[MasterOfTaxation]

My situation just changed – I can now study full time for the next couple of months. Is it possible to be adequately prepared to take FAR at end of May? I graduated with a 3.8 in Accounting 1.5 years ago and our college is known for having a solid reputation for preparing for the CPA exam. (I then completed a Master’s with the same GPA immediately after.) I have pretty good study habits and generally test well. It’s not implausible for me to study 40+ hours per week during that time.

Any feedback would be useful. Thanks.

[M123]

What program are you using? With Ninja MCQ – you will to a reasonable degree of confidence – know when you are ready.

That would absolutely not be enough time for me but everyone is different and the topics are fresher in your mind.

My suggestion would be to use the MCQ both as a study resource (supplement to your main program) and as a guide to your readiness. If you're nailing the MCQ and TBS – you will know it.

That's the benefit of Ninja and the scourge of “other” systems – with a diverse set of questions and trending in the right direction, you get better feedback of readiness with Ninja MCQ. The “other guys” will have questions that you repeat and answer from memory from the last time you got it wrong but the questions will be so different on the exam that it's the diversity and readiness for anything that counts!

AUD - 77
BEC - 81
FAR - 77
REG - 81

REG - 1. Becker only - fail (forgot to study depr - oops); 2. Becker only - Pass
FAR - 1. Becker only - fail; 2. added Ninja Notes and MCQ - Pass
AUD - 1. Becker videos; Ninja Notes, Audio, MCQ, Becker Notes - Pass
BEC - 1. Ninja Notes, Audio, MCQ, Becker Notes - Pass

[MasterOfTaxation]

Dang it. I forgot to put that in my original post – I'm using Becker. I started the first lecture and hope to get through a few of them today. On Monday I will start a rigid 8 hour per day schedule. May study an additional 4 hours on Saturday as well. The review is odd so far because many of the concepts are very familiar. I'm not sure if that will help or hurt me in the long run.

[Jdn9201]

Not sure how FAR is under the new format but thought I'd share my experience. Yes it will be challenging but I think you should give it a shot especially if you can study full time. I took FAR 2/29/16 after 20 days of studying and surprisingly passed so it's possible. I used Roger and was only able to get in about 80 hours since I work full time. Good luck!

BEC - 88 8/29/15
REG - 82 11/14/15
AUD - 83 1/8/16
FAR - 80 2/29/16

[MasterOfTaxation]

jdn9201- Wow. That's definitely encouraging. Thanks! I'm trying to sort out how to approach this right now. Don't want to overdue it on every lecture, but it's so much material! Geez.

[Floreat]

You're a recent graduate and can study like it's a job for the next 39 days. I think you can pass, if you're disciplined. I recommend 8 hours per day Monday – Sunday. (Maybe 4 hours on one Sunday until you sit).

My story: I worked FAR like a job for 3.5 months. I graduated with an accounting major a long time ago and needed the time to get reacquainted with the material. Best wishes to you.

FAR: 80 (10/28/2016)
AUD: 85 (2/6/2017)
REG: DSIT (Dragon Slayer in Training) (5/31/2017)
BEC: DSIW (Dragon Slayer in Waiting) (7/2017)

[MasterOfTaxation]

Floreat – Thanks for your input. I'm seriously glad you responded because the usual advice I get comes from people who clearly study and learn quicker than I do. I think my capacity is closer to yours. I am a recent graduate but still think it would take me at least two full months to prepare, maybe even longer. I was able to get through the first two modules from Becker on Friday. I'm sure I'm going to hit hurdles when I get to the harder material. I'm just going to see how it goes for the next three weeks or so. If I continue to move slowly, I'll just push the exam off until July.

Thanks again!

[Anonymous]

I've passed every section in under 6 weeks except far (got a 72). I am in the same boat as you (damn procrastination). you can do it.

[MasterOfTaxation]

Sunni – Thanks for the feedback. My intent from the start was to pass all four parts on the first try. I've been told by many people that most people fail because they don't prepare properly. This includes having unrealistic expectations. I fortunately am intimately aware of my flaws. If I have to take an extra month or two months to pass, I'd rather just be realistic and get it done a little later than try to rush it and fail. I have no desire to take any portion of this damn test twice. It's so much wasted time.

I'm likely going to just wait until July, but won't know until I'm a few more weeks into preparing.

[Chief71]

MoT – I'm in a similar situation. One month left in my Masters of Accounting program but my classload is very light right now so I've been treating my studying like a full-time job, except for the weekends. I have FAR scheduled for May 25th and started studying about 5.5 weeks in advance.

I'm on pace to finish going through Becker about two weeks before the exam date but I've been debating moving it back until July. I think I'm going to wait till I get closer to the exam date before I make a decision and just keep studying until then as if I'll be taking it 5/25.

BEC: 83

REG: 71, 4/11

FAR: 5/25

AUD: --

[neaux]

I passed FAR studying 4 – 5 hours every weekday for about 3 weeks. It definitely can be done.

FAR - 81, 7/4/16
AUD - 77, 7/11/16
BEC - 83, 7/23/16
REG - 63, 8/12/16; 87 11/4/16

NINJA saved my working life!

[Iceman6]

@neaux Now that tax season is over Ive got 5 weeks of 4 hour study days so your post gives me a ton of hope and motivation to really hammer MCQs and get this thing over with

AUD - 79
BEC - 77
FAR - 78
REG - 80

After 4 long years, I'm done.

[Chief71]

neaux – How did you study over that time? Did you just hammer through MCQ or did you use a specific review course?

BEC: 83

REG: 71, 4/11

FAR: 5/25

AUD: --

[Grasshopper]

This post makes me feel so much better. I thought I was trying to do the impossible by trying to study from 5/2 to test 5/31. I took BEC on 5/2 and came home to start FAR. There is a lot material and trying to get through all the roger videos by the end of next week. After that it will me ninja MCQs until I dont know my name anymore.

Good luck everybody!

AUD - 86
BEC - NINJA in Training
FAR - 79
REG - 75

Patience young Grasshopper

[Tncincy]

@elia Bahahaha….that's a good one. I guess that's what the determined to pass will do. Do the mcq's until the you don't know your name. I officially put that on a post it and stuck it in a my book.

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

[Grasshopper]

hahahahaha! Whatever helps motivate us to keep going!

AUD - 86
BEC - NINJA in Training
FAR - 79
REG - 75

Patience young Grasshopper

[Author]

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