[SONIA]

I am wondering if anyone studied or is currently studying for these exams while they were pregnant? I managed to study and pass one (BEC) during my first trimester but having a really hard time concentrating and getting myself motivated during the 2nd trimester. My next exam (FAR) is scheduled for Jan 9th. This will be my 3 rt time attempting it. I failed it by 7 points last time. I am using becker and supplementing with Wiley. I have been studying since Nov, so I have finished reviewing lectures and have done all the hw questions once already. I am trying to get through Becker’s final review and then will go back and work on hw questions again. I can’t seem to get into studying like I have been in the past with the rest of the exams. I have passed REG already so I just need to get through FAR and AUD. Any tips, suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I would love to finish with these exams before my baby arrives but I know it’s wishful thinking.

[iPass]

hey SONIA,

I'm your soulmate here 🙂

I also passed BEC, my first section, during my first trimester (although I did take about 2.5 months break from studying once I started experiencing my morning sickness, it was an unbearable 24/7 kind of sickness). Somehow I got through the exam (imagine 8am! exam lol).

It was a bit harder to study for AUD, the second part, but mostly because I don't have any real life audit experience and it's just way too conceptual. The exam itself, 4 hours, was not too bad actually. I finished all three MC testlets in about 1.5 hours and took a nice long break (used the ladies room, had some snacks, juice, water, walked around, used the ladies room again… :). When I returned to my computer I had about 2hrs for the SIMS. Still waiting for AUD results…

And here comes the fun part, studying for FAR which is scheduled for Jan 17. I am still motivated to pass before our little one arrives, but it is very hard to concentrate, I agree with you 100%. I went over F1 last week and surprisingly it wasn't as bad as I expected. Now I have to complete F2 & F3 by the end of this week and it's just not going well. I can't even get through F2 homework questions.

Sorry, I don't have any suggestions, just sharing my experience. But you know, sometimes just knowing that someone is in the same boat helps a lot! We can do it!

BEC - 10/12/2011 - 78
AUD - 11/23/2011 - 84
FAR - 02/22/2012 - 76 (I'll take it!)
REG - 08/31/2012

“Win as if you were used to it, lose as if you enjoyed it for a change.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

[KERI0323]

I am currently 33 weeks pregnant and waiting on score for my 3rd attempt at FAR, I also have a 3 year old and my husband works nights. I was lucky enough to pass the other 3 parts on the first go but FAR has been hard for me to concentrate for this hopefully final attempt. I used Becker and Ninja notes for my first 3 parts and added the Wiley testbank for FAR this time because my Becker expired, I hope to report good news soon. As difficult as it was to do while pregnant because of the additional fatigue, frequent bathroom breaks, and lots of issues focusing, I think it also adds that extra little bit of motivation because it's not an AICPA deadline you're trying to beat it's your own personal reason. Since you have already finished the lectures I would recommend doing as many multiple choice questions as you can until the exam, but in small increments. I made the mistake of trying to do all the multiple choice questions for one topic in one sitting and I found that I absorbed it much better by doing a total of 30 questions on random topics. I felt like I accomplished something when I finished those 30 and then I would get up and stretch and think yeah, I can handle 30 more instead of looking at the screen saying geez, there's 113 questions just on stockholders equity! As far as the actual exam day goes, since FAR is 4 hours I was really worried about bathroom breaks because I have never taken a break during any of the exams because I didn't want to use up my time; watch your water consumption, eat something filling-but not something with too much fiber-, and make sure to use the bathroom right before they take you to the back. I didn't wind up needing to use a break, thank goodness because I finished with only 4 minutes left. Only problem is when you stand up, do it very slowly and use the table for support, expecially if you have a lot of the round ligament pain like me. Hopefully some of this info helps but feel free to ask me anything I'm allowed to disclose 🙂

BEC 10/11/2010 77
AUD 11/30/2010 81
REG 02/25/2011 78
FAR 11/28/2011 74,68, 83 and DONE!!! NTS LA #460

[SONIA]

Hello iPass & KERI0323! I am so glad and relieved to know that I am not alone. I am used to studying intensively and just couldn't figure out what is going on with me that I am unable to do that this time! iPass, Congrats on passing BEC & AUD! You are def my soulmate because I took BEC on 10/11 and passed too! I was unable to take any test during november due to the morning sickness and falling asleep at 8 pm every nite! The only advice I can give you is take studying in portions..break the studying down and try to see how much you can absorb and then take a break and attack it when you are ready. While this is not usually the case for most people, we can't risk being stressed during this time. That is what I've had to do and although I keep falling behind schedule, I am doing the best I can when i can concentrate. Keri, congrats one being done! You are inspirational! Thanks for all the exam advice and Congrats again!

[Author]

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