[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?

[ExhaustedCPA]

@CPAMan – I didn't mean any disrespect by my comment. I was trying to find out if there extenuating circumstances that caused a 47. Because really, and again no disrespect, a person can't have really studied Becker all that hard if they got a 47. A person who studied accounting but didn't study specifically for the CPA exam would get 47. I was just tying to see if he has trouble with tests or if something happened that day. Again, no disrespect meant. I'm rooting for you!

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

[Anonymous]

@ExhaustedCPA

I studied accounting and spent weeks in the library using Becker and got a 51 on AUD. Although, you didn't mean any disrespect from your comment…I find your comment extremely ignorant and demotivating.

How did i receive a 51? i believe its mainly due to not taking progress tests throughout the chapters which led to me forgetting small details on the exam.

haha im in the library and the weather is gloomy.. ExhaustedCPA. i hope you're down with the exam!! I wish i had your grades haha

[jdd32005]

@beastmode While it may be possible for some people to pass after studying for a few weeks, I would recommend putting in at least a month of study time for any given section. I found that sections like BEC and AUD required less studying, but FAR and REG required much more (I personally took around 2 months to study for FAR). Using Becker, it takes at least 2 weeks to get through the REG lectures and MCQs with any amount of retention, in my opinion (it took me longer). All in all, I studied for REG for around a month-and-a-half. I understand that you were trying to meet a deadline, but it's better to take your time and really make sure you put in adequate study time.

Also, if you haven't taken that many tax classes before, this material can be very challenging. You should use your past education to gauge the amount of studying you need to do. For instance, I know I wouldn't have understood the corporate tax stuff very well if I hadn't already had two corporate tax classes in college. You need to hone in on what you don't understand and really make sure you get a grasp on it. For me, it was the commercial paper material. I really didn't get it the first time through, so I sat down one night and hammered it into my head.

I hope that helps. Keep trying and you'll get it eventually. Good luck.

BEC - 85 FAR - 83
REG - 84 AUD - 86
DONE. First time's a charm.

[beastmode]

@Exhausted CPA: What are you the definition of debbie the downer? No offense but seriously I did study! I just need to work a little hard. Some people are blessed to be born accountants who gets turned on by GAAP and IRS rules. I happen to be not on that list! Im happy for you but I can assure you I did study becker! Do I need to put in more work? Absolutely.. Im not one of those guys who would show up at an exam with out opening the book ever! Just dont shoot me down yet – that was only my first exam.. I know you didnt mean to offend me and it didnt offend me. People come to this site looking for optimism because the world is a place full of pessimists. But I do appreciate you taking your time to write something. Good luckk

@CPAer : I appreciate your kind words. I know I have a low score and stories like yours definitely gives me hope! Its relieving to know that you are not the only person struggling with this.. Keep at it Champ!

@Jdd : Thanks for the valuable advise.. I am this close to taking FAR. After that I am definitely giving myself atleast two months before I go in for the next kill.

[Anonymous]

Im sure @exhaustedCPA didn't mean any offense by his comments 🙂 Anyway, with a low score, it's generally good to see if your review program might be wrong for you (eg teaching style, the way the material is presented etc.)

[Anonymous]

Honestly, don't listen to anyone but yourself. Find your best study times and get into a rhythm. Make studying a habit. Sure some can pass each section in 2 months but know your own limitations. I'm taking 1 exam per quarter and am studying 2.5-3 hrs. on weeknights and 6 hours on Sat./Sun. all while working full time. It's what works for me. Create a weekly schedule and get into a routine. Once the routine becomes a habit you are on your way. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

@beastmode – I understand how you feel. I got my REG result yesterday and failed. It was my 1st time taking it and thought I was prepared but I guess didn't prepare enough. I was totally disappointed and I still am but today is a better day. Came back from work, passed through CVS and bought all the writing pads, pens etc to re-start REG literally from scratch. My REG score is in the past and am only looking forward to working hard for a 75+. We can do this!!

[This_is_torture]

@beastmode: I would definitely recommend stuyding again for REG before moving on to another part. After I took REG on May 31st, I started studying for FAR (my last part). I was about 3 chapters into FAR and then got my failing REG score. I put the FAR book away and cracked REG open again. Surprisingly, some of the material was familiar (especially the business law stuff) but I had no recollection of some of the other materials. If you postpone REG in order to take another part, that gap in time may cause you to lose anything you may still subconscioulsy retain in your memory.

One other thing that really helped me with my retake was writing out a few pages that compared the calculations for basis upon contribution, gain or loss upon contribution, liquidation and withdrawal for partnerships and corporations. Before I would study each night, I would pull that out and look at it and force myself to rewrite all of the formulas (e.g. when do you use NBV vs. FMV, etc.). I committed this to memory and it helped immensely. I did this because I remember when I took the exam the first time, I got so confused with the little details. But on the 2nd go around, I had no issues with solving any of those problems because I took the time to remember the nuances.

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

[misanthrope87]

It's honestly really hard to cram reg into your brain in 3 weeks. I also know nothing about tax and am an auditor. This was my first test as well. I studied REG on and off about 6 months. I dunno how I did it but I passed. You need to give yourself some more time…I honestly felt a lot better about the subjects after going through it 3 times for everything. But yah, nothing really prepares you for the actual reg exam i think.

Don't move on until you pass REG. Even though you failed this time, studying for it again the next time around will be a lot more beneficial when you have some fresh material in your head. I don't think the videos are too helpful. No need to watch it more than once.

B 2/12 87
A 11/11 90
R 8/11 86
F 5/12 88

[beastmode]

@eartzi – Im sure they didnt mean any offense either =) I am currently researching on other teaching programs – im currently using becker and open to any suggestions

@breakout – I have recently changed my study schedule. Now waking up at 2 and just studying at any chance I get. Im coming to peace with a study schedule that works for me. IT seems like im gonna have to take couple of months off just to make up for all this sleep im missing but hey thats all of us right =)

@CPAchick – Im on the same boat as you. Its so good to hear that you are not alone in this CPA world. unfortunately for me – I need to take the other 3 exams before my NTS expires which is in 4.5 months.. Well hang in there – we can do this =)

@this is torture , misanthrope – Im not sure if I will be able to study for Reg before my NTS expires. (I bought the package deal where you have to buy all 4 and it expires in 6 months) Im currently researching that. Im almost done with FAR (exam on 10/06) so I think Im gonna give that a shot as well. Now If I dont have to sit for next 3 before NTS expires – I think I will do REG again before I take anything else.

Thanks again everyone – you guys have been wonderful help =)

[hopefulcpa06]

@Beastmode Becker is def. good, especially for MCQ. Keep doing them (at least 4-5 times) and you'll be pretty comfortable! For SIMS, you can never be prepared…so do your best to understand concepts and you should be able to get by! Try to get most points on MCQ and enough points to pass:)

Good luck!

[yankeeaccountant]

@beastmode,

I am sorry, not getting that passing score is a real pisser. I took Audit (62?????) and Reg (70) this past window and didn't get past either. I thought I had prepared well for REG. I read the Wiley book, took notes, then went thru the Becker lectures, then did all the Becker mcq's and then worked a ton of Wiley mcq's. FYI: I used the Wiley testbank because what I had read from the prior window from people who were successful in passing. Most people felt that Becker wasn't strong on sims, but Wiley had a better showing. I think most people think that nothing can prepare you (I agree!!) for the sims, but Wiley is more representative of the exam. For me, the Becker sims were not challenging enough. I also used the Yaeger cram, this is more of a teaching program than review (referring to Mini's comments above)

I am not sure what to do different. I was scoring 79% on Wiley tests so I thought I was good. So, I have rescheduled my exams and already have my new notebooks and supplies. I am just going to hammer out how to go at it for REG. I digress! You are definitely not alone, there are plenty of us who can empathize with how you feel. Once you get over the shock and disappointment, you set your plan, then you need to be honest on how many of your hours were quality, and not just hours logged. I think this is where I went wrong. It isn't so much about the quantity of hours spent but the quality of that time, the focus and comprehension of the material. Best of luck going forward, you can do it.

@Calcpasoon and hopefulcpa06, cpaman, cpachick2011—-sorry you didn't get good news this window, I am hoping we can all finish REG this window!

[Author]

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