Hello,

I am planning to take all four exams within this year. I am not sure how I can plan the four exams for differnt months. I want some suggestions in regards to this matter plus any helpful hints for passing the exam. 

Thanks.

Really depends, are you working full time? Do you have a family to take care of? Any other obligations?

The only sound advice I can give is take FAR first. You will always over study the first part and it might as well be the perceived hardest part. Plus if you pass it, your 18 month clock starts with the hardest one out of the way, that's a huge load off your shoulders.

Other than that, per testing window, I'd try to schedule 2 for each window. The most popular format is FAR + BEC in your first window and then REG + AUD in the second window. Just be cognizant of your 18 month clock.

Really depends. My firm paid for my CPA course tuition but I would have done them regardless because I am an awful self motivator and cannot concentrate. There is nothing wrong with self study as long as you can motivate yourself to study and the CPA "live" courses are just the instructors playing the lecture CDs. I did them because I have to be forced to go somewhere to watch the lectures or I would never be able to do them.

Self study is fine too, but you have to stick to it. IMO, the materials are all about the same and it's how much effort and work you put into it. The CPA Exam is one of those exams that rewards hard work and dilligence so just keep that in mind.

Great, that helps a lot. Yes, I am a very determined person, so don't have any problem with motivating myself.  I saw some people saying that you have to spend certain hours for each exam, such as 150 hrs for BEC, 200 hrs for FAR, what do you think about that?