Will someone please suggest a 3 week review for FAR for me please?

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Will someone please suggest a 3 week review for FAR for me please?

23 posts from 8 voices

Started 1 year ago by 32CPA
Latest reply from Alabama

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32CPA

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I didn't pass FAR this past go round... I am in the middle of studying BEC which I want to take the first few days of the October period... then I have only 3 weeks to re-study FAR to take it again. Will someone please suggest what I should do? Here are some details:

1. I use Becker
2. I scored really well on Non-Prof and comparable with Gov't
3. I have a more than full time job
4. I come home, do bath and bedtime with my son, so I start studying around 7:00 (so 2.5 - 3.0 hours)
5. Sometimes I get up early to study.
6. I bombed the sims, did comparable on written

You can see my score below, not like I did too poorly. I know the hardest part is getting through FAR studies the first time. Well, I felt very prepared for the exam, however, I just didn't do well... and could probably focus more on cash flows this time.

I would really appreciate some guidance from those that have not passed and then turned around and eventually passed. What did you do? I don't think "starting over" is the right thing. Okay, I'm rambling now... but can someone suggest some re-studying methods knowing my 3 week window with family and job? I'm obviously not going to kill myself over F-8 and F-9 b/c I understand them well.

Thanks in advance for your help everyone. I've been reading this forum throughout my exam experience... I rarely post.

Thanks! 32CPA

BEC - Pass 10/2010
FAR - Pass 10/2010
AUD - Pass 11/2010
REG - Pass 05/2011
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Posted 1 year ago #
75 CPA

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Be realistic. You got a score of 69. Start over with Yaeger. You do not know the material well enough. Becker is a high speed, low drag and a very expensive REVIEW course. Yaeger Home Study is a TEACHING course.

Yaeger will get you over the hump. Yaeger Home Study will review hundreds of multiple choice questions. That is the secret. Stop the DVD and answer the multiple choice question in the Wiley book BEFORE Yaeger answers the questions. If you still have questions, talk to Dr. Phil Yaeger.

The money that I spent with Yaeger to pass these CPA exams was the best money that I ever spent! Yaeger will give you the biggest bang for the buck.

I am talking from experience. I bought just about every review course, including Becker. I spent a lot of money to pass all four CPA exams within the 18 month window.

Posted 1 year ago #
Florida_Candidate

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His score is in his signature... and I don't think he needs to "start over" but you definitely need to figure out the chapters you don't know and hit those hard. Forget about the ones you were stronger in and focus all your energy on your weaker chapters. It's going to be hard regardless, 3 weeks with that limited of time is crazy, but if you want it bad enough I'm sure it's possible! Sorry I couldn't give more help...

FAR-91 (7/29)
AUD-99 (8/23)
BEC-90 (10/1)
REG-99 (11/3)

Posted 1 year ago #
75 CPA

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If you do not want to start over, buy Gleim Test Prep for less than $100. Use your score card from the AICPA to identify your weak areas. Gleim will tell you which chapters correspond to the AICPA scorecard. Hammer those chapters in Gleim that correspond to your score card. Becker does not give you this option.

However, I made a 68 for FAR on my first try with Becker and Gleim. I passed on my second try with Yaeger Home Study. Dr. Phil Yaeger even spent 1 1/2 hours with me over the phone explaining pensions!

Posted 1 year ago #
Florida_Candidate

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@75 CPA - normally I would totally agree with you to use a different program, but do you really think he'd be able to GET through Yaeger in 3 weeks with his limited study time available?

and on a random note, I never got an AICPA scorecard, is that just dependent on what your state does with scores? I got a letter from my state that has my score and the word "passed" on it but that's really it. I looked everywhere on that letter for the scorecards explanation of my different sections and never found it... any way I can get a copy of this "scorecard"?

FAR-91 (7/29)
AUD-99 (8/23)
BEC-90 (10/1)
REG-99 (11/3)

Posted 1 year ago #
whitesoxfancpa

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75 CPA,

Becker is a tremendous program. I couldn't imagine a better CPA review course. I felt 100% prepared before, during, and after each of my three exams so far. Sure, Yaeger is a teaching course, which means if you have a million hours to study, maybe it'll work for you. I looked at one of the Wiley books once and my God, what a bunch of small print and sweet Jesus, how much time does it take to get thorugh all that?! I did not see one thing on my exams that I didn't feel prepared for after using Becker. I could only assume, then, that whatever additional material Wiley covers is unnecessary.

Becker is not high speed, low drag. It's high speed, here's what you need to know and we're not going to waste your valuable time with anything extra.

Congratulations to you on passing; I've read many of your posts and you were persistent and achieved your goal. That is great.

AUD 96 FAR 95 REG 94 BEC 88

Posted 1 year ago #
32CPA

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Thank you all for your advice... I don't have time to start a new course. If I don't pass this time, I will be purchasing new software for the new year anyway (2011 changes). When that happens, I'll probably switch to another course (possibly Yeager).

I appreciate your advice and look forward to anyone else who may have advice. Love this forum.

BEC - Pass 10/2010
FAR - Pass 10/2010
AUD - Pass 11/2010
REG - Pass 05/2011

Posted 1 year ago #
75 CPA

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Florida_Candidate

The AICPA does not send individual scores on the different sections of an exam when you pass.

Posted 1 year ago #
Florida_Candidate

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@75 CPA - than what were you referring to when you mentioned using the scorecard from the AICPA to determine your weak areas? I'm so confused!!!

FAR-91 (7/29)
AUD-99 (8/23)
BEC-90 (10/1)
REG-99 (11/3)

Posted 1 year ago #
75 CPA

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whitesoxfancpa

I also used Becker for all four exams. In fact, I paid for Becker twice! I rate Becker as my #2 course behind Yaeger for FAR, REG AND BEC. I also rate Becker as my #2 course behind Lambers for AUD. Becker is a good program and Becker alone is enough to pass IF you have a good background in these subjects.

This is how I rate the Becker review programs:

1. AUD
2. FAR
3. REG
4. BEC

Posted 1 year ago #
Florida_Candidate

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come back! Answer my question too! lol

FAR-91 (7/29)
AUD-99 (8/23)
BEC-90 (10/1)
REG-99 (11/3)

Posted 1 year ago #
cpa journey

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Florida_Candidate

You can google CPA score - Not sure if this will be readable

Not all states send the Diagnostic Report if you pass a section. In TX they provide it for both a passing and failing grade.
Grade 80

The report lists the content Your Performance Passing Candidates Performance Weaker Comparable Stronger
Concepts --(17% - 23%)========88==============72=====================X
Continues throuugh each area tested

Then there is an overall Performance

MCQ (70%)------- Stronger
Simulations (20%) --- Comparable
WC (10%)----Weaker

Posted 1 year ago #
Florida_Candidate

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Ohh okay I get what you're saying now, like Florida probably only sends a diagnostic if you failed.... I guess it really doesn't matter now, I just wanted to know if I was comparable on my writtens for future reference... :)

Thanks for the answers!

FAR-91 (7/29)
AUD-99 (8/23)
BEC-90 (10/1)
REG-99 (11/3)

Posted 1 year ago #
75 CPA

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Florida_Candidate

I am sorry if I confused you. cpa journey gave a good explanation.

I used what I call the "AICPA scorecard" for AUD when I failed AUD with a 64 using Becker. "Engagements" in Gleim is chapters 1 to 3. "Internal control" in Gleim is chapters 4 to 9, etc. I combined these chapters for tests on engagements, internal control, etc. The AUD exam identified my weak areas and Gleim narrowed down my weak areas to a Gleim chapter and a particular subject matter within that chapter. I found Gleim Test Prep to be very helpful when I failed AUD on the first try.

Becker has 5 chapters in their book, but Becker's chapters do NOT correspond to the AICPA sections of engagements, internal control, information, engagement review and government.

Posted 1 year ago #
gabe1475

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I would say buy Yearger now. Will be alot more difficult in 2011. Check out ebay if you are trying to save a few bucks.

FAR - 95
AUD - 82
REG - 94
BEC - 84

Posted 1 year ago #
cpa journey

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Either re-read the chapters or listen to the lectures depending on which way you learn the best
For each topic either read or listen to the lecture - then do the HW and Gleim MCQ per topic
Read the flash cards - during lunch
Do practice test daily
Go over weak areas

Spend two days per chapter

Try the Becker Final Review for the last 3 days

PS Don't skip over the sections you scored strongly - this info needs to be refreshed - you may be able to do it more quickly but go over it again

Posted 1 year ago #
suzzette1

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75 CPA How many times did you watched the FAR Yaeger HS lectures before your exam? Did you use Becker and other materials to supplement Wiley/Yaeger?

BEC 2/8/10 - 75 (studied hard & prayed less)
REG 5/15/10 - 88 (studied less but prayed hard)
AUDITING 8/9/10 - 79 (studied hard and prayed hard)
FAR 11/30/10 - 79 (studied hard and prayed hard) Thanks GOD! I'm DONE

Posted 1 year ago #
75 CPA

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suzzette1

I failed FAR after studying Becker's book that I obtained while taking a Becker live course a few years earlier. I made a 68.

I passed FAR only using Yaeger Home Study and some lectures from Bob Monette (Bisk Hot Spots). I only listened to the Yaeger lectures once, and I only did the mandatory multiple questions in the Wiley book that Yaeger covered in their lectures. However, I took some very good typed notes on my second monitor.

Yaeger really shines in helping you to understand the concepts. Additionally, Yaeger helped me to work all of the problems in FAR.

I have spent a total of $15,000 on exams and review courses. Yaeger was my #1 review course for FAR, BEC and REG. If I knew what I know now, I could have eliminated many review courses that did not work for me, including Becker's BEC and REG courses!

Posted 1 year ago #
suzzette1

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Thanks for the advice. I really appreciate it!

BEC 2/8/10 - 75 (studied hard & prayed less)
REG 5/15/10 - 88 (studied less but prayed hard)
AUDITING 8/9/10 - 79 (studied hard and prayed hard)
FAR 11/30/10 - 79 (studied hard and prayed hard) Thanks GOD! I'm DONE

Posted 1 year ago #
32CPA

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I'm thinking about getting Yeager CRAM for my 3 week study... do you all think this will be a good thing considering my original post in this subject?

Used Becker for FAR originally, I feel weird chainging products... is that normal?

BEC - Pass 10/2010
FAR - Pass 10/2010
AUD - Pass 11/2010
REG - Pass 05/2011

Posted 1 year ago #
sixth sense

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32 CPA, I am in the same boat. The only different is I didnt pass BEC in Aug and wanna re-take in the early Oct.
Thus, my FAR only have about 4 weeks to prepare.
My tests date and order are almost exactly same as yours.
Have u ever consider review both BEC and FAR at the same time? such as alternating days or 60%-40% allocate ur study time during a day for each section?
although Bec and Far are not very much in common, it is still a doable way to handle two in a short time.
I will try this strategy and to see how it works.

Good luck

Posted 1 year ago #
32CPA

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Sixth Sense... You know, it's not a bad idea to do BEC and FAR in the same time period... you say that they don't have much in common? I was thinking the opposite... I felt there was some good overlap, especially with P'ships in Ch 1 and a little of Ch 3... the FAR sections on effective interest and time-value of $ had some good overlap. I think even with my failing FAR grade, I'd still suggest to any rookie that they take FAR and BEC before tackling AUD and REG... of course, I've not taken those other two, so this is just an untested opinion.

Anyway... wish I had the luxury of time to alternate studying... but I take BEC on the 4th, and am just starting BEC 5 tonight. Plus I have to pick up AUD after I take FAR.

I think I'm going to order the Yeager CRAM for FAR... I may actually buy the BEC today too. I should have ample time to finish Ch 5 and the CRAM section before 10/4. I'll come back out to this thread and tell you how the BEC CRAM helped. If it does, maybe you can decide if it could help you for your short window of FAR and BEC.

BEC - Pass 10/2010
FAR - Pass 10/2010
AUD - Pass 11/2010
REG - Pass 05/2011

Posted 1 year ago #
Alabama

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Hey 75 CPA and Florida_Candidate - I am studying for FAR and have been through all the 2011 FAR Becker material. This is not my first time taking this section. I found that after going through all of the REG Becker materials, then going through the REG Yaeger minimum recommended MCQs really made the difference. I have the 2009 Yaeger question for FAR, but was trying to find the listing of minimum recommended questions listing..... Wish I could buy current Yaeger / Wiley but current cash flow won’t allow... Desperate for that list... Any help?

Posted 9 months ago #

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Will someone please suggest a 3 week review for FAR for me please?

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