[caitlin freeman]

I have been in this process for 2 yrs. I am not the best at taking exams. I have taken AUD 6 times. I admit 2 of the times I didn’t take it seriously. But, I am am exhausted. I have passed BEC so far. I am not sure if should give up, or just take it again, or take it at the end. I work for the Big 4, and i just feel like i should not be failing. my scores have ranged from 55, 66,67, 70, 71, 72. I have used Becker only, is there any other software programs, that may help. I am desperate. Am I just a plain idiot?????

[taxgeek83]

1) You are not, in your words, an “idiot.” Plenty of brilliant CPAs have failed this thing multiple times.

2) You already admitted that you didn't take AUD seriously for at least two of your attempts – what are your study habits? How many hours per week are you getting in?

3) You said you're using Becker – after 6 shots at AUD, I'm guessing your materials might be a little out of date? Especially if you're using anything released before mid-2013. Along that same vein, have you pretty much just memorized everything in your materials? It might be time for some new ones – Ninja has a lot of great products, and there are others out there as well.

4) Your scores are consistently improving – that's a good sign! Think about taking it again, or switching to a different exam and coming back to AUD later, with a fresh perspective. Either way, get some new study materials, make a schedule, stick to it and pass this thing! 🙂

[Anonymous]

My study habits on my first 3 attempts were nothing like my last 4 attempts. My first 3 attempts were fails. My last 3 out of 4 exams have been passing scores. If you read Jeff's “how to pass manual” which is free on this website, you will likely pass. But you have to put in 2-4 hours of study time per day for 4-8 weeks depending on your other obligations. I studied hard on all of the exams but i went from studying hard to studying hard every single day , rain or shine. For what its worth I work full time in public accounting and am married with two young children. So I have to study either at 5am or at 9pm , around work and kid's schedules. I have had three dates with my wife over the last year. Also I am in the process of selling my house and tax season was one of the worst ever. But none of that affected my daily study habits. Don't give up, don't do it. Take Jeff's advice to heart and start hammering out Ninja MCQ !! One last thing, I have also been at this for 2 years and I totally feel your pain. I want my life back.

[Wanna_B_TXCPA2014]

Dont let this test stress out. It's gate keeper, designed to keep enough people frustrated so that the designation is not for everyone. I just got my 4th failing FAR score. I too have been at this for two years with no passes. FAR 60, 70, 67, 67 AUD 62.

You probably just need to change study materials and something in your preparation and approach.This is not an intelligence test, its a persistence test. Unfortunately you and I have to persist longer than we want to. Don't quit or question your intellgence. You are in range. A 72 has to be like 1 question or 1 SIM. So take comfort in being almost to the goal and resolve to identify the gap in your understanding so you can pass and be done.

[Martin]

caitlin freeman, I think Roger CPA is the is the man when it comes to audit. Give your self a chance, and switch to Roger. Take as many notes as you can as you are watching the videos. Do not bother with his test bank, and go straight to ninja. I can guarantee that you will pass next quarter specially with all the audit exposure you already have.

Through God all things can happen!

“You never fail until you stop trying.”
― Albert Einstein
When I was young, I used to admire intelligent people;as I grow older, I admire kind people.
“Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.”

FAR= 72-84
Audit= 73-82
BEC= 74-75
Reg=77

[Anonymous]

Martin don't give up on me now man. By passing BEC it's a clear evidence that you can succeed and become a CPA. I know the feeling of failing since I did fail FAR twice before passing it but I never allowed myself to give up. No matter how many times you have to take a part, just stay positive and drive yourself. !Vamos que tu puedes!

[Missy]

It is time to give up when you have no desire to be a CPA. If you still want this you need to keep at it otherwise you will regret walking away.

Becker doesn't work for everybody. I would without a doubt use different materials. Try the ninja stuff, most bang for your buck.

Also what is your study schedule like? I remember someone posting they felt defeated and when asked the poor guy felt overwhelmed that he studied ALMOST sixty hours for AUD, so he may not have been clear on study methods but he thought 60 was excessive and exhausting LOL.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Missy]

It is time to give up when you have no desire to be a CPA. If you still want this you need to keep at it otherwise you will regret walking away.

Becker doesn't work for everybody. I would without a doubt use different materials. Try the ninja stuff, most bang for your buck.

Also what is your study schedule like? I remember someone posting they felt defeated and when asked the poor guy felt overwhelmed that he studied ALMOST sixty hours for AUD, so he may not have been clear on study methods but he thought 60 was excessive and exhausting LOL.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[jess919jaf]

One: You are not and idiot. I know plenty of brilliant accountants who still don't have their CPA and even some that I wonder how they even have their CPA.

Two: Don't give up! I have been at this for 6 years!!! (not straight there has been time off here and there!). I finally got down to my last one (FAR) that I needed to pass. Found out today that I failed and that also means I use BEC! If I haven't given up yet neither should you!!!

I actually have a spreadsheet of my CPA Exam progress and I have shown it to the younger staff in my office when they get all upset because they failed the first time. I passed AUD on my 8th try, and that includes two 74's.

I started with Becker and didn't like it one bit. I have moved around from review courses when I felt it was no longer suiting my needs. I went to CPA Excel and now use mainly Jeff's NINJA material (supplemented with CPA Excel).

If you feel like you know all the multiple choice questions I would move on to a different section. I did that with BEC. I had taken it twice and found that I was no longer taking the studying seriously because I was saying to myself oh yea that question I know that. So I took some time off from that section so that when I came back to studying the material seemed fresh again.

Don't Give Up! You can do this!!!

AUD - 69, 74, 74, 76 --> PASSED
BEC - 72, 70, 76 --> Lost Credit
REG - 62, 72, 77 --> PASSED
FAR - FAIL

[Martin]

Coquipr41, I cant give up maestro, I have spent too many months trying to pass FAR and Audit, I just have to conquer BEC and REG now. Let me know when you get your passing score on BEC. The day I pass all 4 parts I will drunk on conquito 🙂

Through God all things can happen!

“You never fail until you stop trying.”
― Albert Einstein
When I was young, I used to admire intelligent people;as I grow older, I admire kind people.
“Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.”

FAR= 72-84
Audit= 73-82
BEC= 74-75
Reg=77

[PleaseDontDeleteThanks]

Did you complete the Becker Promise that they offer?

I failed FAR, but got the Becker promise.

I have Becker. I hope it wasn't a complete waste of money, gah!

FAR 72, 89
BEC 80
REG 90
AUD 79

[Last Chance CPA]

I have been at it since Sep 2012. I started telling everyone i am a CPA because i passed 3 sections. Now i have failed REG 4x and my window is closing. I am in shock. This exam will disappoint you in ways unimaginable. Follow your dreams but be realistic also. I would have an end date if you keep failing because life is too short to be miserable. BUT follow everyone's advice before throwing in the towel. It might just be your study habits…

FAR - 76
AUD - 75
BEC - 75
REG - 76

Now I need some experience!!! And some networking...

[Anonymous]

If you are not going to change your study habits – give up. If you are going to change the way you study – push forward. If you still fail a few times with different study habits – give up. A CPA is a nice thing to have, but it simply is not make or break for your career. this is a common misconception.

[Last Chance CPA]

And no, you are not an idiot…it is a bullsh*t exam. It needs major modifications. There are much better ways to test one's accounting, audit, tax, and business knowledge. Or maybe it's fine…I don't know anymore….sigh.

FAR - 76
AUD - 75
BEC - 75
REG - 76

Now I need some experience!!! And some networking...

[nolifecpa]

I used becker twice (self study and inclass) and it wasn't for me. I passed my first exam (after failing 12 in a row) when I switched materials. switching always motivated me cuz I was interested to see if the new material would help me pass. if anything it gives you a diff way of looking at the material

btw, took me 7 yrs to pass

REG-65,71,74,73,70,74,79
BEC-60's,60's,69,71,76*,78
FAR-67,66,65,79
AUD-54,60's,65,83*,69,80
*expired

DONE

[Martin]

Last Chance CPA, have you lost any of your credits because of REG? What are you using for REG?

Through God all things can happen!

“You never fail until you stop trying.”
― Albert Einstein
When I was young, I used to admire intelligent people;as I grow older, I admire kind people.
“Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.”

FAR= 72-84
Audit= 73-82
BEC= 74-75
Reg=77

[Author]

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