[536FrenchmenStreet]

I’m practicing for my next career move because I WILL NEVER PASS THIS FREAKING EXAM.

Ugh. I studied notes receivable for four hours last night; went to review this morning and remembered, like, NOTHING. Well, 6/14 questions correct.

Am I the only person whose brain feels so saturated that it can’t absorb one.more.freaking.thing?????

Plus, I found out two nights ago that they’re cutting back my MIL’s aides’ hours, which means I will have to cover 7pm to 11pm two to three nights a week. There are literally no other options.

I rescheduled my exam because I don’t see how I’m going to fit it all in by January 11 at this rate.

uuuuuuggggghhhhh……….

BEC: Fall 2016
AUD: Spring 2016
REG: Summer 2016
FAR: RETAKE

[Missy]

If it helps I had a LOT going on while I was taking the exams, in fact most people told me it was crazy to try the exams when I did. I understand the time constraints. Ultimately I passed one exam per window. The frustration and self doubt is perfectly normal but don't let it control you.

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

[monikernc]

Perhaps a 4 hour session is too long. Are you taking breaks or working straight through that amount of time? The information does have to be given an opportunity to be absorbed while you are learning it. I suggest every 30 mins to an hour you take a break and quickly summarize what you have learned in plain english notes – just the concepts with any tips or tricks you picked up along the way. Spend 5 minutes writing what you just learned. Drink lots of water while you study – keep that brain well hydrated and as big as it can be. Good hydration does matter. And it will force you to get up every now and then 🙂

FYI – my fall back career phrase is Regular or decaf?

FAR 7/25/15 76!
AUD 10/30/15 93
BEC 2/27/16 82
REG 5/23/16 88!
Ninja Book and MCQ and the forum - all the way!!!
and a little thing i like to call, time and effort!
if you want things to change, you have to do something different

[amandafaith15]

After taking the Regulation exam the first time I cried on the drive home and considered career options that didn't involve being a CPA.

Just take your time. Don't try to rush through studying for each exam. Be aware of everything going on with your unique situation and plan accordingly. Once you pass your first exam you have 18 months.

If it works for you, consider taking an exam early, with the understanding you probably won't pass, just to get a better feel for the exam. Say you want to take the exam in the 2nd testing window of the year… maybe take it at the end of the 1st testing window to give yourself an idea of how to finish preparing. And hey, you never know you may pass that first time! If not you will be better prepared a month or so later when you retake.

Anyone I have ever talked to has considered quitting at some point during the process… Don't give up hope! The process is just hard, not impossible.

REG -73 (8/2015) 81 (10/2015)
AUD - 73 (11/2015) 84 (1/2016)
BEC - 84 (2/2016)
FAR - 77 (6/2016)

[spikesrd]

These 4 exams will be one of the toughest things you will ever do in your life. Period. It's supposed to suck and nobody has an easy path to success on the exams. Circle the wagons for a few, short months and fight it out.

“The reward for work well-done is more work.”

BEC - 05/26/2015 77
AUD - 07/27/2015 88
FAR - 08/31/2015 80
REG - 11/30/2015 73, 04/18/2016 80 Done!!!

[536FrenchmenStreet]

Thanks, everyone.

MLA, the thing is, my family has been great about respecting my study time, but retention has been a bit of trouble. I like what Moniker said about rewriting notes during the session and I am going to start doing that.

Moniker, I'm taking breaks but definitely not drinking enough water. I've been writing notes as I go along….my plan was to type them up when I finished the module, but I think your suggestion to rewrite during the session is a sound one. Thank you.

Amanda, I appreciate the thought but given other factors in life it probably wouldn't work.

Spike, it's kind of like childbirth was, only not as pleasant. Heh.

Anyway, I really appreciate the backpats. It's nice to know I'm not the only one. I've been feeling rather isolated IRL because I am the only person I know who is taking the exams. So glad I found this forum.

BEC: Fall 2016
AUD: Spring 2016
REG: Summer 2016
FAR: RETAKE

[monikernc]

This is a good place for you to be. What are you using to study? Have you watched any Allen Mursau videos on youtube? The man is a saint – he helped me nail topics in school. He will walk right through something if you need it.
Sometimes doing the sim for a particular topic will force you to give it a new look and take a different approach that makes the concept sink in.
For me trying to memorize doesn't work but learning it really sticks. i enjoy the ah-ha moments and i feel less pressured.
You can do this. I am your age and doing it right beside you and the forum has our backs.

FAR 7/25/15 76!
AUD 10/30/15 93
BEC 2/27/16 82
REG 5/23/16 88!
Ninja Book and MCQ and the forum - all the way!!!
and a little thing i like to call, time and effort!
if you want things to change, you have to do something different

[536FrenchmenStreet]

I have Wiley Platinum and Ninja MCQs and audio. I have not heard of Allen Mursau but will check him out.

The bizarre thing is that as a visual-kinesthetic learner I have less trouble with the sims. This afternoon I printed off a bunch of the MCQs and worked out the solutions in Excel. That forced some repetition and it solidified a couple of things.

I really do feel as though my brain is saturated. I've been doing 6 – 8 hours a day for the past few weeks and am considering taking the night off.

BEC: Fall 2016
AUD: Spring 2016
REG: Summer 2016
FAR: RETAKE

[monikernc]

Oh ya. I took a long break after audit. Never study on friday nights. Like i said the info has to absorb. Take the night. Relax. Get some sleep!

FAR 7/25/15 76!
AUD 10/30/15 93
BEC 2/27/16 82
REG 5/23/16 88!
Ninja Book and MCQ and the forum - all the way!!!
and a little thing i like to call, time and effort!
if you want things to change, you have to do something different

[monikernc]

536FrenchmenStreet – how are you doing?

FAR 7/25/15 76!
AUD 10/30/15 93
BEC 2/27/16 82
REG 5/23/16 88!
Ninja Book and MCQ and the forum - all the way!!!
and a little thing i like to call, time and effort!
if you want things to change, you have to do something different

[mitchmatch]

For FAR and REG i couldnt get more then 50% on the mcqs for the homework. It feels completely devastating but i found that usually what ever review program your using is harder then the actual test. The reason i believe this is, is because first the programs try to test you on every question and detail that you just seen on the chapter review, while the test usually does not do this. Second the review software usually pick harder questions to practice, and the software question are constantly difficult back to back. Now the Actual test, anyone that has taken it can tell you that yes its hard, but their are many freebie questions. Its hard not to be frustrated, but once you see your first pass its extremly motivating. Lastly, when you leave the test, you will think you 100% bombed, no one leaves saying i passed, and just scroll through these threads and you will see how many times people think they bombed and pass by 10-20 points higher then they thought.

FAR-76 First attempt.
AUD-79 First attempt.
REG-79 First attempt.
BEC-79 First attempt.

Done!

BECKERS

[Anonymous]

that is why i started with BEC & AUD first… i knew FAR was gonna seriously demotivate me

this forum is a wonderful resource where people will support you and help answer questions, help study/explain MCQ's if you post them.

you can do it! we can all do it!

[Author]

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