In the spirit of holiday benevolence, perhaps we can extend compassion and sympathy to your friend who tried to boost his own self-esteem by diminishing your achievements. I passed all of the CMA exams on the first attempt (albeit, with very modest scores) because I had more experience and education in the areas emphasized by the CMA. I did not pass FAR or REG on the first attempt (although, I maintained my tradition of earning very modest scores for all of the CPA tests). For me, the CPA proved more difficult.
Sometimes, we can defuse this situation by affirming the individual who projected contempt on our accomplishment. Many people have reminded me that all of the sections of the CPA were formerly administered on three consecutive days, and I have received the most positive reactions by saying, “The three-day test would be so difficult. I admire everyone who passed under that format.” I use the same tactic when people list the many factors (full-time jobs, children, etc.) that increase the difficulty of the CPA for them by acknowledging them with, “You are so smart. I am very impressed with you for attaining this difficult certification with so many obstacles.”
Perhaps you can say to your friend, “The CMA is very rigorous. I am so proud of you for passing it.” He obviously needs your admiration (of course, his effort to gain your recognition by treating the CPA with contempt is an unhealthy strategy for improving his self-esteem).
We do not need to debase ourselves by saying, “I could never pass the CMA or CPA if I faced your challenges.” They just want our admiration which we can extend without reacting to their attempt to escalate the conversation into a competition. I have sometimes resisted their clumsy efforts to achieve recognition by withholding the praise that they are awkwardly soliciting; and, in those cases, the conversation escalates into a clumsy competition that is unpleasant and unproductive for both of us.
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