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I usually did most of my studying on the weekends. I probably did none on weekdays except about 4 hours on Wednesdays and then long weekend hours. As I reached the last 2 weeks or so before the exam I spent 1-4 hours on most weekdays studying. If you are not a procrastinator, then maybe balance it out and do about 2 hours on weekdays and 4-6 each weekend day.
For FAR, I wasn't working yet and it was my first one. I was overly afraid so I studied for 30 hours a week for 8 weeks doing about 4 hours a day.
For the other 3, I had started working and wasn't as freaked out. I averaged 15-20 hours a week for 6 weeks (2 hours a day during the week and then 5 hours each weekend day) for AUD and BEC, but I was the TA for the undergrad Audit class at my University so I had a pretty decent command of the basics. For REG, it was closer to 25 hours a week for 8 weeks, but I also spent the last weekend before my Monday test cramming like a madman, and probably put in at least 30 hours between that last Friday – Sunday (I took Friday off). I just wanted to make absolutely sure that was my last one and was not going to have to take it again…
Hi all,
Is 12 weeks too long to study for FAR? I know some suggest that taking too much time to study can burn you out. Please advise.
Thanks
way too long
AUD - NINJA in Training
BEC - 86
FAR - NINJA in Training
REG - NINJA in TrainingAUD - 71, 73BEC - 74, 86
REG - 77*
FAR - 57
*expired
(I have been trying to become a CPA since 2013). only one test down.......
I did 2 hours every weekday, 4-6 hours each weekend day.
Old timer, A71'er since 2010. Licensed since 2012-non reporting MA CPA.Finance manager/HR manager
I like to do 8pm to 10pm on Weekdays. That's usually enough to handle half a chapter or so, then on the weekends it's a little more rigorous,more like 4 to 5 hours for Sat and Sun, usually devoted to MCQs over the sections I covered during the week. Towards the end of my study time I'll do some mock tests, but not practice tests: I do at least 90 MCQs and 10 Sims on NINJA's every day. I don't like the Becker Practice Tests because you only find out which questions and Sims you missed when it's all over, which is ooooooookay, but I need to know immediately if something is wrong or else it doesn't really sink in.
Oh also, if you have Becker then you can do MCQs on their mobile app which is AMAZING, because I'll be in my son's room or whatever just answering questions while he's having fun being a baby!
@kettle – that is why I never do practice exams as then the material won't sink. Also I go right after work at 3:30 to study for a few hours. I am usually in bed before 9
AUD - NINJA in Training
BEC - 86
FAR - NINJA in Training
REG - NINJA in TrainingAUD - 71, 73BEC - 74, 86
REG - 77*
FAR - 57
*expired
(I have been trying to become a CPA since 2013). only one test down.......
Oh yeah, and always prioritize quality over quantity. If you're on hour 5 and you have just HAD IT, then stop! Not only are you just glossing over info, then when you come back you'll be like “oh, i covered this yesterday already, let's move on!” then you have this gap that you “covered” but didn't retain anything!
For reference though, I probably spent 80 hours on BEC and passed. 100 hours for REG and AUD each time and still haven't passed either of those. I took AUD on Monday though and I'm preeeeeeetty sure I nailed it. If I didn't pass then I am gonna flip my biz!!! so I'd say I've spent a combined total of about 250 hours for AUD alone :-|.
@jonm857 – your scores show great potential to pass these exams. You just need to step up on the studying.
Weekdays – 10 hours
Weekends – 4-8 hours each day
Total – 6-8 weeks…
I think you may be able to tackle FAR in the May window. Stick to one or two sections until you pass…ideally FAR/AUD and REG/BEC…
Oh and spend less time on AUD/BEC. Do not underestimate REG…
Do not underestimate any exam. Try to study 3 hour weekday and 10-12 hour on weekends if you are planning to give your exam in a month.
I didn't do much in the way of annihilation, but I did do about 2 hours/day, and 2-4 on Saturday, and I would bump it up to 3/day and 4+ on Saturday the 2 weeks prior to the test.
I studied about 4-5 hours per day I was off, which was weekends and every-other Wednesday. Sometimes I studied a bit more one weekend day and took the other weekend day off. I didn't study at all on days I worked till the last week or so before the exam.
Partially depends on the rest of your schedule.
If you're studying full time, 20-40 hours is probably a reasonable range (closer to 20 for the bulk of the time and you can ramp up near your exam to review more heavily).
If you're working full time and also doing the exams, it's likely you'll be in the 10-30 hour range (same with being closer to 10 during most weeks and closer to 30 during final review time).
This also varies a bit depending on your own habits and what works best for you, but these ranges are likely appropriate for someone planning to go for 3-6 months or longer. You can go nuts for a few weeks, but you will quickly burn out.
I have a full time job and 2 little ones (newborn and toddler)- Here was my schedule:
5am-7am study
730-1230- work
1230-100- study
100-430- work
430-730- kids/family time
730-830- study
sleeep and repeat.
Also tried to get around 8 hrs on the weekend…sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. All about flexibility.
Never counted. Just studied whenever I got time. I have 20 min of not doing anything at work? Time for MCQ…if I had something I HAD to do after work, I did it…just study on all your free time. Except weekends where you may be studying from 10-5 and have the night free, as long as there isn't a time in your day where you're just relaxing outside of sleeping, youll be fine.
I might also mention that some basic things like yard work, and side gigs disappeared for most of the time I was studying (17 months).
Everyone is going to study differently based on their schedule and their needs.
Fully time 9 to 5 job here (Government so it truly is a 9 to 5 job). I usually spend about half an hour at lunch and about 2 hours in the evenings. On the weekend I try and spend about 4 to 6 hours a day.
Worked full time and have 3 small children. I had set study days on two weekdays from 6-10 or 11 p.m. and all day Saturday, which ranged from 8-12 hours. I averaged 20-25 hours per week for 8-10 weeks for FAR. I study more in the last week or so leading up to the exam. 8 weeks is a good time frame. If you study much longer than that you start losing knowledge and getting burnt out I think.
JLPT level 1 (N1) – around 3100 4500 hours of study JLPT level 2 (N2) – around 1400 2000 hours of study JLPT level 3 (N4) – around 500 750 hours of study JLPT level 4 (N5) – around 250 400 hours of study.