[Anonymous]

I felt so dumb. I’m an internal auditor but could not even pass the Audit section…How can I even pass REG and FAR??

Started since 2009 – AUD – 51/72/64/70

One of my friend told me that I should take BEC to boost up my confidence. And I did it around end of 2010 and yes, barely pass it for 78. One time try, not too bad.

Now my BEC will expire in about 8 months, and I am dragging myself having no idea how to pass Audit and the other 2 harder ones…

Mercy me!!

[kandisjoy]

Have you tried switching up your study methods? That's what finally got me on track. If you want some ideas for how you might study better check out my thread called “The Perfect Study Method.” It might not be your perfect study method, but if may give you some ideas.

I'm studying for AUD right now using CPAexcel and Ninja notes, and occasionally the Wiley book when I need clarification. It's working well for me.

FAR: 71, 77
BEC: 70, 82
AUD: 62, 78
REG: 71, 68, 85

CA Licensed 11/2011

[Anonymous]

Studying Audit for the exam can be really different than what you might see at work as an internal auditor, so don't let that discourage you! Re-evaluate your study method, maybe your current study method isnt consistent with your learning style. Are there things in your life preventing you from committing 25+ hours a week to studying? Do you need to change your study environment? Like going to a starbucks or the library to study for a few hours. Don't give up! Just be positive, and figure out what you need to do to move forward.

[kandisjoy]

@CalCPASoon – I agree, coffee shops/libraries are the way to go. It can be really difficult to study at home. I go to a local coffee shop and study after work for about 3 hours every day and it's really helped. I bring my headset so that I can play last.fm the entire time.

FAR: 71, 77
BEC: 70, 82
AUD: 62, 78
REG: 71, 68, 85

CA Licensed 11/2011

[Princesskimber]

@ Departaway – I understand how you feel. After failing BEC with a 43% (so embarrassing!), I was determined to change my studying methods. I've even moved my test date to give myself more time. I am doing a bunch of MCQ's (Wiley and Gleim) but my score is still around 40%. I've gone through becker's flashcards and Ninja notes, but I can't seem to absorb the material (REG).

Maybe obtaining the CPA certification isn't for me. It's affecting my marriage, and my mental well being. My work environment isn't conducive to my CPA journey either.

Any advice?

[Peanut]

PrincessKimber, I have had some pretty embarrassing scores as well, and still have yet to pass any of the parts. I think if you're using Becker, and using Gliem&Wiley for extra questions you are on the right track. When we receive awful scores it makes us feel like we did not study. For me, and this might be for you as well, I studied my tail off but did not do thousands of MCQ's for practice. I think once you feel comfortable with the material, try to bang out as many MCQs as possible, this really helped me for my REG exam I took last Wednesday. You had said obtaining the CPA is not conducive to your work enviornment, however, when you do become a CPA it will open doors you never thought possible. Hope this helps you a little, I can't comment on the husband part because I am not married, but hopefully if he knows this is important to you he can support your decision!

AUD 81 (X4) Previous scores 59, 72, 72
REG 80 (X3) Previous scores 59, 60
FAR 75 (X2) Previous score 67
BEC 79 (X2) Previous score 58

[rknight21]

everyone is diff. i study best at home, tv off and no sound since i live alone…… you need to sit and figure what works best for you n be consisitent n i dont believe you should necessary judge how you will do on far n reg base on how u did on aud…. every section needs a lil tweaking to the learning r studiyng method.. eg. the way i would study for aud isnt the same wya i would study for bec or far (maybe reg)… for that reason i did aud first. now my next two exams will be bec n far. more calculations involve so my thought process while studying will be different… with auditing you have to look at the word. one word in a question can completely throw you off….eg

“examing board minutes” is not “inquiring about the board minutes”… small details like that you have to know

[Anonymous]

Princesskimber…i know how you might feel regarding the strains in your personal life…I'm away from home all day at work, and when i get home I eat for 30min, then lock myself in my office to study. I feel like I'm neglecting my husband, I don't have time to cook a proper meal, or keep up with the housework. I either feel guilty because I'm not taking care of the house, and when I do clean, I feel guilty for not studying. At night, my husband goes to bed and I'm still studying, by the time I go to bed I feel like I didn't even see him. After awhile, I start to feel so secluded and cutoff from everyone.

I've been trying to find a balance, and my husband is 100% supportive. Now we cook dinner together so we have that time… during the evenings he checks in on me in my office while Im studying, brings me snacks or just pops in to see how I'm dong. At night when it's time for bed, I take my laptop upstairs, we watch a little tv together, and then when he goes to bed I do MCQ's in wiley test bank on my laptop until I fall asleep.

Every Sunday morning we make a list of house chores or yard work, and we do them together. The house gets clean, I'm happy to be doing something OTHER than studying, and we are doing it together so we can spend time and it gets done faster. Its just a few hours in the morning, so there is still lots of time in the day to study.

The CPA exam is a marathon, not a sprint to the finish. And because it's such a long journey, you can't let it totally consume your life, or put your life on hold because of it. I think the best thing I did was just get into a routine. Once you've made studying a small, routine part of each day (and maybe a bigger part of the day on weekends) then its alot easier to fit into your schedule, and still get everything else in life done.

[kandisjoy]

@ CalCPASoon – I am going to show your post to my fiance. Maybe it'll help him feel like he's not alone in this. That's a great idea about cleaning together – I didn't think of that. Thanks for your post. 🙂

FAR: 71, 77
BEC: 70, 82
AUD: 62, 78
REG: 71, 68, 85

CA Licensed 11/2011

[rknight21]

interesting post calcpasoon, i too have been feeling secluded and cutoff from the world.. the only thing that gives me strength is remember what my dad told me “in life you just have to make #$%ing sacrifices”

[MOMCPA2B]

My Dearest Deheartend ones,

All things come to pass. ALL. Look back at where you started. You are no longer at that point. Life happened and everyday you took a step and your point of reference is different. The same goes for studying. Everyday you study is just another step you take to arrive at a different point of reference. Don't Give Up. You are venturing on a journey most people wouldn't even think to venture. This exam is not a measure of your intelligence it is a measure of you perseverance. It is a measure of your inner strength. You gotta a point to prove to yourself not the AICPA or the accountancy board.

I cant wait for this to be over.
AUD-7/25/11-77
BEC-11/27/11-Failed(UGH)Back to the drawing board
REG-2/27/12
FAR- Aug 2012

[twitchy]

I know how this feels. I started this CPA exam journey about 6 years ago. At that time I didn't know they had changed the requirements so I had to go back to school for a few extra accounting classes. When I finally was able to take the exam I passed REG on the first try, but work and life got in the way and I lost the credit. I started to study again for the exam a few months after losing the credit but for the life of me I couldn't pass REG again or BEC. I got a new job and started to date and I lapsed in my studying once again. Finally about 2 years ago I decided I would do it for sure. I bought some new study materials and being totally motivated spent days and nights studying for BEC which I failed again. Everytime I failed I felt so dumb. Finally about a year and a half ago I passed BEC on my fifth try. I was so excited. Then I passed REG. I thought I was on a roll. I then tried to take FAR, but failed pretty badly. Again on the fourth try with FAR I finally passed with a 78! During the whole time I would alternate taking FAR with AUD. I failed AUD with a 50, then a 64 in November. I bought new materials in January to study and took a week off in February and just crammed as much as I could. I totally thought I passed after taking the exam, none too soon as my credits expire after May 12th. Of course I got my AUD score back and I failed with a 73!

For the last month I've been studying while working late. My significant other has been patient with me but she still gets annoyed that my mood is always low. The exam is always on my mind. I keep thinking of all the stuff that I could be doing with her if I didn't have to study. I don't know what I'll do if I don't pass this time. I take the exam in a few days and I'm nervous as heck. I've also taken off a few days from work to study for it but I'm getting slammed at work as well. So much money, time, and vacations have gone into this exam. I wish they hadn't changed the weighting on the simulations to such a large percentage. Nothing I can do but keep studying…but man its tough.

[Princesskimber]

Thank you everyone for your advice. It feels better to know that everyone is struggling to pass this exam.

@Peanut – Thank you for your post. What is your method for studying? I am using Yaeger, Gleim, and Becker Flashcard, and Ninja Notes.

@CalCPASoon – We could be long lost twins! LOL. We live parallel lives. My routine is as follows:

Two hour commute to and from work. I usually put in ten hour days. I have a boss who live at work and expect everyone else to do the same. Eat dinner and lock myself in my office. My goal is to study two hours a night. It’s hard because it takes a while for me to wind down. By the time it all said and done, I am lucky if I put in an hour of studying. You might think about hiring a housekeeper. It is so worth it. I don’t feel guilty anymore. I used the extra time to spend with the hubby.

My studying methods (watch video, mcq’s, read notes, mcq’’s again). I will keep at it. Hopefully my score will improve in the weeks to come.

[Author]

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