[PirateAccountant]

Just because you think you are not prepared do not waste an NTS. But first let me start out by saying I would not recommend planning on this but it shows there is hope.

I planned to take BEC by the end of February before my NTS expired. But after failing AUD the first time I studied for and retook AUD instead of BEC. Well the end February rolled around and I had not studied for BEC at all and instead of letting my NTS expire I decided to give it a shot and see what happened. With absolutely zero studying for BEC (I honestly was unsure what all the test was on) took it and was 100% sure I failed. I ended up in the Bubble which shocked me and today received my 77 on BEC my last section.

Like I said I don’t recommend it, Maybe it was just dumb luck or a few extra prayers but I ended up passing. So don’t waste em, if anything it will be good practice and you just might end up passing.

FAR - 79
REG - 87
AUD - 74, 89
BEC - 77

[Tina82]

That's awesome – congrats!

I took FAR with zero studying in the last two months and got a 67 (read a few chapters back in December). Fail, but I'm glad I took it, I did let an NTS expire once and I regretted it. The best thing coming out of this is that I'm not as terrified of FAR as I was before. I've been delaying the exam due to various things, ie. expiring NTS, expiring materials, and at least once due to fear of failing etc. When I was finally ready to study I had no time due to a crazy work project.

One tip – if you've got a few days before the test to do something, do as much as you can. I didn't, and maybe with some, ie. a LOT of luck, could have passed lol (unlikley but probably worth a try).

R - 74;88
A - 84
B - 74;89
F - no study = 67; May 15 = 87 & done

[kzingale]

The same thing happened to me–I hadn't really studied for REG and my NTS was expiring so I took it anyway. I got a 73 and now feel like I can definitely handle REG the next time I take it in April.

A - October 2012 - 79
B - November 2012 - 86
F - February 2013 - 82
R - February 2013 - 73 (didn't have time to finish studying)

[MCLKT]

:/

To pass an exam with zero studying is just not fair.

People study for hours upon hours, week after week. Sometimes month after month and year after year.

But hey, a pass is a pass, is a pass. I just don't want people to read this and:

1. think it's even a remote possibility

2. get down on themselves if they've taken BEC multiple times, and actually put in effort

I also think it is important to note BEC was your last section, and with the (excellent) scores you received on your prior exams you obviously had a good understanding of the concepts. Some of which are repeated in BEC. 🙂

PS congratulations on being finished!

A:[73]97 F:[74]85 R:86 B:[74]82
*NINJA 10 Pt. COMBO & Yaeger*

[supervisor]

Totally hatin because i've taken Bec four times with hundreds of hours of studying. Congratulations tho and I will meet u at the finish line. =)

BEC 10/13 PASSED 77
AUD 04/12 PASSED 83
FAR 08/12 PASSED 76
REG 02/13 PASSED 76

Licensed in PA on 12/23/13. Yea boy!!

[PirateAccountant]

@MCLKT, This was in no means a post trying to make someone feel down for taking multiple times. In all honesty it was a ton of luck (which is shocking because other then this my luck has not been great lately), I was sure I failed leaving that exam, I still keep expecting to look again and my score changed. And the possibility of this is extremely remote so I would not make this a plan to take any section. If anything study study for a few days before you never know what might make the difference. I just wanted to let people know that a shot in the dark at a section is better then letting your NTS expire. It cant do anything but help you get a better feel for that section and better prepare you for next time.

@ Supervisor, stick with it your 73 was so close you can get it.Good luck on 4/17

And good luck to everyone with BEC or whatever sections they have left.

FAR - 79
REG - 87
AUD - 74, 89
BEC - 77

[Tina82]

I've failed multiple times by now and I think the point is not to waste an expiring NTS because at the very least it's good practice.

R - 74;88
A - 84
B - 74;89
F - no study = 67; May 15 = 87 & done

[MCLKT]

🙂 Thanks for the extra explanation Pirate.

A:[73]97 F:[74]85 R:86 B:[74]82
*NINJA 10 Pt. COMBO & Yaeger*

[mla1169]

Thats some good luck there Pirate! Curious, what do you do for a living? Wondering if somehow BEC is just second nature to you….

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[PirateAccountant]

Right now I am working in public accounting. I finished my MAcc last fall.

FAR - 79
REG - 87
AUD - 74, 89
BEC - 77

[wizards8507]

@Pirate, I completely agree with you. I pulled off an 86 without studying for FAR and I was sure I had failed. I had started a thread called “Planning to fail” and everyone flamed me for throwing $200 down the drain etc etc. I think a couple things are importing if pulling off a score like this is even possbile without studying.

1. If you've only recently graduated, your odds are much higher since the school material is still fresh.

2. A lot depends on the quality of your undergrad/MAcc programs. i.e. Governmental and NFP is pretty easy but most people simply haven't covered it in school.

3. Where you work matters. I'm a financial accountant so FAR is “what I do.” I could have never done this on AUD or REG.

NY CPA

[mla1169]

I think the bottom line is that everybody has a natural aptitude toward certain topics. Like the person here who passed all 4 parts of the CPA exam first time but is struggling with his/her drivers license test. I have zero natural aptitude toward all this CPA stuff, but let me taste one thing I like in a restaurant and guarantee I can duplicate it at home!

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[wizards8507]

@mla

I'm not sure how my tone will come across via the internet, but please know that I'm asking this out of sincere curiosity and I'm not being critical or anything like that.

If you have “zero natural aptitude toward all this CPA stuff,” why did you want to be a CPA in the first place? I presume it's because it will help you in your career, but why would you want a career in accounting if accounting isn't “your thing”?

I only ask because it seems like there's a lot of people who take this test because they feel they have to, and the possibility that it just “isn't for everyone” is considered blasphemous in a world where people will try and fail for years and spend thousands of dollars doing so. I see that you've passed all sections, which is why I'm not hesitating to ask this. It would be a much more touchy subject for me to ask of someone who was still taking the exam but struggling.

NY CPA

[mla1169]

Wizards, I understand the curiosity.

I am not your typical 23 year old CPA candidate. In fact I could be most people here's mother. I've been working in accounting since most of you were in diapers. Started as a bill collector at sears, moved to a company that had me doing soup to nuts accounting eventually from payroll to international consolidations. I am very good at what I do, but was told by a weiner little kid who happened to be my boss for a brief period that I'd “never get anywhere” without a degree.

So as a single mom working full time, 33 years old, I started my associates. Finished and went for my bachelors, finished and started my masters. Wanted to show my kids that its never too late to accomplish a major goal. After 8 years of busting my a$$ going to school, working full time, girl scout leader, etc., I decided I deserved a management position somewhere and sat for the CPA. I've been a licensed CPA for just over a year now. I'll never be in public, I'll never use even 1/4 of what was on the exams, but I wouldn't be a controller without that credential. I am now the accounting manager at a multi million dollar manufacturer. More important, my kids know that whatever they set their mind to, they can do.

And don't confuse a lack of natural aptitude with actually liking the work. I like what I do very much and wouldn't have it any other way.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[MCLKT]

And this is why I love this forum.

Accounting isn't “my thing” either. Actually, basketball and ASL (American Sign Language) are. But, accounting came naturally in school and was more stable and secure than my semi-pro basketball player goal. So, as a single mom, I logically stuck with accounting. You can only go so far as an accountant sans CPA. And even though I gave up on my basketball dreams, I want to be at the top of whatever it is I do and finish something I started.

ETA: Just because somebody struggles with passing a standardized test doesn't mean it's not for them. There are brilliant people out there that couldn't give two sh*ts about passing an exam to get a credential. But they have to in order to get licensed and/or do the job they want to do. There is a system set up that we have to abide by that caters to recent grads and “good test takers”. It by no means proves you will protect the public nor does it show accounting is “meant for you”. It's a test. A God Awful torturous exam. And it kills me every time I have to cover or carry the load for the CPA's I work with. I always think, I can't believe they let you call yourself a CPA. But it is what it is. They passed the exam, and I have not… yet.

A:[73]97 F:[74]85 R:86 B:[74]82
*NINJA 10 Pt. COMBO & Yaeger*

[mla1169]

Just wanted to add, although I failed 3 times, I finished all four sections in less than 11 months total, while working full time, in school half time for my masters (actually finished the CPA exam before I finished my final semester), and very active in every activity my daughter participates in (my son's been out of school a few years). Not shabby, sheer determination will more than compensate sometimes for a lack of natural aptitude 🙂

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Author]

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