[RE2PECT]

So now that I’m about a week and a half out from my exam, I’m starting to play the second guessing game. I’ve been doing well with Ninja since I switched back from Gleim, averaging 84% after getting through all the tax sections, with just ethics and blaw left. Gleim mcq’s are really hard and were hurting my confidence. I was only averaging 69% after about 2000 mcq’s, mostly new ones with a few repeats. I’ve done over 150 sims, mainly Gleim, and feel more comfortable with them now than I was for my first attempt.

My first exam I was stronger on all mcq sections, except ethics and blaw which were comparable. For the sims I literally put 0’s on all of them and couldn’t find the research, but that’s a whole other story.

I’ve been studying straight through since the beginning of October. Took my exam on 11/26, that I knew I wasn’t ready for but had to take because NTS was expiring, and started studying again a few days after. There’s always that doubt that you’re not ready and need more time, but I don’t know if pushing my exam back to the first week of February would help or do more harm than good. I really want to pass this time and want to be done forever. God forbid I fail and have to retake, I won’t even know my results until August!

"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity."

Roger & Ninja

FAR: 75
AUD: 73, 81
BEC: 71, 73, 82
REG: 68, 82

FAR: 75 Roger & Ninja (notes/flashcards/audio/MCQ)
AUD: 73, 81
BEC: 71, retake 8/29
REG:

[passthisthing]

@re2pect – Yeah, the thought of this being potentially the last exam especially before the exam changes is what keeps me on the edge. Specifically for AUD, was the Ninja MCQs alone that shot your score to an 81? Did you feel ready before taking it? I think I remember one of your post describing how the exam was totally different then the first time and that it got harder which was a good sign.

[oldercandidate21]

@re2pect – our situations couldn’t be more similar. We both have REG to go and it seems as if we both have been battling with when to take it. Like a lot of people I’m concerned about the unknown of the format change in Q2. So I really want to finish this thing in Q1, which is why I’m not rushing it and allowing myself up to March 10th if need be.

@passthisthing – I agree with you that it can be difficult to determine to know if you’re really ever ready. Unfortunately I think there is a large element of luck to it. You could be a lot more prepared than the person sitting next to you and fail while they pass. But if you received their exam, you might have scored over 90…. Not an encouraging statement I know, but what I’m trying to say is if you put in the hours, you are likely ready.

FAR 75
BEC 81
AUD 71, 84
REG 69, 71, 83

FAR - 75 November 2015
REG - 69 April 2016 (WTH? Test I got isn't what I studied for)
BEC - 81 June 2016
AUD - TBD

[RE2PECT]

@passthisthing- Like you, I felt most confident for AUD and was shocked when I didn't pass the first time. For my retake, I read the Ninja book and then did the Ninja mcq's for that section. The book aligns perfectly with the mcq's so it's a good way to reinforce everything. I only studied a little over 3 weeks for my retake. I also made sure I was more familiar with the AL and how to search through it. It came in handy on one particular sim. I actually felt worse leaving AUD the second time, but was glad I pulled it off.

@oldercandidate21- As much as I want this to be over and get on with my life, I'm not going to rush my last exam. I know people say don't stretch your studying out too far or you'll run the risk of getting burnt out or forgetting things, but I feel the more you review something the better off you will be. Even if I'm not studying as intensely as I normally would, it still helps to see the same thing over and over. I rescheduled my exam yesterday for 2/28, but I can always move it up if I feel like I'm ready.

"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity."

Roger & Ninja

FAR: 75
AUD: 73, 81
BEC: 71, 73, 82
REG: 68, 82

FAR: 75 Roger & Ninja (notes/flashcards/audio/MCQ)
AUD: 73, 81
BEC: 71, retake 8/29
REG:

[mckan514w]

@RE2PECT- missed your question first go round- was originally scheduled 1/27 but have pushed it back to 2/24- the way I figure it in regards to burn-out is if I am feeling better / more ready sooner than I can always look for an open slot and push it forward- but its not always as easy to push it back.

GOOD LUCK!

And they ask me why I drink

BEC 71, 82
AUD 75
REG 75
FAR 61, 69, 83

and they ask me why I drink...

FAR- 61-next time I'll ask for lube instead of a calculator
REG-75- Never been so happy to see such a low grade
BEC- 8/11
AUD- 9/2

[RE2PECT]

@mckan514w- That's exactly how I feel. I think I have a much better understanding of the material than I did for my first attempt, but would rather be over prepared than have any doubt. I may have pushed mine back a little further than I wanted, but it was either 2/28 or 2/2. Like you said, it's easier to move it up than push it back. Good luck with FAR! Look's like we'll be in the same score release. Hopefully we'll get the same results that we had for BEC! 🙂

"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity."

Roger & Ninja

FAR: 75
AUD: 73, 81
BEC: 71, 73, 82
REG: 68, 82

FAR: 75 Roger & Ninja (notes/flashcards/audio/MCQ)
AUD: 73, 81
BEC: 71, retake 8/29
REG:

[Stilgoin]

I pushed mine to 1/26- I had to be in by 1/31. I wanted to give myself all the time I could because it is my last shot. I think it is a good decision, but DANG- the wait is going to kill me!!! 🙄

Stilgoin, CPA

There are enough critics. Be an encourager

B | 62, 78
A | 73, 67, 79
R | 82
F | 59, 59, Waiting

Ethics | 93

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."
~Winston Churchill

“In a world full of critics, be an encourager."

[mckan514w]

Your mouth to God's ears @RE2PECT!!! I honestly do not know what I will do if I fail FAR again.

And they ask me why I drink

BEC 71, 82
AUD 75
REG 75
FAR 61, 69, 83

and they ask me why I drink...

FAR- 61-next time I'll ask for lube instead of a calculator
REG-75- Never been so happy to see such a low grade
BEC- 8/11
AUD- 9/2

[Stilgoin]

Same here- I may need a white jacket for a day or two. No- seriously. We got this. We put in the work and it will happen. On a high note- I looked at score release and it is 2/23 for me. I thought it was 2/28, so that is 5 days better. lol So I guess you guys are March 8th?

Stilgoin, CPA

There are enough critics. Be an encourager

B | 62, 78
A | 73, 67, 79
R | 82
F | 59, 59, Waiting

Ethics | 93

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."
~Winston Churchill

“In a world full of critics, be an encourager."

[mckan514w]

Ugh yes I think I am March 8… at least I will have RE@PECT to wait it out with ha ha ha ha– I was a basket case last release I can't even imagine what I am going to be like this time starring down the fact that I may be forced to reckon with the new exam.

And they ask me why I drink

BEC 71, 82
AUD 75
REG 75
FAR 61, 69, 83

and they ask me why I drink...

FAR- 61-next time I'll ask for lube instead of a calculator
REG-75- Never been so happy to see such a low grade
BEC- 8/11
AUD- 9/2

[RE2PECT]

At least I'll be in good company :). Can you imagine having to take the new exam and then wait until August for your score?!

I don't know how that's going to work for people who need to retake an exam. Hopefully they extend the windows because you're already losing all of July. On top of that, I can lose FAR at the end of September. If that's not enough motivation to get this over with, I don't know what is lol.

"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity."

Roger & Ninja

FAR: 75
AUD: 73, 81
BEC: 71, 73, 82
REG: 68, 82

FAR: 75 Roger & Ninja (notes/flashcards/audio/MCQ)
AUD: 73, 81
BEC: 71, retake 8/29
REG:

[oldercandidate21]

End of September? I wish I had that much time before I lose FAR. I have until May 31st. This is truly annoying because as a 14 year tax professional I never expected REG to be an issue for me. AUD was my biggest concern.

FAR 75
BEC 81
AUD 71, 84
REG 69, 71, 83

FAR - 75 November 2015
REG - 69 April 2016 (WTH? Test I got isn't what I studied for)
BEC - 81 June 2016
AUD - TBD

[Anonymous]

I am in the same boat like you guys.REG is my last exam. First I scheduled it on Jan 18th and now changed it to Feb 6th. Gliem is tough. Went back to Becker. Maybe for SIMS I will use Gleim.Good luck guys.

[mitchvols]

I would push it back as far as you are comfortable with. You need to make it count. FAR was my last one, and I pushed it back from Dec 1 to Dec 7. I was worried that that was $35 wasted, but turns out I believe it was really worth it as some of the stuff didn't click until after my test would have originally been.

As for Gleim with REG, don't worry about that, they are absolutely brutal and nothing like what you see on the test. For others wondering, I did think Gleim for AUD was pretty good, I like it better for that section than Ninja to be honest (I didn't use it for BEC and FAR).

AUD - 90
BEC - 79
FAR - 86
REG - 81

Licensed CPA - Tennessee

Finished Exams in December 2016

REG - 81

AUD - 74, 72, 90

BEC - 79

FAR - 86

[Anonymous]

Thank you Mitch.

This forum is always too supportive and really motivating. When ever I feel down I immediately login and start reading the messages. Very helpful and supportive. Thanks to all 🙂

[Anonymous]

My advice is going to run counter to all the people who say push it back. I say take it. After passing FAR and REG thus far and spending about two months a piece, to hell with it.
Understand the fundamentals and trust what you've learned. I've seen some of the random WTF curveball questions that you would never be prepared for in a million years. The random question from the last line of the middle of a page in Becker. A question you figure ehh they'll never test me on that. I've seen some minutae being tested on both FAR and REG. And I know because I have sort of a photographic memory. So I see some of the questions and I ignore them, trying to understand the big concepts. And then those are the little details you get hammered on.
Your memory registers are limited. And unless you have nothing else in life, then the knowledge is perishable fast. Hell you wont remember half the crap you read this morning.

Understand the concepts from whatever review course, go in and do the best you can. But spending months reviewing is a waste of time. You'll constantly be trying to remember stuff you studied weeks ago. Make the study time frame short and intense.

Damn it. i want my life back and I'm taking a full 12 credit graduate class load plus studyijg for AUD and BEC.

[Author]

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