[2017cpa]

Hello everyone.

I am currently studying for FAR and I feel completely lost. I am using CPAexcel (Wiley) to study and I understand some basic concepts on there and start to feel confident but then I study something else and feel like an utter failure. I took AUD in April because that’s when my CPA application expired and I honestly will be surprised if I pass but I’m hoping that by some miracle I passed. I planned to take FAR at the end of July but I was getting SO stressed with the amount of material I needed to cover that I was panicking, stressing and just hating life and myself because I feel so dumb. I have a masters in accounting and I feel like I don’t know how I accomplished that because I feel like I don’t even know the basics. So now I changed my study load and am thinking of taking FAR in October. As I’m studying I’m still finding it hard to grasp and apply what I’m learning. I understand what I read but when it comes to the questions I feel like there are other concepts included that I’m supposed to already know so I get the answer wrong. I have been looking at why my answers are wrong and take notes on how to get the correct answer. I am just starting to worry that I have so much material and I’m struggling to understand that I’m scared I wont remember it all once October rolls around. I’ve considered hiring a tutor but they are so expensive and I haven’t found many in my area. I want to give up but I feel like I shouldn’t because I haven’t even attempted to take the test so I can I give up before I even fail. Should I take my test sooner than October? I really don’t know what else I can do to help my brain understand accounting!

Any advice or positive feedback is welcome. I’m feeling really alone and defeated about this test and I just don’t know where else to turn for help. I can provide more insight to my situation I just felt like my post is so long already.

AUD - 63
BEC - NINJA in Training
FAR - 49
REG - NINJA in Training

Not giving up!!! This is only the beginning. OK this is getting way tougher than I thought

[Madhav]

Don't worry about it too much. Think it as a mathematics; if you understand the concept you will answer the question regardless of how they ask you the question. I do not know about your course materials, but i am using Roger and I am solely focused on understanding the materials via Lectures and Text books than worrying about how overwhelming the exam is or doing too much MCQs or TBS or covering all materials in short span of time. If i do not really understand the concept, no matter how many questions i practice, i will get lost if they change the formation or twist a little bit in the exam. Sure if you have enough time you can practice as much MCQs or TBSs as you like and that might be helpful; but from my perspective understanding the materials is the key to pass the exam. GOOD LUCK AND DO NOT WORRY TOO MUCH.

AUD - 76
BEC - 75
FAR - 76
REG - 77

FINISHED.    "If I can do it, so can you".- ME.

LEO MESSI:GOAT

 

Ethics: WA: 93, AICPA: 93

[Anonymous]

What is your situation currently? Do you have a job? Do you have a family to take care of? Do you study full time? Just asking to get an idea.

I think studying from now until October is overkill, that's like 5 months. I think the most I'd ever seen on this forum was 3 months for FAR. But even for a monster like FAR, a lot of people do 6-8 weeks while still working and/or taking care of families. Your mileage may vary, and if you want to take your time then by all means go for it. But it might be harder to remember things you've studied in the beginning when you try to review.

FAR is definitely overwhelming, no doubt about it. I think it's hardest in the beginning because that's where you have to nail revenue recognition and accrual basis and all the other basics. But if you can get passed that and really understand it, everything will come (a little bit) more easily.

Personally, I think you should try to take FAR in July / beginning of August. Then at least once you've taken it, you will get AUD back and you can figure out if you need to retake or start on the next one.

[CPA8675309]

First of all, you can pass FAR! The amount of material is overwhelming, and certain sections are difficult, but overall it's very passable.

If I were you, I'd take FAR in July. One thing I regret so far in my CPA journey is delaying FAR so long. I spent about three (and a half?) months studying for it (not consistently I'll admit). I could have been ready in two months or so if I had studied harder.

I also use CPAExcel and like it a lot. I too felt overwhelmed by the long lessons in the beginning of FAR with CPAExcel (it feels like you aren't progressing and gets frustrating). Stick with it though; it will get better. My routine was to go through the whole course like I did with BEC (lectures, reading, mcqs, and whatever supplementary materials went with the lesson). I had to bail on that idea with FAR though, because I got so behind, so I stuck with lectures and mcqs. Somehow I still passed 🙂 Try to do both lectures and readings unless you don't learn well one way. I bought Ninja Audio to listen to in the car. If you can learn by listening, that is a good additional resource for the repetition. I also like going through the flash cards (you only have to plan on going through 25 a day and you'll get a lot of repetition that way as well. Finally, I also bought Ninja MCQ's and found those better than the Wiley test bank (I don't know why, but I was not doing well with Wiley's test bank and that can hurt your morale).

If you ever have any questions about a specific topic or MCQ, visit the Ninja study group for FAR; your fellow Ninjas are very helpful. And yes, it's difficult going through this, because it's difficult for friends and family to understand.

AUD - 77
BEC - 85
FAR - 84
REG - 85

I'm done!!

[2017cpa]

Thanks everyone. I think you're right and I should take FAR in July. Currently I'm not working but I have a 5 month old baby and usually try to study while she sleeps and my mother in law takes her for 2 hours a day except weekends. I'm finding it hard to manage my time but I think I'm just going to sleep less from now until July to get in all the material. I'm going to try to go over some of the material I already covered before I change my study plan back to July so that I can fully understand those concepts. Also I do plan on purchasing Ninja MCQs so that I can get some more practice. Lastly I'm going to try to stress less although I doubt that will be possible for me because I'm a huge worrier. Thanks so much for some guidance. Just like everyone says, no one understands so its nice to get opinions and suggestions from people who are experiencing my pain.

AUD - 63
BEC - NINJA in Training
FAR - 49
REG - NINJA in Training

Not giving up!!! This is only the beginning. OK this is getting way tougher than I thought

[Retained Learnings]

With the right mindset and study schedule you can absolutely pass FAR.

[Author]

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