[Junior11]

Hi guys. Word of advice for the CPA journey?
I’m having a hard time now.

I passed REG like 6 months ago,ever since then, I seem to used up all my storage of luckiness. Failed FAR twice in Q2&3,fail AUD in Q3 failed BEC this quarter. I feel like Im a total joke. Should I just give up? I cant stop myself from depression. Another FAR exam is comming in like 2 weeks, I just cant stay focus, I cant stop thinking that Im going to fail anyways, why bother to try?

I’vw been holding up for too long. I cant tell anyone I know about my breakdown. They will just look down on me. I know that, from their looks on their face when they found I failed, again and again. I really dont want to give up, but it’s incredibly hard to do this alone:( Please, let me know your ways of getting trough this?

FAR-TBA
REG-82
AUD-ING
BEC-

[Claudia408]

People who don't take these exams have no idea the struggle for a majority of us. I've been trying to pass Reg since januaary and am on my 4th attempt in December. In fact I'm so over this f-ing process and all my fails I still haven't looked at my FAR score from the Nov 22 score release. I don't want I see another fail!! I guess it helps that I'm out of the country and on my way back and reality is setting in now… Anyways, all you can do is keep plugging away and ask yourself how bad do you want this? If you want it bad enough you will overcome… at least that's what I tell myself…GL!

BEC - 75 (3x)
AUD - 78 (3x)
REG - 67, 66, Aug 1
FAR - 54, Sept 8

[N4]

Ive definetely felt that way when i failed reg the first time. Its definitely depressing and draining and we are all going through it one way or another. If u can pass reg u can pass the rest. Its normal to fail these exams. I know ppl who are incredibly intelligent who failed these exams. And if u havent taken these exams you have no clue what its like. Just brush off the jabs bc we all get them “arent u done yet?” “How can u fail u studied so much”. Just knowing that you arent alone helps! For example, at my work im the only one taking the test that I know of. It can feel isolating at times and this site is a great way to vent.

Now with that said, reassess your study habits. Bc thats what u have to do. If you are working full time, try jeffs ELL plan…there was a difference between my passes and fails when i studied 3 to 5 hours per weekday and 6 to 8 hrs on the weekend. When i failed reg i knew i didnt give it my 100% like i did with far, which i barely passed. With far, before a long day at work i woke up and studied 2 hours at the coffee shop before work during my lunch and 1-3 hrs after work with at least 6 to 8 hours on the weekends. My second attempt at reg i did the same thing..

Take a look at your progress report AND study your material on your retake like its brand new. Good luck! Stay strong

FAR (5/31) PASS (Best birthday gift ever!)

[letsrun4it]

Initial reaction: You're taking too many tests too fast.

You passed REG, it's only test I failed, so I feel very confident in saying anyone who can pass REG can pass the entire CPA exam. You have the brain power to do it so never doubt it.

Whatever study materials you used and failed, ditch them altogether. There is no “best” study system, certain ones click with us for certain subjects. Just because there's a lot of CPA Ninjas on here doesn't mean Becker, Wiley, and Roger test banks aren't preferable in some situations. Get a used text book, study from a different direction. Stop taking multiple tests in a testing window, that is crazy to me and I was unemployed during the whole year I took the CPA exams.

I am a SAT, GRE, GMAT tutor and instructor so I know a decent amount about how to prepare to exams. I've learned you need to simplify the process for people, there is too much material it's overwhelming just beat down the test prep with sure volume.

This is my best advice:
1. Get new study materials, read 20-30 minutes a day in the book throughout the process.
2. Do 4000 MCQ without repeats, buy multiple test banks if necessary.
3. Sprinkle in 100 simulations AFTER doing 3000 of the 4000 MCQ
4. Go crush the exam.

You're likely wrong about people's reactions to you anyway. Lawyers tell me all the time they've heard the CPA is like taking 4 bar exams, the general perception is the test is insanity. Like I said, you passed REG you can pass anything.

BEC: 85
REG: 74, 78
AUD: 86
FAR: October?

[HoosierCPA]

I feel like I could have created this post 2 or 3 times since I started the exam. I have a ridiculously bad trend going since I started the CMA 2 years ago…(like I said) Started with the CMA, failed twice by a couple points each (ouch!), talked to my friend did some soul searching…he told me if I'm going to put in the effort to just try for the CPA, I made the switch in Aug 2015, sat and passed FAR first try in Nov 15, heard all the horror stories about FAR and was thinking it would be smooth sailing after!..boy was I wrong. I followed up FAR with 2 failed REG exams..switched to BEC, passed. Moved back to REG failed again! went to AUD, failed that! Re-took AUD, passed (thank you Lord!).

So to date starting with my CMA…F,F,P,F,F,P,F,F,P…talk about a terrible pattern!!! For those of you who have seen the movie, I jokingly tell people I am the Rudy of the CPA exam..if he could get into Notre Dame then I can pass this damn exam! Failing sucks, there's no doubt about that but passing is far more satisfying and is the reason I keep chugging along. Keep your head up, pain is temporary, and if you are like me this is more about self satisfaction then any career doors this may open (and I'm sure it will open quite a few)

FAR - 78
REG - 72,74,71...please just go away REG nobody likes you!
BEC - 82
AUD - Aug 16

[Anonymous]

I can totally relate to you. But I want to let you know that you can do this. Have faith in yourself. I took REG as my first, and passed it with a decent score. It all went downhill from there. Failed AUD 2 times, FAR 3 times, and BEC 3 times. But at the end, I got it done within 18 months while working full time. Fight on!

[Missy]

It's really about perspective. I didn't LIKE failing three exams and there were a billion ways I'd rather spend my time than studying for a retake but I never once let it get me down for more than a day then I brushed myself off and moved on. It's just a test and almost half the people who take any section in a given window will fail. It's not a terminal illness or a fatal accident, the worst that can happen is studying again. No big deal.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[mtaylo24]

Don't give up! You'll get lucky eventually! My story, (could have been handled differently, but it is what it is) -> 78 (First pass – Q4 15) 55 (Q1), 71 (Q2), 69 (Q2), 52 (Q3), 74 (Q3), 72 (Q3), 73 (Q4), 75 (Second pass – Q4 16)

AUD - 1st - 60 (12/12), 61 (2/13), 61 (8/13), 78! (11/15)
REG - 55 (2/16) 69 (5/16) Retake(8/16)
BEC - 71(5/16) Retake (9/16)
FAR - (8/16)

[Stilgoin]

There are worse things in life than failing an exam. I scored 59,59,70,and 74 on FAR since October 2015, so I know your struggle. Just keep swimming and don’t let it get in your head too much. I am (aHemmm- WAS) one of those ‘never failed anything’ people. Wellllll, let me tell ya, humbling is the understatement of the year for my experience. lol

Move on. I don’t waste time being upset anymore. I plan my schedule the day after I fail and begin again. At least I am a pro at this. Hahaha Good luck!!!

B | 62, 78
A | 73, 67, 79
R | 82
F | 59, 59, Waiting

Ethics | 93

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."
~Winston Churchill

“In a world full of critics, be an encourager."

[Wanna_B_TXCPA2014]

Best advice I got but didnt know it at the time from a CPA was dont be so emotional about something so analytical. I thot it was pretty snotty at the time but my fortunes turned all the way around when i began to focus more on preparation than on anything else. The gatekeepers of this profession have laid down this gauntlet so that only those who persevere achieve the title. So that's why its sooo hard. To weed out the people that dont have what it takes.

I look at this exam like training course for the Navy Seals. They do mundane routine tasks for training with much more pressure and scrunity than what the situation calls for. I think the most impressive thing about them is not all of them are physically imposing or have the best looking bodies but the have an iron will to achieve the onjective that can not be broken.

Quiting is failing, getting less than 75 is merely an undesireable result

[RE2PECT]

I'm right there with you Junior11 . I took REG today and had a breakdown while sitting in my car in the parking lot after the exam. It's the first time I've let my emotions get the best of me with this exam, but I was at the point where I couldn't keep it in any longer. If you passed REG you can certainly pass the rest of them.

It's been a long two years for me between going back to school and studying for these exams. I've never worked so hard for anything in my life and I wish I had found this determination when I was 10 years younger, but I was too busy having fun and making pretty good money in construction. Now that I'm married and had a baby earlier this year, it's motivated me to work harder to try and provide a better life for my family. It's just really frustrating that I've been working so hard and not be able to put this exam behind me for good.

The only thing that's keeping me going at this point is that I'm one pass away from putting it all behind me. I know I failed REG, but I'll be sure I'm more prepared when I retake it in January. Just remember you're not alone in this and there's a bunch of us in a similar situation as you. Let's keep at it and not let it get the best of us!

FAR: 75 Roger & Ninja (notes/flashcards/audio/MCQ)
AUD: 73, 81
BEC: 71, retake 8/29
REG:

[sandysprotege]

@Wanna_B_TXCPA2014, I am just recovering from last week's score release and on the verge of giving up. But you're quote helped me: “The gatekeepers of this profession have laid down this gauntlet so that only those who persevere achieve the title”. Thanks and good luck with your last test!.

@RE2PECT, I respect your perseverance amidst your family responsibilities

@junior11, I am still seeking at least 1 pass. You have made some progress, so it is possible. Stay focused and press on!!

[Wanna_B_TXCPA2014]

@sandysprotege glad I could help. Keep me posted on your progress

[hasy]

I just want to share some fails with you. Studied for BEC as my first exam and miraculously passed. I thought I used up all my luck too since I pushed my FAR and REG exam. I found in May that I failed BOTH of them. I got more serious, passed FAR and AUD. Now I'm stuck on REG. You have NO idea how much I wish to be in your shoes, because REG is SO hard… Like it is absolutely the hardest out of the 4 right now. I have no idea I'll pass it on 12/10. I can only pray and I know that if I have my will, I will have my way.

Don't give up and keep fighting. Also, if you could share how you passed it, it would be great 😀

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved - Helen Keller

-

BEC 80 (10/23/15)
FAR 72 (4/2/15); 83 (7/11/16)
REG 52 (4/28/15)
AUD (9/9/16)

Roger + NINJA MCQ + WTB

[Anonymous]

Another thing I'd like to add is that you absolutely must believe in yourself. If you don't think you can pass, then you won't. You passed REG, you CAN pass the rest. If you're depressed, please consider seeing a mental health professional. (I'm saying this gently not sarcastically).
After failing one three times, I do understand. I'm done now and one day you will be too.

[djhagerm]

DO NOT GIVE UP. I started my journey almost 7 years ago… I had a big ego – I was finishing my masters with stellar grades and didn't think studying was super necessary… boy was I wrong. Fast forward 3 fails later (all at 74 mind you) I took a break for nearly 3 years. I met my now husband and started to get back on the bandwagon.

I took and passed REG (a tax guy myself at big 4 for years now)… then moved on to BEC… 3 fails later I passed… then FAR… 2 fails later – A PASS! then AUD – FML…. 5 times before a pass this past score release… losing credit for REG… then passing again… then losing credit for BEC…

I had one moment of weakness – one time a year ago I called my boss and said find a way to make me manager without the CPA… then 30 mins later I called back and said never mind… i can do this… he reassured me he already knew that. I have been lucky to work for some remarkable people who have continued to lift me up when I fail, but I am very transparent with them all.

I retake BEC on December 5th… I can and will make this happen… I am off this week to kill the final week of study time. Put in the time. Take scores as they come and move on. Keep your head down. Work. Put in the work. Never go into an exam under-prepared.

Do your thing – you can do this. We call can do this.

R - 86
B - 79
A - retake 7/7/16
F - 76

[Author]

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