[SchruteBeet]

Hey guys,

I took FAR last weekend and I am completely devastated with my performance. I think I had prepped in a decent manner but the exam was extremely rough. I am more than convinced that I have failed it – I flagged 1 out of every 6 or 7 questions. I don’t think my MCQ testlet got any harder. In fact, now that I think about it, there were a few questions I remember studying for the topics but went completely blank on exam day. I spent 15 mins looking for the SIMs but didn’t find the answer. By the time I came to the last 2 sims, I had started running out of time. I made sure not to leave anything empty but I really don’t see the slightest chance of passing.

My question is: My credits start expiring in March, should I start restudying for the FAR retake right now? I know Becker has some content updates for the new rev rec standards in the new version but my software license is expiring. I was able to explain my situation to Becker and work out an extension for a few months so should I just order the new textbook and start studying from scratch? Or is there anything I can leverage my old material for? I really don’t know what to do. Any advice would be helpful.

AUD - 79
BEC - 80
FAR - 83
REG - 78

Ethics - 97

"If it were easy, everyone would do it."

"Hard work, perseverance, faith, blessings."

[Sweet<3 soon to be CPA]

I would wait until you get the results. You aren't permitted to take an exam multiple times in the window. So relax and hopefully you get good news next month!

BEC - Passed

REG - Passed

AUD - Passed

FAR - Passed

[Lentilcounter]

Since it is your last test, it also doesn't hurt to keep studying until the score release day. You don't have to do crazy studying but maybe 1-2 hours a day from your notes and using a supplemental test bank like Ninja ($127) or Gleim ($225-$250). If you failed, then you have a head start on studying for your retake in Q1. If you passed, well then you know FAR even better now.

BEC = 79

AUD = 79

FAR = 84

REG = 86

Prayer + AICPA blueprints = my success

BEC = 72 (6/08/16)
FAR = ?
REG = ?
AUD = ?

[PNS2CLT]

I agree with Lentilcounter. Since it's your last test, and your credits begin expiring in March, I'd begin studying NOW, if I felt like I'd failed the test.

Also… don't believe the hype surrounding the changes in revenue recognition procedures. FAR covers a wide breadth of material — as it is, there are plenty of topics that you won't see on your exam (but I might see on mine). For example, Governmental Accounting is a HUGE topic that covers A LOT. And yet nearly everybody taking the exam reports receiving just a handful of random questions on it. Do you honestly think there's going to be more than one or two questions, IF ANY, on the changes in revenue recognition? And it's probable if you test in Q1, they'll be pretest anyway.

Reality is, big review programs hype these changes to sell. Small changes to the standard deduction and social security limit are hyped by Rogers and other as in “you need brand new material because these are tricky areas.” Blah – they're just looking to sell. And ultimately, if you study a little bit now, you'll retain more and save yourself a lot of time & trouble – that you can spend focusing on areas challenging to you. You know what those areas are. They're going to sink your score moreso than those one or two new questions.

Hopefully you passed it, but best not to waste time.

[Anonymous]

When I was in a similar boat, I tried to do 1-2 hours of progress tests of 15-30 questions each. I went through the chapters and did all chapters every 10 or so tests. I would study 4 days a week for the 3 weeks I waited. Thankfully I passed, but I would have been ready for a retake within a couple weeks (just to be safe) had I needed it.

[Author]

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