[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

[Anonymous]

Well, I took BEC yesterday and I feel a bit lost not having another section that I should be studying for! Ha! I guess I better get to finally preparing for the arrival of baby #2… Only 8.5 weeks to go, not that I'm counting. 🙂 Pretty sure the next 5 or so weeks until scores come out are going to take FOREVER.

Good luck to everyone!

ETA: I was also a little surprised yesterday with the new metal detector wand that they're using at the testing sites. The lady at the front desk made me read a statement that said that if I refused to be scanned that I couldn't take the test, but then when I actually checked into the appropriate lab, she said that since I am pg she wasn't going to scan me.

[jomarie]

@asleephere – I was actually wondering about that. Glad to know they won't scan you. Not like I'm planning on having another one but good to know.

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!!

[soontobeacpa2]

jamorae I am in same place as you are.struggling with last exam i.e. auditing and have kinds one is 2 and another is 4yrs. I know how you feel. here is a good news to you that your situation is better than mine as my kids are far away from me due some emergies back home in india. So i miss my husband and kids like hell and this beast exam is killing me. but i am very much motivated this time that i have to pass and have a blast with my kids. I started feeling too i am missing one my best life time i.e spending time with my sweet hearts……….'

I am sure will do great in auditing

[Anonymous]

Wow, some of your stories are just incredible…I have nothing but love and respect for all of you guys!! I am 3/4 of the way there (only have FAR left on 8/29) and it has been a long and difficult battle. Taking the exam and going for a Master's degree at the same time seemed like a good idea in theory, but in reality it has been the most difficult challenge I have ever taken on. I share some of the same feelings as you guys…I feel like I haven't been the kind of father/husband/son that I should have been over the last year or so. I feel so awful sending my little girl to bed to read by herself, while I sit glued to my laptop studying endless MCQs…or throwing Phineas and Ferb on TV for her so I can sneak in another hour of studiying. I know the CPA will make all of our lives better eventually, but I feel like I'm missing out on so much. Now that I can see light at the end of the tunnel it makes it even more difficult…I am so close yet so far away. Well, I just wanted to throw in my two cents and congratulate all of you guys…I'm sure that our sacrifices now will be worth it in the end 🙂

[mla1169]

Duker, its oddly comforting to know that I wouldn't feel less guilt if I were the daddy! I have one YES ONE semester left of my masters program (THANK GOODNESS) and feel guilty that I have missed SO MUCH in the last 8 years (started my Associates in 2003 and havent stopped yet–not a single semester off!)

My kids are 18 and 12 now LOL! Oh well I guess someday I will enjoy my grandchildren. In about 20 years I hope!

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[soonerorlater]

Frustrated.

I studied beyond belief and yet I know the REG exam I just took will result in a failing score. My kids will miss out on dad again. What makes me steamed is this is the second time the exam had majority of sims from material not covered in Becker. I have studied the course and understand what Becker cover and again came up short.

I realize its the luck of the question but its nearly impossible when your review course doesn't cover it. We have #3 on the way and it concerns me this will still be going on in January.

FAR - 66, 77
AUD - 63, 76
BEC - 70, 83
REG - 72, 79

[Minimorty]

@sooner – Sorry to hear that it did not go as planned. Did you use Becker exclusively? I used Becker exclusively for FAR and AUD and it worked out great. However, thanks to the forums, I branched out and used Wiley and Ninjas (in addition to the Becker materials) for REG. I feel prepared going into the test now. Long story short, if you happened to have failed, you may want to consider some supplemental materials for the next time around.

This is off topic, but I thought you might be interested to hear how others study with children (you mentioned that your kids will miss out on dad again since you have to study). I have a 2 year old and a 3 month old. I never, ever study while they are awake. My first priority is always the kids. Does this make it challenging to find times to study? Yes. Is it worth it? Yes. I generally do my studying at night when the kids go to sleep. Also I try my best to look over notes during lunch time. Spending time with your kids is important. Plus, you wont have that guilty feeling during the times that you are studying. Just something that has helped me through the exams so far.

[soonerorlater]

Mini:

I used Becker and ninja schedule…passed three. I'm going to look into Wiley. I thought I invented creative studying! I always study at night when the kids go to bed (and morning and lunch) but through everything you still are not there 100%. Thanks for offering the suggestion but already doing that. What I'm also freaking out about is my recent diagnosis of an eye degeneration disease. There's a chance I could eventually go blind. To me, every single second counts with my kids. This is always in the back of my mind.

FAR - 66, 77
AUD - 63, 76
BEC - 70, 83
REG - 72, 79

[Minimorty]

@sooner – wow that is scary. Let's hope for the best with that.

I guess I don't understand why you feel like you aren't there for your kids. Sounds like you are! Keep it up and hang in there.

[mla1169]

Splitting your time between young kids and older more self sufficient ones is a mixed blessing. Yes, babies are more demading of undivided attention than a 12 or 15 year old during the hours that they are awake. But sometimes I wish I had kids that went to bed before 9pm lol. Add in being a girl scout leader (and folks if you havent been there yet BELIEVE me when I say it is a full time job!) getting to cheerleading, lacrosse, music lessons, band camp, gymanstics, and all that very grown up stuff and YIKES. I try very hard to bring my books and laptops with me and feign watching practice while looking up between practice questions, but neither one goes well. Then help with homework, hawk girl scout cookies, wrapping paper for school, car wash tickets for cheerleadin (yes, as a parent you are a full time marketing/sales guru) and whoaboy.

Sleep overs, a normal activity are few and far between in this house, can't deal with kids up till all hours, wanting to call their mothers, giggling, etc. My rule is that after 10pm, only tv is CSPAN. If that doesn't bore them to sleep all is lost! I cant afford to lose that study time and the next day because I am too tired.

I try to attend PTA meetings but that has failed over the last 3 years. I dont volunteer to chaperone dances, to work a booth at a craft fair or to chair any committees.

It is very hard, because parenting is so “competitive” not to feel like a lousy p arent for not baking for every bake sale, not volunteering to make costumes or build props for the theater group, not attending all 4 productions of “Its a Wonderful Life” and not picking up 17 kids on the way to cheerleading.

and my house is “tidy” but certainly not what I would do if I were “just” a working mom. My kids help, they have chores, but obviously most parents do housework while their kids are sleeping. Not this parent.

I am lucky that my kids are old enough to say “you're the BEST mom ever”, it takes the edge off but there are not enough hours for me to feel like I make that cut.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

@soonerorlater – Don't count yourself out on REG yet… When I took REG in February, I felt horrible. When I took REG in May, I felt the same. I thought for SURE that I'd completely bombed it. The interesting thing is that I felt awesome walking out of AUD and only scored 1 point apart for those two… So, definitely don't count yourself out yet… You just never know!

[Anonymous]

@mla1169, You described my life to a tee, except substitute Girls Scouts with Boy Scouts.

We will accomplish passing this test and it will be so much sweeter when we pass. Only a handful of people can relate. We are in this together.

Next week is our week.

P.S. I haven't attended a PTA meeting in 2 years but I do plan to…. when I pass.

[mla1169]

Allyson, I need to barter for some boy scout popcorn with girl scout cookies LOL! And does your school do the wrapping paper? LOL!

You have this x 4 though if I recall. My hats off to you!

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[kb24]

@Allyson and mla

You are bringing back such memories for me. I swear I just finished using up the wrapping paper we bought during the elementary and middle school, and our daughter graduated from high school 6 years ago.

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

[mla1169]

KB you want more? LOL

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Author]

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