I kicked the crap out of that exam the first time I took it, I know I did. However, I was cheated, flat out. I scored “stronger” in every section except for SIMS. Therefore, the 74 was the result. I knew that I understood everything inside and out. But the SIMS just beat me. Why did they beat me? Not because I was under-prepared, oh no, they beat me because each one of them was total b.s. So, I got very angry at the AICPA, period.
So this is what I did:
I maintained the NINJA study format but this time I was more focused on my weaknesses (wouldn't you know they showed up the 2nd time) and made sure that no matter what they threw at me in the SIMS, I would either know it or be familiar enough to guess my way to a 75.
I woke up every day for one month at 4:45 am, drank a cup of coffee on my balcony and slowly woke up. When I came back into my kitchen, my books, laptop and countless legal pads were already set up waiting for me. This time of day was where I got the most focused studying (no distractions, no burn out from a day at the office, etc.). I hit the books. I would read for an hour either my notes or new material, then I'd jump into MCQ's or a SIM for one hour. I'd write some notes then get to work. I would study for one hour on my lunch break each day and then again for a couple hours at night. When I was confident in a good set of notes, I would type them out in an organized outline.
What I did differently this time: 10 days before my exam I began re-writing, BY HAND, every note that I wrote. Man was this tedious, painful and I absolutely hated doing it. However, all the little nuances that I had forgotten about had just been re-accessed in my brain and everything really came together.
Ultimately, NINJA method has worked for me on every test since I adopted it.
"If you're going through hell, keep going"
- Winston Churchill
"I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost over 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot, and missed. I've failed, over and over and over again in my life. And that is why, I succeed."
- Michael Jordan
BEC: (54), (72), 80 (losing credit on 02/02/15 - nervous)
AUD: 78
REG: (74), 91
FAR: (71)
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