[HoosierCPA]

First off sorry in advance for the scattered thoughts in this post. I came to the internet searching for some “pick me up” after a 2nd failed REG exam. It didn’t take me long to find this community of future cpa’s. While I have noticed for many of you this has been a long journey I started studying last August. Originally I wanted to get the CMA certification, which I’ll be the first to admit I wanted to go that path because I thought it would be an easy certification I could slap on my resume and make myself more marketable. After 2 failed attempts at the CMA (by a combined 4 points) my friend convinced me to drop all the progress I had made and start the long journey to the CPA. All was going well, studying was great I passed FAR first try in November with a 78 (and had my first child in November as well!)…then the new year came and so did REG! I have now taken REG twice–72, 74. So a total of 5 tests between the CMA and CPA and all I have to show for it is 1 passed exam! Talk about feeling defeated! My study schedule is fairly strict I shoot for 2 hours a day on the week days and 4 on each day on the weekends for a roughly 16-18 hours a week. I am scheduled to take BEC at the end of this month.

I’m not sure what I’m really trying to accomplish from this post other then to seek encouragement and see how other people approach their failed exams. It’s hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel!

FAR - 78
REG - 72,74,71...please just go away REG nobody likes you!
BEC - 82
AUD - Aug 16

[Crunchtime]

I know how it feels to study with a new born, I have a 12 year old and our second came last October. My wife is also in her MBT program, so time is at a premium. 16-18 hours isn't bad at all, you would like 25 hours a week but hey if this is all you got it can work. There isn't a proven schedule or method to pass besides hard work, if you can stay consistent you will pass the tests, good luck and keep going.

AUD-77
BEC-70,73,68,74 SH##!!!!!, 80
REG-73,76
FAR -74,82

Ethics here I come!!

[HoosierCPA]

Having a newborn definitely presents challenges! The silver lining in it all is I'm tied down to the house–there are no more weekend trips being planned so it forces me to study.

Thanks for your support! It's frustrating but I have to move on!

FAR - 78
REG - 72,74,71...please just go away REG nobody likes you!
BEC - 82
AUD - Aug 16

[Missy]

Also be a bit more creative than the average test taker lol. When I was taking the exam I was working f/t, in school for my masters, 2 teenagers, etc. I fell asleep listening to audio all night (subliminal messages maybe), listened at work instead of a radio, had it on my ipod when I was folding laundry or working in the yard, listened when I was walking the dog. Always had my book with me in case I could squeeze in a few minutes in a doctor or dentist waiting room. But you can listen while you're rocking and feeding baby, you can read right out of a text to baby (not as cool as Dr Seuss but if your child grows up repeating gross margin calculations its not the WORST thing in the world!).

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

[golfball7773]

Since gettting back into the country, I have now shifted my study habits from listening to podcasts to listening to CPA audio and when I waiting somewhere with my phone – instead of FB, I pull up the pdf of NINJA notes. It just a shift in how you look at spare minutes.

FAR: 63, 55, 62
REG: 65, 77*
AUD: Fail, 64, 71
BEC: 72, 74, 81

*expired

[HoosierCPA]

haha MLA that's great. I have had my fair share of nights nodding in and out on consciousness while listening to lecture. I understand the need to constantly study and never take a day off. Based on what some of you are saying I am not sure I go to those extremes but I never take a day off and typically devote my studying to nights (9-11) and mornings and evenings on the weekends for a couple hours a piece.

I will have to look into reading my son some tax literature…maybe he will appreciate casualty losses and phase outs?! Or maybe I can even let him fall asleep to some Peter Olinto at night?! haha

FAR - 78
REG - 72,74,71...please just go away REG nobody likes you!
BEC - 82
AUD - Aug 16

[Author]

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