[I can and I will]

Hi there – I know this cpa journey too well. I’ve been studying since May 2017. First fail was 68 for far after studying full time during the summer, then a 65 on reg, then 66 on far again for retake. After my busy season I switched it up to bec and ended up passing with a 79. And now I’ve been studying for audit since the summer, with a 64, and now a 72 today. Worst part is I am in audit in my field. I realize I improved my score, but I am so exhausted. It’s humuliating and degrading and it would feel so nice to give up but I know that’s not the answer. I am on a vacation/ leave until January and I was originally planning on taking far which I’ve been studying for a little bit. I sent in a check for a new application in case I failed audit again, which I have… thoughts on canceling far and going to retake audit and finishing this section off for good before I go into busy season? I feel I have absolutely no confidence anymore … let alone to go take far. This heart ache is unreal 🙁

[Noah]

Do Audit. I would do light studying and reviewing notes until the progress report comes out. I have a detailed response under the forum “next steps” which I think you should look at. To simplify the post, I strongly believe that the CPA exams are all strategy through the AICPA blueprint. Also, keep going, you can and you will!

[SuperAccountingGod]

I feel ya. My heart also sank when I saw my FAR score. I too think it would be nice to give up and take my life back but I'm so close to passing I can feel it.

[dottythepuppy]

I got a 72 too 🙁

[felixsphone]

“Don't worry, about a thing
cause every little thing, gonna be all right.” Bob Marley
You will figure out. You are not a failure, you just failed to achieve one thing. Sadly, there is no such thing as close on the CPA exam. Re-charge, re-boot, and re-attack. Take a “good enough” approach and focus on the areas you think will be SIMS.
As far as strategy, you have 5 more windows to pass 3 exams. You could try the winning ugly approach, 3x attempts per window, 15x attempts total. Roughly $5,000. Generally, I advise against that.
It sounds like you want to pass AUD though. I'm guessing it was the simulations that got you tripped up, they seem to really be complex when it comes to assertions. Try to really simplify the whole process, imagine you're teaching a new employee about working an audit and what the whole process is. I found the holistic approach beneficial for sections like BEC and AUD, and MCQ grinds good for REG and FAR. If you're anything like me though, I got complacent with just doing MCQ and thinking that was enough to pass. It's not. Know the attachments, know the prompts, and know yourself under high stress situations.
I heard it said once by Cal Newport: Work Accomplished = Intensity of Focus x Duration of Time. Good luck!

[nevergiveup1]

I know how everyone is feeling, you just need to realize this is a minor bump in the road for the overall end goal. Think big picture. I failed Audit twice, with a 71 and 74. I highly recommend Becker Final review. It really brings it all together. What I did was watch a final review lecture, then go back into the actual software and do all those MC questions. I have been doing this while working as well. Start at 5:30 end at 8:30. Go home, eat dinner, netflix and sleep. Just stick to a schedule. Anyone can do this, you just need to dig deep. I put a screenshot on the background of my phone that says, “But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!” That quote is so true. Stick with it you all. God Bless, because he's the only one that will always be there for you no matter what.

FAR – 81 (4/28/18)
REG – 83 (8/10/18)
AUD – 71 (6/10/18), 74 (9/10/18), 81 (10/4/18)
BEC – Waiting for 12/19 score release. Took 12/4/18

[MSim]

CPA license does not define your capabilities. Don't be humiliated and feel degraded. A lot of people don't even want to take the CPA exams because they don't want to fail and they are lazy. Even if you failed and they didn't, you are still doing more than they are.

Just keep going. You are not alone. I failed AUD too with a 73. So what? Doesn't mean I'm stupid. Just means I just need to keep studying and taking it again until I pass. And we WILL pass.

Accept the heartache is real but just keep going!

[Biff Tannen]

You should probably switch review courses. NINJA is a good supplemental review course, but it sure as hell does not compare to Becker, or even Gleim. With those kinds of scores, you're obviously not retaining a lot of the information you study, or perhaps you're not studying with the best review course. Why take another chance? You can't study the same way with the same course and expect different results. I would bite the bullet and save up the money you need for a better review course. Find a course that fits your needs.

[lmillan08]

I Can and I will – I am on the same boat as you. My BEC expires in August. I took AUD twice this year 71 and 73. I can't catch a break! I was planning on taking FAR mid to late Jan and now idk if i should go back to Audit. I just know I have to pass three parts in three quarters.

The feeling sucks! What study programs have you been using?

[nevergiveup1]

Passing 3 parts in 3 quarters is definitely manageable. Make sure you take 2 per quarter. With the new Score release schedule its definitely possible

[I can and I will]

thank you for all the kind words… i just switched my section today and plan to re-study for audit and take it in the new year before my busy season begins…

[Sandy]

I would recommend you rethink your studying strategy.
What works and what not.
Do you like your study materials? Do you like watching lectures?
What's the retention rate after you study?
Do you have a structured system to help you memorize the materials?

Trust yourself and keep going!

[cpaplzgoaway]

@sophie, would you mind to share with us your system? I am currently waiting for aud score as well, which i am sure that i have failed badly. Your advise will be a tremendous help tp all of us who is still struggling

[Allsheneededwassome]

Audit was brutal. But you’ll get there. What worked for me was reading the questions carefully. I was making silly mistakes. That and eventually doing nothing but a bunch of MCQs

[Sandy]

For me, having a big picture in mind before going into details is super important.

Several study materials provide you a bunch of details without showing you the big picture (structure) at first. So that you are just memorizing a lot of things without a structure. It's hard to retain and make them meaningful.

So taking Auditing for example,
The goal is to provide an opinion on F/S of management.
What do you do to achieve that goal?
Planning–> understanding the industry/ business/ internal control; Analytical procedures to find the area where it contains potentially material misstatements.

Understanding Internal control–> transaction cycle/ separation of duties / assessing control risks

Tests of details–> A/R, inventories, sales, A/P

Reports–> different opinions.

I wish I could draw charts on here.
But if you can connect everything together and make it meaningful, it will be much easier to memorize the materials.

[cpaplzgoaway]

Thanks so much Sophie! I will definitely take that approach on my aud retake

[Author]

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