[jeff]

I was getting requests for a thread like this – so here it is!

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS) | Another71 | NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE

[yankeeaccountant]

@Allyson,

laughed out loud! “our idiot brother” was funny. good combination: Paul Rudd (funny guy), and buttered popcorn (need I say more?)

[Anonymous]

Married, working full-time and have 2 girls ages 3 and 6…Have been taking these exams since January 2010 and I'm exhausted. At work right now and barely able to focus on anything!

[T-rex]

Married ladies:

I need to buy a bridal shower gift for my friend, but I'm clueless as to what would be an appropriate gift. Any suggestions? Did you receive anything that you really liked a lot? She likes to cook.

AUD - 95, BEC - 85
REG - 85, Rawrrrrrr FAR - 88
Used Becker for all sections.
CA candidate not residing in CA

[mla1169]

T-Rex does she have a registry anywhere? If you're not sure, you can search by her name at the registries of local stores like macy's or kohl's. Even try amazon.com. Otherwise, my answer depends on whether she's just starting out or has been on her own for a while and has all the basics already.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[kb24]

@T-rex

mla1169 is right about checking to see if she's registered anywhere because then you know you're getting her something she really wants. Another idea since she likes to cook is to buy some small kitchen items related to a common theme e.g. baking, Italian, Asian, etc.

FAR 4/1/11 - 89
AUD 4/15/11 - 85
REG 4/29/11 - 80
BEC 5/13/11 - 85

[T-rex]

Thanks so much, guys! I appreciate your help. She actually is registered at 3 different places, so I'll choose something from the registries.

AUD - 95, BEC - 85
REG - 85, Rawrrrrrr FAR - 88
Used Becker for all sections.
CA candidate not residing in CA

[johnm99]

Married with 3 kids – 6,5,3… It is very difficult to stay focused to say the least. I have been taking the exams since Jan of 2011 and I am waiting on the results of the last two (BEC/REG)… I am hoping and praying that I passed… because anything is better than studying..!!!!!!!

FAR - PASSED - 2/11
AUD - PASSED - 4/11
BEC - Waiting - 2/12
REG - PASSED - 11/11

[yankeeaccountant]

ok guys…back to the “married and studying” group! Not thrilled about failing Audit or having to spread time between the mcq's, Roger (my new, new boyfriend–I decided to drop Tim and Peter), and feeling guilty about not having enough time to spend with family. I am holding my breath on REG.

Does anyone have first hand knowledge of Roger CPA for Audit—now be nice, we are just starting our courtship, so it is still nice and fluffy!!! haha. Trying to make some funny, since I have been pathetic the last few days..

@johnm99–don't know how you are doing this with little ones–kudos to you! Best of luck to you on your scores.

To everyone else, here is a funny quote on waiting–thought you might like/need it 🙂

From the moment I was six I felt sexy. And let me tell you it was hell, sheer hell, waiting to do something about it.

Bette Davis

[Anonymous]

Ditto @Yankee.

Got my score report back rocked everything except evidence and sims. I want to do mid oct so I get my score in first wave (well playing the odds.). If I fail again then will look for new review course.

And finally my quote:

Goodbye plucky, pimply teen. I think you're ready to hear the truth. This wasn't a magic hubcap, the magic was within you all along. ~The Tick.

[Laura]

@yankee—I highly suggest the GLEIM test bank. I did over 2500 MCQs….it really helped me get how to answer things down better. I may have only scored a 75 but ever since I started using Gleim's test bank my scores got better.

REG-80, 77, 77
BEC-67, 68, 71, 67, 71, 74, 71, 74, 72, 77
FAR- 72, 65,67, 53, 75 (truth be known the 53 was with 4 hours of studying)
AUD-58, 62, 72, 74, 74, 75
took 5 years but I'm DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[vimbecechield]

I've been married for over 5 years with a little girl arriving in about 5 weeks. I've been studying for about a yr now and have yet to pass any part. I started out with CPAExcel and failed miserably with it, so I decided to switch to Becker. As soon as I started, it just clicked for me and understood the material and questions. I went into the exam feeling good and coming out feeling great. I just received my score and got a 63. As of today, I've failed BEC and AUD twice. I'm getting extremely frustrated because of that fact that I felt great about and didn't come close, not to mention that it's hard to pay for each part over and over again. Any advice?

[snick722]

@hillisjr3 – I also started out with CPAExcel and failed terribly, so I switched to Becker… I studied for BEC first and went through everything a million times to make sure I understood. I passed. I then studied for AUD through Becker and failed twice. Just found out I passed it on the third try. What I did differently was, not only studied with Becker, but used Cpareviewforfree.com, supplemented Wiley questions, and I MADE SURE to do extra research on anything that didn't make sense to me (using google or asking someone).

Don't rush through studying. Make sure you give yourself enough time. I went in there knowing the material, but not as well as I wanted. I came out feeling as if I was borderline passing or failing. I would have never guessed I would get a 93. Hope this helps 🙂

BEC - 65 (4/10), 83 (8/10)
AUD - 64 (10/10), 73 (2/11), 93 (8/11)
REG - 47 (7/09), 80 (10/11)
FAR - 84 (11/11) Texas. I'm done!!!

[Laura]

Keep at it….don't give up on yourself..you are working on something that takes time. How much time are you putting in studying? Did you do a final review over the material?

REG-80, 77, 77
BEC-67, 68, 71, 67, 71, 74, 71, 74, 72, 77
FAR- 72, 65,67, 53, 75 (truth be known the 53 was with 4 hours of studying)
AUD-58, 62, 72, 74, 74, 75
took 5 years but I'm DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[yankeeaccountant]

@CPAwl,

I love The Tick!!! OMG I remember watching that cartoon with the kids. Thanks for sharing it. Going to have to use it myself. I got my score report and it blows!!! It looks like someone who didn't pop open the book, let alone take it a second time.

@hillisjr3,

First, so sorry. I was just in your position at the beginning of the year. I have been at this since August 2010, and finally passed BEC and FAR in the second window of this year. This exam is tough, and being pregnant, well, kudos out to you! I would say that I finally passed because I was able to focus alot better, I was able to keep distractions low. I did this by quitting my job. I know everybody can't do this, I was lucky. But for me; necessary, because it really put stress on my marriage. I changed some of my study habits. I read the book, took notes, took notes on the mcq's, and spent longer period of time studying. A two hour stint doesn't work well with me. Putting in good quality time for about 4 hours was the ticket. Oh, and I rediscovered the library. I love it there. Best of luck to you!

@keeptrying,

I think that is a good suggestion. I started to feel like I knew the wiley questions since I had done them so many times. I think the test bank is pretty inexpensive. Great tip!!

[vimbecechield]

I study ~20 hours a week, sometimes more. I think I get so nervous the day of the exam, I blank out. Do Becker classes help at all?

[Author]

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