Kenjingap,

I am in the same situation. In fact, I asked the same question in the forum.

But from my observation, it seems to me that ppl ususally save the FAR for last although I agree with you on that it should be cleared before tackling the other sections. Let me not forget to tell you that some find REG to be the hardest section.

Some ppl have told me that you should take what's easiest to you since receiving a passing grade will motivate and give you the confidence to pass the other sections.

Anyway, I am curious of what others would say.

BTW, what are you susing as a study guide for the exam?

thanks

Need to pass wrote: Some ppl have told me that you should take what's easiest to you since receiving a passing grade will motivate and give you the confidence to pass the other sections.

I took BEC in November 2007 using this same way of thinking, that if I could just get one section passed that would propel me into studying for the next sections.  It never happened...I just took REG in August 2008, and the main thing driving me was that my test fees for taking REG were about to expire.  If I didn't take the test, I would lose the fees, so I might as well take the test.  I basically had to panic to be able to force myself to study for the next section.  I'm not going to make the same mistake again - I've already started studying AUD.

The tips I would give someone are:
1) Have the motivation to pass the entire CPA Exam when you start - don't expect that passing one section will give you motivation.
2) Don't wait for your scores from the first section to start studying for the next section - by the time you get your scores (between 4 and 12 weeks after you sit for the exam), you will have lost all your motivation, other issues will come up (work, family, health, etc.) and it will be hard to start studying again.  If you end up failing, you probably won't want to know until after you have sat for the second part anyway as it would just shake your confidence or further demoralize you.
3) Once you have started, just keep plugging away.  Take a day or a weekend off after the test and then get right back into it.  You should plan to sit for your second section close to the time you expect to receive your results from the first section (preferably before just in case you happen to not pass).
4) Don't drive yourself crazy checking multiple times a day for your score - the easiest way to pass the time between sitting for the exam and actually receiving your score is to be focused on something else completely...like studying for the next section.
5) Don't cut corners in your studying - make sure you learn the material.  Just like in the Olympics, success only comes after lots of hard work.
6) Do lots and lots of MC questions.  If you have exam prep software use it because it will get you in the habit of using a computer monitor to take an exam - something that may be different from college days of pen and paper tests.
7) Most importantly: Throughout the CPA examination process remember to keep your perspective.  This test, while frustrating and exasperating at times, does not define you or your worth in this world.

__________________
BEC - 85 (Nov 2007)
AUD - Oct 2008 (Expected)
REG - ?? (Aug 2008)
FAR - Nov 2008 / Jan 2009 (Expected)

Hi JustFurFun, Thanks for your insightful words. I will keep them in mind while I take a stab at the CPA exam again.