[thechallenger]

Hi everyone! I am about to start taking the CPA exams and am getting pretty anxious. I read posts about how anyone can pass with a lot of effort and the reason people fail is because they had life get in the way or they didn’t study enough. If any smart person can pass with a lot of effort, then how come the pass rate is so low? All candidates seem highly educated and smart.

[Lindrobe]

I think you kind of answered your own question. My coworker is a perfect example of the reason many candidates fail. I think that she is pretty smart, graduated from a great university, and failed BEC twice and then gave up on the CPA exam all together. She usually has a lot of family stuff going on, very social, watches a ton of different tv shows, so I highly doubt that she really stuck to any kind of study plan (if she even developed one).

In the beginning, I developed a study plan that I have followed religiously. I have had to put my studies first and study many times when I would rather be doing something else. Like today, my husband just left to take his boat to the lake. It is going to be a beautiful day, and I would much rather be out on the boat with him, but I will be studying 6 hours instead!

Good luck with your studies. Develop a plan and stick with it!

FAR 12/3/14, 87
AUD 2/3/14, 90
BEC 4/1/14, 88
REG 5/27/14, 94

Licensed CPA, Indiana

"Successful people do things that unsuccessful people don't want to do"

[Lindrobe]

I think you kind of answered your own question. My coworker is a perfect example of the reason many candidates fail. I think that she is pretty smart, graduated from a great university, and failed BEC twice and then gave up on the CPA exam all together. She usually has a lot of family stuff going on, very social, watches a ton of different tv shows, so I highly doubt that she really stuck to any kind of study plan (if she even developed one).

In the beginning, I developed a study plan that I have followed religiously. I have had to put my studies first and study many times when I would rather be doing something else. Like today, my husband just left to take his boat to the lake. It is going to be a beautiful day, and I would much rather be out on the boat with him, but I will be studying 6 hours instead!

Good luck with your studies. Develop a plan and stick with it!

FAR 12/3/14, 87
AUD 2/3/14, 90
BEC 4/1/14, 88
REG 5/27/14, 94

Licensed CPA, Indiana

"Successful people do things that unsuccessful people don't want to do"

[Anonymous]

Short answer is yes, basically anyone can pass it with enough work. I'd say it's something like riding a bike…it's easier for some people than others, but if you keep at it long enough, you can get it eventually. The low pass rate is due to people not taking it seriously, thinking they can study like someone else and still pass, etc. I passed by reading books and doing MCQs; others swear you need lectures and/or live classes and SIMs. It's different for everyone. I'd say most of the fails are people figuring out what works for them. (Seems like usually, people who have had several fails, end up having their 4 successful tries within the last 5-6 exams, since something “clicked” and they figured out how they needed to study to pass.)

So yes, I believe everyone can do it. But if someone takes 16 tries total to pass (3 fails each), and 2 other people pass all 4 on the first try, that averages to a 50% pass rate.

P. S. And not everyone who takes the exams is smart or brilliant. I've seen a wide variety of people, specifically talking about the people I know in real life since evaluating intelligence over the computer is difficult.

[Anonymous]

Short answer is yes, basically anyone can pass it with enough work. I'd say it's something like riding a bike…it's easier for some people than others, but if you keep at it long enough, you can get it eventually. The low pass rate is due to people not taking it seriously, thinking they can study like someone else and still pass, etc. I passed by reading books and doing MCQs; others swear you need lectures and/or live classes and SIMs. It's different for everyone. I'd say most of the fails are people figuring out what works for them. (Seems like usually, people who have had several fails, end up having their 4 successful tries within the last 5-6 exams, since something “clicked” and they figured out how they needed to study to pass.)

So yes, I believe everyone can do it. But if someone takes 16 tries total to pass (3 fails each), and 2 other people pass all 4 on the first try, that averages to a 50% pass rate.

P. S. And not everyone who takes the exams is smart or brilliant. I've seen a wide variety of people, specifically talking about the people I know in real life since evaluating intelligence over the computer is difficult.

[Mamabear]

I believe the pass rate is so low because of all the exams taken (and included in the numbers) that were taken without adequate preparation. A lot of people go into this thinking they can prepare for it like a college class and it takes so much more than that. You can't just learn the material. You have to learn it and beat it into your head over and over and over. If you just learn it you will forget it come test time. If you read enough of these threads you will see people taking tests simply because their NTS is expiring, but they didn't really study for it. They take it to “see what it's like” since they are going to lose their money whether they sit for it or not. And from my personal experience–my one fail is because I didn't understand the process when I started. I scheduled to take AUD two weeks after BEC. I studied for both simultaneously and sat for them two weeks apart. That was a huge mistake and honestly I had no idea that I could just pay a little fee and reschedule the exam. All of these things contribute to the low pass rate and the more you read on here, the more common you will see that these instances occur. I'm not saying that people don't study really hard for months and still fail. That happens too, but in most cases it seems that occurs because they are using a review course that doesn't suit their most effective learning styles. I didn't buy a formal training course and have gained the knowledge from a variety of sources/reveiw materials. Don't let the pass rate discourage you. It is an incredibly hard test, but it is doable if you put forth the effort, don't treat it like a college course, and make sure your study efforts are effective and not just going through the motions. You can do this! Start out motivated and encouraged and it will carry you a long way in this process. Utilize the study group threads on here. We're all in this together and no one understands what you're going through better than the people on this forum.

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!!

[Mamabear]

I believe the pass rate is so low because of all the exams taken (and included in the numbers) that were taken without adequate preparation. A lot of people go into this thinking they can prepare for it like a college class and it takes so much more than that. You can't just learn the material. You have to learn it and beat it into your head over and over and over. If you just learn it you will forget it come test time. If you read enough of these threads you will see people taking tests simply because their NTS is expiring, but they didn't really study for it. They take it to “see what it's like” since they are going to lose their money whether they sit for it or not. And from my personal experience–my one fail is because I didn't understand the process when I started. I scheduled to take AUD two weeks after BEC. I studied for both simultaneously and sat for them two weeks apart. That was a huge mistake and honestly I had no idea that I could just pay a little fee and reschedule the exam. All of these things contribute to the low pass rate and the more you read on here, the more common you will see that these instances occur. I'm not saying that people don't study really hard for months and still fail. That happens too, but in most cases it seems that occurs because they are using a review course that doesn't suit their most effective learning styles. I didn't buy a formal training course and have gained the knowledge from a variety of sources/reveiw materials. Don't let the pass rate discourage you. It is an incredibly hard test, but it is doable if you put forth the effort, don't treat it like a college course, and make sure your study efforts are effective and not just going through the motions. You can do this! Start out motivated and encouraged and it will carry you a long way in this process. Utilize the study group threads on here. We're all in this together and no one understands what you're going through better than the people on this forum.

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!!

[Lindrobe]

Good points, Mamabear! Happy studying!

FAR 12/3/14, 87
AUD 2/3/14, 90
BEC 4/1/14, 88
REG 5/27/14, 94

Licensed CPA, Indiana

"Successful people do things that unsuccessful people don't want to do"

[Lindrobe]

Good points, Mamabear! Happy studying!

FAR 12/3/14, 87
AUD 2/3/14, 90
BEC 4/1/14, 88
REG 5/27/14, 94

Licensed CPA, Indiana

"Successful people do things that unsuccessful people don't want to do"

[sep7uakron]

If you put in the time, willing to sacrifice, and WANT to succeed, you will pass. Otherwise, don't even start.

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

I'M DONE!!

[sep7uakron]

If you put in the time, willing to sacrifice, and WANT to succeed, you will pass. Otherwise, don't even start.

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

I'M DONE!!

[Mamabear]

Thanks Lindrobe. Good luck on Tuesday!!

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!!

[Mamabear]

Thanks Lindrobe. Good luck on Tuesday!!

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!!

[thechallenger]

Thanks for the posts. I know I'm smart, a usually good test taker, and am definitely dedicated, but the uncertainty is killing me. I'll just have to get over it! I doing all the Becker AUD multiple choice for a second time and am averaging about a 90% on them, so that is good. We will see. I feel a lot better now, thanks everyone.

[thechallenger]

Thanks for the posts. I know I'm smart, a usually good test taker, and am definitely dedicated, but the uncertainty is killing me. I'll just have to get over it! I doing all the Becker AUD multiple choice for a second time and am averaging about a 90% on them, so that is good. We will see. I feel a lot better now, thanks everyone.

[nicole2035]

i think it all depends because i know for me i never truly learned how to study in college. However i passed university just fine. The people who do well on the CPA, i find are great planners, studiers, and they were always people who performed well in university. They understand the test for what it is, basically a comprehensive accounting exam. Because they understand what learning and studying is but also they know their are constraints based on test format, time limits etc. I see so many people overwhelm themselves, me included with the exam because we try to take everything in, but it's not very smart thinking. So that's what i say, i think someone passing or not passing, doesn't say anything about you or them. If someone i know to be ‘smart' fails, that doesn't mean i can't pass. One of my bosses has been in the industry for over 20 years, know accounting in our industry inside and out, has her accounting degree, yet has attempted the cpa exam numerous times and still hasn't passed. If i compare myself to her then of course i'd never get the courage to pass. You have to know your strengths and weaknesses. I'm not the best at getting key points right away, but my best asset is time. I have more tie than others to dedicate, so i should use that to my advantage.

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