[Anonymous]

I just received my per-evaluation letter letting me know that I should in theory be approved for the application. Now I’m curious if you guys recommend a certain scheduling technique for taking my CPA next year? I know that you can only take the exam in windows with the off time used for grading is how I understand it. Basically if I fail an exam I would like to retake it as fast as possible. What have some of you guys done? I have to pass the exam in 2014 before they change the requirement to having a masters for Colorado in 2015.

[foreverstudying]

Personally I'm taking the ones I think I will struggle with first (FAR and REG) that way there's less of a worry of any score expiring before I pass all four parts. If you fail a part you have to wait until the next window to retake that section. For example, I failed FAR in July so the earliest I can retake it is October 1st. Since I have to retake FAR I'm scheduling 3 sections in the next window (beginning and end of October and end of November) and 1 in January.

Also, someone else may the purpose of blackout months, but it's not strictly for scoring. Scores are released in 4 waves for each testing window (https://www.aicpa.org/BecomeACPA/CPAExam/PsychometricsandScoring/ScoringInformation/Pages/FAQ2011ScoreRelease.aspx).

I don't know what other circumstances you might have that can interfere with studying (working full/part time, family, etc.) but I would recommend is taking 2 per window (Jan, Feb, Apr, May) that way you have time to retake if needed. Everyone's different so feel free to take more or less time depending on how your studying goes. If you study hard from the start retakes shouldn't be a concern. Good luck!

FAR - 70, 83
REG - 82
BEC - 78
AUD - 76

[foreverstudying]

Personally I'm taking the ones I think I will struggle with first (FAR and REG) that way there's less of a worry of any score expiring before I pass all four parts. If you fail a part you have to wait until the next window to retake that section. For example, I failed FAR in July so the earliest I can retake it is October 1st. Since I have to retake FAR I'm scheduling 3 sections in the next window (beginning and end of October and end of November) and 1 in January.

Also, someone else may the purpose of blackout months, but it's not strictly for scoring. Scores are released in 4 waves for each testing window (https://www.aicpa.org/BecomeACPA/CPAExam/PsychometricsandScoring/ScoringInformation/Pages/FAQ2011ScoreRelease.aspx).

I don't know what other circumstances you might have that can interfere with studying (working full/part time, family, etc.) but I would recommend is taking 2 per window (Jan, Feb, Apr, May) that way you have time to retake if needed. Everyone's different so feel free to take more or less time depending on how your studying goes. If you study hard from the start retakes shouldn't be a concern. Good luck!

FAR - 70, 83
REG - 82
BEC - 78
AUD - 76

[Anonymous]

I would agree with wr07 that I would try for 2 sections per window so that you have more time for re-takes if necessary. Also, you could go ahead and try to sit for one or two in this last quarter of the year, if your application will be processed in time!

As for exam order, my original thought was to take the easiest one first, then work from hardest to easiest, so that I could get 1 pass to motivate me, and then struggle through the rest. 😉 Since then, I've realized (from reading here mostly) that there's some theory behind testing order that makes sense. FAR has a lot of concepts that are presumed to be known for AUD, so taking AUD next after FAR often works well for people. BEC is pretty independent of all of them, so is good for a first or last. I've seen debate over whether to take REG after AUD or if BEC is closer related to AUD…so I'd pick REG or BEC for first, then take FAR and AUD, then BEC or REG, whichever you didn't already take…and I'd interrupt that plan for any that I failed, sticking them into the next “testing slot”. In picking whether to take BEC or REG first, my thought would be: Would I rather have time for more re-takes of a hard one, or a better chance of getting a passing score for my first one? My personal answer to this was that I wanted to try hard for a passing score to start things out, so I took BEC first, since I felt more comfortable with BEC than REG. But, many people (like wr07) would rather start with the hard one so that they have more time for it, and save the easy one for last.

Regardless of which order you take hte tests in, if you start with 1Q 2013 and take 2 per testing window, then you have time to take all of them twice before your cutoff date…so give them your all, and you should be in good shape! 🙂

[Anonymous]

I would agree with wr07 that I would try for 2 sections per window so that you have more time for re-takes if necessary. Also, you could go ahead and try to sit for one or two in this last quarter of the year, if your application will be processed in time!

As for exam order, my original thought was to take the easiest one first, then work from hardest to easiest, so that I could get 1 pass to motivate me, and then struggle through the rest. 😉 Since then, I've realized (from reading here mostly) that there's some theory behind testing order that makes sense. FAR has a lot of concepts that are presumed to be known for AUD, so taking AUD next after FAR often works well for people. BEC is pretty independent of all of them, so is good for a first or last. I've seen debate over whether to take REG after AUD or if BEC is closer related to AUD…so I'd pick REG or BEC for first, then take FAR and AUD, then BEC or REG, whichever you didn't already take…and I'd interrupt that plan for any that I failed, sticking them into the next “testing slot”. In picking whether to take BEC or REG first, my thought would be: Would I rather have time for more re-takes of a hard one, or a better chance of getting a passing score for my first one? My personal answer to this was that I wanted to try hard for a passing score to start things out, so I took BEC first, since I felt more comfortable with BEC than REG. But, many people (like wr07) would rather start with the hard one so that they have more time for it, and save the easy one for last.

Regardless of which order you take hte tests in, if you start with 1Q 2013 and take 2 per testing window, then you have time to take all of them twice before your cutoff date…so give them your all, and you should be in good shape! 🙂

[Anonymous]

I would recommend researching the best study materials for you since it can take time to order and receive the package. All of them have their advantages and a lot of people talk about the pros/cons of each set on this forum. Personally, I started with the old school Becker set with the hard copy of books and lectures on cds so I didn't have to rely on the internet for streaming lectures. The set had an excellent outline of how much study time to dedicate for each section (which was something like this in 2012-160 hours for FAR, 120 hours for REG, 80 hours each for AUD/BEC). I also had a Gleim book from one of my college classes, but I did not connect with their teaching style so I didn't use it. For my first pass through the exams, I religiously stuck with the Becker study plan. Now that I'm studying to re-take audit, I bought the ninja set for a fresh approach. Everyone's different, find a style that works for you.

Regarding the order of tests, I started with FAR because I heard it was the hardest while AUD and BEC were supposed to be the easiest (total lies, by the way- all four sections are hard). It doesn't really matter where you start, but I agree with the above posters about getting two tests in a section if you are concerned about wrapping up by a certain date. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I would recommend researching the best study materials for you since it can take time to order and receive the package. All of them have their advantages and a lot of people talk about the pros/cons of each set on this forum. Personally, I started with the old school Becker set with the hard copy of books and lectures on cds so I didn't have to rely on the internet for streaming lectures. The set had an excellent outline of how much study time to dedicate for each section (which was something like this in 2012-160 hours for FAR, 120 hours for REG, 80 hours each for AUD/BEC). I also had a Gleim book from one of my college classes, but I did not connect with their teaching style so I didn't use it. For my first pass through the exams, I religiously stuck with the Becker study plan. Now that I'm studying to re-take audit, I bought the ninja set for a fresh approach. Everyone's different, find a style that works for you.

Regarding the order of tests, I started with FAR because I heard it was the hardest while AUD and BEC were supposed to be the easiest (total lies, by the way- all four sections are hard). It doesn't really matter where you start, but I agree with the above posters about getting two tests in a section if you are concerned about wrapping up by a certain date. Good luck!

[vbcrazy1]

I was VERY glad that I took FAR first (which is widely considered most difficult, and I agree), then REG. There is some logic to this: since you only have 1.5 years to pass the rest, in only makes sense to start this clock after you pass the most difficult exam. The other thing I did that I felt was helpful was push back my test a week or more if necessary if I wasn't ready. Messing your schedule up for a few extra days is worth a lot more than failing a test and having to restart studying all over again. My two cents.

FAR - 80
REG - 85
BEC - 89
AUD - Sometime in November

[vbcrazy1]

I was VERY glad that I took FAR first (which is widely considered most difficult, and I agree), then REG. There is some logic to this: since you only have 1.5 years to pass the rest, in only makes sense to start this clock after you pass the most difficult exam. The other thing I did that I felt was helpful was push back my test a week or more if necessary if I wasn't ready. Messing your schedule up for a few extra days is worth a lot more than failing a test and having to restart studying all over again. My two cents.

FAR - 80
REG - 85
BEC - 89
AUD - Sometime in November

[Tncincy]

@vbcrazy1,

I wish I had passed FAR. unfortunately not the case, but starting over is harder. I just want to pass next time so I am evaluating where to start first. I know I have to start, I guess from the top.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader.....time to pass

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Tncincy]

@vbcrazy1,

I wish I had passed FAR. unfortunately not the case, but starting over is harder. I just want to pass next time so I am evaluating where to start first. I know I have to start, I guess from the top.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader.....time to pass

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Anonymous]

I am a lawyer having graduated from law school in 2011 and studied tax. I graduated from college in 2007, majoring in business and finance. I already passed REG as my first exam on my first try which I’m happy about. I wanted to see if I pass a section so I chose REG which is the most relevant to my education and experience. I was originally set to take FAR second, but now I’m leaning toward getting BEC and AUD out of the way first so I can focus on FAR. I majored in Finance in college. I also took an auditing course last year to become eligible to take the exam so I’m guessing BEC and AUD would be more fresh in my memory compared to FAR. However, I hear a lot of people saying that info learned in FAR helps for BEC and AUD.

[Anonymous]

I am a lawyer having graduated from law school in 2011 and studied tax. I graduated from college in 2007, majoring in business and finance. I already passed REG as my first exam on my first try which I’m happy about. I wanted to see if I pass a section so I chose REG which is the most relevant to my education and experience. I was originally set to take FAR second, but now I’m leaning toward getting BEC and AUD out of the way first so I can focus on FAR. I majored in Finance in college. I also took an auditing course last year to become eligible to take the exam so I’m guessing BEC and AUD would be more fresh in my memory compared to FAR. However, I hear a lot of people saying that info learned in FAR helps for BEC and AUD.

[Quinacridone]

Info covered in FAR is definitely going to help you in Auditing. I'm going through Becker's right now for Auditing and there are many overlapping concepts that the material doesn't really explain the way it was set forth in the FAR studies (read: I'm very grateful I decided to do FAR first). For example, in Auditing 1, the book goes over report writing and the auditor's opinion. An adverse opinion can only be applied to a GAAP issue, not a GAAS (generally accepted auditing standards) issue. Some of the MCQs present scenarios where they describe 4 different scenarios and ask which one would be most appropriate for an adverse opinion. If I were not able to pick out a GAAP issue out of the list, then I would always struggle with those type questions.

REG - Nov 4, 2013: 88
FAR - Feb 27, 2014: 86
AUD - April 5, 2014: 91
BEC - May 6, 2014: 83

Florida CPA 24 July 2014
(Done in seven months - thank you Jesus!!)

[Quinacridone]

Info covered in FAR is definitely going to help you in Auditing. I'm going through Becker's right now for Auditing and there are many overlapping concepts that the material doesn't really explain the way it was set forth in the FAR studies (read: I'm very grateful I decided to do FAR first). For example, in Auditing 1, the book goes over report writing and the auditor's opinion. An adverse opinion can only be applied to a GAAP issue, not a GAAS (generally accepted auditing standards) issue. Some of the MCQs present scenarios where they describe 4 different scenarios and ask which one would be most appropriate for an adverse opinion. If I were not able to pick out a GAAP issue out of the list, then I would always struggle with those type questions.

REG - Nov 4, 2013: 88
FAR - Feb 27, 2014: 86
AUD - April 5, 2014: 91
BEC - May 6, 2014: 83

Florida CPA 24 July 2014
(Done in seven months - thank you Jesus!!)

[Author]

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