Ok so I'm brand new to this site, and blogging in general. I took AUD this fall and got a 65 (I know thats not very good) and just took FAR without much more hope. Something has GOT to change. I live in a rural area and don't have access to live Becker courses so I have the at home version. Any advice on what I should do to turn this thing around? I'm not sure what to do next?Should I study then schedule? Schedule then study? Any advice/help would be great. Thanx
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Jeff - another71.com
offlineadminsamantha - How hard did you study?
Posted 2 years ago # -
samanthajmontgomery
offlineMemberWell on a scale of 1-10 probably about a 6-7, I recently graduated college and was not the type that had to do TONS of studying for finals and stuff like some of my friends even though I had a 3.8 GPA graduating. I know this exam is different then most but I think I'm sort of struggling with what to do now that I know I NEED to ramp up my studying. I don't think I have bad study habits, I think I just don't have any. I also am not sure which section to approach next/retake and how I should go about scheduling it again (right away or wait until I study more) or what? I live in a rural area and don't have anyone at my firm that has taken an exam in the past 5+ years or anyone I know locally taking it to get with to study. Any advice?
Posted 2 years ago # -
samanthajmontgomery
offlineMemberSorry, I just realized you measure "studying" by hours on the blog, probably like 10-20 hours, I just sort of skimmed the lectures and book, I know it probably wasn't the best but that's why I want to make a change and I'm looking for some advice as to how to form a study plan that's going to be efficient, effective and of course work. Every time I sat down to study I just felt sort of lost about how to use the materials (ie book, lectures, questions, practice tests). I also never got real established with a schedule probably pretty serious mistakes, but like I said I want to commit to something I just don't really know where to start?
Posted 2 years ago # -
jrh510
offlineMember@samantha,
First, I would form a study plan. You should probably be looking at 80+ hours over the course of four weeks to give yourself a decent shot for each section. There are many other candidates that do much more than this for FAR.
I did not utilize online study methods. I read each chapter of the Bisk book and did each multiple choice question and skimmed each simulation. Take good notes as you go and review the previous chapter's notes after you knock out three our four more.
For review, I would recommend Yeager's CRAM DVD course. I think it does a very good job going over the information to prepare you for the test.
With or without the CRAM course, you should review your notes and review multiple choice questions before the exam. Also, I would look over your writting skills on those tests with a written portion (10% of the score).
FAR 78 (2/14), BEC 84 (8/14), REG 90 (10/26), AUD 97 (11/30) I'm Done!Posted 2 years ago # -
samanthajmontgomery
offlineMemberWell I haven't found out about the FAR yet, but the writting skills for my AUD were a 90 which was "stronger" than the average, just the other stuff wasn't as good (obviously). How did you go about scheduling your 80+ hours over 4 weeks? Evenings? Weekends? What seems to work best?
Posted 2 years ago # -
jrh510
offlineMemberI work full-time at an accounting firm. So, I could not do too much during week days. I usually did 2 hours each week night, 6 hours on Saturday, and 4 hours on Sunday.
This doesn't leave much family time, though. I just kept telling myself it was the best thing I could do for my family. I did catch some flack for this study schedule by some relatives!
FAR 78 (2/14), BEC 84 (8/14), REG 90 (10/26), AUD 97 (11/30) I'm Done!Posted 2 years ago # -
samanthajmontgomery
offlineMemberOk, yeah I work full time too and tax season is coming up, but I really think I just need to soldier through because I don't think just making excuses is good, ex: I'm always busy at work, I always have other stuff I want to do etc. So when you sat down to study how did you begin, read the chapter, watch the lecture, work questions?
Posted 2 years ago # -
jrh510
offlineMemberI didn't have any lectures. I read every page and then answered the questions. If you have the lecture cds, I would recommend that you watch those first, then skim the book where you were confused, and then answer questions.
FAR 78 (2/14), BEC 84 (8/14), REG 90 (10/26), AUD 97 (11/30) I'm Done!Posted 2 years ago # -
samanthajmontgomery
offlineMemberok so after you went through each and every page of the book did you take the questions as you read along each chapter or at the end? Also, if you were in my shoes, would you schedule another exam, or complete the study materials then schedule and review? Thanks for all your help BTW.
Posted 2 years ago # -
jrh510
offlineMemberI did it both ways. Sometimes I waited until I completed the whole chapter and sometimes I answered them as I went. I think its your preference.
I would have to schedule my exam and then study. I could not make myself study if I didn't have the exam scheduled. That's just me, though.
FAR 78 (2/14), BEC 84 (8/14), REG 90 (10/26), AUD 97 (11/30) I'm Done!Posted 2 years ago # -
Kim in OH
offlineMemberOk, I signed in here just to reply to this. I used Becker at home, and I passed 3 parts on my first try, and I am waiting on my score for the part I re-took. I watched the lectures first. I would start with the Chapter 1 lecture- it takes you through through the book, tells you what to highlight, etc. Then, answer the questions associated with that chapter in the Homework section of the dvd. Do this for each chapter until you have been through all of the chapters. Then take the 100 question practice exam, which is called the Simulated exam on the Passmaster CD. The results of this exam will give you a chapter-by-chapter breakdown so you can know which ones you are weaker on. Once you go back and study those, I would take the Final Exam in the Becker software.
You can do it! I was just like you in college....didn't have to study much. But I knew this test was different, so I've made the effort. GL to you! You can do it!
Kim
AUD- 85
FAR- 80
REG- 79
BEC- 72, (11/24- results pending)Posted 2 years ago # -
ptmuldoon
offlineMemberAs someone else who works full time, (also at an accounting firm) is to really PLAN my studies. Its great to tell someone to watch the lectures, etc.
For me, before I started each section, I totaled up the number of lecture hours, and total questions in my software for that section (example. AUD has 1755 question in the Gleim software). I then kept track of how much lecture time I had left to complete, and how many questions I had done.
I planned to have all lectures completed at least 2 weeks prior to my exam date, as well at least 80% of all MC completed. I then spent the remaining 2 weeks, doing 100 random MC every day the last two weeks, and then reading the section/chapter in a book afterwards that day where I felt I was weak.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Kim in OH
offlineMemberYes, I work full-time at a Big 4 accounting firm, and I have 2 kids. But, you can watch the lectures in small pieces at a time. Becker lectures are broken up into topics for each chapter. My goal was to always make it through a lecture and the questions for that lecture in 1 week. THere is no lecture longer than 3.5 hours, except there may be one in FAR that is 4 hours. So, aim to one lecture and the questions associated with that in a week. 1.5-2 hours every evening should get you there. Then use the weekend to review/finish up the questions.
Posted 2 years ago # -
cmb2009
offlineMemberI personally have had better luck just reading through the book line by line and taking notes. Then I go through and answer all of the questions for the section. I think it all depends on how you learn. I ended up wasting a lot of time on the lectures because I simply do not learn that way. I always had to read to understand in college as well. But even so, I still put in 150+ hours for most exams. Good luck!
AUD-73,79; BEC-69,82; FAR-77; REG-83 DONE!Posted 2 years ago # -
richardcpa
offlineMembersamanthajmontgomery
I'll give you my study schedule, although I think it's a little different than what most people have been doing. I worked fulltime and studied at night and on weekends forgetting that I had any type of social life. My wife was very supportive and helped by giving me the time I needed.
For me it all came down to seeing the material four or five times before I would feel comfortable with it. I would either read the entire chapter first then watch the entire four hour class on DVD or vice versa. It's tough to say which choice was the best place to start because either way you're going to feel lost in the detail. Every chapter seems to feel more overwhelming than the last.
From there I would hit the questions. I would answer all of the HW questions first scoring only between 30 & 50% correct. Then I would go back over the answers I got wrong however many times it took to get them 100% right. The next day I would go over the questions a 2nd time scoring in the 50 70% range and marking any that I felt were problem areas. Then I would skim the simulations focusing most of my attention on the detailed areas of the simms that you dont really see in the M/C questions. Then I would tackle the supplemental questions. When I finished all that I went through the HW questions a third time and made sure I read and understood the correct answers to the questions I got wrong scoring in the 70 90% range. Id also click the show text button and read up on the areas I really struggled with. I would also keep a notepad next to me and write down only the main points I was missing and then maybe study up on those areas if I had time (which I usually didnt because Im a procrastinator).
The week before the exam I would make sure I had one or two days off to cram and go over all the HW questions one last time scoring in the 70 90% range. If not I went over that section of questions again.
This may seem like a lot of work, but going through the questions and reading the correct answers AND wrong answers is what helped me survive all this. It would take me at least 20-30 hours for each chapter.
So:
Day 1: Read chapter or watch the class
Day 2: Watch the class or read the chapter
Day 3: HW questions
Day 4: HW questions
Day 5/Friday: Party like a Rock star and forget about stupid Becker and this horrid exam experience
Day 6: Simms and Supplemental questions
Day 7: HW questions and review of problem areasIf nothing else, the most important thing, and the only reason I passed FAR around 10pm the night before the exam, QUIT. Stop studying, stop fretting about it, and start preparing for the exam mentally. Get out of the house, hang out with friends and talk about anything but the exam. Drink a beer or two (no more) if you do that. Get to bed at a decent hour and sleep in the next morning. Relax before the exam and only skim some notes to get your mind headed in the right direction. Ten minutes before walking into the test center sit in your car and pray/meditate/take a bunch of deep breaths/whatever you do to slow your mind down. Youve done everything you can to prepare yourself. Worrying at that point isnt going to help at all. Walk in and take the best possible test you can and dont let the questions you cant answer get you down. Select B for Becker and move on.
Also, I would always call my favorite Accounting professor the night before for a pep talk. I cant thank him enough for helping me through those last few hours.
Good luck to you, I hope to be finished when my Audit score is released in this next second wave.
Posted 2 years ago # -
SamanthaJMontgomery
I also use Becker, I agree with many of the points that people have pointed out. I will just add a few points. First you need to know how you learn whether it be reading or watching. I am a audio/visual so I watch the lectures over versus reading the material but only you know the answer to that question. I just want to put an emphasis on another's comment that in Becker you need to be sure you understand why you got a right answer as well as an incorrect answer. Be sure you learn the concept of the question or you might end up memorziing answers instead of learning the concepts. It is very easy to do with Becker. RichardCPA made many good points. Also, you need to determine how well your test taking is. Some people know the material but are really awful at taking test. Develop a study plan, for me it is a must. Determine your exam date and work backwards on your study plan. Becker recommends 100 hours for BEC, AUD and REG and 125 hours for FAR. Keep track of your time, plan for 2 hours a study session more on weekends any less and I really am not able to focus or retain the information. For example, I must have put in 175 hrs for FAR over a 10 week period and passed using Becker. If you put in the time and learn the concepts, this will give you confidence in that you have covered the material sufficient enough to pass this exam.
Good Luck, we are all here to support each other through successes and failures.Becker - FAR 80, AUD 73, 81, BEC 76, REG 81 (2010) DONE!!!! IN LICENSED CPAPosted 2 years ago # -
Bryanz_babydoll
offlineMemberSamantha,
I also used Becker and I work full time and have three children and 2 grandkid running around. My method was to listen to the a lecture on Saturday, answer questions for about 4-6 hours on Sunday, reading the answer/text on any that I missed. Then each weeknight, after a quick dinner, I would study for about 2 hours - reading the text and taking notes for important concepts pointed out during the lecture - basically anything that I was told to highlight or star and the passkeys. Then I would rework any questions that I previously missed and write the answer to the ones that got wrong. It was about a two week process for each chapter. As I moved on to the next chapter, I would review my notes for about 2 hours each weekend and I would also rework the supplmental questions for each chapter. I also ordered Gleim questions for Auditing after not passing the first time and again for my retake of BEC. I always took Friday nights off.
It's a painful process but well worth it. Good luck!
BEC - 78(EXPIRED) 84; REG - 88; FAR - 88; AUD - 73; 91 WHEW!.... I am so done with the exam!Posted 2 years ago # -
Cowpatty
offlineMemberyour gpa doesn't matter I had a 4.0 ..I still studied like 75hrs for Audit 85hrs for BEC..250hrs for REG and 100hrs for FAR(not counting the extra time I spent restudying while I wait for my grade).....I guess it is how well you focus and perform of test day
if you fail you just doubled or tripled your study time............
10-20hrs is a 1-2 on a scale of 1-10; that kind of effort might only produce 60's even with a strong knowledge of Audit
Aud 76 Bec 76 Reg 83 Far 2/27/2010Posted 2 years ago # -
mposey84
offlineMemberSomething you might try is to watch lecture 1 and 2 on Monday and Tuesday, do the homework questions for lecture 1 on Wednesday, the homework questions for lecture 2 on Thursday, you might not finish all the questions by Thursday but once you do, move on to lecture 3 and 4 the same way. If you can complete two sections a week then that's great. My goal was 4 hours of study per day but didn't always meet that. After I make it through all of the lectures and homework problems, I go back to the homework problems I missed and wrote most of them on to my yellow pad of paper. Once that's done, I go through, usually 10-15 sheets of yellow paper and write each note on a note card. This helps you look them over a few times Try to go through the practice exams the week before the exam.
You may not like note cards, but for me every concept, problem, formula I had trouble with or wanted to go over several times I would make a note card for them. For each test you should have a few hundred note cards. For FAR I had like 5-600. I'm working full-time, too, and gave myself a couple months for each exam. Just gotta live the CPA exam for the next year to pass each section. You'll do it. My GPA was the same as yours.
Once you start passing sections, be sure to get it done within 1 1/2 yrs. I have some co-workers that lost credits.
Posted 2 years ago # -
samanthajmontgomery
offlineMemberHey everyone, WOW what a response, I just thought I might get an idea or two and now I have 21 responses. I really found every post helpful in some way. I think I might give the schedule presented by richardcpa a try using some of the advice from other posts as well. I'll keep everyone posted, its great to know from a small Idaho nowhere that theres so many others facing the same challenge out there. thanks again!
Posted 2 years ago # -
Patrick909
offlineMemberThis is what I did. Keep in mind, I have no wife and kids, but do have a full-time job.
Mon-Fri:
Early AM before work.....hit Starbucks for 1-1.5 hour, run through multiple choice
Lunch.....grab something to eat, hit Starbucks for 1 hour, run through multiple choice
Sometime later in the evening, watch 30-60 min of lecture, maybe run through a couple questionsSaturday-Sunday:
Spend about 2 hours per morning running through multiple choice.
As you can see, I'm not the kind of person who can sit around for 6 hours on a Sunday afternoon with CPA review material. And I'll be completely honest, when I wanted to go out......go out to eat or even go to a bar to drink beer all night, I certainly did so.
As with most things in life, I think consistency and quality are more important than sheer hours spent.
Posted 2 years ago #
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