[Anonymous]

Hi everyone,

I’m just started studying for FAR a couple of days ago. I’m using Yeager. I’ve watched a few lectures, one of the things I’m struggling with is note taking. I follow along during the lecture and periodically pause the video to take a few notes (Formula, Journal entries, or something the instructor said that I think I should write). I think I have “ok” notes so far after two days of studying.

So my question is: How should I be taking notes while watching the lectures? I know that I should be writing something during lectures.

Also, should I try to attempt the MCQ covered during the lecture on my own first or just let the instructor work them and take notes after the instructor has solved it?

Eventhough I’m using Yeager, any suggestions on how to watch lectures and take notes is welcome or any kind of study tips..thanks for your help.

[Amay]

I would work the mcq's covered during the lecture on your own first, but if you have no clue it's OK to let them explain it. You are learning this for the first time. Try to keep your note taking as brief as possible (abbreviate and paraphrase as much as you can) but looks like you are doing it right! If you plan to rewrite your notes in your review phase, make sure they are comprehensive and legible. If you plan to rewrite NINJA notes, then wouldn't worry too much and just emphasize the must-know items and mnemonics in your notes (use highlighter, different color, etc.)

BEC: 73, 81
AUD: 85
FAR: 71, 77
REG: 74, 75...finally DONE! 😀

*This is my 2nd attempt at the CPA exam. For all of you who have failed this exam many times, given up on it, or taken a break like me, remember that it is still possible to finish what you started...failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently 🙂

[Anonymous]

Thanks for input Amay. All I know is that it takes me atleast 2 hrs to get through 1 hr of lecture while pausing a taking notes. Hope I'm not going too slow.

[samdiegoCPA]

@e_griffin87 You seem to be studying very early for FAR. Because of this, I would continue doing what you're doing at the slower pace and take very detailed notes. Are you really going to remember this stuff in 3.5 months when you take the exam? Once you have the notes in your own words or how you interpret them, then you can do MCQ and SIMS over and over, which I personally don't recommend doing til like 4 weeks before your exam.

AUD: 84
REG: 84
BEC: 79
FAR: 83

[Anonymous]

@samdiegoCPA Thanks for input, much appreciated. I know 3.5 months is alot of time for FAR. Typically most people take 8-12 weeks for FAR. It's my 1st attempt and I would rather have too much study time than run out of study time. If I finish early, I will just use the rest of the time to keeping reviewing.

My plan is to get through the course in about 3 months and use 2 to 2 1/2 weeks for reviewing. Then sit for exam.

[Monkey Wrench]

I would not give yourself too long to study, you won't remember stuff if you wait to long and you will get burnt out on it.

[Anonymous]

@Monkey Wrench Yeah, a little afraid of getting burnt out and too much studying can be bad. But looking at the volume of material covered in FAR, I don't know how most people get through it all and have time to review it in 8-12 weeks, while working 40 hrs a week. Its sooo much.

[itsjustatest]

Do yourself a very big favor and absolutely do not study for 3.5 months. 6 weeks ideal, 8 weeks tops.

AUD - 83
REG - 78
FAR - 69,73,79
BEC - 85

[Anonymous]

@itsjustatest How would you recommend getting through all this material and reviewing it in 6-8 weeks, while working 40 hrs a week?

FAR is ALOT of material, I commend those who get totally prepared for FAR in 6-8 weeks on 1st attempt.

[warrreagle1015]

I work about 50 hours a week and still commit to studying for at least 3 hours a night. You should also make good use of your weekends (6-7 hours/day on Saturday and Sunday). It can be done. I'm giving myself about 9 weeks and think it it ample time. I plan to begin my FAR review early next week.

I know there's a lot of sacrifice, but time management is essential.

BEC - 82
AUD - 82
REG - 79
FAR - 76

FAR - 71, 76
AUD - 72, 67, 74
BEC - 71, 69, TBD
REG - TBD

[Anonymous]

@ warrreagle1015. Thanks for advice. To be honest, my 2 hr study sessions after work go by pretty fast but it doesn't feel like I get much done with watching lecture, work 5-6 mcq in lecture while taking a few notes in 2hrs. I look at the clock at I'm like “Wow, 2 hrs already?”

[Kls238]

If it's anything like Becker and you have an online book with notes in addition to your blank text, then I'd suggest skipping watching the lectures and taking your own notes from the book. With it being your first exam experience, I know you may be weary of taking that approach, but it's a much better/faster approach IMO.

I was dealing with the same thing you were… Watch lecture, pause, notes, play, pause. It took twice as long doing it that way. After failing doing it that way, I started a new section and just took notes. It took less time and I didn't feel rushed by the lectures. Plus, I found that watching the lecture didn't really help me as much as I thought. It's just them reading the book to you and/or reading the notes they wrote, which you can just see online anyway.

Passed all sections.

[Anonymous]

I listen to lectures with Becker and then go back through the section taking my own notes. Time consuming, but it reinforces the material.

[Amay]

I watched the lectures for FAR and found them helpful. Yes it takes a long time, but I think it's important to grab the concepts that way, taking detailed notes, and then just focus the rest of your time on MCQs. FAR has 10 chapters X 4 hours each chapter's lecture X 2 (takes twice as long to write notes) = 80 hours of study time = 4 weeks if you commit to 20 hours a week. Work MCQs for 2-3 weeks and review 1-2 weeks and you are golden! I would say around 8 weeks max as well. It is doable. You can do it!

BEC: 73, 81
AUD: 85
FAR: 71, 77
REG: 74, 75...finally DONE! 😀

*This is my 2nd attempt at the CPA exam. For all of you who have failed this exam many times, given up on it, or taken a break like me, remember that it is still possible to finish what you started...failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently 🙂

[Anonymous]

Using Becker- for aud I was watching the lectures INSTEAD of reading the chapters first then I would do the MCQ and get the majority wrong.. So I said these videos aren't helping and stopped watching them and I started reading the lecture on my own and then doing the MCQ and was scoring better. However, to me FAR is so detailed/complicated verses audit which is just memorize a bunch of stuff that I feel it's beneficial to watch the videos… they do have good tips to help you remember certain parts. So what I'm doing for FAR is reading the subchapter first by myself, listen to that lecture, do the homework problems and instead of taking notes on what I'm reading/listening to I just write out the Q and A of the MCQ. I feel they cover every aspect of what you just read/listened to and if you can understand how to answer the MCQ and read why the other options are wrong then you will be set if something similar arises during the exam. Not sure what others opinion is on this method. I just feel like if I take notes on what I'm reading/listening to I'm just going to end up re-writing the whole book! I'm always torn between.. this is important but so this and that so I just write it all. Then my hand is about to fall off and I feel like I'm not learning I just want to get everything written down on the paper.

[Anonymous]

My outline for FAR is

by 7/12- F1

by 7/19- F2,3

by 7/26-F4,5

by 8/2-F6,7

by 8/19-F8,9

by 8/16-F10 + catch up

8/23-8/27 review

exam 8/28

I do think I'm cutting it real close anybody have any suggestions I would gladly take them. I'm also not working. I quit my job to pass these exams!! Hopefully it was the right decision.

[Author]

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