[Journey to Fate]

Well, I am not sure who has or hasn’t been following my story, but at this point, I’m at a loss for words.

I started my CPA journey in 2008, failed AUD and BEC but honestly did not prepare for them as I was in public accounting and super busy.

Fast forward to Februrary of this year, I took AUD and failed, yes i improved drastically from when I took it in 2008, so I took that as a sign that I could beat this thing. I stopped my BEC efforts, retook AUD in April and I went down 10 points. I walked out of the test feeling it was much harder, but makes no sense as i really prepared a lot for this exam and now I just dont know what to do. I’m preparing to take BEC in a few weeks, but also don’t feel ultra comfortable. I just feel like studied so hard for four months, took a small step forward then took two giants steps back.

Clearly, i’m an awful test taker, but the drastic drop in improvement has me even more worried.

What should I do? I want to beat this thing, I want to get that CPA, I just have totally been demoralized after seeing how I lost points, not gained from a retake. Clearly, I’m not close to passing this thing 🙁

JTF

BEC- 67, 69

[jeff]

Ah come on – you're a rookie as far as failing goes. 🙂

It is a kick to your ego – but this exam smacks everyone's ego around … it's humbling.

You know what needs to happen – either more serious studying or different materials.

3 years from now – you won't remember this feeling … you'll be looking at your framed certificate and being thankful you didn't quit.

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

[Trisha]

This exam is an absolute beast… Don't ever give up. Maybe try a different section, and once you get a win under your belt, it will give you the strength to keep at it… If you look around this site, you will see SO many people, including Jeff, that have failed many times, and eventually pulled through. It WILL happen, just maybe not how you originally envisioned it. I have never failed at anything I tried before, and only passed one of four my first attempt. It was DEVESTATING, and I questioned myself and my ability to pass. But I decided to pull myself up from my bootstraps and give it a go again. Like I said, I haven't failed before, and I don't intend to now. Have a drink and a good cry, then regroup and start fresh 🙂 Best of luck to you!

REG 72, 86 and DONE!!!
BEC 80 🙂
FAR 72, 78 🙂
AUD 73, 76 🙂

[jomarie]

Well said Trisha!!!

Look at my signature. Don't ever give up!! Take a few days to regroup and get back at it!!

Started sitting in May 2002, on and off. But since 2008 I've been nonstop and my scores are....
AUD - 39, 48, 56, 65, 68, 73, 76!!! (Finally passed in Oct 2011!!!) Becker, NINJA, & Wiley
REG - 75 (Lost Credit) 72, 68, 73, 75 (Passed again in Aug 2011) Becker, NINJA, & Wiley
FAR - 65, 68, 75 (Lost Credit) 68, 73, 73, 80 (Passed again in May 2012) Roger, NINJA, & Wiley
BEC - 65, 68, 71, 72, 72, 71, 76 (Lost Credit)- 70, 76!!!! I AM DONE!!! - Roger, NINJA, & Wiley
After 10 long years of studying, I AM DONE!!!! Finally a Licensed CPA in the State of New York!!

[Herbieherb]

Study for real and pick up a teaching review course like yaeger. My first attempt at audit I studied 2 weeks before my exam reading chapters only …no mcq practice, scored in the 40s…LOL. College style studying doesn't work for most of us

NEW YORK- DONE

[nolifecpa]

i agree with jeff on the different materials part. it not only gives you a different point of view of the material but it also gives you new motivation

also agree with jeff on you being a rookie as far as failing goes

REG-65,71,74,73,70,74,79
BEC-60's,60's,69,71,76*,78
FAR-67,66,65,79
AUD-54,60's,65,83*,69,80
*expired

DONE

[Anonymous]

Ditto what JoMarie said. The only way to fail is to quit. I didn't pass the first one until my 7th time in the hot seat. When people ask me when I'm going to quit I tell them “when I'm done”. No matter what the outcome today or tomorrow or whenever my scores post, I'm not done until I have CPA after my name!

[jenuno01]

@JTF sorry to hear bad news. Do you mind telling us a little more about your studying habits, what review program you use etc? I am sure many of us can give you very good advice and tips on how to study.

You mentioned you have BEC scheduled but don't feel good about it yet? My advice is to reschedule it. I am convinced a huge reason why candidates fail is because they take an exam even when they don't feel completey ready and expect to get lucky. Unless your NTS is expiring or one of your sections is expiring, one should reschedule if not ready. Also, be honest with yourself, did you walk in the exam feeling there was absolutely no better way you could've prepared? These exams are extremely challenging but not impossible to pass. We have to change our mentality of studying enough to get a 75 because that will get us a score in 60's. My goal has always been to score in the 90's on these tests, I know this is unrealistic and I am absolutely not smart enough to pull it off… but it's the only way I stay motivated.

Keep your head up though, a failing score is not the end of the world (although it may seem like it as you stare at the NASBA screen). Eventually we WILL all pass if we keep trying.

Class of 2012

[Solomon]

Give up only one when you have passed all 4 parts, I am retaking the exam as well. I gave up back in 2009, thinking that I don't need the certification but now in 2012 have started studying again, i bought Yeager material and its tough studying there is not doubt, everyone struggles, but don't give up, fight on, you will pass, just remember you need a 75 to pass. You can and will pass, keep a positive attitude and you know you will pass, just remember that if you do not succeed this time, its not the end of the world. Think of the exam as any project in school or anything in general in life, there are many problems we face in life but eventually we overcome them. CPA is a beast and you will overcome it. That's my attitude about the exam, so don't be afraid and give it a try.

[Journey to Fate]

Thank you everyone for the kind words. I do apprecaite it. So I guess I should tell you my study habits then maybe you can help me figure this out.

@jenuno and everyone else who can please give me their advice – I am using Yaeger. When I walked in and got the 63, I thought I passed. I felt ready. Clearly I wasnt. I got back on the restudy train and retook in April and lost 10 points. It felt harder this time around so I guess it made sense.

How have I been studying? I first read each chapter of the Wiley Book. Then I complete the MC in the book and do test bank MCs until I am complete. The second time around I used Ninja Audio, read over Ninja Notes and did as many MCs as possible.. Clearly I am not grasping the material. I am a terrible test taker.

I never watched any of the lectures. Do you think this could be hurting me THAT much? I try hard to study as much as possible each day, but would say i average between 20-25 hours a week.

So now what? I'm supposed to take BEC on May 19. I feel OK in Corp Gov, IT but not much in the others yet. At this point, I dont think I can pass. Now I have Audit to worry about again as well. I always took the mindset that pushing back an exam never did me any good because it just delayed things, thats why i tohught i should still take BEC on the 19th (i am going to be away the last week of may). I want to maxamize my team and take as many parts as possible but I just cant stomach the failing grades, especially this time, going down in points. I just feel like I have totally waste 4 months, and now if I reschedule BEC, i wont be taking any exams until July. My goal was take BEC in May 19, start fresh June 1 on my audit retake for a mid july exam, then re-take BEC (most liekly) at the end of August. What do you all think about all this? Sorry about the long post.

JTF

BEC- 67, 69

[Mom2two]

I heard from someone else on this forum that the only way to truly fail is to quit. I agree with that.Why do you want to be a CPA? Where do you want to take your career? Maybe you need to answer those questions to decide if you really need the CPA or would be ok quitting. I have seen in my career even people who do not work in accounting, but have their CPA, it only helps them with opportunities, something to think about.

Like so many, I have been at this for many years so I understand frustration. First go around in 2006/2007 I used Becker and only watched the lectures and highlighted like the material tells you to, answered the pass master questions (not in 80% like you are supposed to) and FAILED, FAILED, FAILED. After only passing REG and then having it expire I quit and figured I did not need the CPA as I no longer worked in public and my career seemed to be thriving without. Fast forward 3 years and I realized if I want to take my career further I for sure needed it.

B: 81 (3X) May 2012
A: 76 (1X) Nov 2011
R: 86 (2X) Feb 2012
F: 64, April 2011, retake 10.01.12 - 75!!!!!!!!!!

[Mom2two]

Now I am using Yaeger. I watch the lectures completely before I do anything. I take a ton of notes while watching the lectures. Usually it takes me about 1.5X times the hours, so for BEC the lectures are 20 hours, it took me 30 hours to watch the lectures because I constantly pause, complete my notes, then continue on. First and foremost, watch the lectures. I used that method of watching the lectures, taking notes and going through just the assigned homework the first go around and failed FAR, BEC and REG. I used that method, along with the NINJA method and purchased the AUDIO and did the questions twice, passed AUD. I watched the lectures, took notes as I went, after all the lectures, read my notes one chapter at a time along with the applicable NINJA notes, made flashcards, did the questions…then a final three week review of rewriting my notes, the NINJA notes, flashcard every spare second, questions again and now the WILEY test bank, and passed REG. I am doing that same method for my BEC retake and then FAR.

Good luck!

B: 81 (3X) May 2012
A: 76 (1X) Nov 2011
R: 86 (2X) Feb 2012
F: 64, April 2011, retake 10.01.12 - 75!!!!!!!!!!

[Mom2two]

I just wanted to add one more thing to this. I now take 6 weeks per section and set out the 6 week plan at the beginning so I know every day what I am going to get done. 3 hours of this lecture, etc. With the final 3 weeks set for note rewriting, MC til I vomit and flashcard fury. I really believe in the NINJA method, but you have to follow it 100% and commit to it. Also Jeff's ELL plan is great. I follow a similiar schedule but do 1.5 hours at lunch, and nothing in the morning because I won't get up! 🙂 I get the studying done early on Saturday and Sunday so I at least have from 3 on open for family time. And we eat dinner together most nights because that is important to me. Lastly, give yourself 20-30 minutes a day for you time. Whatever you like to do, so you don't feel so burnt out. If that is watching something on the DVR, do that. For me, it is yoga. It calms my nerves and quiets my mind and I sleep better.

B: 81 (3X) May 2012
A: 76 (1X) Nov 2011
R: 86 (2X) Feb 2012
F: 64, April 2011, retake 10.01.12 - 75!!!!!!!!!!

[nextstopCPA]

“Obstacles are things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.” Failing scores are obstacles…look straight ahead…CPA is in the distance!

FAR Passed
REG Passed
AUD Passed
BEC Passed

All aboard, this train's leaving. Next stop, TBD!

[Journey to Fate]

to add to my post above….should i maybe switch to becker? i dont even know what to do at this point. Delay the test, Take the test, change to Becker.

Im so confused.

BEC- 67, 69

[Anonymous]

don't give up……sometimes it just takes a long time to achieve certain things in life…If you keep the faith, believe in yourself, and work hard (er), there is no reason for you not passing this exam…I'm praying for you and hope you don't give up…

[Author]

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