[Anonymous]

Hello everyone,

I would like to ask everyone how have you stayed motivated of obtaining the CPA when you did not passed a portion of the CPA exam?

I took FAR in November as my first attempt and received a low score of 61. I feel as though I have a general understanding of the concepts as a whole but the results that I am looking for obviously has not been my way thus far. What would be a suggestion you would give to someone who missed passing on a particular portion of the exam? Change in studying habits? Review courses in class? Thanks to all for your time.

[Anonymous]

@DW

I think different people will have different approaches. Some people remind themselves of why they are going for the CPA, some people get angry, etc. If you haven't already, download Jeff's survival guide and read the section on ‘failing an exam.' I think there's some good perspective in there.

A little more info might help. How long did you prepare for your first shot at FAR? If you are using Becker, how were you doing on progress tests? Did you do progress tests? How many times did you read the NINJA notes? Did you rewrite them?

When I failed, I treated my retake as if I was starting from scratch. Remember, you don't need 14 more points or 1 more point, you need 75 points to pass in February.

3CPA

[Anonymous]

@DW

I think different people will have different approaches. Some people remind themselves of why they are going for the CPA, some people get angry, etc. If you haven't already, download Jeff's survival guide and read the section on ‘failing an exam.' I think there's some good perspective in there.

A little more info might help. How long did you prepare for your first shot at FAR? If you are using Becker, how were you doing on progress tests? Did you do progress tests? How many times did you read the NINJA notes? Did you rewrite them?

When I failed, I treated my retake as if I was starting from scratch. Remember, you don't need 14 more points or 1 more point, you need 75 points to pass in February.

3CPA

[Anonymous]

@3CPAv2 I would do 30 question sets of MCQs on main topics that I struggled with (i.e., Bonds and governmental accounting) until I earned a 75% on the topic before moving on to another topic. Additionally, I would listen to the NINjA Audio each day at work as a constant regurgitation of the notes for better understanding. I know there is more to do to ultimately conquer the beast of FAR I just have to figure it all in my study plan while working full time.

In regards to practice exams, I earned between 50-60% which tells me that I am still deficient in key areas. My approach as I restart studying is to conceptually understand each topic from a theoretical perspective, do MCQs and Simulations to establish a better foundation of how to work all the problems and also rewrite my notes to drill home the concepts. Hopefully this approach works out for me.

[Anonymous]

@3CPAv2 I would do 30 question sets of MCQs on main topics that I struggled with (i.e., Bonds and governmental accounting) until I earned a 75% on the topic before moving on to another topic. Additionally, I would listen to the NINjA Audio each day at work as a constant regurgitation of the notes for better understanding. I know there is more to do to ultimately conquer the beast of FAR I just have to figure it all in my study plan while working full time.

In regards to practice exams, I earned between 50-60% which tells me that I am still deficient in key areas. My approach as I restart studying is to conceptually understand each topic from a theoretical perspective, do MCQs and Simulations to establish a better foundation of how to work all the problems and also rewrite my notes to drill home the concepts. Hopefully this approach works out for me.

[Study Monk]

Come up with smaller goals than passing FAR and hold yourself accountable. Set a daily amount of hours you want to study and make sure you meet each daily goal. Don't focus on the destination but the journey. CPA questions is now your sport and instead of focusing on game day you need to focus on becoming excellent at your new sport by finding enjoyment in your practice session. To do this you will need to either find value in learning or value in the self pride you will develop as you keep pushing yourself.

FAR is actually the easiest to study for in my opinion because it has the most relevance in our field. With the exception of government and non profit accounting FAR is the bread and butter of accounting. Why not spend the extra time mastering this material? The reality is this process will make all of us stronger and the intangibles will stick around a long time afterwards. Pride and self confidence are the huge ones, but we can reap the benefits even before we pass the exams by meeting our daily and weekly study goals and trying to make improvements in our study habits and the attitude in which we approach our study sessions.

Good Luck!

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

"Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

[Study Monk]

Come up with smaller goals than passing FAR and hold yourself accountable. Set a daily amount of hours you want to study and make sure you meet each daily goal. Don't focus on the destination but the journey. CPA questions is now your sport and instead of focusing on game day you need to focus on becoming excellent at your new sport by finding enjoyment in your practice session. To do this you will need to either find value in learning or value in the self pride you will develop as you keep pushing yourself.

FAR is actually the easiest to study for in my opinion because it has the most relevance in our field. With the exception of government and non profit accounting FAR is the bread and butter of accounting. Why not spend the extra time mastering this material? The reality is this process will make all of us stronger and the intangibles will stick around a long time afterwards. Pride and self confidence are the huge ones, but we can reap the benefits even before we pass the exams by meeting our daily and weekly study goals and trying to make improvements in our study habits and the attitude in which we approach our study sessions.

Good Luck!

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

"Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

[Anonymous]

@Study Monk thank you for your motivational speech. I do realize that I am taking the wrong approach by not actually enjoying the process of passing FAR or any CPA exam for that matter but only looking at the final product. I will take your advice by enjoying the practice sessions and enjoying the learning that comes with studying because that is when it all begins to click.

I did need this tough but respectable opinion and I appreciate you and 3CPAv2's help and drilling home these points. Best wishes on your journey and I will make it an enjoyable journey each and every day. Best wishes.

[Anonymous]

@Study Monk thank you for your motivational speech. I do realize that I am taking the wrong approach by not actually enjoying the process of passing FAR or any CPA exam for that matter but only looking at the final product. I will take your advice by enjoying the practice sessions and enjoying the learning that comes with studying because that is when it all begins to click.

I did need this tough but respectable opinion and I appreciate you and 3CPAv2's help and drilling home these points. Best wishes on your journey and I will make it an enjoyable journey each and every day. Best wishes.

[Author]

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