[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

[EZ_Sims_4_me_Pls]

lol wow… that brando guy is mad af

someone needs to take 10 deep breaths and realize that the AICPA isn't out to get him.

[Anonymous]

You give yourself an allotted time to feel sorry for yourself, then dust off and try again. When you try again, you HAVE to change your study method. You also have to change your attitude; like an athlete, you have to visualize yourself passing. If you think you will fail again, you will.

[hasy]

When I was anticipating a fail for my last exam, I honestly thought that I would give up if I had to attempt the “new” exam format. But even then, I knew I wouldn't. Who has gotten THIS close and would want to face the regret when you quit? You have 3 exams PASSED. Like people go for YEARS and not even get ONE passed. You got this! A 71 is an indication you were doing SOMETHING right, you just need to fill the holes.

Look, the score report is usually shit, but I would take a look at it to see what you're measuring against. REG was my co-worker's NEMESIS. See how I capitalized that. It took her 4 tries to pass this evil beast. By the fourth time, she realized that she needed to study smarter. Like she KNEW she was weak at individual tax, but what you need to understand is that you need to be BETTER than the others who are ALSO weak on individual tax. I don't care what they say about that it's an independent assessment of your knowledge on the subject matter. You need to be better than the next person to be in that 44-46%. You GOT THIS! You passed the others with room, you will pass this with room.

/unedited

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved - Helen Keller

-

BEC 80 (10/23/15)
FAR 72 (4/2/15); 83 (7/11/16)
REG 52 (4/28/15)
AUD (9/9/16)

Roger + NINJA MCQ + WTB

[Anonymous]

I was in a similar situation but I did my best to drive away that doubt and you have to do the same!! I had 2 attempts to pass REG and BEC before losing FAR (and I had already failed REG on my first attempt). On my 2nd try at REG I took it slow and steady. If you are using Becker I studied the tax material a week at a time R1-R4 then I doubled up on R5-R8 during the next 2 weeks leaving me 2 weeks to review. If you have the time, don't rush to take the exam – spread it out over 2 months if you can.

I felt that same way as you saying “I can't believe it I studied my butt off and still failed!” BUT I had to be REAL with myself. Did I really give it my all? Did I have an ounce of more energy left to try just a little harder? I had to really ask myself and then that gave me the push to hammer at it again. And plus, you got a 71! That is very close. Even though it will be a different exam, you knew what you were doing the first time so restudying the same material will not be as dreadful as it seems. On my 2nd try at REG I did so many questions it wasn't even funny. I walked into the exam having done close to 3 thousand questions. Most of those were homework but a lot of those were from me just taking random 15 question quizzes throughout the day. Do not sit and do 50 questions quizzes in one sitting. I just personally think you will remember better if you break it up. Do 15-20 questions see what you got right see what you got wrong. Take a breather. Do another 15-20 questions. There's only so many ways they can ask a question and the more you are exposed to practicing questions the better. As for the SIMS, the Authoritative Literature is truly your friend but make sure you budget time for it! Write your own flashcards as a memory tool and as a reward to myself I would always sit and handwrite my notecards while watching TV at the end of each day.

What I'm saying is, you need to ramp up your study plan / mix it up a little. Really think about what it is that you can, be honest with yourself. I believe in you, you can do it!!

BEC – 64, 81
FAR – 72, 75
REG – 64, 85
AUD – 64, 74, 84

[oldercandidate21]

I appreciate all of the words of encouragement from the board. I know I’m not the first person to feel this way, but I am just tired and frustrated by the process. To give you a little bit of background on myself, as the name stats I’m probably older than most members on these boards. I worked 3 years at one of the Big 4 before leaving for industry. I now have a managerial tax position at a fortune 200 company; with 14 total years of professional experience (all in Tax). So needless to say I didn’t expect the REG exam to be the one giving me so much trouble.

The thing is I studied my tail off for this thing and felt real good walking in to Prometric. I even felt pretty good walking out. I was certain that I did well on the MCQ, and my score report said I scored “stronger” on the MCQ. As for the Simulations, I was unsure on parts of two but felt pretty good about them for the most part. The parts I was unsure about I looked up after the exam, and think I actually answered them correctly. So to receive a 71 was shocking to me.

Part of the problem is that there is no transparency to these tests. I would welcome the opportunity to have someone explain to me why my sims were incorrect. As it would also give me the opportunity to explain to them why my answer is correct, and how they way the question was worded is incorrect. Sometimes the questions are written so poorly on the SIMs that you can’t tell if they are trying to trip you up, or if the question was just phrased incorrectly. For example, I know for a fact that one of my AUD simulations was conceptually wrong…. Then there is the research question. Twice now I have taken an exam, hit “Search”, refined my key words and hit “Search within” and I actually received more links to search through.

The way I feel about these tests is that you can master the subject matter and still likely fail. Obviously you won’t pass if you don’t put in the work, but I truly feel that a passing score is just as much luck as it is hard work.

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

[Stilgoin]

I feel you. I am older and I have put wayyyy more work into these exams than I care to acknowledge at this point. You just have to keep reminding yourself that these exams are a barrier to entry and that is all. They do not define your intelligence or self worth as an accountant or as a student. Some candidates memorize a bunch of facts and pass an exam, but don’t know enough to fill out a 1040EZ. (This is true-I had to show one. lol) Don’t give up. A 71 is a lot better than the 59 I made TWICE on FAR. Ask Jeff>>>another71. You can be an older accountant with the CPA or one without the CPA- the choice is yours.

Refer to my quote at the bottom. 😉 Good luck!!

B | 62, 78
A | 73, 67, 79
R | 82
F | 59, 59, Waiting

Ethics | 93

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."
~Winston Churchill

“In a world full of critics, be an encourager."

[Author]

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