[futureCPA12]

Why are you failing? Is it mainly due to the multiple choice questions? Simulations? The time element? I’d really like to know.

For those that failed and then passed, what helped you gain that edge during your rematch?

Thanks!

[Zaq]

50 to 76 in FAR.

50 because it was my first exam and I half-assed it. 76 because I stopped watching TV, hanging out with friends, and played little to no video games. Basically learned I cannot afford to use my leisure to do anything other than study, sleep, or eat. Most people completely bomb the FAR Sims because they usually don't practice Journal Entries. Know them! Also, the material in FAR is enormous and incredibly overwhelming.

74, 76 in REG.

74 because God hates me. 76 because God felt bad for me for giving me a 74.

65 to ?? in AUD.

Tried to rush two tests in one testing window. Only had 2 weeks (wasn't working at the time) to cover the entire exam. Was extremely worn out. After 65, I did over a thousand MCQ's, read the book several times over, and took extensive notes on my progress exams. I hope I did better that time around.

FAR: 50, 76!
REG: 74... (ouch baby, very ouch), 76!
AUD: 65, 91!?
BEC: 80! Aaaand doneskies!

May 2012 to August 2013. Can't believe it's over.

[Tawilkins]

I failed FAR, I made a 72, because I ran out of time on the exam. I didn't even take a bathroom break. I got caught up on the first simulation tab and never moved on to the other 6 tabs until I had only twenty minutes left, which left me scrambling to fill in anything….

For some reason, I had it in my mind that if I couldn't get the first tab correct, then I certainly couldn't do the next tabs, thinking they were going to get harder, but I was shocked to find that they were much easier than the one I was stuck on. I could have passed!!! 🙁

AUD - Done
BEC - Done
FAR - Done
REG - Oct.

[wizards8507]

Failed REG because I went in overconfident. I breezed through AUD and BEC so I thought REG would be the same deal. Not so. REG and FAR are different animals than the other two.

NY CPA

[mla1169]

I had no business taking the exams when I did and still have no idea how I only failed 3x.

I was working 55 hours a week at job #1, 10-15 hours a week at job #2, taking 2 classes per semester for my Masters, have 2 kids and was the girl scout leader for my daughters troop. I know for a fact I couldn't have studied one minute more or spread myself any thinner, so those fails are my own failure to wait until I finished school or maybe dropped scouts.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[futureCPA12]

@tawilkins Your story is a bit comforting to me. I had really struggled through the FAR simulations and clocked out, but managed to answer 5 of the 7 tabs completely. The other two were journal entries that I just couldn't wrap my head around. If you got a 72, it seems like there is a glimmer of hope for me at least to get a 75. Of course, my answers could've been completely wrong.

Good luck for next time!

[Anonymous]

Oh my goodness…I could write a book for this thread. Looking back, I can see clearly that it was health issues, being spread too thin with my family, going through breast and lung cancer with my mom for 3 years, working 60+ hours and having a 2 hour per day commute. HIndsight is 20/20 and I probably should've put it down for a year or two until my life was more conducive to studying and retaining the info but quitting felt worse than failure so I soldiered on. Also my iron was so dangerously low that I didn't really have a chance of passing until I got that regulated…but I didn't know that at the time. Oh well…what's done is done and I will pass my final exam soon. I'm glad I stuck with it.

[MintsRGood]

I failed auditing the first time because I was so unprepared it is laughable and I had no clue how intense the exams are(first stab at any section). The second time I failed auditing I tried to cram for 3 weeks due to an expiring NTS (horrible idea BTW) and 100% deserved the failing score. My third failing attempt at audit, I put in 20-25 hours per week for 8 weeks, 2000+ MCQS, notes, audio, etc. and failed again! Why? Too much memorization and focus on quantity and not enough quality detailed understanding of the topics. I inadvertently memorized the test bank with my zeal to hit 2000 MCQS and thought I was doing a good job! The SIMS ate me alive and It was devastating.

For my successful attempt, I picked up the Wiley Textbook and worked through the entire thing. No mnemonics, no tricks, no cramming, just old school pencil and paper learning! I didn't touch the test bank until 2 weeks before my exam and was happy to see incorrect responses here and there because it proved to me that I had stopped memorizing. That's really the only way to pass any of these exams IMHO!

REG: 75 DONE 🙂
AUD: 61, 71, 68, 92 DONE 🙂
BEC: 76 DONE 🙂
FAR: 72, 74, 79 DONE 🙂
Licensed Michigan CPA 🙂
-Some people dream of success...others wake up and work hard for it!!!
-The cowards never start and the weak die along the way!
-You better work, b***h!
-Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.-JFK

[LinkA8A0A]

I failed one test so far….FAR (please don't let me have failed REG…should know in 3 weeks).

I got a 71 the first time and I think it was a combination of not knowing what to expect, not studying hard enough, being very nervous. When I went back and studied again I had a much better handle on things and I got an 82 the second time around. I think the main thing is being able to time yourself properly and just knowing the material.

[Anonymous]

@mla1169 I have a lot of admiration for you to even attempt this thing with everything you had going on.

[foreverstudying]

@linkA8A0A, how long did you wait to retake FAR and did you add any supplemental material? It's the only test I've taken so far using Becker self study and got a 70. Since I didn't necessarily bomb it I'm unsure of how to approach it the second time around.

FAR - 70, 83
REG - 82
BEC - 78
AUD - 76

[futureCPA12]

@wr07 I've heard that even though 70 may seem really close, its not and you should prepare as if you are preparing for the 1st time. Keep in mind that the exam could be completely different the second time around. Make sure you freshen up on the most difficult topics to you. Put in the effort and you'll do great next time!

[Anonymous]

@mla1169 I am going to be in a similar situation (working, 2 MBA classes and 2 kids) How long before the exam did you start studying? I want to have enough time to study but don't want to start studying so far out that I forget most of it.

[mla1169]

I did 2 months for each exam. Started studying in sept of 2010, took my final exam (#7 attempt) on Oct 19, 2011. I'll warn you the combination of school, work, family and CPA exam ain't pretty. My husband earned a halo for living with the wicked witch of the east. But it's over and completely worth it!

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Author]

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