[Anonymous]

These passed couple of days really hit me in the face. One the 14th I got an emailed from NINJA CPA stating that my NINJA MCQ has expired. I bought my 10 point combo a YEAR AGO! Yet, through a year of studying, I have failed FAR and failed AUD, and lost count of how many times I have rescheduled my test date. Made a thread about it on here a bit ago. Ended up extended it until mid may and now it is looking like I will have to reschedule again. Oh and when I started studying a year ago, I weighed 160lbs. Today, I just jumped on the scale for the first time since weighing 160lbs and I am at 188!! How the hell? Thinking I need to pull the plug on this studying and start focusing on my health. I really really want to obtain my CPA. But I somehow forgot how to effectively study ( I am 5 years out of college) I sit down and put in the time to study but I am having extremely difficult time focusing. It is hard to explain. The best I can explain it, is that I sit down to study, fire of a RogerCPA lecture video and then I black out, waking up 3 hours later and I’ve made zero progress. Or taking a day off turns into 3 days off. These topics are not hard. I am not struggling with that. I am struggling with time, focus and structure. I guess I get distracted very easily. But my biggest distraction is ME. I am lost. How can a year have passed and I’ve gained nothing. It is one thing if a year has gone and I’ve failed all 4 topics. But, a year has gone and majority of it is filled with me rescheduling the exam.

[Spartans92]

I am sorry to hear about your experience. But seriously reevaluate why you want to do this? Are you trying to prove something? Do you like the field? etc. I can also say I have trouble focusing. I find myself taking way too many breaks after several MCQ. Before I know it an hour passed and not too much progress has been made. But one way that has helped me focus is listening to motivational speeches while working the MCQ. I find this to be the most effective way of studying for me. Whenever I want to take a “short break” the video will remind me why I should continue and not stop. Not sure if it works but give it a try.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnIx1ktNNGs

I think you really need to buckle down and tell yourself how much time and money you have wasted! Pick a date and stick with it. Pass or Fail you know what to expect and target those weak areas next time around. Also, try wake up early in the morning go for a jog or something I find exercising helps get me into the mindset as well. Good Luck!! DO NOT QUIT.

BEC- PASS

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the response. I don't need to reevaluate why I am doing this. I know why I am doing this and I am motivated to do that. So, that is not the issue. I am struggling at taking that motivating and making it a reality.

My NINJA mcq expired and I don't have the money to re-new. And my RogerCPA will be expiring in 5-6 months. Unless I use my outdated NINJA 10 point combo, I need to pass everything in 6 months before my RogerCPA expires.

[Spartans92]

Are you currently working? Any sources of income?

BEC- PASS

[Anonymous]

I work full time.

[Claudia408]

CR7MU, you say you are motivated, but the fact you continue to reschedule says otherwise. and you also already know what your biggest problem is, you said it's you… one day off turns into 3…so… it's all on you to really put in the time.

BEC - 75 (3x)
AUD - 78 (3x)
REG - 67, 66, Aug 1
FAR - 54, Sept 8

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the response Claudia. I agree it is on me. Doesn't mean that realizing it is on me automatically solves everything. Also, me rescheduling has nothing to do with motivation. Me rescheduling has to do with being prepared to pass the test.

[1koolcat]

CR7MU, do not beat yourself up. This sh*t is HARD. This sh*t is DULL. Yes, there are people who need very little time to study because they learned AND retained so much in college. There are people who pass all 4 exams on the first try. There are people who get scores in the 90's. There are people who get great internships and Big 4 offers. But that's the exception, not the norm. I graduated from high school in 1986. I graduated from college in 1995 with a science degree. I started my accounting degree in 2007 and finished in Dec 2012. I started Becker classes in Jan 2013. I signed up to take 4 courses Jan-June. I had to reschedule and I finished Becker classes in December. I didn't take any exams. Becker expired. I signed up for another round of Becker. I scheduled and rescheduled every exam except for BEC, which I took yesterday. I failed REG once, I failed FAR twice. I've gained weight and felt like I have accomplished very little. Don't give up. I WILL get through this. You will too. Then we can get good jobs, join nice gyms, and take spa vacations. Hang in there! Be kind to yourself. We just need to get a 75.

AUD - 77
REG - 73, 80
FAR - 69, 73, 79 and DONE!
BEC - 82

[Anonymous]

Thanks Koolcat. I don't want to give up. I really want this. I am just struggling at finding structure, energy and focus. But, now that NINJA expired, I just have RogerCPA lecture videos and multiple choice. It expires in October. so, I will give it my best until then and after that, maybe I will have enough my saved up to drop another grand or two on another program. But now I have to add an extra challenge. I must start hitting the gym every day and also set aside time every day where I can prepare healthy meals rather than grabbing a quick bite and a fast food place.

[Spartans92]

CR7MU, I don't know your work schedule but try setting a strict (military like) schedule for yourself and have some enforces, whether it be a friend or family member. If you don't follow…punishment! Hopefully, that will help you with the motivation and physically study. That may sound dumb but do whatever works I guess. Best of luck! Look forward to hearing positive news from you.

BEC- PASS

[Martin]

CR7MU, If you have not been able to concentrate on your studies without going to the Gym for a whole year, how on earth are you going to find time study now that you are going to start hitting the gym? My only advice to you is to get the promodoro application for your phone and start studying every day. You can run on the weekends, but between work and the gym, you just not going to have time to study. You are not one of the very few that can pass this exam in 6 to 9 months, so You need to hit this at least 3 hours per day and 16 to 18 on the weekend. If you are having a hard time remembering the material, start working on flash cards. I would also change the username, I had it before and it brought me bad luck:)

https://pomodorotechnique.com/

My current promodoro time is 50 minutes, and I do around 11 per day as I'm not currently working. When I was working, I was doing around 4 per day. You dont want to take this exam after the 2017 changes.

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

[Martin]

1koolcat, any tips on how to go from 73 to 80 on REG? I rather get tips from people who have struggled than from individuals who have been able to complete this exams in 6 months.

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

[Missy]

Treat studying for the exams like paid employment. Seriously. You'd never have the nerve to tell your boss that you just blacked out at work for three hours every day so it doesn't fly here. You go to work when you're not in the mood, and you'd never let one day off from your job just turn into three without an exceptional reason. If you're able to function at a full time job there's nothing stopping you from passing these exams, even if you have to take some more than once. This exam is nothing more than a test of persistence, if you dig your heels in and stop giving it power over you you'll finish

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

[1koolcat]

Martin,

When I came home from the first REG, I wrote down a few of the questions (that I could remember) that gave me trouble. Naturally, NONE of those topics were on my second exam. I got a completely different exam. But I knew there were areas where I was weak and I studied those, like the corporate stuff, M-1 reconciliations. I really think it was more luck of the draw. On the second test, I got questions and SIMs on topics where I was stronger. Same thing happened on my second FAR exam. Completely different set of questions. I am starting to re-study for my third FAR attempt and I'm going to focus on Becker F2, because that is the worst chapter for me and I know I am weak in those areas.

AUD - 77
REG - 73, 80
FAR - 69, 73, 79 and DONE!
BEC - 82

[1koolcat]

CR7MU,

I agree with Martin on the pomodoro. The pomodoro will help push you and stay at your desk. Normally, I'll sit down with the intention of making it through one module, and before I know it, I'm on youtube watching videos, playing Plants vs. Zombies, or re-arranging cookbooks. Pomodoro keeps you focused on completing a task. Basically, it's just a timer. You decide how long to set it and you decide how long your breaks are. I don't have a smartphone, but you can get pomodoro on your computer too. Or use the timer on your microwave.

AUD - 77
REG - 73, 80
FAR - 69, 73, 79 and DONE!
BEC - 82

[1koolcat]

CR7MU,

When you say you are blacking out, I know you don't mean like an alcoholic blacks out. I think you are zoning out. Like you can sit there and study for 3 hours and come away with nothing sinking in. And when you go back the next day, not only do you not retain any of it, you don't even remember seeing any of it. I totally get that. And that's how I was in the Becker face-to face classes. I sat there every Saturday, for 8 hours and it was a total blur. I think what helps is if I pretend I have to teach or explain this to someone else. If you can explain some of these topics, then I think it might help you retain some of the knowledge. Take advantage of the free stuff too–old college textbooks, youtube videos. Sometimes you just need somebody to explain something in a different way to get it.

AUD - 77
REG - 73, 80
FAR - 69, 73, 79 and DONE!
BEC - 82

[Author]

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