[needseriousHELPtoPASS]

I wanted to open this discussion to have some motivation since I have been failing for the past 3 years. I received my fair share of 74’s….. VERY DEPRESSING I clearly am doing something wrong and need help from anyone who is willing to share some tips. I want to be DONE by the time this test changes April 1. Any tips on what I should do? I have them all scheduled – just need that PASSING GRADE!!!!

[Spartans92]

Don't be so butt hurt people!

BEC- PASS

[needseriousHELPtoPASS]

sorry guys… didnt wanna start a fight just wanted some inspiration….

but thanks for the advice! I plan to get a tutor and focus more on just this test to pass before April 1. I dont even wanna TRY the new version since this version is already crazy hard.

[ZombieMouse]

My husband works in public accounting for a Big 4 firm and I work in industry. I have the advantage of more consistent hours year-round (although those hours are consistently long around month-end); he has the advantage of considerable downtime outside of busy season, including time between engagements when his firm literally pays him to do nothing but study. The complexity of work isn't significantly harder for either of us; it's just different. I deal with more complexity, he deals with more ambiguity — etc. We both come home exhausted sometimes, and we both find time in our busy full-time work schedules to study. You just have to decide what's important to you and prioritize accordingly.

Becker is a really robust course, so if your time is limited, you may need to think about your learning style and customize Becker to fit. For example, I'm a visual learner so I skip the lectures and focus on the reading and practice problems. I don't bother with notes or flashcards. I just read a section, do the practice problems, and then redo every problem I get wrong until I get it right (and understand why the answer is what it is). Then I move on. I also take a 24-question progress test covering all previous chapters each day, in order to ensure the material I've already studied stays fresh. This works for me. It might not work for you, depending on how you learn best.

Other things you can try with Becker:
– Download the lectures to use on the mobile app and listen to them during your commute, at the gym, etc.
– Take flashcards to work with you (or use the flashcards on the mobile app) and review them anytime you have downtime at work

[needseriousHELPtoPASS]

Thanks so much @zombiemouse and @mjbey1s.. I wake up at 5 to go to the gym … i could use this as study time with the audio part while i am there but i couldn't just cut out my gym time – it helps me get through the day to sweat out all the stress lol!

But agreed, I need to set aside all other things and focus strictly on studying. I have been reading through the chapters and writing notes as i go, then going through multiple choice questions.

So – how much time is put in throughout the week? 2-3 hours weekdays (so 10-15 total) and around 10 on the weekends? so 20 hours a week? do you think thats sufficient? or probably more?
I just am a planner and need to plan out everything accordingly. I have a month to go for my test and have 2 chapters left! then need to review till the test.. does this sound good?

[ZombieMouse]

One month is plenty of time to get through two chapters with time to review — don't despair! Just make a schedule and stick to it as best you can. Try to do one chapter a week for the next two weeks, and save the last two weeks before your exam for review. Take a practice test and use that to hone in on potential weak areas. If you have 10 or 15 minutes here or there during the day, use them to review your notes or flashcards or work through a few practice problems.

The trick is to get yourself into a CPA Exam frame of mind. Do other things, sure — work, read, watch TV now and then to relax. (You earned it.) But don't let a single day pass without doing something towards your goal, in order to keep the momentum and also ensure that the material stays fresh. You'll lose it if you don't use it. Sometimes I feel that's the real danger of working while studying; your brain fills up with all sorts of other random things and the exam material erodes that much more quickly over time. Don't let that happen.

You can do this!

[needseriousHELPtoPASS]

Thanks so much @zombiemouse that was really helpful!!

[mncpa11]

I have been at this exam for 2.5 years. It took me over a year before I passed my first exam. In that first year I failed 5 times with 4 of those scores being between 69-74. I was SO discouraged. However, In that year I started my first job out of college, moved to a new city, got married and had so many life changes. Once I passed my first exam in August of 2015 which was Audit, I had more confidence. I went to take BEC for the third time and got a 74 last November. Once again I was discouraged. I wanted to enjoy the holidays and I let myself be sad but then it hit me right after Christmas that my clock was ticking and I needed to just buckle down and try my hardest. I scheduled my third shot at REG in January with only 5 days to study. I had already bout my NTS and was considering just not taking it because I was still so upset about BEC but luckily I snapped out of it. I still had my Becker software so I used that but I decided to buy Ninja Notes for this one. I used only Ninja notes and Becker MCQ. I ended up getting a 78. I wrote all over my Ninja notes when doing the MCQ and I couldn't believe I passed with such a short amount of time to study. Once I got that score back I couldn't believe I was finally half way done. I just wanted to start studying right away for my 3rd shot at BEC but it was tax season so I knew I wouldn't take it until May. Right after tax season I began studying for BEC and took it in the beginning of May. I had already gotten a 73 and 74 on BEC and I dreaded it. I called it the garbage can test because of all the topics it encompasses. Even though I had over a month to study for it I didn't get fully engaged in studying until 2 weeks before the exam. I used my Becker book, Ninja notes and Becker MCQ. The Ninja notes once again were a life saver because as I've learned in this process my mind wanders, I get easily overwhelmed with thinking about ALL of the material and then just panicking. Ninja notes helped me feel like I could simplify all the material and have a summary of my book. I had never really liked doing the MCQ. My attention span fades and I start doing worse which discourages me, but with BEC I realized I needed to do more than I wanted just because of how much they are weighted. I got my score back and I FINALLY got an 80. It was my first score where I could look at the first digit and know I passed. Well my Becker software expired in May and I was lost about what to do. I saved FAR for last which I thought would be fine but I thought I would have my Becker MCQ. I decided to buy Ninja ten point combo. I started studying but it was summer, I bought a house, moved, had events every weekend and went to take FAR in July and the more I look at it now it was wishful thinking to think I could have passed and be done. I didn't do many MCQ, I hardly looked at some topics until the week of the exam. When I got my score back it was a 64. I cried, I finally for the first time in over two years was able to take an exam and not have to think about the next one I would have to get ready for. I had a chance at being DONE. At times I cant stand the person these exams have made me, they fill me with so much stress and anxiety. However, I know for a fact that when I am done, I will be so proud and to know the amount of anxiety I overcame in the process will be so rewarding.

With all of that being said. I learned that instead of telling myself I've been at this for 2.5 years and I am still not done. I remind myself that I didn't actually start passing until last August and since then I have passed 3/5 times. Also, I tell myself everyday that if I could tell myself last year at this time that I have one exam left I would have been ecstatic. I Have FAR on Monday here I am feeling like I have so much to study (I never feel ready for an exam) but I at least know I am WAY more ready than July. Sorry that I told you my entire CPA exam journey, but I am so busy and always feel like I don't have enough hours in a week to study but I've made it work by just using the time I do get and use the most out of it.

Good luck, you can do it. Just get one passing score and I promise you will feel like you can do it!

[A1lessio]

I work in public and I notice a lot of people who sit for FAR first don't seem to ever pass any parts. I would sit for an easier party like audit, pass and get your confidence up. Use the Becker App for audit and reg and probably even BEC constantly when commuting or waiting around. I would bang out anywhere from 30-70 mcq problems on the subway.

I studied for Reg during busy season and there is always time. Granted I have a strong background in tax, but I was able to find time. I would re-read my notes while spinning, do questions during every commute, and study on weekends.

AUD (08/02/2016)

[needseriousHELPtoPASS]

@mncpa11 im sorry but that was SO inspiring…. i feel the exact same. Its been such a long journey for me and at times i break down and feel it is an unattainable goal to pass all 4. but i agree – its worth it in the end to just BE DONE ALREADY!

[mncpa11]

@needseriousHELPtoPASS Good! I'm glad, I know it was so long. I don't always post on here but when I see posts like yours I feel like my story can help. I remember thinking that passing 4 was going to be impossible let alone 1 seemed impossible at times too. I tell my husband all the time that I actually don't know how I will comprehend getting my final passing score and the overwhelming amounts of happiness that will come with that. Honestly imagining that is what has kept me going, and now that I am this close it makes it even more motivating!

[needseriousHELPtoPASS]

@mncpa11 good luck on monday!! Im sure you will do great and will never have to open a CPA book again – so exciting!!!! let me know how it goes

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