[jdvorwerck]

I passed REG 1/17/16
I originally had BEC scheduled for end of February 2016, but had to push it because a project came up at work and ended up taking it shortly after 4/15 (I’m in tax), so needless to say I didn’t get much studying done. I got a 69.

I decided to retake it instead of moving onto the next section and retook it July of 2016 and got a 72. When I left the exam I felt extremely good about it so getting this 72 was a total motivation killer.

Since then I have taken an AUD exam (Nov 2016), which I struggled to get going and only ended up getting about one week of study time going into the exam. I got a 64.

Now, I am in a do or die phase. I have my AUD retake on 3/7/17 (I am on chapter 4/6 in Becker right now), FAR on 5/20/17 and BEC on 7/15/17 (REG expires on 7/17/17).

I have Becker review materials, and have used the Ninja Blitz as supplemental in the past.

My question to you guys is, how do you find the motivation to buckle down and stay motivated after a few failures?

[jbergmann1]

I never failed any sections, so can't help you there, but I never scheduled any exams until I had sufficiently finished studying for the next one. Just a thought.

Passed all 4 parts of the CPA exam!
License application in progress

[jdvorwerck]

The only reason these are scheduled like that is due to the fact of needing to pass all three sections before July.

[Missy]

Don't look for motivation it's entirely unnecessary. Can you imagine if we only went to work when we were motivated? Have you ever been motivated to do chores? You sometimes do things you have no desire to do just because you have to. Once you've decided to do this, you do it even when you don't want to.

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

[Anonymous]

you say you need to pass them by July? Use that for your motivation. Its a marathon, not a sprint.

[CPA788]

When I need motivation I need to set small, specific goals. It's usually a # of MCQ in Becker I want to accomplish in a day. Or finishing a certain chapter by the end of the week. I also structure my study time – M-Th 8-10pm, F off, then weekends. By having a structured schedule and measurable goals, it helps me know what my path is. I also have a note card up by my laptop of the reasons of why I want to be a CPA. I look at them every time I'm studying. Sit down at your computer at the time you plan/schedule and knock out the material you have carved out for the day. Don't get up until you do (assuming it's a reasonable goal).

I'm studying for my 4th attempt at REG right now and just feel completely over it. Test is in 8 days so that's a problem. Could be my last (pending score release this week) so I'm really trying to scrape the confidence and motivation from anywhere I can find it. You got this.

BEC - 74, 77
FAR - 72, 71 (retake 7/29)
REG - 69
AUD - Q4 '16

CA Candidate

[livealittle]

I'm kinda in the same boat.

you just gotta do it.

sorta like cleaning the bathroom. I'm never like excited to go clean the bathroom, but it needs to be done, so I do it. I'm not excited to study, but it needs to be done, so I do it.

Set small goals, make daily progress.

how do you eat an elephant? one bite at a time.

BEC - 8/8/16
REG - 66, 77
AUD - 81
FAR - 9/8/16

[Namstut]

You said it yourself – “it's do or die”, so this on its own should be your big motivation. It's all in your hands and you either want it or you don't.

Looking at your dates I think you have a good amount of time to study for all of your scheduled sections. You will have about 8 weeks to study for REG and 11 weeks for FAR. You have about 3 weeks left to prep for AUD and with 3 chapters left you can still be ready if you use your time efficiently.

The more you procrastinate the more you increase your chance of not passing. Buckle up and think of the freedom that comes 5 months from now!

AUD 7/6/16 Passed
BEC 9/3/16
FAR TBD
REG TBD

[Anonymous]

Dont look for Motivation, look for Discipline. That is the difference between passing and failing.

[Author]

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