[WILLFINISH]

Many of us at work are preparing for the CPA. However, I don’t feel it is anyone’s business whether I pass of fail. I need a politically correct answer for “It is not your business……if you want a test score take the test yourself.” This is a long road and I will not be having the added pressure. One coworker even said, well I will know if you keep taking tests that you failed. My response yup….Why are people so worried about others business…. drives me insane, I would never do tat to someone….I would support you.

[klg020]

Yeah I don't know what a good response is… If someone doesn't tell me then I just assume they don't want me to know and don't ask.

B - 12/10/2016
A - 94!!!!!!!!!! (7/1/2016)
R - 10/7/2016
F - 8/27/2016

[bhunt815]

F$%@ you @$$hole is acceptable as long as you do it in your best Schwarzenegger accent.

FAR 04/11/2016 - 84
AUD 05/12/2016 - 79
BEC 07/06/2016 - 81
REG 08/29/2016

[reallytired]

I try my hardest to just not let anyone know when my exams are scheduled (besides my fiancé, parents, and siblings) because of that exact reason! It drives me crazy that people are so nosy about it. I have no clue how to tell them to mind their own business though, I am sorry!

B 10/29/16
A 10/1/16
R 9/2/16
F 7/26/16

[Bear-Bear]

Depends on context. If you voluntarily disclosed that you were testing, then you have to deal with the repercussions of that. If you never said a word and they somehow found out anyway, then you should be righteously indignant at the information leak. In either case, you owe nobody an explanation.

[Amortized and Energized]

Depends on who's asking. My coworkers have been an incredibly supportive group and give me encouragement when they see I'm stressed or when they find out I was inside studying all weekend. So when they ask, it's coming from a good place. The test I failed, I just told them it didn't work out the way I'd hoped and they sympathized with it and said a comment akin to “I asked so and so (a CPA) about it and they said it is a real tough one. Hopefully you get it on the next one.” Is it any of their business? No, but it's nice when somebody stops whatever they're in the middle of to ask or to see them excited for your good news even if you don't have any. If you know someone is being catty or an a-hole for that matter, just a “nope, next time.”

FAR - Aug 2015 (58), Feb 2016 (81)
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BEC - May 2016 (79)
AUD - Jul 2016
REG - Aug 2016

[GeauxAwayCPA]

They say honesty is the best policy. Just be honest. Maybe say something like “Really appreciate you asking. To reduce any added pressure, I've decided to avoid giving out any news, good or bad, until the end when I've passed all four parts of the exam. I hope you can respect that.” I mean, what can they say to that?

[Anonymous]

In direct response to the OP: I just say yes I passed or naw, I didn't do so well this time.

But I do think the responses are strange? Why is everybody so indignant about this question?

If someone asks me, “How are you?” “How is your family” “How is work?” I never have the impulse to say it is none of their business. The only people who ask me about it are the people who know what a big deal it is. And the only people I ask are my friends – the ones whose score I care about. And in fact, that is part of my support for them. If they did well, I can be happy with them, or if not, I can commiserate.

Thinking about this more as I type… I think the people who ask fall into 3 categories:
1) Family & friends who never have & probably never will take the CPA. They ask because they know it is important to me. These are the most annoying (in my opinion), because I can't really talk about the experience with them. They don't understand, but the questions come from a good place. I keep my answers brief.
2) People who will be taking the test. I like the chance to talk about my impressions, study habits and difficult topics.
3) People who have already taken the test. This was a big deal for them too, and this is a something we have in common, a topic of conversation.

I used to not mind these questions at all, but now I feel like I've already said all I have to say. I am starting to feel like I've already had the same conversation over & over? So I guess… I don't mind the question, but I try to side-step the ensuing conversation.

[WILLFINISH]

GeauxAwayCPA …. that is the answer I have been giving people. One person said you can tell me I won't tell anyone…. I said thank you but I rather keep it to myself… and she says well if you keep taking it then I will know…. I just said yup…. I mean they know because I take a couple days vacation before the test and they ask where am I going…. I respond nowhere and they know.
We all sit in a conference room and instructor can't really keep it private. However, if I told you I want to keep it private DO NOT keep pushing the point. I swear I am about to respond the testing fee is $300 how bad do you want to know? lol or maybe I should say should I be providing you with my NASBA password…. No one cares… the people that care are the people that on test day texted me or called and gave me that support I needed …those are the people I share with my closest family and friends. End of my rant…thank you for listening.

[Bear-Bear]

One person said you can tell me I won’t tell anyone…. I said thank you but I rather keep it to myself… and she says well if you keep taking it then I will know….

Well that is just obnoxious any way you slice it.

[Missy]

You have to realize people who aren't taking the exams, or never have, have NOTHING they can say to you that is acceptable. If they ask how you did they're wrong. If they ignore the subject they're wrong. If they tell you that you'll pass because they're smart, they're wrong. If they tell you that they think you failed they're wrong.

Cut people some slack, you'e exhausted and emotional and they're trying to be supportive whether you realize it or not.

Frankly when people asked me if I passed or failed I had three responses:

1-I don't know yet I'll get my score next month.

2-Failed this time, thanks for asking. I'm going to try again in October.

3-Yes I passed! I am so excited!

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

[WILLFINISH]

Agree Bear Bear….

[WILLFINISH]

mla11692 … I agree it is a very sensitive subject and hard for someone to say the proper thing… that is why I was trying to find a polite way to say It is private end of conversation…. but I certainly don't get upset with everyone ….If I do that, it is time to take a break breathe some fresh air.

[GeauxAwayCPA]

@WILLFINISH completely understand that it's hard to keep it under wraps when you're taking time off. I have been pretty open about my exams but now that I'm on my last one I'm kind of ready to be done with having the “how are the CPA exams going?” conversation. I know the people that ask me care – just ready to be done!! Good luck and hang in there!

[Author]

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