[Anonymous]

Hello to all,

I find myself in a terrible and depressive rut. I’ve been trying to tackle the CPA exam for 6 months now and I have not passed one single section.

I started out with the Far (using roger review and wiley test bank), studied for 2 and half months and received a 55, after that disappointing news I switched to Reg and tried to knock that out. This time I took notes, made flashcards and completed all the Wiley test bank questions (I would re-do every section till I received at least a 90% and 85% and above on various tests), only to receive a 68.

After that, I went back to Far this time applying Roger’s cram course and completing all of the Wiley test bank problems again as well, and received a 60 (oh joy 5 points ….)

Then I finally decided to tackle Reg one more time, I figured I was so close I had to pass, but nope I skipped the videos and this time just went section by section doing MCQ over and over again and sims till I felt 100% (which I thought I did) but I got my score yesterday and received a 63.

I don’t consider myself a lazy person and when I commit to taking on things school/career related I give 110% percent, I even graduated college with honors in accounting. But at this point I feel so discouraged and I have no idea what I’m doing wrong. Maybe its my approach or maybe its some strange test day anxiety, I honestly don’t know.

Up until now I’ve been using Roger CPA review for videos and practiced questions using Wiley’s test bank for sims and MCQ. I’ve decided to take a month off to try and evaluate my study habits and take a breath since I feel so disheartened after all those hours and months I have put in.

Anyone have any advice on what I may be doing wrong or what strategies I should try applying instead ?

My usual subject routine starts off with videos, then a quick read over the section, then wiley questions (I keep doing them until I get at least a 90 for that section followed by sims) I repeat this till I’m done then I just continue to do all the MCQ and sims over and over again, followed by at least 3 practice tests (I try to get at least an 85% on all 3, or else I keep taking it till I do).

Is there something I’m missing ?

Thanks for taking the time to read this,

[Sir Study Alot]

Your study method looks solid. I just have to emphasize that you should stick with one section until you pass it. I recommend sticking with FAR until you pass it. Make sure that at least 60% of your time is multiple choice questions. I find it helpful not to worry about all the details in the book and lectures, but instead focus on the material necessary to answer the multiple choice questions. I usually work with 2 test banks(cpaexcel/becker), however there is cheaper combos out there.

Passed all 4 exams in 2014!

[M.O.D.]

Your method is not my method so I cannot really comment.

Do you really think you know the material “inside and out”? If so there could be a psychological block on test day.

If you are learning by doing and redoing the same MCQs and memorizing them that might not be enough.

I think you should have some 30 pages of notes (in your own words) that you should know by heart by test day, with minimal prompting.

BA Mathematics, UC Berkeley
Certificates in CPA and EA preparation, College of San Mateo
CMA I 420, II 470
FAR 91, AUD Feb 2015 (Gleim self-study)

[mikiluv]

this is exactly me as well. i am still scoring in the 60s for Reg.i use beckers btw.

I bought ninja notes for FAR and used in conjunction with becker and no offense, i did not find it as AMAZING as everyone says. so, i guess in conclusion, i have to agree with a previous post that maybe i am just way too dumb for this test.

i just dont get it.

i wish ninja notes would work well for me as others claim on this site. the problem is most likely me,, right? =P

yes, i would totally appreciate some feedback as well! thx

[mikiluv]

Hey SIR STUDY ALOT,

i failed Reg 2 times scoring in the low 60s. so now I have to wait until october to take reg. ……. feeling super ridiclous =(

..

in your opinoon, should i start aud or bec till october (since so many people claim that those are the 2 “easiest/less hardcore” exams? or just commit 2 months to reg? i mean obviously i have not mastered the material but do you think its the best to just commit to 1 exam before moving on?

If so, i have already paid+chose a test date for Audit….can i just move it back or am i now screwde…uh onh. dont wanna lose $$ …..

[Sir Study Alot]

@ mikiluv

You are not to dumb for this test. If you are smart enough to meet the educational requirements you are smart enough to pass these tests. Some people just need to work harder than others. I usually work about 30% more hours than what CPA programs recommend studying. I spent 220 hours on FAR. I spent 160 hours on AUD. I have no idea on REG but it was alot. I passed them all on my first try because I preferred overstudying to understudying. M.O.D. has a point. If you take the time to go over the material slowly and truly own it then you will most likely pass.

Passed all 4 exams in 2014!

[mikiluv]

thx sir!

[Sir Study Alot]

If you are working and have not passed an exam yet than I would commit to REG until you master it. I think overstudying for one exam can make a huge difference in how people approach these exams. SLAY REG! BECOME A REG JEDI MASTER!

Passed all 4 exams in 2014!

[Anonymous]

Sir Study Alot is right! Stick with REG until you pass it. As for BEC or AUD being “easy” then you need to rethink what the term “easy” means. None of these exams are easy. Some people may pass them quickly and with high scores, but that's not because the exam is easy, it's because they are comfortable with the material and know it well.

My advice is to write down, in your own words, an answer explanation to every problem you get wrong. If you miss the same question twice, then you write the explanation twice, or three times, or four, or however many times it takes. Thirty pages of notes sounds about right if you are talking about notes. What I am advising will fill up several 5 subject notebooks quickly. But it works. That's how my signature went from a string of failed scores to a license number.

[Guti]

I'm on the same boat as you guys but I kept trying to pass only one part. I got 67 the first time with FAR and then a 71. If I don't pass on my third time, I will use the remedy for “dumb ” students. I will get myself a 60 day supply of Modafinil or Ritalin. If the geniouses of America use it, I should give a try too. My brother went to Georgia tech for his BS and MIT for his masters, and he says that at least 30% of students on both universities use one of the two. I think some kids really have A D D but the majority are just bad students, parents don't accept the fact that the have a dumb kid, so Ritalin is prescribed left and right.

FAR-84
AUD-
REG-
BEC-

[Ken]

Hi,

I think the key is that you are using the same material and you start remembering the question after reading first 2 sentences. When you got that feeling, you got to stop and rethink to do it differently. If not, you will still get the same score. Try to switch to something new and cheap like ninja notes and ninja MCQ choice. That ‘s really really helpful. If you want to get cheaper, you can order Gleim from Amazon ( old version concept is fine..at least you can still grab the concept). It works for me so I hope it will work for you too, my friend!! Good luck.

REG : 62, 67, 81. Tick- Expire 01/02/2016
BEC : 72, 67,71,76. Tick Expire 10/25/2015
AUD : 60, 62, 62, 74(8/30) - 10/1/2015 - oh geez
FAR : 68, 64, 72(7/24) - 10/20/2015- oh geez

I am WHINING...

" Just take it without worrying about the 75. Man, that is not easy!"

[How many letters do you need]

I know many people disagree with me but I am very much against repeating the same MCQs. The key to me in passing the exams is to constantly work on your weaknesses. When you begin to repeat the MCQs you begin to answer out of memory of the question and not knowledge. What this does is artificially inflate your weaknesses until they look like strengths and then you have no idea where to focus come final review time. I would highly suggest having one test bank for initial studying…and do not repeat those questions. Review your weaknesses in that test bank and purchase a different one to use in your final review. I realize that some questions overlap between the test banks but it's relatively few. Good luck.

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[Author]

Replies