[Tipofga80]

Yes, I have been studying for the CPA exam since 2014 and maybe even before that time but I would rather not think back that far. In fact, I have paid for these exams so many times that the NTS shows up in my inbox immediately after I have paid for it. LOL!

All I have to say is keep the faith! This exam has brought on depression, anxiety, a whole lot of weight gain, and a caffeine addiction. But I ain’t no punk and decided I would fight until the end!

I started with REG because taxes are my thing. I knew the ins and outs of the IRC and thought it would be better to get it out of the way. Honestly, the only reason I started studying for the CPA exam was the opportunity to use free study materials, but I definitely did not take the exam seriously. I half-a$$ed studied and ended up passing with a 77.

Rookie mistake #1: It would take almost a year later to take the BEC exam. Not only did I think I could take the test and not really prepare, but at the time I put my social life before the exam. (I think the exam secretly knows when you make a rookie mistake.) It would take me 3 times to pass BEC, one of those being a rachet 74. The free study materials also expired. Thank God for the Ninja MCQ’s.

Rookie Mistake #2: Paying for two exams at one time thinking I could save money on application fees. LMAO! I ended up failing AUD so bad, and I made a note to self to never wait until the end of the NTS window to take an exam and never ever take an exam at 5 pm. It would take me 3 times to pass AUD.

Rookie Mistake #3: Thinking I am really a group study type of person. Nope, not I! I wasted too much time with studying for FAR and ended up in the dreaded 2017 score release delay. I knew that I would miss a window if I didn’t kill FAR with one try and studied until no end. I passed on the 1st try!

By now 18 months has passed and I had to retake REG in 2017. Being the overly confident person that I am I thought it would be an easy pass. The took the exam in the summer and the air conditioner in the testing center was turned off. Yes off! It was a smooth 83 degrees in the room, and I complained as soon as I left the testing center. I received a free NTS after finding out I missed REG by 4 points.

REG Part 2 …. or 3. I happily used my free NTS and took the easiest exam of my life. I damn near two stepped out of the testing center. Only to find out I missed REG by 2 points. I didn’t sleep that night and keep refreshing my score as if it was a mistake. (The conspiracy theorist in me will tell you over a glass of wine why I think I failed, but there is also a question that still haunts me and may have been the killer. )

I had to come up with a game plan because somehow I let BEC expire and I had to get both exams done before AUD expired in Q1 2018. I purchased Gleim and studied through my depression, I took REG in January 2018 and BEC in February 2018 and I have been totally nonchalant about them thinking I would have to continue the CPA madness. I checked last night and I passed both with decent scores. Now I can officially say I am done with the CPA exam!!!!

Rookie Mistake #4: Comparing my journey to my colleagues who were able to take their exams and pass them all in no time. That made me feel super insecure and it was counterproductive.

Don’t get discouraged! I almost gave up with every fail, and started to lose faith in myself. Just remember the exam is doable, keep taking them back to back until you pass, and relax when your brain tells you so.

REG – 77, 71, 73, 81
BEC – 67, 74, 75, 88
AUD – 53, 70, 84
FAR – 75
I used Ninja MCQ’s, Wiley, Gleim, Becker – I found that some were stronger than others in each section.

PS. I’m not completely celebrating until CPA Central has credit listed for each section. LOL! The CPA has made me batsh-t crazy.

REG - 77 (will lose in Jan 2016)

BEC - 67 74, 75

AUD - 56, 70, Will try again 🙁

FAR - ??

Save the beast for last.

[Anonymous]

What study program was best for FAR and REG?

[Anonymous]

I love this! I am right there with you! I spent more years than I like to admit taking the CPA exam and finally passed my last part BEC. It's been a LONG journey, but I couldn't be more proud that I stuck it out and didn't give up even thought I wanted to at every turn!

[Allsheneededwassome]

Congratulations! Your final passing scores are amazing shows you put in the work!

[Anonymous]

@Tipofga80-congratulations!!!!

[Tipofga80]

@al1lima@yahoo.com Oddly for FAR I liked Becker's material. Only because they made the Governmental Accounting clear to me. Other than that Gleim for everything because the overprepare you and I liked to go into my exams overprepared. Ninja MCQ's and Wiley test bank are a good supplement.

Thanks Guys!!!

REG - 77 (will lose in Jan 2016)

BEC - 67 74, 75

AUD - 56, 70, Will try again 🙁

FAR - ??

Save the beast for last.

[Tncincy]

Signature says it all. Congrats on passing. Go enjoy the CPA life style.

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

[tangerinemdr15]

Congratulations!

[Anonymous]

Congrats! And I am right with you on your CPA central comment, I also feel so paranoid that all my hard work can be taken away by some technical mistake.

[jdub]

Thanks for sharing! This is somewhat motivating. I'll have been studying for 2 years come May. I moved across the country, got married, got pregnant, dealt with family health issues/funerals and worked full time through all of it. Life has never stopped and it's been exhausting. I'm really good at getting those rachet 74s. And I feel super inadequate because everyone I know didn't take nearly as long as I am, and it doesn't help that so many people know I'm on this journey – it's a lot of added pressure. I just took REG for the 4th time today and I don't feel any better about it than the time I got the 74. I have an MBA and would do that 5 times over again before ever embarking on this – it's a true test.

[Small4]

Thanks for sharing! It too me ages too (longer than you actually, lots of years i skipped trying let alone even taking the exam) so it genuinely makes me happy that your hard work paid off!

BEC - 68,70,72,75 5/15
AUD - 78(expired), 77 8/15
REG - 29,58,65,77 1/16
FAR - 56,68,73 - retake October hopefully (last shot)

Been doing this since 2007 on and off...

[Tipofga80]

Going back and I have a few grammar mistakes. The Auditor in me is cringing.

I am 37 and my daughter is about to graduate high school. I feel terrible for putting this exam first and had to half-a$$ parent. LOL! She's super proud of me and that makes me feel like gold.

So glad you guys can find some motivation in my post. Good Luck to you all! CPA Central has updated so I am officially partying this weekend. 🙂

REG - 77 (will lose in Jan 2016)

BEC - 67 74, 75

AUD - 56, 70, Will try again 🙁

FAR - ??

Save the beast for last.

[sacpa]

@Tipofga80: What a story! Thank you for sharing.

I can relate to your experience since I also have been in this journey for a long time making mistakes like paying for two sections at a time, not studying for months & rushing to take it at the end of window, once even on the day my NTS expired. I also work during tax seasons & tax material is familiar to me than the other sections, although I am not knowledgeable as you. But unlike you, I have not passed a section at all. The closest I have come up with is 69 in FAR & 69 in BEC.

In this whole process, anxiety, frustration, weight gain has all set in along with an overwhelming feeling & doubt as to whether I am made for it. The emotions going up & down in our minds is plain torture. In addition, with life coming in the way & no support at home, it is even more challenging for me.

One thing that is clear to me is that I cannot forgive myself if I quit now after being in this journey for such a long time. So here I am, determined to work hard & complete this goal, come what may! It is very motivating & insightful to read about experiences of other candidates like you who struggled & then finally passed. Thank you for helping to keep that hope alive.

FAR - < than 75, 10/2013, 2/2015
BEC - < than 75, 10/2013
AUD - < than 75, 8/2015, 1/2016

~ Winners fail until they succeed. Losers quit when they fail. - Robert Kiyosaki
~ I survived because the fire inside burned brighter than the fire around me.
~ Something will grow from all you are going through. And it will be YOU.
~ Right now you may not be where you intend to be, but it's where you need to be in order to get where you want to go.

[loveandbeloved]

So happy to hear you are finished!!! Go celebrate! =D

[sacpa]

@tipofga80: Congratulations! Your perseverance, diligence & commitment has helped you in accomplishing your goal. Go celebrate in a big way as you start your life as a CPA!

FAR - < than 75, 10/2013, 2/2015
BEC - < than 75, 10/2013
AUD - < than 75, 8/2015, 1/2016

~ Winners fail until they succeed. Losers quit when they fail. - Robert Kiyosaki
~ I survived because the fire inside burned brighter than the fire around me.
~ Something will grow from all you are going through. And it will be YOU.
~ Right now you may not be where you intend to be, but it's where you need to be in order to get where you want to go.

[Author]

Replies