[JakeO]

Everyone in my office keeps telling me that eventually a test comes along which you will pass. There are a few people here who have been attempting tests for years and have passed some, or even all parts but too much time elapsed, and their best advice is simply “your test will come along.” On the other hand, we have people who pass all parts on the first try. Did these people simply get lucky (and I think they did since one of them received 75’s on two parts and a 76 on another)?

It can be very discouraging knowing you have studied and prepared but you get “unlucky” on test day.

AUD-Failed (Waiting for Score)
BEC-PASSED (First try)
REG-Failed (Retake February 2013)
FAR-Failed (Retake January 2013)

[Minimorty]

Technically, the odds are 1 in 175,711,536. Also, considering the US population is only 300 million, I dont think billions and billions of people buy them. But yes, the lottery is basically a “stupid tax.” Fortunately, I can afford to throw $10 bucks down on the stupid chance I win $365 mil.

[tbstew]

Let me put it another way – It's all about the choices you make.

When you fail a section of the exam, you basically have two fundamental choices:

1. Comfort yourself by blaming bad luck, bad traffic, bad questions, bad breakfast, bad earphones, bad service at Prometric, bad hair day, whatever. It might make you feel better, but you're really doing yourself a disservice by not flipping that mental switch in your head that says “Darn. I fell short, I really need to push harder next time.”

or 2. Recognize that your efforts fell short, own it, and go learn the material so well that no bad luck, bad questions, bad breakfast, etc.. could come between you and a 75.

It's all your choice.

Is there a little bit of luck involved in this exam? Sure! But I, for one, refuse to let something so treacherous as luck determine my destiny.

AUD - 79
BEC - 88
REG - 87
FAR - 86 - Woot, all done!
Ethics - 100

[Author]

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