[PleaseDontDeleteThanks]

Hi all, I have terrible anger issues when studying, which really makes it hard to concentrate.

The normal chain of events is:

1. Watch all lectures, take 100+ pages of notes…easy

2. Read notes, listen to Jeff

3. Sit down to take MCQ for the guarantee that comes with the software

4. Get frustrated and angry – Punch wall, yell and curse at myself because I’m stupid, and can’t answer a question after 50 hours of studying, get migraine…stop studying completely for weeks and go back to a happier place. This happens with MCQ all the time. If I get a 40% on MCQ, that’s close to what I would get if I hadn’t studied at all (4 choices 25%).

5. Delay exam or not take at all, due to being an idiot

I’ve tried anger management books, psychologist, but I haven’t tried medication yet.

What do you guys do when getting frustrated?

FAR 72, 89
BEC 80
REG 90
AUD 79

[taxman89]

ehh thats typical. cant tell you how many times i have said ‘damit you dumbass” when doing MCQs. usually its because i didnt read the mfq all the way so i missed something simple. you need to realize that you shouldnt know all the MCQs and should just focus on the ones you are missing and writing down the answers/topics so dont miss them next time!

ps try to get the actionable anger problems under control 😀 nothing makes you feel like more of an idiot than fixing a hole you punched in the wall.

if you are taking this exam, chances are you are not an idiot

Aud-75 3x I knew i never liked you
Bec-77 1x being in the bubble is stressful
Reg-82 4x its not me its you...and no we cant be friends
Far-78 1x easiest section

[taxman89]

things i will do is go hit a bucket of golf balls or run (and i hate running)…..just something to get out the pent up frustration

Aud-75 3x I knew i never liked you
Bec-77 1x being in the bubble is stressful
Reg-82 4x its not me its you...and no we cant be friends
Far-78 1x easiest section

[mommyof3texans]

I try NOT to get frustrated the first time or two through MCQs since low scores are very normal early on. You have to get used to how the questions are asked, etc. It takes time to begin to really understand, retain, and apply what you're learning.

BEC - 02/21/15 - 82
FAR - 05/29/15 - 82
AUD - 07/09/15 - 93
REG - 11/14/15 - 80

All done!!!

[Megatron]

Sounds like me too. I would do just 10 MCQs, get like a 60, say F-it, then just watch tv. I can't concentrate when I am angry.

FAR - 77
BEC - 77
AUD - 89
REG - 85

[Anonymous]

I think that's very typical for the first time through the MCQs. I never had impressive scores on the Becker homework on my first attempts. And that's perfectly okay. You just have to keep hitting them. Use the text to find the correct answers, and take notes on EVERY question that you don't for sure know the answer to. If you guessed or had to look it up in the book, write down why the answer was correct. I guarantee the next time you go through them, you will do a lot better.

Just don't quit. That is seriously all you have to do to beat frustration and pass this exam. Don't quit.

[Broag]

I have some of the same issues as you, OP. What I began to do is not focus on the % (I know this is difficult to do), but read the question carefully and try my best. A little cliche, but it actually helps. If I've been studying for an hour or two and start to feel my blood boil, then I drop everything and play Starcraft or go for a walk for an hour just to get my mind off of it. Then I get back at it for making me look stupid. I've always been very critical of myself, but I'm learning how to constructively criticize myself instead of destructively. Hope this helps.

REG - 79
FAR - ?
AUD - ?
BEC - ?

[ruggercpa2b]

I totally relate to what you are saying. For me I would get frustrated and just give up on studying.

Like Megatron stated above I started doing questions in chunks of 10 and sometimes 5 at a time. I would find myself looking at the number of questions I still had to work through especially when I would get them wrong and just say screw it. With only doing 5 to 10 at a time I can pay attention and then do another set of 10.

AUD - 73, 72 retake 7/2/2016
BEC - 8/20/2016
REG - TBD
FAR - TBD

I am so ready for this nightmare to be over. Been at this way too long.

[Lion_of_the_Rock]

Don't put so much pressure on yourself. Yes the CPA is nice, but it is not your life defining moment (at least I hope it isn't). I took the test seriously, but not to the point where I was getting that mad. Honestly, if it is that intense for you, you should consider taking a break and getting your anger under control before taking on the test.

For what it is worth, I passed the exams and most of my MCQ sessions were in the mid 60s. I never really scored higher than that until my last week of study and even then I would get maybe a 70 (and I never practiced SIMS). I think I passed because I was able to relax during the test, stay present, and just do my best.

Run your own race.

BEC - 78
AUD - 75
REG - 74, 79
FAR - 75

You have to buy a ticket to win the raffle.

[PleaseDontDeleteThanks]

Thanks everyone. I'll try to take breaks, remember to breathe, and just stay calm. You're probably all right.

I'm definitely going to come back to this forum next time I lose it…this might be the solution?

FAR 72, 89
BEC 80
REG 90
AUD 79

[Anonymous]

I can relate. I used to throw my Wiley book across the room (among other things) when I did poorly on the module exams. Is there anything tranquil (e.g. a hobby) that puts your mind at complete peace? I started taking short Mario Kart 64 breaks every hour or so when my blood started to boil over while studying. After 15 minutes I was calm again and ready to get back at FAR, REG, AUD, etc.

[Anonymous]

I get frustrated when I get more than 3 MCQs wrong when I begin them and get a starting percentage of 30% or so.. First thing I do is close my laptop and leave. Then, when I get back, I do much better and I am able in dramatically increase the percentage. I think our brains cannot take long hours of studying. So, if you feel frustrated, just leave, but don't leave for weeks. Leave for an hour or so then come back. Also I try to never get physical with frustration ( I study in a public library where there are people and children, so if I do anything, thy will freak out lol)… I do jumping jack and helps me get rid of the frustration..

[PleaseDontDeleteThanks]

C_P_A_Hopeful28 – Yeah, I could see how being in a public library would force some accountability onto me. The worst I could do is look confused.

Another85 – Breaks really do help. I don't have internet or TV at my apartment, but I can go for walks (I use internet at work lol).

Has anyone tried drinking a beer before studying. Nothing heavy, just something light to make a person slightly nonchalant. I normally drink every other month or so.

FAR 72, 89
BEC 80
REG 90
AUD 79

[Anonymous]

You could also try chilling the F out, taking a step back and realizing that in the grand schemes of life, this is just a test.

Should help tremendously with your attitude. If this doesnt work, just try not be such a headcase.

[Anonymous]

Being hard on yourself will get you nowhere (easier said then done, I know). I don't think I ever got higher than 70% on any multiple choice up until maybe the week before. How I saw it was the wrong answers are what you are looking for the most. Use these wrong answers and write down your thought process for getting to the wrong answer and WHY the correct answer is correct. The correct answers don't do anything for you.

Some sections I would just do multiple choice and learn from those and be taking notes on my thought process and what I learned from the correct answers. I would hardly ever go back to these notes either but it's crucial to be processing the information in a variety of ways. You must mix reading in your head, reading out loud, writing the information down, etc.

[Skynet]

You need to pace yourself. Work on a few subunits of a chapter everyday multiple times until you get it. Then do a review of the materials to make sure you keep it fresh. Also take a break, several if you have to.

[Author]

Replies