[Anonymous]

I took FAR last November and made a 71. I didn’t think it bogged me down too much considering it was my first attempt at a very hard exam, but I haven’t been able to push myself to really focus since failing.

I’ve paid the fees to retake it by the end of May and am more than halfway through the same review course (Gleim), but I’m still incredibly struggling to the point of just not taking it.

I know it’s extreme over 1 close test, but anyone else relate? Any method/ motivation that just got you back on track?

[Recked]

Gleim is some pretty tough/dry stuff.
Did you do the free samples of all the review course providers to see if Gleim fit your learning style the best?

[noclady]

I can totally relate. I just took FAR (my first one) this past week, and I have absolutely no doubt that I failed. Right after the exam, I actually felt calm – probably because I was finally out of the testing center. I didn't have any crying sessions in my car afterward, or any strong emotions after I finished. I actually went out to a lovely dinner that night with my family to celebrate the test just being over. All this being said, I'm starting to question my plans of becoming a CPA. After having studied nearly every single day, during every spare moment I had either listening to audio lectures, pounding the MCQ's, reviewing SIMS, etc., I'm kinda over the whole thing. I can't imagine continue to do this for 3 or 4 or 10 more cycles. My husband, on the other hand, who patiently supported me during the 2 yrs of school I went through just to get enough hours to sit for the exam, is still gently nudging me to keep going. But I dunno….

I don't blame you for not having the motivation after all of the energy you already put into it just to have to do it all over again. I have mad respect for people who have to re-take it 3, 4, 5 times. After a second fail, I would probably throw in the towel. Part of that might just be that I'm older, already have a controller position with a big company, and a family, and I just don't have time or patience for something that takes me away from living a balanced life (no matter how short a season…except for month-end close….cuz that's my job…LOL).

[Recked]

Everyone feels like they failed FAR. The odds aren't necessarily in your favor, but chances are if you studied hard, you will pass.
Keep on trucking along. FAR is by far… the worst. The others are much tamer.

[jdub]

PREACH!!

I started studying for my first CPA exam in May of 2016 and I'm still not done – I'm pretty good at having to do retakes and have a large number of personal life excuses and I've since lost a credit. I can't tell you it gets any better because it really doesn't. I scheduled 2 exams pretty close together this time thinking that having a drop dead date for each of them would motivate me. It hasn't exactly “motivated” me, but it does make me feel like I gotta do what I gotta do and if I push hard enough I'll be done forever!

[Becca]

This journey is exhausting. I can see why they say the CPA exam is more of a test of fortitude. It would be so much easier to just give up. But if it were easy, everyone would become a CPA, right?

When I’m feeling unmotivated and worn out, I do something fun with my family – even if it’s just sitting outside and watching our toddler play. Maybe take a day or two off from studying and remind yourself what “fun” is. This journey will be worth it when it’s over, and it won’t last forever. You were SO close to passing – you got this!

[Author]

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