[Getting a CPA]

How do you stay motivated? And how do you pick yourself up and move forward?

And specifically, what is your amended study strategy? Anything less than a 75 is a 0, but you can’t possibly repeat the same schedule, can you?

BTW – the title to this thread is meant to be absolute, positive reinforcement – like “The Biggest Loser”.

Fall 7 times – get up 8 🙂

Thanks!

[HustlinHustlin]

Bump. Great thread.

B 71 - 79 EXPIRED
A 69 - 75 EXPIRED
R 65 - 48 - 45
F 56 - 61 - 65 - 64

Becker, Wiley Test Bank, Wiley Text and Ninja Notes

"The fish who keeps on swimming is the first to chill upstream" -311

Experience - Done, like WAAAY done.
Still need 30 more credits, in basket weaving (gotta love new CA requirements)

[ImaCPA168]

Great thread.

I started the process in 2007. Didn't finish until 2012. I passed AUD and BEC relatively easily….so I seriously under estimated the exam and over estimated myself. When I couldn't pass FAR and REG with the same laxed study habits, I got frustrated and began making up excuses. Every road block I hit, I put there. No monetary incentive my firm offered was able to motivate me. And it was a lot–free Becker classes and materials, reimbursment on exam fees, bonuses upon licensing = thousands of dollars.

I didn't get honest with myself until 2011. By then I lost credit on AUD and BEC and had to face all 4 sections again. This time, I approached the exams with much more honesty, humility, and determination. I had to buy all new study materials since my old stuff was outdated/expired. I used Roger lectures and supplemented with Wiley test bank and NINJA notes and audio. Jeff's ELL and NINJA study plan gave me direction and focus. Between Oct 2011 to Nov 2012, I passed all four sections.

Sometimes, I think to myself that if I just started with the right attitude in the first place, I wouldn't have taken almost 6 years to do this nor would I have wasted so much money. But then I think that maybe it was meant to be this way. I learned a lot about myself and matured through this challenge.

How does one stay motivate? Refuse to give up. Get a support group. NOT PASSING AND EXAM DOES NOT MEAN YOU FAILED especially if you learn from it and try harder/do better the next time. For me, once I realized and accepted that I was my own problem…things got a lot better. The gentle and supportive nudging from my husband helped keep me on track, too.

So keep truckin' on everyone. Study hard! If I can do it, anyone can.

Now if I can just lose the 20 lbs. I packed on while studying for the CPAs, I'd be a really happy camper…

B - 83 Done
A - 88 Done
R - 81 Done
F - 77 Done

Ethics - Done
Attest Hours - Done

Licensed-May 2013!

[ImaCPA168]

Great thread.

I started the process in 2007. Didn't finish until 2012. I passed AUD and BEC relatively easily….so I seriously under estimated the exam and over estimated myself. When I couldn't pass FAR and REG with the same laxed study habits, I got frustrated and began making up excuses. Every road block I hit, I put there. No monetary incentive my firm offered was able to motivate me. And it was a lot–free Becker classes and materials, reimbursment on exam fees, bonuses upon licensing = thousands of dollars.

I didn't get honest with myself until 2011. By then I lost credit on AUD and BEC and had to face all 4 sections again. This time, I approached the exams with much more honesty, humility, and determination. I had to buy all new study materials since my old stuff was outdated/expired. I used Roger lectures and supplemented with Wiley test bank and NINJA notes and audio. Jeff's ELL and NINJA study plan gave me direction and focus. Between Oct 2011 to Nov 2012, I passed all four sections.

Sometimes, I think to myself that if I just started with the right attitude in the first place, I wouldn't have taken almost 6 years to do this nor would I have wasted so much money. But then I think that maybe it was meant to be this way. I learned a lot about myself and matured through this challenge.

How does one stay motivate? Refuse to give up. Get a support group. NOT PASSING AND EXAM DOES NOT MEAN YOU FAILED especially if you learn from it and try harder/do better the next time. For me, once I realized and accepted that I was my own problem…things got a lot better. The gentle and supportive nudging from my husband helped keep me on track, too.

So keep truckin' on everyone. Study hard! If I can do it, anyone can.

Now if I can just lose the 20 lbs. I packed on while studying for the CPAs, I'd be a really happy camper…

B - 83 Done
A - 88 Done
R - 81 Done
F - 77 Done

Ethics - Done
Attest Hours - Done

Licensed-May 2013!

[Sheree]

Thank you for this thread. Its very uplifting. I started my CPA Exam process July 2012. I still have not pass any of the subject yet. Took FAR twice. AUDIT once and BEC once. At one point I told myself I am not meant to be CPA but my husband is so supported and keep on encouraging me, I am not dummy but for some reason I cant seem to pass this exam. I dont want to give up, but I dont know how much harder can I try. I tried so hard that hurt so much everytime I receive a not passing grade 🙁

[Sheree]

Thank you for this thread. Its very uplifting. I started my CPA Exam process July 2012. I still have not pass any of the subject yet. Took FAR twice. AUDIT once and BEC once. At one point I told myself I am not meant to be CPA but my husband is so supported and keep on encouraging me, I am not dummy but for some reason I cant seem to pass this exam. I dont want to give up, but I dont know how much harder can I try. I tried so hard that hurt so much everytime I receive a not passing grade 🙁

[memmy29]

Great post. @ImaCPA168, I'm in the same boat with the weight gain. I've been studying and testing for nearly a year and a half. I'm on my 8th exam…and hopefully my last. When I see people who have had exam scores expire, I get terrified. I don't know if I'd be able to keep going if that happened. I have one more try after this attempt at FAR before my AUD expires. Even though I know I have to study, it's very hard to find the motivation when FAR has kicked by butt three times so far.

AUD-84, REG-75, BEC-84, FAR-77

Licensed CPA

CIA Exam
Part 1 - Passed
Part 2 - Passed
Part 3 - Passed

[memmy29]

Great post. @ImaCPA168, I'm in the same boat with the weight gain. I've been studying and testing for nearly a year and a half. I'm on my 8th exam…and hopefully my last. When I see people who have had exam scores expire, I get terrified. I don't know if I'd be able to keep going if that happened. I have one more try after this attempt at FAR before my AUD expires. Even though I know I have to study, it's very hard to find the motivation when FAR has kicked by butt three times so far.

AUD-84, REG-75, BEC-84, FAR-77

Licensed CPA

CIA Exam
Part 1 - Passed
Part 2 - Passed
Part 3 - Passed

[littlenumberrobot]

WONDERFUL THREAD!!!

@ImaCPA168 – I also have learned a lot about myself through this experience. Sometimes I thought to myself now wait am I really ready to be a CPA?? And after having deep discussions with myself I would make a change… this is how I started passing. I'm not going as far as to say I am happy I failed lol but I can definitely see how far I have come. I love this site and all the buddies I've met on here.

Kricket & Mints… love reading your posts!!

CA CPA - All because of the journey listed below
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FAR - 53('10), 8/25/12 79 PASSED!
REG - 66('11), 69('12), 12/06/12 77 PASSED!!
BEC - 58('10), 74('12), 01/05/13 77 PASSED!!!
AUD - 43('11), 66('12), 69('13), 74('13) 7/29/13 85 PASSED!!!!!

(Combinations of Roger, Yaeger, Wiley Book, Wiley TB, & NINJA Notes)

Ethics 90%

[littlenumberrobot]

WONDERFUL THREAD!!!

@ImaCPA168 – I also have learned a lot about myself through this experience. Sometimes I thought to myself now wait am I really ready to be a CPA?? And after having deep discussions with myself I would make a change… this is how I started passing. I'm not going as far as to say I am happy I failed lol but I can definitely see how far I have come. I love this site and all the buddies I've met on here.

Kricket & Mints… love reading your posts!!

CA CPA - All because of the journey listed below
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FAR - 53('10), 8/25/12 79 PASSED!
REG - 66('11), 69('12), 12/06/12 77 PASSED!!
BEC - 58('10), 74('12), 01/05/13 77 PASSED!!!
AUD - 43('11), 66('12), 69('13), 74('13) 7/29/13 85 PASSED!!!!!

(Combinations of Roger, Yaeger, Wiley Book, Wiley TB, & NINJA Notes)

Ethics 90%

[ImaCPA168]

@memmy29 I know how you feel. You would think that the fear of losing credit would be enough to motivate you to be studying non-stop. But sometimes it so petrifying that you're actually in some kind of denial and lose motivation. I've been there. You're not alone!

But just look at your past two 71's. First off, it's a huge leap from 44 you got from your first attempt. So give yourself credit and congratulate yourself on the improvement there. Secondly, YOU ARE SO CLOSE TO PASSING!!!! Keep plugging away at practice MCQs and TBSs.

I don't have any advice that you haven't heard before. Just make sure that you understand most of the topics. You're not going to understand them all but most is good. The ones you understand…shoot for 85-90% in practice. The sections that are hard for you…try to get your scores up to 65-75%. I remember I just couldn't get my head around pensions, cash flows, govermental, and not for profit. But I kept practicing them and reading and re-reading the chapters until my scores in practice came up to an acceptable level. I re-wrote all my notes and listened to NINJA audio while I slept. I think that really helped boost my score from 72 to 77.

B - 83 Done
A - 88 Done
R - 81 Done
F - 77 Done

Ethics - Done
Attest Hours - Done

Licensed-May 2013!

[ImaCPA168]

@memmy29 I know how you feel. You would think that the fear of losing credit would be enough to motivate you to be studying non-stop. But sometimes it so petrifying that you're actually in some kind of denial and lose motivation. I've been there. You're not alone!

But just look at your past two 71's. First off, it's a huge leap from 44 you got from your first attempt. So give yourself credit and congratulate yourself on the improvement there. Secondly, YOU ARE SO CLOSE TO PASSING!!!! Keep plugging away at practice MCQs and TBSs.

I don't have any advice that you haven't heard before. Just make sure that you understand most of the topics. You're not going to understand them all but most is good. The ones you understand…shoot for 85-90% in practice. The sections that are hard for you…try to get your scores up to 65-75%. I remember I just couldn't get my head around pensions, cash flows, govermental, and not for profit. But I kept practicing them and reading and re-reading the chapters until my scores in practice came up to an acceptable level. I re-wrote all my notes and listened to NINJA audio while I slept. I think that really helped boost my score from 72 to 77.

B - 83 Done
A - 88 Done
R - 81 Done
F - 77 Done

Ethics - Done
Attest Hours - Done

Licensed-May 2013!

[ImaCPA168]

@littlenumberrobot

LOL! Of course no one likes to fail. I just wanted those who have failed an exam once or several times to know that failing does not make you a FAILURE.

You're almost done as well. I wish you the best on your last exam. Looking forward to congratulating you when you come back to tell us you're done 🙂

B - 83 Done
A - 88 Done
R - 81 Done
F - 77 Done

Ethics - Done
Attest Hours - Done

Licensed-May 2013!

[ImaCPA168]

@littlenumberrobot

LOL! Of course no one likes to fail. I just wanted those who have failed an exam once or several times to know that failing does not make you a FAILURE.

You're almost done as well. I wish you the best on your last exam. Looking forward to congratulating you when you come back to tell us you're done 🙂

B - 83 Done
A - 88 Done
R - 81 Done
F - 77 Done

Ethics - Done
Attest Hours - Done

Licensed-May 2013!

[memmy29]

@ ImaCPA168- I appreciate the words of encouragement. May 28th seems very close. I got the NINJA notes and Wiley test bank to supplement the Becker course and Becker Final Review. If I can't do it with these resources, then I'm not sure what else to do. The SIMS kill be cause of the J/Es. Right now I'm scoring in the mid 60s 🙁

AUD-84, REG-75, BEC-84, FAR-77

Licensed CPA

CIA Exam
Part 1 - Passed
Part 2 - Passed
Part 3 - Passed

[memmy29]

@ ImaCPA168- I appreciate the words of encouragement. May 28th seems very close. I got the NINJA notes and Wiley test bank to supplement the Becker course and Becker Final Review. If I can't do it with these resources, then I'm not sure what else to do. The SIMS kill be cause of the J/Es. Right now I'm scoring in the mid 60s 🙁

AUD-84, REG-75, BEC-84, FAR-77

Licensed CPA

CIA Exam
Part 1 - Passed
Part 2 - Passed
Part 3 - Passed

[Author]

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