[Anonymous]

MOTIVATION. I have been on this CPA journey for just about a year and feel like giving up. My first exam (BEC) got a 74, retook it and got an 82. FAR the first time got a 71, my results show from 5 AM this morning, the second time I got a 74. Audit I got a 68 and just took it yesterday, and with my luck, I most likely failed once again. I don’t know what else I can do. I feel like I had the FAR material nailed the second time around. I feel like I’m never going to be able to pass……….I kept my motivation up even though I failed them at first and now that I failed FAR for a second time with a 74, I’m losing hope. You hear all of these stories that people don’t know how they passed, they didn’t know one simulation, or even left out a sim. Why a 74 and not a 75? I am extremely discouraged. How should I tackle this again? I feel like I beat Becker to death, do I sit through the 9 lectures AGAIN and do all of the homework AGAIN? I feel like it won’t be beneficial because in hindsight, I subconsciously know most of the answers to Becker. I don’t know what to do. But I do know I am…………………IN NEED OF MOTIVATION. Please share some of your stories of hardship with me so I can try and move forward…..

THANK YOU

[One day….]

I'm in the same boat. I've taken audit 4 times now. This last time I actually left, for the first time, feeling like I passed. Only to wake up to another 72. WTH. I've beat up the Becker material too and this last time had gotten the Ninja notes. I'll probably get the Wiley test bank for next time. Hopefully that will be enough. I'm sick of studying!

Ok, not exactly motivating, but just know you're not alone.

One day is today! I'm DOOONNNNNEEEEE!!!!!!!!!

[mla1169]

After my 2nd AUD fail, I followed Jeff's suggestions about writing and rewriting the ninja notes and doing the Wiley MCQ's. At the time, I didn't see how writing and rewriting notes could possibly make a difference and thought that may be ok for “other” people but not for me. That said after reading Jeff's bio I decided to throw all my faith at his suggestions whether or not I anticipated they would work. I wrote, rewrote and did somewhere in the neighborhood of 5000 MCQ's on Wiley test bank.

It did actually work for me! Maybe at least give the note writing and rewriting a shot?

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

I feel like my problem is the simulations. I got the Wiley test bank for FAR this time and felt like most of the questions were in Becker. I felt like I did so well on the MC this time. The second simulation was SO hard and then when I got to the sims it was so foreign, unlike anything I've ever seen. And I usually write notes from Becker during the lectures because I feel like it helps me. What more can I do? I do each MC question over at least 2-3 times until they are practically memorized. On every exam my weakness are the sims and I feel like there is no prep for them. I really thought I had it this time. Where can I get the ninja notes?

[Anonymous]

Hi Dana,

Let me tell you my story. I gave up so many times CPA. However, in august 27 this year, I began study for FAR. Sept I studied maybe 2 weeks, oct maybe 2 weeks, overall I am 13 chapters out of 20 (Gleim) book, and no matter what I do, I keep forgetting not just the gov accounting, but recently the cash flow. Anyway, I got so used to studying when I get home, every night, and I will tell you why:

1: It makes me feel so better at work, when I know I have an MBA and half a book FAR in my head (which other people here- don't- you know what I mean)

2: It improves my performance. I never opened the FAR book in 5 yrs since graduating. I feeel good now.

3. I m not sure how I did it, but I know chapter 1 I would say 90%. I never had a wrong question from ch 1. If I could do the same for all…:))))

4. Start all over again. This is what happens to me: I think I know a chapter, a concept or a formula, but most of the time, I know maybe just 20%. There always is something else behind that I can learn. I wonder what my grade for FAR is going to be.

I have the option to sit now in Nov but mostly I won;t pass or I can pass by chance. If I study 2 more months, I think I can get even a 89 :)) if not higher. So, I am thinking to sit for FAr Jan 1st. I am not loosing 2 months, I am improving my knowledge 2 more months. I am ok with it, rather than get a grade and wonder later when revisited a concept (which i s going to be long forgotten)…”how did I pass this FAR, bc I don't remember anything?”

For you, to study all over again, it's just a blessing. NOt only that you'll pass, but you also will refresh the concepts and when sitting for an interview, you;ll be laughing at everyone. Knowledge, better cash :)), a lot of things.

So, give it two more months. What do you think? If you start now and sit let's say Jan 1st, I am 100% you'll pass. In my home office I do not have a clock (I do not look at the time). I care about how many questions I answered, I many topics I covered… and why I have such I headache… and I look like I am drunk (with accounting). It drains all me, and I just crush in bed. If I do this for 2 more months, I think I will have a success…

In the end, YOU NEED ONE MORE POINT! Please girl you can do it!

I read posts where people studied evern 5 months for this part, which I think is reasonable.

[Anonymous]

I understand what you are saying, but I feel like how much more can I do. The first time around I studied 11 weeks (maybe too much time) and I went in there thinking I knew absolutely nothing and came out with a 71 which I was proud of. The second time around my attitude was “I'm going to kick butt” and going in I couldn't feel more confident. I had a glimmer of hope that I passed which was easily shot down with a 74. I don't have that attitude anymore. I feel like I gained so much the second time around studying what more can I do to get a 75? It's the sims, the MC I kicked you know what, and with the sims my mind was blank. Not one thing was recognizable. I feel there is no prep for them because it is so random. My school did not prepare me with a strong accounting background which such things as DR and CR so I had to be my own teacher. I am sitting here at work, so upset, but trying to be positive because what do I have left? I passed one part and I feel like I've gotten nowhere over the past year……….

[jomarie]

dana1788 –

I'm not sure if you have read my blogs, but I'll give you a little background. I started to sit for the exam back in 2002. The first 6 years I've was studying on and off. In 2008, something hit me, maybe it was motivation, but I started sitting for the at least one exam per testing window. At one point I had 3 parts passed, but my enemy Audit has made me lose all of them. This past summer I sat for 3 parts and came out with one passing grade and 2 close to passing. Believe me there were times I completely lost my motivation, but then I look at my girls and say to myself, I not only doing it for myself, but also for them.

You need to find something around you to keep you motivated, to keep you going. I've found that in my girls who are 7 years old and 18 months old.

Started sitting in May 2002, on and off. But since 2008 I've been nonstop and my scores are....
AUD - 39, 48, 56, 65, 68, 73, 76!!! (Finally passed in Oct 2011!!!) Becker, NINJA, & Wiley
REG - 75 (Lost Credit) 72, 68, 73, 75 (Passed again in Aug 2011) Becker, NINJA, & Wiley
FAR - 65, 68, 75 (Lost Credit) 68, 73, 73, 80 (Passed again in May 2012) Roger, NINJA, & Wiley
BEC - 65, 68, 71, 72, 72, 71, 76 (Lost Credit)- 70, 76!!!! I AM DONE!!! - Roger, NINJA, & Wiley
After 10 long years of studying, I AM DONE!!!! Finally a Licensed CPA in the State of New York!!

[Anonymous]

Dana what material are you using? I have Gleim, Wiley- cannot read it, it's too small, Jeff notes and Focus Notes Wiley which i use. BUt, I am planning to have Gleim CD questions done (I already have 7,000 questions done- does not say too much still 7 cheapters not touched). I am working at Wiley CS questions and I did some of the cpareviewforfree questions. I am planning to have all these 3 sets of questions worked at least 3 times. Not too much research and similations zero for now :))

[katiekanton]

I haven't sat for a section yet, so I'm just passing on what I've seen posted here several times. The problem may be that you're studying for 11 weeks. In other words, only study for 4, but do absolutely nothing else. I've seen several people talk about changing up their study routine to do shorter, more intense sessions and how it helped their short term memory. Everybody learns differently, but it might be a help to you.

I would also purchase a different review course to supplement. Yankee loves Roger Cram. I love my Bisk stuff. Also if you pound the MCQs and make sure you know every single one, you could get through them faster, leaving a few hours for the sims so you can use the research tab as much as you like.

AUD - 88
FAR - 90
REG - 85
BEC - 88

[Anonymous]

@dana1788, don't give up, this exam is not easy, when i walked out audit i thought i aced it, but ended up with a 74, my problem, also, was the sim. For FAR, i suggest you memorized the journal entries if you don't have a strong accounting background, half of my sims were JE.

@jomarie, I am praying for you, sooooooooooo praying for you, i hope you pass audit, wish you with all my luck. you are my motivation for audit, i had failed with a 74 which i thought i prepared so well too 🙁

[jomarie]

@ atelery –

That is my worse fear. If I didn't pass it this time, I honestly don't know what to do. I guess I'll have to change review courses for sure!!!

Started sitting in May 2002, on and off. But since 2008 I've been nonstop and my scores are....
AUD - 39, 48, 56, 65, 68, 73, 76!!! (Finally passed in Oct 2011!!!) Becker, NINJA, & Wiley
REG - 75 (Lost Credit) 72, 68, 73, 75 (Passed again in Aug 2011) Becker, NINJA, & Wiley
FAR - 65, 68, 75 (Lost Credit) 68, 73, 73, 80 (Passed again in May 2012) Roger, NINJA, & Wiley
BEC - 65, 68, 71, 72, 72, 71, 76 (Lost Credit)- 70, 76!!!! I AM DONE!!! - Roger, NINJA, & Wiley
After 10 long years of studying, I AM DONE!!!! Finally a Licensed CPA in the State of New York!!

[Anonymous]

I use Becker and now I just purchased the NINJA notes. I cut down the studying last time to 8 weeks which I also thought was too long so now I am doing it in 5 weeks. I felt so strong about the material this time, its not the MC, its the SIMS. I feel like there is no prep for them. The ones I got this time were so ridiculous I sat in front of the screen in amazement. Hopefully thirs time is a charm.

[jomarie]

Dana –

I practice sims all the time. I practice them on the Wiley test bank. If you don't have it, I would strongly suggest it. It's a great supplement to Becker. Practice the ones on Becker as well.

Since I've been practicing them on Wiley, I've become stronger on the sims and weaker on the MCQs.

Started sitting in May 2002, on and off. But since 2008 I've been nonstop and my scores are....
AUD - 39, 48, 56, 65, 68, 73, 76!!! (Finally passed in Oct 2011!!!) Becker, NINJA, & Wiley
REG - 75 (Lost Credit) 72, 68, 73, 75 (Passed again in Aug 2011) Becker, NINJA, & Wiley
FAR - 65, 68, 75 (Lost Credit) 68, 73, 73, 80 (Passed again in May 2012) Roger, NINJA, & Wiley
BEC - 65, 68, 71, 72, 72, 71, 76 (Lost Credit)- 70, 76!!!! I AM DONE!!! - Roger, NINJA, & Wiley
After 10 long years of studying, I AM DONE!!!! Finally a Licensed CPA in the State of New York!!

[Anonymous]

I am on the same boat. I need motivation. I bought my review materials last month, and I am already thinking about giving up. I get SO angry when I study FAR. I always wonder why bother with the CPA if I don't even want to be a CPA???!! I want to be a Tax Accountant. But I remember a professor from college saying that even if you never use your CPA, it is a good thing to have. I already spent $2100 with a review course and the exam fees… But I still cant stand to study FAR. I hated Intermediate Accounting at school, but I love Taxation. I want to work for the IRS. I feel so lost because I am only taking the CPA because I can't find a job in the small city I live. My husband works here, so I can't move. I feel lost. I don't know what to do.

[yankeeaccountant]

@CPA777,

FAR is a big exam. Alot of material to cover. Maybe start with another exam. But keep in mind that you will eventually have to take it.If you like tax go for REG. But also know that there is alot of business law with that as well.

I understand where you are coming from. I didn't like Audit at all. It was like watching paint dry. Took me four times to pass that one. UGH. I aged many years on that one. But a necessary evil. Buck up CPA camper, it will be a crazy ride, but well worth it in the end.

Find your north!!

[Anonymous]

@CPA777

Thats what I thought when i started studying for the exam. It was more like WTF every few pages. I passed it the second time. I hate FS and i hate JE, I want to go in tax as well. But keep doing this stuff it will start sticking. At first its hard, but once you go thru your review and do all the questions the second time around doing those MCQ they will stick better.

I started studying for the exam after being out of college for more than 3 years. I used just Becker for the FAR section and didn't look at my old text books or anything like others have. So keep at it! You'll pass!!!

[Author]

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