[Allsheneededwassome]

Omg I was pretty confident I passed AUD. But nope…just checked and I got a 71! What was I thinking. So overconfident. Stupid me!!

I also failed FAR with a 69.

BEC expires 12/10. REG passed.

Now I have to pass both FAR and AUD in this next testing window. I have to. I have no choice. Oh and I have one toddler and an 8 month old at home. I really honestly only get 3 hours of study time each day maybe. This is after all day with kids running after them and running the house. So I’m a little exhausted. This is the hardest thing I’ve had to do honestly. I need guidance from you guys on how to tackle these remaining two sections by 12/10 so that I don’t lose BEC.

I’m not good with retaining information. I know I’m going to have to listen to all the lectures again. This is torture.

[IwannabeaCPA2017]

I think a lot of us are in the same boat! Oh and the exam is getting harder, not to make you feel bad but we should swallow this lemon and push forward, OP! That should be our motivation to pass this damn exam otherwise I think FAR would be impossible for me. I just need to find that “right” strategy to pass FAR. Not sure why my score keeps dropping. Good luck to you!

[reallytired]

Now let me preface this with saying I do not have children, so I do not know the pain of dealing with small humans quite yet!

But what I know friends of mine who have passed with kids have done is that they only study once the kids are in bed. One friend in particular had a 1 year old while studying and she would put him to bed around 8 and then she would study till midnight every weekday. Weekends, her husband would take their son out for a few hours so she could study during the day.

And how I studied for AUD and BEC in a month (per exam, two months total) was I would listen to the lecture and then do the mcq immediately after. When I finished a chapter, I would do a progress test to help me remember what I learned in the previous chapter. I had about 5 days left to review the entire book before the exams. I took notes of all mnemonics and formulas, but that was about it for notes.

You can do this, good luck!

B 10/29/16
A 10/1/16
R 9/2/16
F 7/26/16

[Anonymous]

I felt the same way about Audit. I wasn't super confident, but felt pretty good. Got a 72. I'm pretty sure the MCQ were my problem, again. The same way my FAR test went. I'm working on Audit and FAR for Q4 also. I have an 18 month old at home too, it's definitely not easy. Hopefully we can both get em done in Q4 here and make it a Merry Christmas.

[cmcook]

@Missy always has sound advice. Always. One thing she said was to listen to audio while you do laundry, etc.

I have a 5 year old, and in comparison, I'm completely spoiled. When I strain I can remember him at both those ages, and if there were two of him, I would be beside myself. You can do it because others have. You don't have to be a genius. You have to be a savvy, savvy study-er. Work smarter, not harder. I don't know what that looks like, but I know you can do it.

[IwannabeaCPA2017]

@reallytired, how was the new BEC? I asked just in case I have to retake that. Im not too overly concern since I have passed it once but just so I know what I'm dealing with. Without any violation of course how is the exam overall like? Thanks!

[Allsheneededwassome]

Thank you guys! Plan I came up with is to study for FAR and take that by first week of November. Then study for AUD and take that one in early December.

In the middle of all this I have to host the older kids bday party (already sent out invitations and he now knows it's happening so can't undo that). The husband goes off on a work trip for 4 days in November.

The last exam I passed was before my 8 month old was born. It's pretty embarrassing that all her life (8 months) I've been focusing on this beast. Just a very s$&@@y feeling that I haven't been able to enjoy her first year. Sacrifices sacrifices!

@bhuekels: let's do this!

[maj1028]

Dont loose hope. There were other candidates who failed many times but did not give up and at the end of the day they thrive and passed. I also have a toddler and I know how it feels like to have a little person running around calling mom every 5 mins. But I decided I would dedicate special time for studying. Either I wake up super early or I wait until he is picked by his bus for preschool. That gives me an average of 2-3 hours of studying. Moreover, I think what really made a difference for me is active studying. I basically would study every chance I have. While doing chores, I would watch video lectures or listen to audio notes. During commute I would also listen to audio notes. I would also answer 20-30 mcqs when I have a chance.. During break, while waiting for appointment, etc.

When I am 50% through study material, at night before going to bed I would ready study notes from the beginning so it is like starting over. Reading it the second time makes me understand the topic better or in a different perspective. Then 1 month before my test date.. I would do 90 mcqs everyday, 10 Sims every 3rd day, and on Saturday mock exam. Sunday would be rest day but I would still answer 30 mcqs and reread 2-3 topics at night.

I hope this works for you too. Good luck and don't give up. Your hard will all pay off in the end.

[LawGuy]

This exam is training you to handle pressure and stress–two of the central elements of a CPA's job. Once you pass this test you will be able to handle anything.

I think the key is to just take it one step at a time and not pay too much attention to the large task ahead of you. You have completed two exams, so you're halfway done–that's pretty impressive. Most people in the world do not have the fortitude and intellectual ability to do that, so you've already distinguished yourself.

I say just keep moving forward and do the best you can and don't let the stress get to you. Just study until you absolutely can't study any more, then take a break and come back to it later. Don't feel guilty about taking breaks when you're not being productive studying.

[Missy]

Get audio. With kids you need to be a bit more creative with studying. I was never without my audio. If you can have a radio on your desk at work listen to the audio. Folding laundry, feeding baby,,walking dog, gardening = audio. Driving to work, audio. Read the books to your kids instead of brown bear, they'll forgive you. I even had it playing while I slept hoping for subliminal learning. You've got this.

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

[cmcook]

^ see? I told you @missy gives great advice. Missy: I'll just say it. I wish you were my official mentor. Wishing you lived in Denver.

[ellejay]

I haven't taken a part yet (not scheduled until November) but I wanted to give you some encouragement. You can totally do this. I am a mom of two young kids and also work full time. I suggest waking up early if you can, I wake up before everyone else for an hour to study, then study at lunch (maybe you can study during nap time), and then after dinner I study again. I maybe get 3-4 hours per day… Also if you have some support system don't be afraid to ask for help. My mom takes my kids for 4-5 hours on Saturdays so I can catch up. The mom guilt eats me up but I gotta do this and get through these exams.

[Missy]

Thank you cmcook! I wish I lived in Denver also but I'm too much a fan of the Atlantic ocean to ever leave the east coast!

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

[oisbuddy]

My kids barely let me study either, wifey really helped though. On FAR, focus on governmental and NFPs more than anything.

[Allsheneededwassome]

@oisbuddy Govt NFP came out “stronger” for me in the report. It's the other stuff I need help with.

My weakness was lack of MCQ practice. I didn't have time to do all becker mcqs, forget progress tests and final exam. I wish I had because some of the stuff just clicks more when you do MCQs. Finding time was a challenge. Plus pure exhaustion. I'm not a morning person but I need to try. Wake up early and perhaps do an hour then. I don't work right now. Took the year off, moved from D.C. to CA while 8 months pregnant and decided to stay home until the baby would be 1, while hopefully knocking out the CPA. This December will be 1 year and I need to get back into the workforce hopefully with the cpa credentials.

Good advise guys. I honestly appreciate it. Will be a regular here over the next several weeks.

[Allsheneededwassome]

@ellejay:
Good luck to you as you begin the journey! We're pretty much in the same boat with family demands. I appreciate your words.

@Missy:
Great advice. I'm going to keep the iPad next to me at night and listen to lectures until I pass out via headphones. Also Justin have it play during the day as I do stuff around the house. I'm using becker self study.

@lawguy:
You're right on. The husband pulls out his laptop almost every night after the kids are in bed. I'm going to stay up with him and study alongside. Hopefully not until I burn out. I feel like I need more sleep than anyone else in the world. It's going to be a rough few weeks coming up. Need to power through

[Author]

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