it adds up to a total study time of 51 weeks (or 65% of your total time allotted to pass). I just want to help find you a little more cushion 🙂

Whatever ideas we can give you for creative ways to find more study hours in the week just let us know. There are so many people here that have full time jobs as well as kids and spouses. They have such great insight and really, I bow to all of you who are able to pass this monster while parenting. Totally my hero's. And in all reality if you started a thread on it it could be a lot of fun 🙂

[CPAlife04]

Thanks for the comment brooks303. The encouragement is appreciated. I have narrowed my focus and I am getting on track to tackle one section a week. I also just read Jeff's study method of viewing all lectures first. I am more confident that this method will work best for me. I WILL conquer this beast.

brooks303, Knock that last section out of the park, tomorrow is your day!!!!

Audit: 11/28/15 (72) April 2016
Regulation: 2016
Financial: 2016
Business: 2016
NINJA

"The CPA exam is not a test of my ability, it is a test of my will. I have the will!"

[Anonymous]

I believe I used about 200 hours for lectures/MCQ/notecards/reading/etc overall for each of the first three I passed. 2 hours per day adds up quickly.

[Author]

Replies