[DMV18]

I took FAR for the 1st time, and I used GLEIM. I spent 160 hours and 3 months preparing for the exam.
I failed with a score of 41%. I really dont know what to do. Should I change review course or strategy or…..

Any advice?

Your attitude determines your altitude

[Simon]

I used Wiley for review course. My first FAR score is 49 and 2nd FAR score is 73, although still 2 points from passing score. In addition, I am a full time worker and I moved to different cities during pandemic. Therefore, I have less time for study. I spent 2 months for 1st retake. During those 2 months, I killed those government accounting MCQs first. Then, I spent time to do all 75 simulations on Wiley especially those simulations look intimidating at the very beginning. Every time when I was doing simulations, I took notes on the explanation of incorrect answers. Then, I spent 1 or 2 days to do practice exams. When you reviewed your score on practice exams, on a notebook or a piece of paper, write down the weakest points of accounting concepts. For me, during the retake study time, I found myself very weak on pension, business consolidations, cash flow statement, contingency loss, segment reporting, compensation expense, foreign currency translation etc. Then, I went to Youtube and watched some of videos lecturing the weakest concepts that I have. Accounting guides written by Big 4 such as PWC are also useful. For example, I found myself not quite understanding foreign currency translation. Then, I downloaded the PWC accounting guide and read the concept explained by PWC. On the exam day, you will encounter similarly challenging questions on Wiley. On my diagnostic, the CA exam advised that my simulation is stronger than MCQs. Hope my strategy helps.

[Simon]

I used Wiley for review course. My first FAR score is 49 and 2nd FAR score is 73, although still 2 points from passing score. In addition, I am a full time worker and I moved to different cities during pandemic. Therefore, I have less time for study. I spent 2 months for 1st retake. During those 2 months, I killed those government accounting MCQs first. Then, I spent time to do all 75 simulations on Wiley especially those simulations look intimidating at the very beginning. Every time when I was doing simulations, I took notes on the explanation of incorrect answers. Then, I spent 1 or 2 days to do practice exams. When you reviewed your score on practice exams, on a notebook or a piece of paper, write down the weakest points of accounting concepts. For me, during the retake study time, I found myself very weak on pension, business consolidations, cash flow statement, compensation expense, foreign currency translation etc. Then, I went to Youtube and watched some of videos lecturing the weakest concepts that I have. Accounting guides written by Big 4 such as PWC are also useful. For example, I found myself not quite understanding foreign currency translation. Then, I downloaded the PWC accounting guide and read the concept explained by PWC. On the exam day, you will encounter similarly challenging questions on Wiley. On my diagnostic, the CA exam advised that my simulation is stronger than MCQs. Hope my strategy helps.

[Sam]

Next steps depends on your approach for the first take – what were you doing to study? i.e. watching lectures, reading book, taking notes, practicing plenty of MCQs, Sims, reviewing outlines, practice tests, etc. The key is understanding the concepts; don't fall into the trap of memorizing/remembering answers to specific questions instead of understanding why the answer is correct.

This forum is a great resource too. Scroll through past posts for study tips/what other people have done to pass. Or if you don't find what you're looking for, ask more questions here. Different strategies work for different people; you just have to find what works for you, sometimes that involves a bit of trial & error. Good luck!

BEC - 90 (7/19, 8 weeks)
FAR - 78 (10/19, 10 weeks)
AUD - 75 (12/19, 8 weeks)
REG - 90 (7/20, ~12 weeks, split up)

Ethics - 97 (~6 hours to go through the material & take the quiz)
Licensed in Virginia (10/20, ~1.5 weeks to process after submitting everything)

[ellabella]

I used Wiley books, and had a very hard time. I recently switched to UWorld Roger CPA Review, and it's a lot better. I have had years of accounting classes and have an MBA, butI found that I still need a good review program, and Roger really helps. The digital flashcards are helpful, and they have a 91% pass rate, so that really makes me feel confident in the product. I'm a firm believer that the right review program makes the difference.

Ella

Mom of Two, studying for the CPA Exam

[ellabella]

I used Wiley books, and had a very hard time. I recently switched to UWorld Roger CPA Review, and it's a lot better. I have had years of accounting classes and have an MBA, but I found that I still need a good review program, and Roger really helps. The digital flashcards are helpful, and they have a 91% pass rate, so that really makes me feel confident in the product. I'm a firm believer that the right review program makes the difference. I spent many a frustrating week with Wiley books, but with Roger, I feel that someone had my back.

Ella

Mom of Two, studying for the CPA Exam

[Professor Farnsworth]

FAR is a beast don't feel bad, it's really really hard, in fact it's the hardest exam I have ever taken. I was lucky enough to pass it in my first try with Roger and I can tell you with certainty that Roger has the best CPA review course.

Maybe it's worth starting fresh. New review course, new attitude, new notes, new MCQs, new SIMs… And I honestly think Roger is the best.

Regardless, I would focus on the areas you're weak in. I noticed when I was studying I was kind of avoiding the areas I didn't know well because I just didn't want to see those low scores. In the review stage I decided that I won't be able to pass the exam like this and just spent a week on all the areas I didn't know well like consolidations and cash flow. So, focus on the topics you don't know very well, I know it's not as easy as the topics you already know but it must be done.

Good luck! And as Roger always says IF YOU STUDY, YOU WILL PASS! Don't give up!!

[gdubb29]

I used Becker for FAR. Rushed through the material initially and ended up with a 58.

Second time around I went thru each section for a second time and got a perfect score (75).

I only used Becker which happened to work this go round.

I’d suggest going through each chapter like you never started. Highlight weak areas and drill those continuously. Studying everything all over shouldn’t take as long as since you know the material already. You have a foundation.

[Fresh]

If you studied all those hours and failed with a score below 50-60, it's not really your knowledge. You didn't understand how the exam worked, or you panic read the questions, and answering the questions wrong. Anytime I failed, it was because I didn't read the question carefully. Trust, I studied 500 hours+ and would fail, until I did the thing below.

The best thing you can do, is set a timer for 1 minute and 20 seconds (time for each MPQ) at home, and sit there in complete silence. You have more time than you think you do on this exam.

AUD - 75
BEC - 78
FAR - 81
REG - 77

The Real Slim Shady

[Author]

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