[Hell Froze]

I finally passed my exam last year after two and a half years of passing, failing, and losing credit on some parts. My low was realizing I had passed three exams and still had FAR to face. Unfortunately I failed: the result I lost credit of AUD and BEC would soon follow. AT that moment I felt like giving up….it seemed so hard and insurmountable…and I began to question would it be worth it. Family and friends did encourage me, some said if I needed to quit to just quit that I obviously didn’t need it as I had been successful in my career.

In the end after much self-analysis I KNEW that I couldn’t live with the fact that I had struggled for all that time to only end up empty handed. So I purchased the new FAR book, studied with Yeagar CDs, made notes and outlines and studied all through the holidays and took the test the day after New Years. I walked out devastated I felt very good with the multiple choice but the simulations were hard if not impossible. Friends and family would ask how did you do and I would respond my score is on the edge of the knife. I could see it going either way.

By this point, I had to focus on AUD which I had to take three weeks after I took FAR otherwise I would lose credit for BEC. I had not touched AUD in two years and I knew three weeks was not enough so I moved the date and took it in Feb.

In March I found out I passed FAR with a 75 (edge of the knife was right!) I then passed AUD in Feb and BEC was soon to follow. I was done…. I was finally a CPA. (Ironically I passed three parts in six months)

I guess what I would like for you to take from this is don’t give up. I struggled with this test but when I look at that license from a personal stand point it is my proudest achievement because it was my defining moment and it is a lonely battle against the exhaustion and self doubt, that I finally won. In the end to have success you have to trust in yourself that you can do it and to put in the time to really study and KNOW the material and not just recognize it. My heartfelt wishes for your success!

[Anonymous]

sweet congrats!

[Anonymous]

Hell Froze,

Thank you for the post. I just got my NTS for my FAR retake today and as much as I'd like to just say “Screw it”, I've put way too much time into it to give up. Reading posts like yours puts everything back into perspective for me. Three parts in six months is amazing. If you can do that, I can do it in twelve. Congratulations!

[Anonymous]

That's the spirit, CPAWannaBe. Keep hope alive and keep the goal in mind. You can do great!

[Anonymous]

Great post & congrats to you. The heading said it all – it is a lonely struggle & no one around will ever understand unless they started studying for it or sat for one section, not to mention the emotions you go through.

[NDIRISH]

Congrats! If you put your heart into it you'll pass. AND you did.

BEC 85, REG 79, FAR 77, AUD 81!!! DONE!!! PA

[SecondTime]

Thank You

I lost credit for REG, BEC and AUD because I could not pass FAR. Then I lost heart and quit trying for a year.

Now I am back with BEC scheduled for the end of May. I believe I am doing this for many of the same reasons as you. I came so close the first time; I just can’t leave it as “almost made it.” I recognize this is as much about the journey as it is the score.

I love your story, your struggle and your ultimate success.

God Bless.

BEC:84,exp'd. retest 2/28/2013 (74)
AUD:88
FAR:77
REG:2013

WE HAVE NOT FAILED UNTIL WE QUIT

[havetopass]

you should be commended on sticking with it! i know what you mean about not quitting b/c i feel the same way. haven't had a social life since september & my social circle has dwindled down to the good friends who are empathetic & know that i would love to spend time with them but can't go out on the weekends until I pass all 4 parts. the friends who don't understand and don't call anymore are not real friends & it's funny that it took the cpa exam for me to weed out the “party” friends from the real ones. nobody can ever understand what this exam is like until they take it. and it's hard not to become frustrated with the people who don't understand what the big deal is when you lose a day of studying or fail a part. the cpa has made me a little bitter so hopefully the end is near and i can regain my positive outlook. i'm getting pretty tired of working all day & then having 5 hours of studying waiting on me when i get home. or feeling guilty for watching Lost when i should be studying.

BEC 76 AUD 86 FAR 81 REG 79

FINALLY FINISHED!!!!

[Taxhappy]

Great story and congrats!

AUD 64,66,66 4th try 11/1/10- 77 Finally Geez!
BEC 1/23/2011
FAR 2/27/2011
REG 53, 5/31/2011

[Author]

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