[jkpoker1]

Hey I was just wondering if its a good strategy to take 8-10 weeks for 1 section. I feel I have failed in the past (3 exams) because I tried to cram a lot of studying into 4-5 weeks and typically suck at sticking to a schedule of studying a certain amount each day. I wanna say most time I’ve put into 1 exam is maybe 40 hours which probably isn’t even close to enough.

Is it a good idea to spread 80-100 hours over 8-10 weeks? I feel taking a long time will hurt me because I will forget info that I studied early on in weeks 1-2?

Quest to be a CPA

BEC-74 (7/13),
REG- ?? (8/13)
AUD-TBA
FAR-TBA

[mccaberp]

As you've said in your post your issue is that you're unable to follow a study schedule. I think if you were to spread it out like that you would have an even more difficult time retaining the material. I've passed three parts all in one try and am going for my fourth this Friday and my advice to you is this: create a schedule and stick to it. 3 hours a night after work, 4-5 hours on Saturdays and Sundays. This is a difficult exam as I'm sure you've realized and it requires an extraordinary effort to pass it. 40 hours is insufficient – plain and simple. 8-10 weeks is appropriate for a section like FAR but for sections like BEC or Audit where there are only 6 chapters, the max you want to be spending is 5 weeks.

AUD: Pass
REG: Pass
BEC: Pass
FAR: Pass

First try CPA. Thank god. God bless America.

[jstay]

i took all summer for FAR and it was worth it to see the passing grade. this was my first exam and i was waiting on my NTS so i really couldnt have taken another. BEC is just annoying

[umkcfuturecpa]

I took 8 full time weeks of studying for FAR. Can't tell you how I did yet, but I believe it will have been worth it.

REG - 87 (Becker)
AUD - 96 (Becker & Ninja MCQs)
FAR - 85 (Becker, Ninja MCQs, Audio and Blitz)
BEC - Last one! Waiting on score release 11/24!

Remember: a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

[mla1169]

40 hours of studying is your problem, not the number of weeks. I'd suggest a minimim of 120 hours for FAR, maybe close to that for BEC and REG and 80-100 for AUD. 8-10 weeks isn't terrible but I would never recommend an average of 10 hours per week of studying. Most people study close to double that.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[The Last Dragon]

I agree with mla. The number of hours spent should be more of a concern to you than the number of weeks. If 100 hours of studying takes 5 weeks or 10 weeks is depedent on your schedule. You must know your schedule and plan accordingly.

Your primary concern should be how well your understand the material. Practice quizes and tests should give you an idea of your current level of competence/knowledge. My experience has taught me to never take the test until I have mastered my study material for that section. It may take 3 months to master a section, but passing the section on the first attempt is worth the 3 month study period as opposed to taking the test prematurely only to fail and re-take.

Discipline and repetition is the key. It is how human beings are structured.

Passed all sections using Gleim.

[Kimboroni]

Jeff says not to study for any one section more than 8 weeks. 8 weeks is good for FAR and REG, but more like 5-6 weeks is better for AUD and BEC. That's assuming you're studying 20-25 hours per week– anything less than that really isn't studying.

AUD 84 (1/9/14-Wiley books/TB + free materials)
FAR 83 (5/21/14-the above + NINJA 10 Pt Combo Lite)
REG 84 (7/9/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC/Notes)
BEC 76 (10/5/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC)

Disclaimer: My ninja avatar is not meant to imply that I have any affiliation with this site other than being a forum member. That's a pic of a T-shirt that my daughter gave me for my birthday. 🙂

[Anonymous]

I have passed 2 sections each the first time I took (86,87) them studying 3 months for each. (200 hours each part)

[HeartsMimiCPA]

When i first started i tried to do my studying and exam in 6 weeks. It didn't work for me. I worked full-time so I started reading and doing questions for a chapter a week. It worked out best for me and I ended up passing a section each test window.

AUD - 65, 89!
REG - 70, 89!
FAR - 78!
BEC - 77!

Finally!
Experience 06/30/15
Ethics-Done

VA Licensed 09/15/15

[Anonymous]

I have passed 3 sections each the first time I took (86,87,90) them studying 3 months for each. (200 hours each part)

I set a goal of 2 hours per night and more on the weekend and the week leading up to the exam.

Do that and i guarantee you will pass.

[Lion_of_the_Rock]

Don't track your hours. Don't count your weeks. It doesn't matter if you don't pass. Try to budget the amount of time you want to study and then ask yourself if you understand what's going on as you go. Some people get so caught up on hours and are like, “Is 200 hrs enough on FAR?” Maybe it is, maybe it isn't, and it probably should be overkill honestly.

Go through a review book. Work MCQs. You should honestly know if you're ready or not when you take the exam.

I'm no genius, and I put in >100 hrs for FAR, didn't memo every journal, and didn't go nuts. I studied when I felt focused and didn't waste time “studying” if my heart wasn't into it. Maybe I just got lucky but I snagged a 75.

Just a diff opinion from what you usually see on this site…

BEC - 78
AUD - 75
REG - 74, 79
FAR - 75

You have to buy a ticket to win the raffle.

[Author]

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