[beastmode]

I thought I put in good work! I had three months before I started my work so I studied for 3 weeks, sat for REG and yet i failed! I spend every day at the library and that didnt really help… And it wasnt even close a whooping 47! (probable the lowest score in this site) I tried memorizing a lot for REG – all the mnemonics… Apparently that didnt help.. Since im on a time constraint – I tried getting through the videos before I sat down and did the mcq! Im guessing that was my issue… And the simulations completely threw me off in the exam =(

Now im on the second month taking FAR on the 3rd! I am very disappointed in myself! I dont know if this would have been easier if it was closer to the 75! I have to stay focused because FAR is in few days! Any words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated.. And Any advices on how to approach these exams would also be appreciated! I find myself wasting too much time watching lectures, highlighting and taking notes! MCQ’s are suffering because of that… I am using becker.. What is the best approach? Also should i do mcq right after the lecture or after the whole section is done?

[Anonymous]

Don't be too hard on yourself, three weeks for REG is pretty unreasonable, especially if you dont have a background in tax.

If you are going to go through this process, you really have to understand that the CPA exam is not something you can cram for, not something that you can just study for like you did in college. This is a completely different ballgame.

Sounds like you studied but did not really understand the concepts or work on how to apply them in practice. For all these sections, practice practice practice! Cannot emphasize it enough! Get a test bank like Wiley or Gleim (I have both actually) and just keep practicing on applying the concepts, understanding why you got the questions wrong, and taking lots of notes, reviewing your notes, etc.

Keep at it! The first couple months of studying and the first test are always the hardest because you are also still trying to figure out HOW to study. Once you get a good study method down, and you start to understand the level of effort needed to pass, it gets easier from there. Just be honest with yourself about how well you are mastering the concepts, dont just try to rush through the materials, and keep re-evaluating where your weak points are work working on them.

[ExhaustedCPA]

Yeesh, a 47? I don't know what to say. Do you mind if I ask you to rate your intelligence? I just want to get a good baseline on you so I can think of the best advice. Do you struggle with tests? Did you study for several hours everyday? Did you feel ok on your test day?

Aud 4/2/11 - 86
Far 5/27/11 - 83
Bec 7/1/11 - 82
Reg 8/13/11 - 86! It's over!!!!

[Peanut]

@beastmode, check out some of my recent posts on different REG threads, there is a few recent ones from last night. I started out with very low scores as well. I think you've learned your lesson that 3 weeks isn't enough time for that BEAST!

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

[Minimorty]

Its clearly possible to do REG in a short amount of time (kb did it in 2 weeks, I did it in 3.5 weeks) but I think that you need to have a few things going for you. You need to either study your tail off for hours and hours every day, have some work experience that is related to the exam, and/or just be a great test taker and really smart.

beastmode – What exactly did you do for “studying”? Do you have any work experience?

[Anonymous]

@ExhaustedCPA- There's no need for that comment. When I first took AUD, I got a 47. I was able to boost it up to an 87 by studying harder.

The OP was probably guessing through the exam due to lack of preparation. It happens because taking these exams the first time can be quite a shock since we didn't know what to expect.

[beastmode]

Thanks guys – I really appreciate your kind words..

@CalCPA – I really appreciate your encouraging words. I do not have a wiley test bank.. I just recently purchased ninja notees.. hopefully that will help a bit… I totally agree that I was struggling with getting a study method down! I am still struggling a little bit but i think I am much more comfortable than a month ago. I think the biggest issue i have is time! I need to give myself some more time to really understand the concepts..

@exhausted cpa: -I really dont know what my intelligence level is but all i know is my work wasnt enough.. I mean I was always a B+ student in college if that helps.. Not a genius by any means.. I did study several hours a day but i definitely was struggling with getting down a study method that works for me. This was the very first exam I took.. honestly i didnt feel too good after the test. And yes 47 is a huge disappointment..

@peanut – yea I was trying to cram it before I started work. and I will definitely check out your posts

@Minimorty – yea I didnt have either those things going for me.. No work experience… However I did study everyday.. I would watch lectures and highlight it. (this was before I got to know NINJA) I made a lot of mistakes. I definitely did skim through a lot of MCQ's and memorized a lot of answers. Rookie mistakes…

[beastmode]

@CPAMan – That really does give me hope.. I took REG first because I knew this was going to be the hardest and yes preparation was sketchy.. I hope to nail it down the second time around and turn this thing around.. Thanks again =)

[Minimorty]

@beastmode – Which study materials are you using? I would probably suggest more of a teaching program as opposed to a review program (based on your score and no relevant work experience). Someone can suggest a teaching program. I used Becker, which is perfect for me, but maybe not an ideal fit for your situation. You should be able to gauge from the first time going through NEW multiple choice questions whether or not you are grasping the material. I wouldnt take another exam until you are feeling a lot more comfortable with the material.

[beastmode]

@ Minimorty – I am currently using Becker. Thats an interesting point – I will look into others but I think I want to give becker one more chance before I go for another. I will buy the testbanks and work it out to the max. honestly I didnt give everything I had! I just disabled facebook so hopefully that will help and saying goodbye to social life now… Thanks again

[HazeEastwood]

beastmode, a lot of people got a beat down from REG including me. I was so depressed. But I did what your name said and switch into beast mode. I came back and destroyed em. You're a beast, you'll destroy it next time!!!

FAR-81
BEC-84
AUD-91
REG-89

[beastmode]

@hazeeastwood – lol I dont know why I selected that name.. But I really need to turn that mode on now!

[Anonymous]

When I found out I failed REG yesterday, I entered into ultra beast mode because beast mode was not enough apparently. I'm now studying 4 hours a night on weeknights and will plan to study 5+ hours on weekends. My 3-4 hour a night study method obviously wasn't enough. Time to get even more serious! The AICPA doesn't know who they're messing with!

[This_is_torture]

I took REG in April/May window and got a 67. The SIMS absolutely killed me. They were on topics that weren't even covered in the Becker book. It was the first time I had failed a test (previously took audit and BEC and passed both on the first try) so I know it wasn't my studying habits or techniques. So I went back to the grind and studied 2x as hard and barely managed to squeak by with a 75. You definitely need to leave at least 1 1/2 hours for the simulations. If you can leave more time, that would be even better. On some of the MC, if you don't know the answer, just guess and move on. It's unlikely that by spending precious time on solving the problem, you will be able to come up with the correct answer. I think it's wiser to use the time for the simulations.

The 2nd time I took the exam, I totally rocked the MC. The testlets were getting harder but I knew the answer to almost each question. I had to guess on probably no more than 3 questions and I guessed simply because the materials weren't covered in Becker. On the simulations, they were very complex calculations with very tricky fact patterns thrown in. Out of 6, I didn't even get a chance to answer 2 of them. I gave myself 1 hour and 15 mins but I still ran out of time. So luckily I did well enough on the MC (according to my score report, got “stronger” on all topics of the MC) to balance out my “weaker” on the simulations. The simulations were do-able but just involved very timely and complex calcualtions.

That's my 2 cents. Good luck on your next go-around

AUD - 85
BEC - 81
REG - 67, 75!!!! (simulations killed me both times but 2nd time around, MC saved me)
FAR - October 14, 2011

[Anonymous]

@This_is_torture- I agree with your name. This is torture. It sure is.

[beastmode]

@ CPAman – yea I need to turn on extra ultra beast mode on! I really did underestimate these exams.. Lets do it!

@this_is_torture :- Simulations really seemed impossible for me too! well so did mcq's coz of the lack of preparation! I will definitely keep in mind that mastering mcqs might save me =) Thanks again

Quick question : Do you think its better to take the section that you failed again before you attempt a new section? OR just go ahead and take the next ones and try to pass the next three before sitting for this beast of REG again?

[Author]

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