The CFI at my FTO barked at me that I needed to make sure I filed for my CPL/MEP/IR no later than 6 months after passing the MEP/CPL test (I'm modular). So if it looks like you won't pass your IRT before that deadline, you might want to file the MEP/CPL separately. It'll cost more that way though. I can't find that info in LASORS. But you'd think the CFI would know...