[G3]

I am not sure about continuing with my cpa exam journey. I have been working on it since summer of 2011 and had three sections passed before I missed AUD by 1 point and had to retake everything. Lately I am feeling discouraged with every score release email. I have purchased and tried several study programs and this is the result so far:

BEC 75 (LC), 74, 75

FAR 75 (LC), 60, 60

REG 63, 71, 72, 82

AUD 74, 72, 71, 72, 65

I only have 1 testing window before I will lose my hard earned credit for REG and I am so worried!!!

3XBEC:75 * 4XREG:82 * 4XFAR:76 * 7XAUD:77

“It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.” Theodore Roosevelt

[Anonymous]

Why do you want to be a CPA? I'd suggest some serious thought on that topic to see how much it is worth to you. I'd definitely give it my all for FAR and AUD in this last window, cause you won't know until you try. 🙂 But, if, worst-case scenario, you failed both of those and then had to re-take AUD, FAR, and REG, then it comes down to “How much does the CPA mean to you?”

If it was me, I'd say, you've sat for 15 exams. If you quit now (or quit after this coming window), then you've wasted all that time, money, etc. But on the other hand, you could in theory be done with just 2 more times of sitting for exams. If it was me, I'd always wonder “What if I'd sat one more window…?” But, that is also cause being a CPA means a lot to me. For each person, the amount they're willing to put up with to be a CPA is different.

If it's any encouragement…there's several people on here who are CPAs with 15 or more times sitting for the exams. The signatures are temporarily disabled due to tech issues, so you can't see everyone's listings of their scores right now…but if you could, you'd see that there's a lot of people in the same spot, and a lot who *were* in that same spot, but now are CPAs.

So, if being a CPA is worth sitting a couple/few more times, then realize that you *can* still do this. The only people who have started the CPA exam process and not passed all of them are the ones who quit trying. But…if you decide that it's not worth it, that's OK, too. Maybe your career plans don't require this, and it's OK to acknowledge that and decide to set the books/videos/etc aside and move past it.

[Anonymous]

Why do you want to be a CPA? I'd suggest some serious thought on that topic to see how much it is worth to you. I'd definitely give it my all for FAR and AUD in this last window, cause you won't know until you try. 🙂 But, if, worst-case scenario, you failed both of those and then had to re-take AUD, FAR, and REG, then it comes down to “How much does the CPA mean to you?”

If it was me, I'd say, you've sat for 15 exams. If you quit now (or quit after this coming window), then you've wasted all that time, money, etc. But on the other hand, you could in theory be done with just 2 more times of sitting for exams. If it was me, I'd always wonder “What if I'd sat one more window…?” But, that is also cause being a CPA means a lot to me. For each person, the amount they're willing to put up with to be a CPA is different.

If it's any encouragement…there's several people on here who are CPAs with 15 or more times sitting for the exams. The signatures are temporarily disabled due to tech issues, so you can't see everyone's listings of their scores right now…but if you could, you'd see that there's a lot of people in the same spot, and a lot who *were* in that same spot, but now are CPAs.

So, if being a CPA is worth sitting a couple/few more times, then realize that you *can* still do this. The only people who have started the CPA exam process and not passed all of them are the ones who quit trying. But…if you decide that it's not worth it, that's OK, too. Maybe your career plans don't require this, and it's OK to acknowledge that and decide to set the books/videos/etc aside and move past it.

[G3]

I have wanted to be a CPA since college (I have the BBA in Accounting and MBA to prove it).

I have had a lot going on personally (health issues, work, etc.) and I think that the latest fails are so frustrating because they seem to be just another thing to add to the pile.

On the other hand, if I quit, I would always wonder “what if?”

Lilla: what prep material did you use? I used Becker but am looking for something to add to it.

3XBEC:75 * 4XREG:82 * 4XFAR:76 * 7XAUD:77

“It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.” Theodore Roosevelt

[G3]

I have wanted to be a CPA since college (I have the BBA in Accounting and MBA to prove it).

I have had a lot going on personally (health issues, work, etc.) and I think that the latest fails are so frustrating because they seem to be just another thing to add to the pile.

On the other hand, if I quit, I would always wonder “what if?”

Lilla: what prep material did you use? I used Becker but am looking for something to add to it.

3XBEC:75 * 4XREG:82 * 4XFAR:76 * 7XAUD:77

“It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.” Theodore Roosevelt

[Anonymous]

I used Wiley – Wiley books ($20-45 each depending on where you get them) and Wiley test bank ($300 for a year). If you're looking to add a supplement, I'd strongly suggest Wiley's books. They're a cheap addition and they're very thorough. But I'll caution you: they're also ridiculously dry and boring! So, only get them if you're willing to sit down and a read a book that seems dryer than the Arizona desert during a drought. 😛 But if you can manage that, they're a great resource, don't take too long (I've been around 20-40 hours of reading, depending on the exam), are relatively cheap, and compliment any other prep program quite nicely. AUD seems to be one of the weaker exams for Becker; I've seen several people on here who have failed repeatedly with Becker who add Wiley and pass. Not saying it's an instant ticket, but that it has been the deciding factor for several people.

Myself, I'm 3 for 3 so far with Wiley, and couldn't be happier with them. Their price fit my budget; their time commitment fit my life; and their material fit the exams.

[Anonymous]

I used Wiley – Wiley books ($20-45 each depending on where you get them) and Wiley test bank ($300 for a year). If you're looking to add a supplement, I'd strongly suggest Wiley's books. They're a cheap addition and they're very thorough. But I'll caution you: they're also ridiculously dry and boring! So, only get them if you're willing to sit down and a read a book that seems dryer than the Arizona desert during a drought. 😛 But if you can manage that, they're a great resource, don't take too long (I've been around 20-40 hours of reading, depending on the exam), are relatively cheap, and compliment any other prep program quite nicely. AUD seems to be one of the weaker exams for Becker; I've seen several people on here who have failed repeatedly with Becker who add Wiley and pass. Not saying it's an instant ticket, but that it has been the deciding factor for several people.

Myself, I'm 3 for 3 so far with Wiley, and couldn't be happier with them. Their price fit my budget; their time commitment fit my life; and their material fit the exams.

[G3]

I was thinking of adding the Wiley test bank and NINJA Notes. Has anyone had success with that combo?

3XBEC:75 * 4XREG:82 * 4XFAR:76 * 7XAUD:77

“It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.” Theodore Roosevelt

[G3]

I was thinking of adding the Wiley test bank and NINJA Notes. Has anyone had success with that combo?

3XBEC:75 * 4XREG:82 * 4XFAR:76 * 7XAUD:77

“It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.” Theodore Roosevelt

[Jennifer241]

@ G 3

I have failed more times than that. If becoming a CPA is something that you can't go a day without thinking about then keep going! By dedicating the time and effort now to pass the exam, I will eventually reach my goal of becoming a CPA and becoming my own boss someday. Being my own boss will allow me to grow my business into a highly successful one, which will afford me opportunities: for my daughter, myself to have more time off to spend with my family, having a larger income, enjoy more vacations (time and money), and hopefully retire earlier in life.

I have that written down at my desk and read it everyday. It's helping me to remained focus on the long-term, rather than the short-term study hell we are all in. FOCUS on what you want, and why you want it. Once you have a clear picture of what you want, I think staying focused on this goal will become a little bit easier.

Once I changed my study habits, things turned around for me. I have study buddies to keep me focused, we created groups on facebook and check in with our goals everyday. It also keeps me accountable, and we can ask each other questions. I wrote out my notes in a spiral binder from the video's. Then I do MCQ's and add to my note topics as needed. Each night I read 1 topic of my notes, that is 7 topics of reading each week you will cover! It keeps it fresh!

AUD - Jan 9,13 Pass
REG - Aug 30,13 Pass
BEC - Oct 26,13 Pass
FAR - Dec 4,13 Pass

Licensed CPA in the state of Oregon

[Jennifer241]

@ G 3

I have failed more times than that. If becoming a CPA is something that you can't go a day without thinking about then keep going! By dedicating the time and effort now to pass the exam, I will eventually reach my goal of becoming a CPA and becoming my own boss someday. Being my own boss will allow me to grow my business into a highly successful one, which will afford me opportunities: for my daughter, myself to have more time off to spend with my family, having a larger income, enjoy more vacations (time and money), and hopefully retire earlier in life.

I have that written down at my desk and read it everyday. It's helping me to remained focus on the long-term, rather than the short-term study hell we are all in. FOCUS on what you want, and why you want it. Once you have a clear picture of what you want, I think staying focused on this goal will become a little bit easier.

Once I changed my study habits, things turned around for me. I have study buddies to keep me focused, we created groups on facebook and check in with our goals everyday. It also keeps me accountable, and we can ask each other questions. I wrote out my notes in a spiral binder from the video's. Then I do MCQ's and add to my note topics as needed. Each night I read 1 topic of my notes, that is 7 topics of reading each week you will cover! It keeps it fresh!

AUD - Jan 9,13 Pass
REG - Aug 30,13 Pass
BEC - Oct 26,13 Pass
FAR - Dec 4,13 Pass

Licensed CPA in the state of Oregon

[Jennifer241]

I use CPAExcel videos only, Wiley test bank and NINJA Notes.

AUD - Jan 9,13 Pass
REG - Aug 30,13 Pass
BEC - Oct 26,13 Pass
FAR - Dec 4,13 Pass

Licensed CPA in the state of Oregon

[Jennifer241]

I use CPAExcel videos only, Wiley test bank and NINJA Notes.

AUD - Jan 9,13 Pass
REG - Aug 30,13 Pass
BEC - Oct 26,13 Pass
FAR - Dec 4,13 Pass

Licensed CPA in the state of Oregon

[jeff]

@ Lilla – The test bank is $237 for 1 year 🙂

[jeff]

@ Lilla – The test bank is $237 for 1 year 🙂

[G3]

Being optimistic, I am thinking of buying material for FAR and AUD only (hopefully, I won't have to buy the other sections later).

@ Jennifer241

That sounds like a good idea – reading/writing a topic section of notes each day and working on Qs

Which sections have you used the Notes for? How are they broken down (# topic sections/pages)?

3XBEC:75 * 4XREG:82 * 4XFAR:76 * 7XAUD:77

“It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.” Theodore Roosevelt

[Author]

Replies