[SuperCooper]

Hi everyone. Long time lurker here. FAR is my last section and it has been kicking my butt for the better part of a year now. I just got my scores from the Q1 attempt (side note thanks NASBA for stressing me out all weekend with the score release delay) and I went from a 74 to a 72. I have one more chance before I basically lose credit for the other 3 sections. I thought for sure I passed since the questions seemed a lot easier this time around but I ended up doing worse. I’m currently using CPAexcel and it worked wonders on the other 3 sections, but for FAR I’m going nowhere. I’m not sure if it’s because of the format changes from April last year or what. I was thinking of buying the Gleim course and just study that along with cpaexcel for the next 3 months. Is Gleim any good? Any other tips you guys have would be awesome.

Thanks!

[Kimberly]

Hi @SuperCooper

I used WileyCPA Excel as my primary course. I passed BEC, Aud, and we'll soon see about REG. But I did not like it for FAR. I studied with it for a long time over the summer and didn't do well on my exam. I didn't do any better on a retake. At the suggestion of someone here, I gave Surgent a try for my third retake, which I did pass. And I made a 13 point jump. You are right there, so I can understand the frustration. What I liked about Surgent is that I didn't have to review anything I already knew, and despite failing twice, I knew plenty. My studies felt more concentrated. But I also, after that long of going over FAR material just knew it a heck of a lot better by my last take. FAR is so much and Wiley gives you too much in my opinion. Only advice I would give is to switch something up so you aren't doing the same thing over again for a third time. I knew after the second fail there was no way I could go through Wiley for that one again.

Did you get a report of weaker/stronger areas? Sims or MCQs?

I hope someone else can offer up suggestions of what programs they found helpful for FAR. I wish you luck. I know you can beat it.

BEC - Passed

AUD - Passed

FAR - Passed

REG - Passed

BEC/AUD - Wiley + Ninja / FAR - Surgent / REG - Wiley/Surgent

[SuperCooper]

Thanks for the tips. I'll have to take a look at Surgent too. I'm on my 4th FAR retake and Wiley is definitely not working. When I got the 74, I was stronger in select transactions, comparable in state and local and select financial statement accounts, and weaker in the conceptual framework and the simulations. This past attempt I was weaker in every section except select transactions. I think I might have went through the MCQs too fast in order to leave more time for the Sims. I know for a fact that the Sims are what is killing me though. I just took a look at the AICPA blueprint and it seems to narrow things down more regarding the areas covered in the Sims, so I want get a different test bank to get more questions to practice on. I just wasn't sure if Gleim's test bank would be good for this purpose.

[ashl07]

I used ninja MCQ and Hock International videos. Finally passed the third time. My first two attempts with Wiley were terrible for FAR. Scored 18 points higher than my second attempt but I had really messed up timing on it.

AUD - 80
BEC - 75
FAR - NINJA in Training
REG - 83

“Yesterday’s home runs don’t win today’s games.” -Babe Ruth

[Jen-J]

I think it's going to depend on how you best learn. I prefer learning from a book, and Becker worked well for me. I didn't see anything on my FAR exam that felt like I wasn't ready for it (which may be a result of Becker or of the exam I got, hard to say). That may be more than you wanted to spend for one section though.

AUD: 87

BEC: 90

FAR: 93

REG: 84

CPA license issued September 2018

[Anonymous]

I am also on my 4th retake for FAR. I have been using WileyCPA as well, but realized I wasted so much time reading the extremely long text book and did not get much from that at all. This time I am adding on Ninja. So far it is helping me deep dive into the concepts. Also listening to the notes and lectures helps me. I am really hoping to nail it this time around to avoid losing credits. This is a draining process, but we have to press through it!

[Fratty Redneck]

With as much riding on this final attempt before your other sections expire, I would pony up and spend some money.

Becker is the way to go. I would also supplement with Ninja Audio and MCQ. I studied for FAR for 2 months and brought my score up from a 59 to an 86.

Ninja Notes are another good resource if you don't have Becker. Something that is often overlooked on this Forum is the Becker chapter outlines. I discovered those during my 3rd section (BEC) and used them again for FAR, and I think they are a lifesaver. Master the chapter outlines and make flash cards on other nuances and tricky topics.

Good luck!

REG 75 2/10/17

AUD 77 5/31/17

BEC 54, 73, 72, 93 12/8/17

FAR 59, 86 2/26/18

Licensed CPA and IRS EA

[Anonymous]

Ninja was great to use as a supplement for MCQ, but Becker is great for the book and their SIMS prepared me really well.

I second the outlines-I printed them all in one package and read as condensed notes.

[Anonymous]

I did not even bother taking other parts yet because I heard FAR is the hardest. So of course the first part I am taking is FAR. I am currently using Gleim. I heard it “over prepares” you. I can't compare it to other study guides because this is the only one I use. I feel very overwhelmed. I have 33-34 days before my exam and I am not even working right now. I have no excuse not do pass this exam because I can spend 7 hours easily per day studying. Yet I am not feeling confident. Oh well. Let's see what happens.

[Tim]

@Von

Gleim definitely teaches everything you need to know and challenges you on the MCQs and Sims. Try to finish learning all the study units with at least 10 days to spare before your test date. I felt completely unprepared when I finished study unit 20 and the week before the exam was stressful as hell as I tried to clean up all my weak areas. Ended up with a 97 on the exam. It's normal to feel overwhelmed and unprepared until the final review phase with FAR. There's just so much material to learn and little of it is easy.

FAR - 97 (10/12/17)
BEC - 95 (01/15/18)
AUD - 88 (04/06/18)
REG - 89 (11/16/18)

[ragepsn29]

Make sure you get and understand all easy questions for easy points. I know there are some people who put a lot of effort and time into the hard stuff in FAR and those questions don't show up or they miss the easy questions and points because they focus too much on the hard stuff.

Good luck!

AUD - 65, 72, 70, 74, 81
BEC - 80
FAR - 66, 71, 76
REG - 69, 65, 82

AUD - 65, 72, 70, 74, 81
FAR - 66, 71, 76
REG - 69
BEC - 80

[Me.]

I definitely understand your situation as I also used Wiley.
Here is my bout with FAR:
After Q1 2017 1st score release I only had FAR left(Yay!) or so I thought…Q1 FAR score 70.

Then I studied and did a retake Q2 – FAR 66! wtf!(after a long score release wait!) I thought there was a pretty good chance I passed, hence I did not continue to study, big mistake on my part.

Okay here we go again Q3 – FAR 66! Again! how is that even possible?

This time I purchased Ninja MCQ's – I completed 4600 MCQ's and I did SIMS only on areas I knew I was weak on based on MCQ's. Sat 4Q on the very last day, leaving only 1 more chance to retake before I lost a section. I continued to study after until score release as it felt like Q3 exam, but I ended up with a 77 and finally finished. For me copious amounts of MCQ's worked. I originally started with Gleim, only passed REG then lost it.

Keep Moving forward! Good luck!

REG - 50, 64, 73, 76
FAR - 67, 65, 67 Ugh!!!
BEC - 65
AUD - November 30

"You just can't beat the person who never gives up." -Babe Ruth

[Tncincy]

I don't know anyone that far didn't stress out. At any rate, take in the good advice and study. It's a headache indeed, but the saying is true, We appreciate more what we have to work for.

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]

@Tim

Yes, I remember us communicating about your method few weeks ago. I actually finished all the units. But I never did practice the problems. Right now I am trying to memorize the flashcards and practice the MCQ. I really really dislike Unit 3 which deals with earnings per share & diluted earnings per share, etc. I think it's the one unit I really don't like. Other units are not too bad compared to this one.

[Tim]

@Von

Don't be afraid to re-read a section you're struggling with. Pretend you know nothing about the topic and learn it all over again. Being done with all the material 33 days out means you have a lot of time to continue internalizing specific concepts that you're weak on rather than trying to review everything at once so early on.

FAR - 97 (10/12/17)
BEC - 95 (01/15/18)
AUD - 88 (04/06/18)
REG - 89 (11/16/18)

[Anonymous]

@Tim

I understand what you are saying. I have a lot of flashcards (so it's pretty much like re reading the chapters lol)

I will probably spend a good 3 hours just on flashcards memorizing for Unit 3 for example..which is the EPS/DEPS/etc

[Author]

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