Poursuivant wrote: My questions to those who passed are: 1) Approximately how many total hours did you study for FAR? 2) How many financial accounting classes have you taken? 3) Are there any flashcards or DVDs or affordable "intensive review" methods that you recommend in addition to the Gleim system? (I have the so-called "Gleim Complete System" with sims, MCQs, and text.) 4) Any other tips or word of wisdom and encouragement? Thanks so much for any advice.

I'm also in NC.  Seems we have a lot of people from NC posting here these days...

1)  I spent at least 4 hrs a day Monday - Thursday and then another 8 or so hrs over the weekend.  I normally took Friday evening off to be with the girlfriend (now my wife), and to do other things of necessity.  I stuck to this schedule for basically 2.5 months in order to make sure I knew everything.

2)  I took two entry level accounting classes, intermediate accounting, advanced accounting, and then whatever the financial accounting class in my masters program was.  I've had at least 15 credit hrs of strictly financial accounting classes.

3)  I can't comment on this because I used Becker.  I had the flashcards, Final Review, and the regular course stuff for Becker.

4)  Just stick to it.  You did pretty well the first time for not having a degree in accounting.  Give it another go round and hopefully you'll pull your score up to a 75.

Hi all,

I failed FAR twice and my most recent score was 69. I used Becker self-studied CDs for both my exam attempts. I watched the lectures, studied the book, did all the MC homework questions, including the supplemental ones, did all the simulations, plus the AICPA MCQs, and still managed to fail. I have probably done at least 3,000 MCQs by now. Don't know where I have gone wrong.

1) So to all those who have failed this exam before, can anyone please suggest alternative study methods and materials? I've noticed people have recommended Gleim, Wiley, Yaeger on the forum. Which one is the best? Also, should I just purchase the practice questions CD, or the book as well? I worry that if I get the book as well, it will be like I am studying all the material again. Or do you guys think I can just study the practice CD, and by studying the answer explanations to the MCQs on the practice CD, it will help me to understand the exam concepts that I apparently do not understand or have a good grasp on.

2) Also, I was thinking about attending Becker live class this time around and maybe it will help me to learn better since I can ask the instructors questions if I do not understand a concept. But Becker's live schedules do not offer FAR in the time frame that I need, which is the Oct-Dec time frame. Does anyone know of any good CPA prep courses out there that offer live class instructions in the Chicago area?

Thanks in advance to everyone for your valuable advices. They're much appreciated.