[oldercandidate21]

I was certain that I passed my first attempt at AUD. So I was more than a little bit surprised when 12 days later I received a failing score of 71. I wasn’t defeated though. I studied for the next 3 weeks, and took it again. I did not feel so good about my second attempt. Was sure that I failed but passed with an 84.

Then I took REG. Similar to my first AUD attempt I thought I did well and passed. Two weeks later I get a score of 71 again. This time I don’t have the enthusiasm for a retake though. I was really hoping to be with my family again for the holidays. I feel like I could never know the material the way I once did. It was a part of my DNA. How in the world did I not pass?

Now I’m feeling the pressure. I have two more shots at REG before I lose FAR (and the second attempt would be under the new format). I just don’t have the motivation and am feeling significant self doubt. What do the rest of you do to pick yourself up after a devastating fail (Definition of “Devastating fail”: you studied your @$$ off and still didn’t pass. You couldn’t have done much more).

FAR - 75 November 2015
REG - 69 April 2016 (WTH? Test I got isn't what I studied for)
BEC - 81 June 2016
AUD - TBD

[Meg267]

You. Just. Keep. Pushing.

You're so close! Get that next exam scheduled and start studying!

[mitchvols]

It is hard. You just have to keep doing it. After I failed AUD the second time, I wanted to quit so bad. I was 1-2 on passing at that point. I doubted myself bad. I finished 4-2, and am so glad that I kept up with it.

You just have to ask yourself how and why you want the CPA, and three exams in, and coming that close in REG, you know why you want it. Just keep your head up and work hard.

[oldercandidate21]

Thanks for the motivational words all. Man I want my life back. If I end up losing FAR, that might be a wrap.

FAR - 75 November 2015
REG - 69 April 2016 (WTH? Test I got isn't what I studied for)
BEC - 81 June 2016
AUD - TBD

[Namstut]

@oldercandidate21 I feel your pain. “Devastated” is exactly how I felt when I failed my REG. I realized that I can't feel sorry for myself because I have no one to blame for my failure but myself. Obviously, we failed because we didn't do enough, even though we convinced ourselves that we couldn't have done more.

It seems like you are already mentally preparing that you will fail again, you can't continue this battle with an attitude like this.
It's hard to get back in at first but when you do the motivation will come back. You've taken some time off and you can still spend holidays with your family and then start studying in January. You still have more than 2.5 months to study and pass before March 10th.

Schedule the exam and start moving! Don't waste your time throwing a pity party for yourself! 🙂 Remember why you started this journey in the first place and keep your eye on the prize!

Good luck!

AUD 7/6/16 Passed
BEC 9/3/16
FAR TBD
REG TBD

[Spartans92]

@namstut! Thanks mate that's exactly what I need too at the moment. FAR is kicking my ass. Im gonna go cray cray on its A$$ tomorrow and slay this BEAST!

BEC- PASS

[Anonymous]

Maybe remember that you've passed 3 exams before? The people who fail test after test and keep trying without having ever passed are the ones who are the true warriors imo. You know how to pass the exams. Trust the process and don't get lazy. That's all there is to it. You've done it before. Do it again.

[Missy]

Regarding self doubt, remind yourself that you're in good company most of us have failed multiple sections. Regarding the fact you couldn't have worked harder the last time have you tried different techniques. I called b.s. on rewriting notes, didn't think it was worth my time but for my last shot at AUD I decided to follow the ninja method to the letter including rewriting notes (that way when I failed I could blame Jeff!) Darned if I didn't get an 84! Try something, anything, you haven't already.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Amortized and Energized]

I'm in it with you. I failed REG with a 70 and I have two more shots before I lose FAR as well. Just know that there is someone in the trenches with you and though not in person, I'll be studying right there with you. There are only a few more screws to tighten before we are where we want to be. I'm eagerly awaiting my next crack at REG.. gonna torch it this time. Bear down and grind!

FAR - Aug 2015 (58), Feb 2016 (81)
u
BEC - May 2016 (79)
AUD - Jul 2016
REG - Aug 2016

[Mike J]

Unfortunately, I feel like I am an expert on this subject–how does one recover from failing?

The short version is that you do it.

…

I am not too proud to admit that I've taken FAR 6 times (failed four); AUD 7 times (failed five); REG 5 times (failed four); BEC 6 times (failed five).

I wasn't approaching the exams properly. I earned a 3.6 GPA in these classes. But, I never really understood the basics underlying the complex concepts. I really didn't know what I didn't know.

I also primarily relied on memory tricks instead of trying to understand what the question is asking and what data I'm given. The former only works when you are only responsible for one main concept at a time (eg in my Advanced Accounting class versus trying to keep as acquision method straight from the other test areas such as Government Accounting and leases, etc).

After awhile I began making strides when I sought to learn the topics well enough that I could explain it to a layperson. After all, a CPA is expected to do that.

…

Know that you can AND will pass all four sections within the 18-month window.

Take a break from all of it. Have a fun week off (if your work schedule allows). Spend QUALITY time with your significant other, family etc. Watch DVDs (if people still do that), go do the things that you thought “damn I wish I could do this but I'm too busy.”

You get the picture? Just recharge for a week.

Then take stock of what you really struggled with. Think of the topics BOTH on the exam and during test prep. Write a list of about 5 each (eg bonds, leases, govt NOT merely the areas on the back of the score letter), regardless of overlap.

Resolve to become an expert in these areas. Research the sh*t out of these topics (Google, YouTube, old college textbooks, email professors or co-workers for guidance, etc).

Do this BEFORE going back to whatever CPA review study materials you have purchased. The idea is you want to build your confidence, and gradually take small steps to get better. This should take about 2 or 3 weeks.

Also don't put too much stock in the topic areas that are deemed “Weaker Than.” Among other reasons, no two exams are alike & there is some overlap. Instead, use them as a guide if anything at all.

Then when you've become more comfortable in those areas, do blocks of 20 mcq practice in each area on the back of the score sheet until you get 80% correct. Go for two 80% (Weaker Than areas, for good measure). Move onto the next area.

Then do random blocks of 20 MCQs. Don't forget to review the explanations AND put them into your own words.

…

Bottom line. You can do this. One step at a time.

[wakingbrando77]

This exam is the biggest crock of shit i've ever seen..I wouldn't be surprised if they handed out 71s to people at random..They allow people to become cpas without ever working in public accounting yet they want to “be sure to protect the public” give me a break..

No way in 3 weeks you understand topics any better you did a month ago..I had the same thing happen to me this qtr..I went back after getting a 71 ON BEC AND POUNDED out all the mcqs and my lowest area was cost at 74 and the rest I was between 85-94 percent correct..no way I should have gotten a 71..scored perfect on the writing as well..

My point being is this is a scammy test rigged to frustrate you and give you self doubt..if you know your shit just keep taking it and one of these times they'll pass you..

I got screwed over on both FAR and BEC but it is what it is..seriously would love to see a class action lawsuit come out against the AICPA to make them become transparent with their grading and process for scoring..as its more then apparent they are rigging scores costing test takers thousands of dollars to take more tests..as well as in my case costing me a 14 thousand dollar raise upon completion at my firm

[Amortized and Energized]

WakingBrando.. sorry but why do you feel people that haven't worked in public aren't deserving of the CPA title? I myself have never worked a day in public, but I live FAR every day. While auditors need to know the info so they can do an effective job of auditing and forming an opinion.. I need to know it every day so the numbers that make it to the financial statements are accurate and when audited, no issues or as few as possible come up. Otherwise that info inevitably makes its way to the market and the company's rep suffers and ultimately will land me out of a job. I deal with BEC daily in working with the financial analysts and how they calculate WACC for the company and pursuing future investments for the company. Something I don't think a lot of auditors deal with on a daily basis other than to maybe review and make sure there are no egregious assumptions. My group at work just went through a two month ordeal with our local branch big 4 group where the situation went to the the national partners who agreed with us over the local auditors on site. What if we just took the auditors' word for it up front and made a large and incorrect change to our financial statements because they are the guys in public with the CPA? Luckily we have a strong team of CPA's in our accounting department at my office. It's extremely beneficial and in my opinion necessary to have CPA qualified people responsible for company's financial reporting. My training has been from former public CPA's that are now in industry. Your training is from public CPA's that decided to stay in public. What's the difference? A lot of people bail from public within two or three years. Do they really know that much more than somebody that's been in industry for 10+ years? No, but they should be more eligible for the license because they were in public?

If and when you leave the public accounting world, I think you'll be surprised at how much you will need to use your CPA knowledge on a daily basis. One of our employees is not far out of the public life and says daily how much different it is to be on the side of the financial statements where you are responsible for the input and end result and having to answer to the auditors for everything rather than being on the review side.

Hope you have better luck on the next round of tests and hopefully you are still eligible for the raise when the dust settles.

FAR - Aug 2015 (58), Feb 2016 (81)
u
BEC - May 2016 (79)
AUD - Jul 2016
REG - Aug 2016

[Missy]

I get the feeling that brando is frustrated and disenchanted with the whole process and most of us have been there at one point during the process. Talk of class action lawsuits and licensing requirements (which aicpa has nothing to do with take that up with your state board) is pretty common. At the end of the day if you're pursuing a license you've signed on to play their game by their rules and I highly doubt any court would impose itself on the AICPA's game unless someone had credible proof their tactics were discriminatory.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[shawn in VA]

Some of the points walking brando states I agree with. The exam is definitely rigged, and MORE TRANSPARENCY is needed by the AICPA. The reports you get when you fail are completely useless and trash. Also to maintain ” prestige” of the CPA title I firmly believe if you score 75-80 in ANY quarter there is a chance you will get the dreaded 74 to keep the passing rates at 40-50 percent. An investigation should be done on the AICPA scoring process.

I do disagree that people in NON public don't deserve to be CPA's . If you pass you deserve the title regardless in public or not.

[Anonymous]

Again, Brando. Just like I told you in the other thread where you were also whining about the test being rigged, stop comparing your performance on Roger CPA's MCQ to how you actually performed on the exam. All that tells me is that you've memorized many of the homework questions. It's also very possible that on test day you saw a similar question to one of your homework problems and you didn't read a minor detail and got it wrong.

And if you are so confident in your mastery in the material go pick up another test bank and go through it. Pick up Ninja MCQ or Wiley. I guarantee you will go through some struggles with it and not score high 80's-90s your first time through. Many people say Roger's MCQ are easier than the others. Which also lends itself poorly for you. If you got a bunch of questions that were similar in difficulty to Roger MCQ that probably means your testlets didn't get harder.

[Reverie]

Just grind it out bruh. Its a Learning * process. Even if you fail, you learn from the experience right? You got familiar with the topic. You got familiar with the test center. You got familiar with the test format. Every attempt is a lesson and you get better each and every time until you pass…

[Author]

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