[LSNYC]

I have zero study skills. I was always the student that showed up to class paid attention did my homework and got B’s I never really “studied” I was never taught good studying skills. I am paying for this now. I have tried many different approaches but have not found one that seems to work for me.

I have tried 3 different review courses (CPAexcel, Gleim, and Becker), I have tried reading the books watching the lectures, doing MC. I passed 2 parts after multiple tries 2 years ago, but got discouraged after I failed so many times and the other two sections were a disaster, so both sections have expired, plus it was costing me a small fortune. Now I am starting over, I took audit in this last window and failed, but would really like to pass going forward. If anyone can offer some suggestions I would appreciate it. I am willing to try just about anything!

Thank you!

A - 61, 91!!
B - 78!
F - 76!!!
R - 71, 73, 74, 69, 77!!!!

Finally done!

This is my 2nd attempt at the exam, I had two parts passed (failed many) and I stupidly quit, big mistake. Now I'm back and with a vengeance!

[surfer4life949]

I've used Roger so far and I love his style. Here's what I would do.

1) Watch the lectures. Some people skip the lectures because they say they don't help, but actively watch the lectures and write down little notes.

2) Reread the section you just went over and TAKE NOTES. Retyping/retaking notes on the sections really helps solidify the concepts in your head. It's tedious, but it helps SO much in the end. I typed up my notes and at the end printed them out so I could take more notes once it came time to bang out MCQs.

3) Did the homework assigned for each section. I wasn't scoring too well the first time through the homeworks, but that's part of the learning process. Have a Notepad next to you and write down the reason why you get an answer wrong in a section as you're going through it. This will force you to rethink through the material and understand the concept.

4) At the end, I reviewed each chapter and rewrote by hand some more “fact nuggets” or epiphonies if you will that you learn by going through the material again. This forces you to write it down in your own words.

After, I banged out around 900 MCQs. Each time I did it in the Wiley test bank, I would make the setting “Questions not seen before” and select every topic possible. I would do about 100 MCQs a day. I would have the same notepad next to me and each question I got wrong, I would write down why or how to get the right answer on it as I did during the homework questions

5) Read Jeff's NINJA notes over and over and over. Whenever I would go to the gym I would set aside around 30 mins at the end and plop myself on the bike and just read through the notes. The repetition gave insights into concepts I was struggling with as well as constantly reinforcing what I already learned.

Hopefully this helps a bit, I was lucky enough to learn good study habits midway through college (helped me get straight A's all of Junior and Senior year) and have been trying to apply it to the CPA and it's helped so far.

Hope this helps!

B-85 OCT 2012
A-84 NOV 2012
R-90 JAN 2013
F-89 AUG 2012
Ethics-92 (3rd try)

I am DONE BABY!!!
Used Roger 2012 + Wiley + NINJA Notes

[LSNYC]

Thank you for taking the time to give me some tips! I really appreciate it and woke up this morning feeling better and ready to put my failing grade in the past! I'll be honest after yesterday I was starting to feel down and depressed about this whole process again. But after reading your response and checking on some of the threads I feel great today. I read the NINJA notes on my commute and plan on watching some more lectures tonight, I will be a CPA!

Thanks again!

A - 61, 91!!
B - 78!
F - 76!!!
R - 71, 73, 74, 69, 77!!!!

Finally done!

This is my 2nd attempt at the exam, I had two parts passed (failed many) and I stupidly quit, big mistake. Now I'm back and with a vengeance!

[mmcgrad1]

I would suggest you go to the library to study and don't leave there until after you've studied the amount of hours you committed yourself to study.

I was not confident at all in my ability to pass the exam since I did poorly in school due to anxiety. I could not attend class and I failed out of school. I tried to study for the exam back in 2009 but I felt overwhelmed and gave up. I never took a single test.

Well, this spring I was motivated to get this degree. I took NIU CPA Review correspondence and treated studying like a job. I studied 6-8 hours a day from March-August. I was able to pass the exams. There were points after the exam where I worried about failing but I said that if I fail I just need to get back at studying and take the exam again.

IMO studying comes down to motivation and confidence. Once I built those up I nailed the exam. You need to make sure you are motivated and know you can do this!

NIU CPA Review Correspondence is awesome!

I passed all four sections on the first attempt

[Anonymous]

@surfer4life949 and @mmcgrad1 great advice! I plan to take some tips from different posters and redevelop my study plan for FAR. I figured if it didnt work well the first time, change has to be made.

@LSNYC dont give up…..try some DIFFERENT approaches and keep going at it. I know you said you have tried different review courses, but something will eventually click and make the material make sense. Sometimes its just the way you go through the material, note taking, or even the actual times you are dedicating to study. It can definitely be a frustrating process but remember your attitude and the way you approach your failures is everything. Best of luck

[LSNYC]

Thanks guy (or girls)! I def don't feel alone now that I'm on this site and I love the feedback/advice!

@mmcgrad1 I try to go to the library on the weeks the weekdays are harder so I study at home! Congrats on passing and your great scores

A - 61, 91!!
B - 78!
F - 76!!!
R - 71, 73, 74, 69, 77!!!!

Finally done!

This is my 2nd attempt at the exam, I had two parts passed (failed many) and I stupidly quit, big mistake. Now I'm back and with a vengeance!

[mmcgrad1]

I don't know if you have a family. That may make it a different situation. However, if you don't, maybe you can go to the library right after work for a few hours. Take some dinner with you and eat it in the car or at work and then go to the library. It sounds weird but it works.

Thanks for the congrats; I really appreciate it.

NIU CPA Review Correspondence is awesome!

I passed all four sections on the first attempt

[LSNYC]

My hours are long as it is if I leave right on time 630, I get home around 7. The library (four options) close at 8 so by the time I get there I only have an hour or an hour and a half, then I need to break and go home and start studying again….. Annoying I know, I was thinking maybe Starbucks, but I feel like I'll get so distracted there! But I am going to try to do one weekend day at the library.

A - 61, 91!!
B - 78!
F - 76!!!
R - 71, 73, 74, 69, 77!!!!

Finally done!

This is my 2nd attempt at the exam, I had two parts passed (failed many) and I stupidly quit, big mistake. Now I'm back and with a vengeance!

[Author]

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