[Topo30]

Et al,

I am sooooo bummed and frustrated!! Why? I just found out I Failed AUD for the 4th time. My scores were 60, 65, 65 and 69, respectively. Been at this for WAY too long. two years to be exact. Not sure how much longer I can take defeat!!

I do not know what to do!! I study, do MCQs, rinse and repeat. I go over and over the ‘weak’ areas. I am starting to think that the review course I purchased may not be for me! Prepping with Becker 2014 materials. $3,500 down the drain.

In addition, I am embarrassed to tell friends and family that I neglected them for weeks ie., missing parties, etc., to only fail and fail time, and time again, let alone tell the wife! More importantly, I CANNOT bear the look on my 4 year old son’s face to only find out that Dad gave it all come test day, to only once again FAIL the CPA Exam, after promising the little one I would make up for lost time.

What a way to kick-off the Memorial Day weekend! Close ones were not only looking forward towards paying homage to our nations heroes, but to also celebrate my own ‘personal’ triumph.

Suggestions, thoughts, opinions.

-Real name: Jimmy Haney

AUD-FAILED X5
FAR-FAILED X1
BEC-FAILED
REG-FAILED

[Anonymous]

Topo: Just remember that your family loves you no matter what. They see the dedication you put into this, they understand how difficult it is. Just do it for them! Good luck.

[LaComptable]

First, it sounds like you need to take a short break and just try to enjoy your weekend with your family. Forget about the CPA for a few days and let your mind rest before you get back at it.

This exam is no joke. It's supposed to be the hardest standardized test in the world. Whether that's true, who knows, but it IS hard!!! So don't beat yourself up for failing. People fail this test all the time. I failed on my first crack at AUD, and I AM an auditor. We are all in the same boat here, just trying to pass this dang thing.

You can do it!!!

69 is not far off. It is a long way from a 60! I do think you need to up the ante and change your approach. For one thing, if you've been at this two years and have been using Becker the whole time, you are probably repeating the same questions over and over, and probably not learning anything new from them. Also, these programs don't work equally well for everyone. For instance, I have liked Becker so far but have been less than impressed with CPAExcel – although a lot of people really like CPAExcel. What works for one doesn't work for all. So if Becker's not working well for you, don't sweat it. Figure out what you don't like about it and then see if you can find another program that fills in those gaps.

If this is something you really want to do, go for it!! Don't give up. You are setting a good example for your son by showing him what it means to persevere until the end for something that is really important to you. Having said that, don't put more pressure on yourself than you need to either. I think Jeff pointed out in one of his posts that you don't have to tell everyone when you're going to take one of these exams. And it's true. Just tell everyone who's not family that you'll let them know when you passed; unless it's your wife and son, no one needs to know when you take each exam and whether you passed or failed. Don't put undue pressure on yourself. The road to the CPA is a marathon…. not a sprint!

Good luck and take care.

BEC - 88
AUD - 74, 87
REG - 77
FAR - 63, 82

CIA certified in 2013

[LaComptable]

First, it sounds like you need to take a short break and just try to enjoy your weekend with your family. Forget about the CPA for a few days and let your mind rest before you get back at it.

This exam is no joke. It's supposed to be the hardest standardized test in the world. Whether that's true, who knows, but it IS hard!!! So don't beat yourself up for failing. People fail this test all the time. I failed on my first crack at AUD, and I AM an auditor. We are all in the same boat here, just trying to pass this dang thing.

You can do it!!!

69 is not far off. It is a long way from a 60! I do think you need to up the ante and change your approach. For one thing, if you've been at this two years and have been using Becker the whole time, you are probably repeating the same questions over and over, and probably not learning anything new from them. Also, these programs don't work equally well for everyone. For instance, I have liked Becker so far but have been less than impressed with CPAExcel – although a lot of people really like CPAExcel. What works for one doesn't work for all. So if Becker's not working well for you, don't sweat it. Figure out what you don't like about it and then see if you can find another program that fills in those gaps.

If this is something you really want to do, go for it!! Don't give up. You are setting a good example for your son by showing him what it means to persevere until the end for something that is really important to you. Having said that, don't put more pressure on yourself than you need to either. I think Jeff pointed out in one of his posts that you don't have to tell everyone when you're going to take one of these exams. And it's true. Just tell everyone who's not family that you'll let them know when you passed; unless it's your wife and son, no one needs to know when you take each exam and whether you passed or failed. Don't put undue pressure on yourself. The road to the CPA is a marathon…. not a sprint!

Good luck and take care.

BEC - 88
AUD - 74, 87
REG - 77
FAR - 63, 82

CIA certified in 2013

[How many letters do you need]

I agree with mostly everything so far.

A. Try a new section. It's possible AUD is in your head now and you could be defeating yourself before you even begin.

B. Spend time with your family…now and every so often while studying as well. Im still somewhat new to the process but when I studied for FAR I spent at least one whole weekend day per week where I didnt crack a book or MCQ. I went to Vegas for a weekend with the girlfriend. Instead of cramming the night before I took my girlfriend to an amazing dinner to thank her for her understanding and to also help myself relax…and remember why I'm doing this. I still managed to squeeze in 6 weeks of roughly 25 hours per week…but they were QUALITY 25 hours a week because I wasn't burnt out all the time nor was I worried about my girlfriend feeling ignored. Of course try not to take this too far…The key is committment to the CPA…but balanced committment. You can do this.

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[How many letters do you need]

I agree with mostly everything so far.

A. Try a new section. It's possible AUD is in your head now and you could be defeating yourself before you even begin.

B. Spend time with your family…now and every so often while studying as well. Im still somewhat new to the process but when I studied for FAR I spent at least one whole weekend day per week where I didnt crack a book or MCQ. I went to Vegas for a weekend with the girlfriend. Instead of cramming the night before I took my girlfriend to an amazing dinner to thank her for her understanding and to also help myself relax…and remember why I'm doing this. I still managed to squeeze in 6 weeks of roughly 25 hours per week…but they were QUALITY 25 hours a week because I wasn't burnt out all the time nor was I worried about my girlfriend feeling ignored. Of course try not to take this too far…The key is committment to the CPA…but balanced committment. You can do this.

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[Anonymous]

I know exactly how you feel, It took my 5 tries to finally pass audit and almost 3 years to complete all my exams. (lost one credit). What finally did it for me was a combination of Roger cram, Ninja Audio and ninja notes. I listened to the ninja audio over and over in my car every day. I worked so many mcq's until I was sick of them.

If I recall my scores were 50, 58, 70, 72 and 89. The ninja package and roger cram really helped me increase my score.

[Anonymous]

I know exactly how you feel, It took my 5 tries to finally pass audit and almost 3 years to complete all my exams. (lost one credit). What finally did it for me was a combination of Roger cram, Ninja Audio and ninja notes. I listened to the ninja audio over and over in my car every day. I worked so many mcq's until I was sick of them.

If I recall my scores were 50, 58, 70, 72 and 89. The ninja package and roger cram really helped me increase my score.

[mla1169]

Regarding your 4 year old and the look in his eyes, change the dialogue a bit and start teaching him how we get back on the horse after a fall, tell him about babe Ruth- Be the example he will remember when a little league game gets tough or a girl turns him down for a date. As frustrating as failing is, there can always be a silver lining!

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

Regarding your 4 year old and the look in his eyes, change the dialogue a bit and start teaching him how we get back on the horse after a fall, tell him about babe Ruth- Be the example he will remember when a little league game gets tough or a girl turns him down for a date. As frustrating as failing is, there can always be a silver lining!

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Ugly327]

I just want to say that with respect to your son – you are teaching him lessons that he will need inorder to cope with life later. Many of us grow up not having any understanding that it is, actually, OK to try something and fail. We learn unhealthy ways of dealing with this based on what we see our parents do (put themselves down; run away from it; make excuses; etc). When this builds on itself – the end result is a mal-adjusted grown up with no ability to cope…

SO… if there's ANY silver lining to your struggles… it's that your son is seeing those struggles, and seeing a man deal with it like a man – not giving up, not trying to make excuses, just trying to figgure it out… And you will… He's also learning the harsh reality that if you want anything in life, often you've got to work your butt off to get it… Life (and the AICPA) doesn't hand anything to you…

Good Luck – Don't lose heart… If the goal is still worth the sacrifice – make it happen.

[Ugly327]

I just want to say that with respect to your son – you are teaching him lessons that he will need inorder to cope with life later. Many of us grow up not having any understanding that it is, actually, OK to try something and fail. We learn unhealthy ways of dealing with this based on what we see our parents do (put themselves down; run away from it; make excuses; etc). When this builds on itself – the end result is a mal-adjusted grown up with no ability to cope…

SO… if there's ANY silver lining to your struggles… it's that your son is seeing those struggles, and seeing a man deal with it like a man – not giving up, not trying to make excuses, just trying to figgure it out… And you will… He's also learning the harsh reality that if you want anything in life, often you've got to work your butt off to get it… Life (and the AICPA) doesn't hand anything to you…

Good Luck – Don't lose heart… If the goal is still worth the sacrifice – make it happen.

[seattleacct]

I failed AUD a couple of times. I took other sections between Audit tests just to give myself a mental Aud break and see if I could make sense of the other sections. I was able to pass the others much more easily than Audit.

After passing the other sections I was terrified to take AUD yet again. But I approached it differently that last time. I added Ninja audio (and took notes from the audio), wrote down almost every question and answer that I got wrong (and some that I got right). I used both the WTB test bank and CPAexcel test bank, in study mode only, so that I could click on both the right and wrong answers to get a clearer understanding. AND I made posters that hung in my living room for 2-3 weeks before the test, so that I could review the stuff that was hard to remember.

Audit sucks, but you can get through it. You may just need to change things up a little. Good luck!

B:76
A:64, 73, 91!
R:77
F:76

CPAexcel, Wiley Test Bank, Ninja Audio & Notes

[seattleacct]

I failed AUD a couple of times. I took other sections between Audit tests just to give myself a mental Aud break and see if I could make sense of the other sections. I was able to pass the others much more easily than Audit.

After passing the other sections I was terrified to take AUD yet again. But I approached it differently that last time. I added Ninja audio (and took notes from the audio), wrote down almost every question and answer that I got wrong (and some that I got right). I used both the WTB test bank and CPAexcel test bank, in study mode only, so that I could click on both the right and wrong answers to get a clearer understanding. AND I made posters that hung in my living room for 2-3 weeks before the test, so that I could review the stuff that was hard to remember.

Audit sucks, but you can get through it. You may just need to change things up a little. Good luck!

B:76
A:64, 73, 91!
R:77
F:76

CPAexcel, Wiley Test Bank, Ninja Audio & Notes

[Ken]

Don't give up and keep going Jimmy!! You only lose if you said you QUIT…..Whatever you do, do not give up this dream because at the end, we all know it will worth it. I believe everyone is different in their approach to this take this BEAST and you just have to find out what method works best for you and your schedule. Stick with it, time the clock when you study and really focus on it. I failed 3 time in BEC and finally passed this time. Don't give up Jimmy!!!!

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!"

[Ken]

Don't give up and keep going Jimmy!! You only lose if you said you QUIT…..Whatever you do, do not give up this dream because at the end, we all know it will worth it. I believe everyone is different in their approach to this take this BEAST and you just have to find out what method works best for you and your schedule. Stick with it, time the clock when you study and really focus on it. I failed 3 time in BEC and finally passed this time. Don't give up Jimmy!!!!

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!"

[Author]

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