I'm aiming for REG July 10 (this is my first test), BEC late Aug, then FAR Oct 10 so I have more time to study for that one, not sure if I'll be able to squeeze in AUD before year end...and thats hoping I pass all sections on the first try.  This is my first week studying so I'm still figuring out how my schedule and study plan will work out. 

I'm using Yaeger and so far the plan is watch one lecture 4 weeknights a week (when I have the most time - 2 hr block) and take notes. Wake up an hour earlier and do the MCQ's for the lecture the night before.  Study my notes on the commute to work (30 mins) and go over more MCQ's on the way home.  Thats for weekdays, I go to the gym during lunch so I dont study then. Weekends anywhere from 2-4 hours each day.  Maybe get through another lecture and go through SIMS.  Should be about 20 hours a week.

Canadian, I've read throughout the internet that the average study time for REG is anywhere from 75 hours to 150 hours.  What does this tell me?  Everyone is different. 

Does the person have tax experience?  Did the person take any business law in school?  How long ago was the individual in school?  For the MSA program I just finished I only took one major tax course.  I took business law and advanced business law (geared towards people preparing to sit for the CPA exam).  Just finishing the R7 lectures I honestly don't think any of the material is too difficult to comprehend, it more depends on how well the individual retains information.  With that being said, I feel like I could spend months studying this material and still not retain all of it.  The goal is to get a 75 or better and move on.

I was also registered for the FastPass course.  Prior to the class I watched the entire R1 lecture and began working on the questions.  Knowing my time was very limited I decided to drop the class about 15 minutes into it and do a self-study.  Will I return to the FastPass course for FAR/AUD/BEC?  I highly doubt it.  I believe I can still qualify for the Becker Promise through self-study.  I find it much easier to focus in my bedroom with headphones on rather than in a classroom with other people.  I can also pause the lecture to read/re-read any text that I don't understand.  To each their own.  I understand the structure may help many individuals.

I have yet to sit for REG or any section of the CPA for that matter.  I will be walking into the REG section next Wednesday blind.  It is looking like I will be able to get 80 hours in give or take a few prior to sitting for the exam.  I currently stand at 56 hours.  I estimate that I will have about 60 hours total put into the initial run through the lectures/multiple choice/simulation and about 20 hours of review.  With that being said, I feel extremely unprepared.

I have been keeping track of my study sessions in excel and I average 5-6 hours a day of study time.  I work part time (20 hours a week) and I feel like 5-6 hours a day is really demanding a lot. 

My routine:

Watch lecture section, complete related multiple choice, answering every questions correctly and reading the explanation to the questions that I miss.  Once I am finished with the entire section I will complete the supplementary questions and work the Becker simulation.  After each complete REG section I will take a progress test up through the REG section I most recently completed.  (I have taken 5 and have scored 85-95% granted the multiple choice questions in progress tests are from the homework bank)  I will also take 20-30 minutes to update the notes already provided by Becker which I have in a binder.

For the remaining review:

Once I finish the R7 questions I will work the R7 simulation and the remaining AICPA released simulations.  After that I will work the Becker supplementary like-kind problems and then take the first Final Exam.  I expect the final exam will show me where I need to focus the most.

I will then take 2 or so hours per section to skim the text, rework the simulation, and take a 40-50 question quiz on the section.  The night before I sit I will take the second final exam and review and questions I miss.

The morning of the exam I plan to read through my notes (the modified Becker notes).

Will this be sufficient to pass REG?  I have no idea!  It is the best I can/could do with the amount of time!

With that being said, I am as scared as can be!  I have to keep telling myself that less than 10% pass all four sections on the first attempt.  I also have to keep telling myself that regardless of the outcome of this section, I will have put in 80 hours of work, meaning I am much closer to passing REG than I was 2 weeks ago!