[CJNutter]

Guys, I’m seriously losing steam. I’ve studied and failed on repeated a few times now. My scores are all pretty close to passing, but I’m so frustrated!! I’m a single mom with a full time job, I study way more hours than is recommended for each section, for BEC I clocked in 195 hours and STILL failed. I feel terrible that I don’t do anything with my kids, and that mom is always studying. I’m running out of energy for this. I never had to study before, and I’m realizing I just don’t know what the heck to do when I crack open that book. Why is it that simply reading and taking notes isn’t enough? I’ve made flash cards and have gone through the MCQ’s at least twice. Any advise to get over these 72’s and 73’s would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

what study materials are you using? This is section #3 I am studying for (passed BEC, waiting on AUD) and I find that my studying technique is very circular, in other words, I try to do it systematically: listen to lecture, read the book, do MCQ, make notes, re-read the book. But in reality, there are some sections I get right away and I am good, and there are some that I haven't gotten until I have made the same mistake on the MCQ multiple times and re-read that book more than twice…I also find that Ninja MCQ is indispensable during the review phase. In fact, I am not sure what I would have done without it. It gives you a different flavor of MCQ (harder) which at first is scary and discouraging but actually forces you to look at things over again, and prepares you better. I use Becker as my primary material… Don't know if any of this is helpful, but I wish you luck and resilience!

[Missy]

Get the audio (particularly if your kids are old enough that you're not listening for crying). Listen while you're folding laundry, listen while you're waiting for sports practice to let out, listen while you're making supper.

The audio was a lifesaver for me (in addition to the books and mcq, not instead of) because somehow I'd be answering a MCQ and think “oh yeah I heard this while I was folding towels the other day”.

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

[cmcook]

Hang in there. Great advice about audio ^^

Are you stringing out your studying over long periods of time? I'm starting to realize, after reading this forum for so long, studying over approx. 2 months can almost be a hindrance. I realize this means you have to study a LOT to get through the material in 2 months which may not seem practicable, but… maybe worth trying. Hang in there – I understand the mom-guilt from studying, but EVERYONE will benefit when you're done!!

[bhunt815]

I'm far from a psychologist but it sounds like you may have a good old fashioned mental block on test day. You actually sound like you are preparing well for the test from a studying standpoint. I wonder if you are putting undue pressure on yourself the day of the test because you feel guilty about not spending the time with your kids, as well as a huge responsibility to provide the best life possible for them? You might want to ease up on yourself with the guilt and pressure.

If you work FT and raise kids by yourself, you are already Supermom.

FAR 04/11/2016 - 84
AUD 05/12/2016 - 79
BEC 07/06/2016 - 81
REG 08/29/2016

[jeff]

This may help…it's my “how” to study video.

https://www.another71.com/pass-the-cpa-exam/

[Wannafree]

@cjnutter , you got 72,73 that means you know the subject very well but need to do time management in exam.I see you have mentioned MCQ ,not sure if it's ninja MCQ.
I was in similar situation and started practicing on Ninja, it worked for me in BEC , AUD and REG.
I suggest you try Ninja MCQ and if you have already done that then try any other question Bank which I have not tried .How about your memo writing ? Can you share your MCQ and SIM report ? I mean if MCQ was strong ,comparable etc.
Just hang in there and yes in new format you have to also improve speed.
Believe me Ninja MCQ is very helpful in bumping up 10 marks.

[Author]

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