[kayaker]

I finally passed!

For years of struggling to balance to work, social, and study life I decided to quit my job and focus solely on getting my CPA. Most people thought I was crazy when I told them what I was doing. Giving up steady work to go study?

At the time I quit, I had already passed two exams (FAR & BEC) while working but did extremely poor in the Auditing section. I had failed it twice already (63, 67). To make matters worse, I lost credit on my FAR score at the beginning of the year and would have to take the dreaded new international material this year.

Getting those vague “this-is-why-you-suck” letters from NASBA telling me I did awful on the simulations also did not help. How do you study for simulations?…I kept asking myself.

Also, doing the whole study after “busy season” life had taken a toll on my body. My doctor told me I was in the obese category and should lose weight immediately.

So, in the middle of the year I put my two weeks and went for it. I took the Auditing section in the second week of August and passed it with an 87. I took Regulation on the last day of August and passed it with an 85. After those two exams that last one up was FAR. I checked my score today and passed it with an 84.

I have also trimmed my waist size down from a 38 to 34 and lost over 30 pounds during this whole process. I am now considered healthy by my doctor.

The path I got my CPA is not conventional and most people pass their exams while working.

I wrote this narrative for people today who are still struggling to pass the exams. My advice to you is to consider taking a different approach and DON’T GIVE UP.

FAR 78 (lost credit), 84

BEC 72, 85

AUD 63, 67, 87

REG 85

[kandisjoy]

Congratulations on passing!

I think a lot of us let our health go while studying for this exam… I know I did. I've made my health my top priorty since I found out that I passed. However, I started working out (joined a roller derby team) while I was studying for REG, and ended up getting my highest score out of all of my exams… coincidence? I think sacrificing exercising is one thing that actually ends up hurting a candidate more than helping.

FAR: 71, 77
BEC: 70, 82
AUD: 62, 78
REG: 71, 68, 85

CA Licensed 11/2011

[Anonymous]

congratsssssssssssssssssssss, thanks for your story, I enjoy reading people's CPA journey 🙂 it would be great also if you can share how you tackle audit the third time and gooooot sooooo much improvement on score 🙂 Thanks!!

[jeff]

That's awesome…congrats!!!!

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

[jomarie]

Congrats!!!!

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!!

[OnMyWayToCPA]

Congrats!! And thanks for sharing!!

B - 79 PASSED (1/4 there!)
A - 77 PASSED (1/2 there!)
F - 79 PASSED (3/4 there!)
R - 83 PASSED (DONE!!!!!!)
Review Course: Lambers , Wiley and Ninja

[MyLifeisCPA]

Congrats!!!!

BEC-Passed
AUD-Passed
REG-Passed
FAR-Passed (I AM DONE!!! THANK U LORD!!!!)
Licensed Texas CPA - 10/2012

[pacific1]

Congrats!! I love hearing how people have made it through this journey, you did a great job!

[kayaker]

Thanks everyone for the kind words.

As far as improving my scores…I really think choosing the right CPA review software for you and putting in the time to really master the material that “you need to know” for the test.

When I use the word “master” I really mean that you know that important topic inside and out. You may miss questions on other topics but not this one because you have it down.

In FAR, that means you don't just get the m/c answer correct, but you also know the associated journal entry and f/s impact of that transaction in both GAAP and IFRS. You obviously don't need to know the journal entries for everything. But some items are dealbreakers on whether you pass or fail.

In Auditing, that means if you need to know this report, you should be be able say it like you would the pledge of allegiance. So if they throw something wrong in the report you will be able to see it like a sore thumb. Common sense would say the more of these reports you have down the more likely you will get that easy question or simulation tab and you will be able to do it in 5 – 10 minutes.

You should also give yourself enough time to review the material that you worked so hard during the past month or so studying. If that means rescheduling it then reschedule it.

Most accounting review softwares will have a big final exam. You should take it without studying and mark down the topics you missed the most. Think to yourself, “what am I most crappy at?” and “what am I least crappy at?” Then go down the line and “re-learn” what you forgot starting with what you are most crappy at.

These review courses have basically handed you 100 to 200 questions that they believe are the most important questions on the exam with the final exams. If there is ever any last minute questions to study it's these questions.

Last study tip. If you are going to skip over one part, I think it would be the research tab in the simulations. I would do one or two just to see if i was comfortable with the format. It really has the least amount of value as far learning the material.

I was never really a great student in school so I needed a review course that showed me what I needed to master and what I could get by with by simply studying enough to get the m/c right. In my review course the lectures are really where they emphasized the important points. I would read all of it and then go back really soak in the important points.

Anyway.. I hope this helps answer your question about improving my scores. Before, I really tried to just learn enough to get the m/c right and do okay on the practice simulations. I never spent the extra time memorizing important items/reports or understanding the why behind each of the questions. Once I started doing the above items it seemed like the exams got a lot easier.

[Anonymous]

holy cow this is quite a success story, thanks for the inspiration.

i, too, want to get in shape once i pass the cpa! the p90x has been laying around the bedroom for years now, not to mention the 2-year 24-hour fitness membership that i bought 2 years ago for new years resolution but never activated -_-

well, at least it's appreciated $25 in value over the 2 years =D

[aggies21]

Congrats!!! Becoming a CPA and getting in shape…what a tremendous accomplishment. Any advice for tackling the simulations? I can't seem to get REG behind me. I too am contemplating taking time away from work.

AUD - 80
FAR - 78
BEC - 78
REG - 72 (11/30)

[jenuno01]

Class of 2012

[soonerorlater]

@kayaker

Congrats! Welcome to the group!

FAR - 66, 77
AUD - 63, 76
BEC - 70, 83
REG - 72, 79

[Author]

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