[Anonymous]

Hey guys, lately I’ve developed a curiosity about the inner workings of all your beautiful minds out there. I’m especially interested in perceived social pressures. I’m not currently developing a research paper for it, but I potentially may in the future. What better audience to poll than CPA candidates/alumni?

[littlenumberrobot]

1. Did you take the exam at the same time as a group of friends? (e.g., your former/current classmates in undergrad/master's program?)

No

2. If yes to #1, did you perceive additional pressure to pass a section that one of your friends/classmates already did?

3. If yes to #2, did you find that if you did fail, were you more or less likely to lie to your friends about passing?

4. Did you perceive additional pressure to pass a section because your co-workers knew you were taking the exam?

No. At my first job I was one of the only ones REALLY pursing the certification out of the non-licensed group. Now I am the only one not licensed in current position.

5. If yes to #4, did you find that if you did fail, were you more or less likely to lie to your co-workers about passing?

6. Did you perceive additional pressure to pass a section because your family was anxiously awaiting your results?

No

7. If yes to #6, did you find that if you did fail, were you more or less likely to lie to your family about passing?

8. If you did fail a section, how self-focused were your rationalizations? (i.e., were you more likely to put the blame on yourself or an outside source [e.g., study materials, layout of the exam, etc.])

I know it was me that caused my fail.

9. On a scale of 1-10 (10 being the highest), how competitive are you?

7

CA CPA - All because of the journey listed below
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FAR - 53('10), 8/25/12 79 PASSED!
REG - 66('11), 69('12), 12/06/12 77 PASSED!!
BEC - 58('10), 74('12), 01/05/13 77 PASSED!!!
AUD - 43('11), 66('12), 69('13), 74('13) 7/29/13 85 PASSED!!!!!

(Combinations of Roger, Yaeger, Wiley Book, Wiley TB, & NINJA Notes)

Ethics 90%

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the responses, @littlenumberrobot. I've become quite curious about this area. I often wonder how I would have handled my social interactions about the exam had I failed a section. Additionally, when faced with interactions with people of varying intimacy (family, co-workers, friends, etc.), would that change one's likelihood of being less than truthful about an exam score?

[futuremdcpa]

1. Did you take the exam at the same time as a group of friends? (e.g., your former/current classmates in undergrad/master's program?)

Majority of them, yes.

2. If yes to #1, did you perceive additional pressure to pass a section that one of your friends/classmates already did?

None of them passed yet, but ultimately I would yes.

3. If yes to #2, did you find that if you did fail, were you more or less likely to lie to your friends about passing?

Only to some people (who like to act like they are the sheet., but to everyone else no..)

4. Did you perceive additional pressure to pass a section because your co-workers knew you were taking the exam?

No – Don't work yet, but if I did, most likely not.

5. If yes to #4, did you find that if you did fail, were you more or less likely to lie to your co-workers about passing?

N/A

6. Did you perceive additional pressure to pass a section because your family was anxiously awaiting your results?

No.

7. If yes to #6, did you find that if you did fail, were you more or less likely to lie to your family about passing?

N/A

8. If you did fail a section, how self-focused were your rationalizations? (i.e., were you more likely to put the blame on yourself or an outside source [e.g., study materials, layout of the exam, etc.])

Haven't failed yet. I would probably blame myself though.. Esp. for BEC.. I wasted a lot of time doing nothing.

9. On a scale of 1-10 (10 being the highest), how competitive are you?

Depends on the subject, but probably very competitive so 10.

REG: PASS || BEC: PASS || AUD: PASS || F: SCORE PENDING..

[sarah210]

Personally, I don't think I could outright lie about my scores to anyone. I actually have a public blog (well, as public as facebook is, anyway) that I've been writing about taking the exam. I have blogged about both my fails and my pass, scores included. At work, I didn't mention my fails unless someone asked me, but I work in a small office, and my boss isn't even a CPA.

There are, however, varying levels of shame involved for me. The more someone believes in me, the harder it is to let them down. There is also the additional layer of guilt that comes from the fact that my husband is supporting me while I work part time and study for this exam. I feel like I am letting him (and our future financial life) down when I fail a section.

REG- 53, 91
BEC- 88
FAR- 62, 85
AUD- 85

Ethics- 93

[Anonymous]

You bring up an excellent point, Sarah. I'm going to modify the survey slightly to determine what someone's motivation is for being less-than-truthful about his/her exam scores (like you said, possibly shame or guilt). Survey aside, I'm sure your husband is happy to support you because becoming a CPA is something you want to do…I wish you the best of luck on your upcoming exams!!

[RARCPA]

1. Did you take the exam at the same time as a group of friends? (e.g., your former/current classmates in undergrad/master's program?)

NO

2. If yes to #1, did you perceive additional pressure to pass a section that one of your friends/classmates already did?

N/A

3. If yes to #2, did you find that if you did fail, were you more or less likely to lie to your friends about passing?

N/A

4. Did you perceive additional pressure to pass a section because your co-workers knew you were taking the exam?

YES

5. If yes to #4, did you find that if you did fail, were you more or less likely to lie to your co-workers about passing?

DID NOT FAIL YET 🙂 BUT PRBABLY NO

6. Did you perceive additional pressure to pass a section because your family was anxiously awaiting your results?

YES

7. If yes to #6, did you find that if you did fail, were you more or less likely to lie to your family about passing?

PROBABLY NOtT

8. If you did fail a section, how self-focused were your rationalizations? (i.e., were you more likely to put the blame on yourself or an outside source [e.g., study materials, layout of the exam, etc.])

PROBABLY MYSELF

9. On a scale of 1-10 (10 being the highest), how competitive are you?

VERY -9

FAR 7/10/2012 - 93
AUD 08/28/2012 - 93
REG 10/16/2012 - 93
BEC 11/26/2012 - 88
ETHICS 12/01/2012 - 93
Done!!!!!!!!

[Trisha]

1. Did you take the exam at the same time as a group of friends? (e.g., your former/current classmates in undergrad/master's program?)

No

2. If yes to #1, did you perceive additional pressure to pass a section that one of your friends/classmates already did?

3. If yes to #2, did you find that if you did fail, were you more or less likely to lie to your friends about passing?

4. Did you perceive additional pressure to pass a section because your co-workers knew you were taking the exam?

Yes… Mostly with my superiors, especially my boss, who is a BYU Masters of Tax Grad and CPA.

5. If yes to #4, did you find that if you did fail, were you more or less likely to lie to your co-workers about passing?

No ~ the failures will make the success that much more sweet. It was not very fun to share the failures though 🙁

6. Did you perceive additional pressure to pass a section because your family was anxiously awaiting your results?

Not at all. My family has been VERY supportive.

7. If yes to #6, did you find that if you did fail, were you more or less likely to lie to your family about passing?

8. If you did fail a section, how self-focused were your rationalizations? (i.e., were you more likely to put the blame on yourself or an outside source [e.g., study materials, layout of the exam, etc.])

I always blamed myself. But I never had a lack of effort. These exams are brutal.

9. On a scale of 1-10 (10 being the highest), how competitive are you?

Probably an 8…

REG 72, 86 and DONE!!!
BEC 80 🙂
FAR 72, 78 🙂
AUD 73, 76 🙂

[Anonymous]

Agreed, Trisha! These exams are an absolute beast. Obviously, everyone taking the exam has a different set of circumstances which can certainly make the exam more difficult! You got 2 down, 2 to go!! Good luck!

[mla1169]

1. Did you take the exam at the same time as a group of friends? (e.g., your former/current classmates in undergrad/master's program?)

No, only the friends I met on A71

2. If yes to #1, did you perceive additional pressure to pass a section that one of your friends/classmates already did?

3. If yes to #2, did you find that if you did fail, were you more or less likely to lie to your friends about passing?

4. Did you perceive additional pressure to pass a section because your co-workers knew you were taking the exam?

No, there was not a single CPA where I worked at the time and they couldn't care less

5. If yes to #4, did you find that if you did fail, were you more or less likely to lie to your co-workers about passing?

N/A

6. Did you perceive additional pressure to pass a section because your family was anxiously awaiting your results?

Yes, hubby and kids wanted the nightmare over more than I did!

7. If yes to #6, did you find that if you did fail, were you more or less likely to lie to your family about passing?

Nope, they had to know I was studying again

8. If you did fail a section, how self-focused were your rationalizations? (i.e., were you more likely to put the blame on yourself or an outside source [e.g., study materials, layout of the exam, etc.])

I blamed outside sources, still do! But life happens and moms have to suck it up and put their kids first no matter what else is going on, like an exam!

9. On a scale of 1-10 (10 being the highest), how competitive are you?

Probably an 8

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, MLA! And hey, the nightmare is over!! 🙂

[stevekoz27]

1. No

2. N/A

3. N/A

4. No

5. N/A

6. My family worried about my scores more than myself, but no pressure really.

7. I told them I didn't pass one section.

8. I only blamed myself for my one failed section. It was my first exam and actually motivated me (so far it's worked).

9. 9

10. Money, better career opportunities, challenge myself.

FAR 70, 80
AUD 77
REG 78
BEC 80

[Anonymous]

Thanks, Steve! Hope you killed it in your FAR rematch! Good luck!

[littlenumberrobot]

Adding to my original response:

10. What is your reason for wanting to become a CPA? (Money, passion for the field, career opportunities, etc.)

#1) To further open doors for my future career. I refuse to be a bookkeeper.

#2) With that said, then yes, comes along future financial stability.

#3) IF I take extended time off for a family and leave the workfield…. I believe it would help me come back if I so decide to(just my opinion)

CA CPA - All because of the journey listed below
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FAR - 53('10), 8/25/12 79 PASSED!
REG - 66('11), 69('12), 12/06/12 77 PASSED!!
BEC - 58('10), 74('12), 01/05/13 77 PASSED!!!
AUD - 43('11), 66('12), 69('13), 74('13) 7/29/13 85 PASSED!!!!!

(Combinations of Roger, Yaeger, Wiley Book, Wiley TB, & NINJA Notes)

Ethics 90%

[Marivy22]

Psychology now?!?! It doesn't matter………..let us know the results of your poll. Here is my “profile”:

1. No

2. N/A

3. N/A

4. Yes. Competitive spirit and shame…

5. No. I am not a lier, or at least try not to be.

6. Yes. I want them to be proud of me. At the same time, more studies equals less time with the family.

7. No lies…

8. I blame it all on myself.

9. 8

10. Career opportunities. I was laid off once (kind off, i left the company before the end date), and I had to take a job, that even though the pay was very good the whole environment was nasty. I am not saying that having the CPA would have made the environment better, but I would have been exposed to other opportunities.

Done 😉
Class of 2012!!!!
Lots of prayers and hard work....

[jeff]

Bump – I made a nice, tidy poll for BaseballCPA(2) (original post)

xoxo

[Author]

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