[OnMyWay732]

So first things first. This is NOT a bragging thread. I am not bragging and I don’t feel like reading about anyone else bragging.

Second, I am very happy with my job and I am not looking to change at all, this is purely just out of curiosity.

So I got through all exams. First attempt for each. Started studying May 14, finished my last exam end of Jan 15. I am very proud of myself, so regardless of anything else, getting through it the first time is such a gratifying feeling.

Anyway, when going to an interview, talking with a higher up at your company, etc, is there any good way to bring up that you passed all on the first try without sounding like you’re bragging?

“Oh so I see you passed the exam..”

“Yep, luckily on the first try”

Just curious if any one has any experience on this

AUD - July 2014 - 76
REG - August 2014 - 82
FAR - November 2014 - 78
BEC - January 2015 - 81

DONE!!!!

Used Becker online. Who needs a text when you can burn your eyes out staring at the screen for months on end?

"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't how hard you're hit; it's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done!"

[NAT]

TO PASS ALL 4 parts of CPA-exam on the 1st attempt:

I met NASBA's info. By their statistics, only 20% of CPA-candidates can do it, on the 1st attempt !

So, Kimboroni and OnMyWay732, you are good, guys !!

What tips would you give me, I am waiting for my 1st NTS. They are sooooo slow, even to respond to our emails….

How about your experience, back to that waiting-stage ?

FAR - 07/2015
AUD - TBD
REG - TBD
BEC -TBD

We suffer one of two things in our life. The pain of discipline or the pain of disappointments.
When you are disciplined, there is no pain of disappointments.

[NAT]

Kimboroni and OnMyWay732:

I got 2 questions for you.

1. Would you share your study-plan details for FAR ? That will be my 1st one. Thanks.

2. I am not clear about: how NASBA does report for educational credentials for CPA-exam vs. CPA-License.

Is it an universal report which they send to you one time and no headache anymore?

FAR - 07/2015
AUD - TBD
REG - TBD
BEC -TBD

We suffer one of two things in our life. The pain of discipline or the pain of disappointments.
When you are disciplined, there is no pain of disappointments.

[Kimboroni]

My strategy was to give each section its due and not try to rush, a “slow and steady wins the race” type of approach. So I picked them off one at a time by pacing myself. (I work full time and have a grown daughter on the autism spectrum, so she needs a bit more care than most girls her age.)

I mapped out a study plan for that section– one per week for long chapters, or sometimes up to 3 per week for shorter ones. Plus 2 weeks at the end for review. The FAR plan was 7-8 weeks total. I read the chapter and did some of the questions, but not all of them. I saved quite a few for doing later, knowing that I would need to review that material again later anyway.

My approach on MCQs was to not guess if I didn't remember, but look at my resources as I did them, so that I was constantly focusing on the material and the correct answers. I needed the material less and less the closer it came to exam day. I also did questions one at a time, looking up the correct answers as I went for immediate feedback, rather than doing a bunch of questions and then looking up the answers. That way I could keep building on the knowledge gained from previous questions. Always focused on building confidence with the material.

I practiced all the sims in WTB, because sims require a more in-depth level of understanding, and it helps you start thinking of the kinds of things that could come up on a sim as you go through the material.

I think the review period at the end is really important. I never did practice tests after my first one– too confidence-killing and not enough positives. Instead, I did small sets of 10-20 MCQs at a time, still using resources as necessary.

Last, I love Ninja Audio since Jeff has a great way of boiling down the main points in a way that helps you remember them. I constantly listened to it while I was driving (no music, no NPR) when I was preparing for a section. It helped so much.

AUD 84 (1/9/14-Wiley books/TB + free materials)
FAR 83 (5/21/14-the above + NINJA 10 Pt Combo Lite)
REG 84 (7/9/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC/Notes)
BEC 76 (10/5/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC)

Disclaimer: My ninja avatar is not meant to imply that I have any affiliation with this site other than being a forum member. That's a pic of a T-shirt that my daughter gave me for my birthday. 🙂

[Kimboroni]

On the education credit question, I think that varies from state to state. I'm in Oregon, and NASBA was not involved in looking at my education at all.

AUD 84 (1/9/14-Wiley books/TB + free materials)
FAR 83 (5/21/14-the above + NINJA 10 Pt Combo Lite)
REG 84 (7/9/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC/Notes)
BEC 76 (10/5/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC)

Disclaimer: My ninja avatar is not meant to imply that I have any affiliation with this site other than being a forum member. That's a pic of a T-shirt that my daughter gave me for my birthday. 🙂

[OnMyWay732]

Yea, my strategy for FAR was no different than for any of the other exams. I gave myself some extra time because I knew work was going to be getting pretty busy. I started studying September 1st and took it November 22. I was able to look at material for maybe 7 days in October. The rest of the days I wasn't able to whatsoever. At this same time I found out my mom had been diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer. Needless to say I was shot. I had every intention of continuing to do what I can and take the exam. No intention on passing.

But my strategy wasn't too complicated. I must disclose this with, every person is different. Just because this worked for me, doesn't mean it will work for you, such as other people's strategy wouldn't work for me.

My first thing would always be to watch the first chapter's lectures. The whole way until the end. I pick up less than half of what I just heard but you know what? Now it's familiar. It's no longer foreign. I go back and watch just the Section 1 lecture, read section 1, do section 1 MCQ. Then go on to Section 2. If I was really trying to challenge myself, after Section 2 I would do just Section 1 MCQ again before moving to Section 3. And so on. Next I move to Chapter 2. After chapter 2 I do a progress exam of those 2 chapters.

A week before the exam I felt there was still so much I didn't know. I sat with headphones in, jazz music low, and listened tot he lectures again. I wasn't understanding just by reading, so I needed the lecturers help.

After taking the exam I was ready for the failing grade. But I was happily surprised when at 1:30 in the morning back in December I saw I conquered what I consider the real beast.

Let us know if you have any other questions, and good luck!

AUD - July 2014 - 76
REG - August 2014 - 82
FAR - November 2014 - 78
BEC - January 2015 - 81

DONE!!!!

Used Becker online. Who needs a text when you can burn your eyes out staring at the screen for months on end?

"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't how hard you're hit; it's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done!"

[Tripp11]

There's no way I would ever just lead with I passed all four parts of the exam the first time. Doesn't matter the setting. It can be in an interview, in a bar, or at a family reunion.

If someone were to ask if I'm a CPA, I simply say yes. The discussion, 99.99% of the time, ends there. Hell, if you're in public practice, it's assumed (at least by our clients) that you are a CPA.

I interview experienced candidates (even as little as one year experience) for our Firm regularly, when we have openings, and how quickly someone passed the exam never comes up. They have CPA next to their name with their license number on their resume – that's enough for me.

The only people who might care how long it took or want a summary of my CPA exam battle would be someone sitting for the exam and that person might be getting frustrated.

AUD - 93
BEC - 80
REG - 86
FAR - 83

[jeff]

Allow me to bottom line it 🙂

Put it on your resume under “Certifications”

“Successfully passed the CPA Exam on my first attempt.”

The accomplishment speaks for itself – if they ask about it, be humble.

Everyone in agreement?

AUD - 79
BEC - 80
FAR - 76
REG - 92

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS)
NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE | Another71

[OnMyWay732]

I think a new requirement for a resume should be ‘The Dress' and write which color you see. The scary part is I don't see Blue and Black OR White and Gold.

I see Blue and Gold =/

AUD - July 2014 - 76
REG - August 2014 - 82
FAR - November 2014 - 78
BEC - January 2015 - 81

DONE!!!!

Used Becker online. Who needs a text when you can burn your eyes out staring at the screen for months on end?

"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't how hard you're hit; it's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done!"

[jeff]

It's actually violet and gold.

AUD - 79
BEC - 80
FAR - 76
REG - 92

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS)
NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE | Another71

[Excel14]

@ OnMyWay:

She looked naked to me. LOL They don't list a category for that one, but I have an idea it would be disheartening to hear what it is.

What do they call an accounting person, who only managed a 75 on all four parts of the CPA exam....you got it, CPA!!!

BEC (2/28/16) ----- 78
FAR (09/10/16)-----
AUD
REG

CIA, CGAP, CFE

[TNCPA16]

At first, it was definitely black and blue. But then the second time I looked at it, I saw white and gold.

Clearly I am a super genius and should rule the world.

🙂

[Anonymous]

I don't know Jeff and maybe it's just me but after going through this madness, if I was hiring someone and they went out their way to even put on their resume that they passed the first time I wouldn't even interview them.

It's something to be so proud about (hey, I did it) but it just completely demeans what so many people have had to go through to pass this terrible exam. I was only in it for 8 months and I am beyond worn out. For the past few weeks I have done nothing but sleep and watch Netflix (if of course I am not at work). I don't know how people do it for longer. They to me are the real heroes.

[jeff]

I personally wouldn't fault them for trying to let their resume stand out among a sea of candidates.

AUD - 79
BEC - 80
FAR - 76
REG - 92

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS)
NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE | Another71

[Anonymous]

Fair enough

[mla1169]

I am curious, all else held equal, does anybody think having all exams passed on first try on a resume would be the difference between getting an interview or not? Personally I see it as superfluous information like hobbies or volunteer activities. Given the right set of circumstances you might come across an interviewer who places weight on such things. Given the wrong set of circumstances you might come across an interviewer who sees it as a thinly veiled attempt to gain an advantage. Nobody has ever asked me in an interview or otherwise how many tries it took so as far as employers know I very well could have passed all 4 the first time. I would never mislead anybody but I'm certainly not bringing it up.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Author]

Replies