[Kris.tina]

I was wondering if anyone could give me any study tips or advise for how to get studying done while working 40 hours/week. I’ve passed two sections so far but I wasn’t working at the time. I’m starting my full time job next week while also starting to study for FAR. How does everyone do it? I’m planning on studying before work, lunch, and after but I don’t want to get burned out. How does everyone keep their energy and brain function up?

Thanks!
Kris

AUD - 02/10/2014 PASSED!
REG - 05/14/2014 PASSED!
FAR - 08/25/2014 PASSED!
BEC - 11/10/2014, 02/22/2015 PASSED!

[mla1169]

Plan on getting burnt out. It's going to happen especially if you're not used to the demands of a full time job. Any major change in your life is stressful, including a new job (even without adding in the exams).

That said it's only temporary. There will be days you don't think you'll make it. You will though. Studying in the morning and lunch is a good start, and an hour or two at night. You're going to be drop dead tired. Stay hydrated, eat right, take vitamins, and listen to audio during your commute and a 30 minute walk. Someday you'll wonder how you pulled it off!

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

1.5 to 2 hours per night on Monday – Thursday and 3 hours per day on Saturday and Sunday is 12 -14 hours per week. Friday is a backup night if you slack off during the week. If you study M-Th, then you can go out on Friday night. If you get 3 hours on Saturday, then you can go out Saturday night. Add one hour to each day in the last two weeks before the exam; my wife excused me from dishes duty in last two weeks. 8 week cycle equals 96 – 124 hours, which is enough for all but FAR. I used a 12 week cycle for FAR. I didn't study at all on workday mornings,and any time at lunch is a bonus.

[lude4life13]

A huge difference will be convincing your roomates (wife, parents, siblings, friends, or whoever you live with) to take care of you. Seriously, not having to do dishes (like BJD), cleaning, taking care of pets, cooking, etc will give you the 2 hours a night you need to study. Explain to them that taking care of you is their way of helping you succeed.

[Anonymous]

When I began studying, I studied every night from 7pm until 10 pm mon thru fri. Saturday and Sundays I would study 10 am to 6pm then go out for drinks to decompress lol. I passed all 4 parts in less than a year and even failed two. Right after each failure I would drink that night and begin restudying the very next day. Just keep up the momentum and you'll get used to it.

[sep7uakron]

Put your personal life on hold for 6-8 months and put in 30 hours a week studying and pass all four parts. Then move on with life as a CPA. I started in January and i'm on my last exam(BEC) which I take July 12th. All I do is go to work, study, and try to have dinner with my wife once in awhile.

AUD: April 2014 - 85
REG: May 2014 - 83
BEC: July 2014 - 82
FAR: August 2014 - 83

I'M DONE!!

[Amay]

Grab a calendar and pencil in the important family events, birthdays, work commitments, etc. you absolutely cannot get out of. Work around those days to get minimum 20 hours of study time a week. You can break up the hours however you want and depending on your plans. Don't forget to take breaks though! For example, I usually like to take Friday nights off for date nights with the hubby or just decompress from a long work/study week. If you plan your hours wisely you can have your Friday and Saturday nights off (and even all of Sunday off if you meet your 20 hours before then). It is very hard, but doable. If possible, try to fit some exercise time into your week. I have done it since February and it has done wonders with my stress levels! I can tell you from experience and from reading other stories on this board that forgetting about your health will be extremely detrimental to your passing success. Good luck! You are half-way there! 🙂

BEC: 73, 81
AUD: 85
FAR: 71, 77
REG: 74, 75...finally DONE! 😀

*This is my 2nd attempt at the CPA exam. For all of you who have failed this exam many times, given up on it, or taken a break like me, remember that it is still possible to finish what you started...failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently 🙂

[fiona87]

I started studying on maternity leave with my second child, and studied through busy season (60+ hours a week) and have so far passed each section I've taken. Schedule your study time (put it on a calendar), stick to it, and accept this is life now and it's temporary. Get up early, stay at work a bit late to study in quiet, study over your lunch. Listen to NINJA Audio at the gym or on your commute, do flashcards while you're eating dinner… then when you're all done you can enjoy life.

FAR - 79 (11/27/13)
AUD - 76 (2/1/14)
REG - 77 (5/30/14)
BEC - 88 (7/18/14)

MN Ethics - 100% (3/9/14)

AND DONE! 8/1/14

[Kris.tina]

Thanks everyone for your advice and support, it really helps! All of your stories are very inspiring.

Thanks!
Kris

AUD - 02/10/2014 PASSED!
REG - 05/14/2014 PASSED!
FAR - 08/25/2014 PASSED!
BEC - 11/10/2014, 02/22/2015 PASSED!

[Anonymous]

“Plan on getting burnt out” is probably the most accurate description I can imagine. I work, study, and I'm planning my wedding (and finding a place to live) with my fiancee. It's not easy at all. Add to that list I have to do a lot of things at home since my dad moved out, and you get a full schedule. You learn to appreciate the small chances to get some studying in. I'm at work right now and about to study just because I know I can't tonight.

[polar21]

I am sort of in the same position and weighing my options at the moment, although I have 1. already paid for three tests and 2. already passed BEC.

I work Big 4 and wife and I have two kids under 2. When I get home from work the last thing she wants me to do is to say “hey, I am going to lock myself in the room and study”. I am 30yo and am contemplating if this is the right career choice for me. I might as well come to the realization that this might be a 5 year journey for me (to get the CPA).

This test is geared for people still in school, with no jobs, and no external commitments.

[mla1169]

Polar I couldn't disagree more.

When I was studying for the CPA I was working a 50 hour a week job plus working retail on the weekends. I was taking 2 online classes per semester for my Masters. I have 2 kids (who were 10 and 16 at the time), and was the girl scout leader for my daughter's troop. I had to trudge my kids to practices, school events, etc–take care of a house and 2 dogs, etc. My husband was as helpful as he could be but still the lion's share fell on mom.

I did the entire thing in 12 months.

Granted I did it a bit differently than someone with less on their plates but this test is geared to people who just want it that badly. I've seen people whose only commitment in life was studying for this exam (no school, no job, live with mom and dad) who struggled with it far more than I did. And I didn't get into a mindset that I had “too much” on my plate….everything I had going on was by my own choice so there was no need to consider if it would have been different had I waited until I finished my masters or taken a year off from Girl Scouts or Cheerleading.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[itsjustatest]

Great post MLA. This test is geared for people who are willing to study for it.

AUD - 83
REG - 78
FAR - 69,73,79
BEC - 85

[polar21]

One thing to point out in MLA's post is that your kids were much older. I still have two kids in diapers who are not self-sufficient.

[mla1169]

Yes, my kids were older and VERY self sufficient. Which made working 2 jobs, being in grad school and studying for the CPA exam simultaneously a walk in the park. LMAO! Take my kids out of the equation entirely, and my point remains, regardless of what else you have going on if you want this you will find a way to do it.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Mamabear]

I work full time, have a husband that works 2 jobs, and have 3 kids (ages 1,3, and 5). They are not self sufficient and require a lot of attention. Seriously–I can't even pee without the three following me to the bathroom. I can only study when they are out of the house or asleep. My parents watch them while I work and keep them two nights a week when I am in full on study mode (starting 6 weeks before each test). I am lucky to have the help, but I do think I could still do this if their help was not an option. I would have to change my routine entirely and that's probably what you will have to do. You get up early, you study at lunch, you study after the kids go to bed. If your wife isn't on board though, it probably isn't worth it because you will be tired and probably grumpy and if she doesn't want to deal with that then you'll have trouble getting through this process. I will say though that you shouldn't make assumptions about what your spouse can and will deal with. You may be surprised at how supportive they will be if they know this is what you really want.

CPA Exam - Finally DONE (November 2014)
BEC (08/10/13) 80
AUD (08/24/13) 65 (11/13/13) 85
FAR (04/12/14) 81
REG (07/19/14) 69 (11/29/14) 87!!

[Author]

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