[Trying]

I received a 72 on FAR first attempt in early March, and have not been able to really get motivated since. I try to study, but it’s just not there. I set aside time and then it seems a week before i can another chance. Kids out of school, no camp, yet, and tons of breaks, commitments lined up for the year. I have forgotten so much, but so much is still familiar. Every time I study it’s crying and frustration. I don’t want to start from scratch-it will just take me too long. How do I tackle this so I can retake and pass by July 20th (new goal). :/ So irritated that I can’t get it together. I just feel like quitting since I’m so far behind and basically ruined any chance of a review to pass at retake.

Whyyyyyy

[Stevie]

I try to study like it's a workout. Warmup with a quick/simple skim of the chapter. Then do accessory work for and focus on the main topic of that chapter. After repeating that for a little bit you'll get into the flow. Try to study outside of home as well. Goodluck

[Puppykoala]

I'm sorry to hear that 🙁 I know it must be a huge frustration looking at the materials again and again. I think a mental break would do you good. I often run into situations where i find myself too irritated to look at MCQs and SIMS. I would just give myself a day to go out/surf/video game etc and let the steam out of my head. Tomorrow is a brand new day. I dont have kids so can't relate with you there but you got a 72 that means you are relatively good with the materials. So focusing on MCQs will probably give you a better idea as which topics your should study more.

[Tncincy]

It takes a minute or two to regroup. But the longer you wait, the longer it will take. Just get started and you'll become motivated. I have been through this a few times, I'm all wired up to study, wired up to test, then I can't come down after the test….lol I tell you the process can be stressful. Failing scores are worse so just get started, if it's just a chapter, or audio…do something. The other thing is one step at a time. Use the study planner, it is also common to feel like you're all over the place. Get the study planner or your own calendar and plot out (like a syllabus) which chapters and questions on which days. Which mock test or quiz on which days. You know the old saying “where there's a will, there's a way” . No quitting. July is at least 6 weeks away, there is plenty of time to study consistently and hard. You can do it.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[ak_cpawannabe]

72 is excellent for the first try!!! I studied 3.5 months daily like a mad lady and got 70! Got so pissed at the exam and channeled this anger towards studying again. Next day bought myself new notebook and a new box of pens. Made myself new plan. Went over every chapter again (slowly) maybe 3 small chapters a day and took exam again in 3 months. After exam I thought I failed and prepared to study again and again until I am an old lady. Scores come and I got 78!!! I honestly cried. My husband cried too seeing me crying from joy. 7 years of my life and now I am a Cpa!

I suggest you to make a new study plan. Do 1-2 chapters a day at least. Start slowly and your studying efforts will naturally increase with time. How to eat an elephant? One peace at a time. I heard somewhere also that to start studying, just open your laptop. If you do, most likely you will sit down and study. Good luck. Remember this is the test of determination.

[Trying]

Thank you everyone for all your support. I've pretty much decided I'm not going to pursue the CPA anymore. I literally cannot get into a groove. I've been studying on and off for over a month and can't find a good groove or have to miss a few days and start all over. I keep changing my plan/syllabus and there's no way I have time to cover a few chapters a day. I'm a stay at home parent and my kid isn't in school for the summer so 5am and 8 pm are my times. I'm just too stressed about knowing how to start and whether to ninja McQ or start from scratch with Becker which should take me personally forever. It's just not working out.

[krstnam]

Your post has been on my mind since I saw it this morning. I think there are lots of good reasons not to pursue the CPA. I think the best reason is you don’t think you’ll have a career in accounting. I think the second reason is this exam is not passable for everybody. Do you think you fall under the first category? Because if you think you fall under the second, I’d encourage you to take another look at things. You scored a 72, you didn’t miss the mark by much. Life is hard, these exams are difficult and I guarantee life will only get more complicated. If you think having the designation is going to bring value to you, I’d suggest continuing on.

Studying hasn’t worked out for you so far…that’s okay, you just gotta rework it. It doesn’t work for me when I commit to x chapters per day or x MCQs per day. What I do is a commit to a certain amount of studying per day. I do about a 50 hour work week, married with one kid. I commit to one hour of study a night. That is 100% balls to the wall study time, no messing around, it’s only an hour. If it’s going great, I’ll do extra. Break things up into shorter testing sessions. A lot of these exams are straight memorizing. Those are good items for flash cards. Pull them out if you have idle time, count it towards your daily required study time. Praise yourself when you accomplish your daily goals. Hours add up after time and study hours are what it takes to pass.

Whatever you choose I wish you the best of luck!

[Tncincy]

@can't fail, I am sorry you feel you want to quit at this point. And you might quit, but This is a long journey, longer for some than others. Studying, planning and taking these tests can be very aggravating and annoying. Yes, we all want to pass and be on with our CPA life. Many of us said we quit, but just could do it. I hope you reconsider. think about what is necessary to pass and get it done. I hope this is one of those I just can't do it but change your mind. Then we'll read your “I'm glad I didn't quit” in the I'm done posts. And where to start? start with something. A few mcq's, lectures on trouble spots, or even audio at the park with the child. Something is better than nothing, just don't quit.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[ixlr82day]

I hope you reconsider as well. Passing the CPA exam is just about continuing to try. Look at my scores…49 on FAR on my first attempt. I would have been super happy with a 72 on my first attempt. I guess I did it so that when people ask me if I was a CPA I could answer that I am a CPA. People do not understand how difficult the exam is unless you are in Accounting. I had a family friend ask what was the problem…he was career military but his belief was if you do the job you should be able to pass the test. Not being able to pass showed a deficiency in education, job ability, or character. Also if I ever did have children I wanted to be able to tell them that I am a CPA and the difficulty I faced passing and that they could accomplish their goal if they pushed hard enough.

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