[Danielle]

I passed AUD at the end of 2015. Passed BEC at the beginning of 2016. Then, one of my classes started kicking my butt while in grad school. So, I stupidly decided to take a break on studying for FAR. That break lasted the entire semester. Then, I started a new, long-distance relationship at the beginning on that summer. And I put my time into that and enjoying my break before I started work. So, I essentially didn’t study from February of 2016 until November of 2016. That was one month after I started work. I figured it would be a perfect time to pick FAR back up. Well, then Thanksgiving and Christmas came. Then busy season. So, I essentially had every excuse under the sun to not study. Now, I took both FAR and REG in the last month (because my NTS was expiring anyways, so why not). I highly doubt that I passed. I hadn’t fully studied for either of them. Also, my AUD score expires tomorrow. Then BEC expires in July. My Becker that I was using has already expired. THEN, on top of it all, I just recently found out that I’m expecting a child. Completely unplanned. Not at all ready. So, any suggestions/motivation at this point would be greatly appreciated! 🙂

[Danielle]

Okay, but seriously. Someone help me here.

[RockLobster]

First of all congratulations on expecting! I will say there are people on here in a much more difficult situation than you. Sounds to me like you have made your fair share of excuses in the past (taking breaks that lasted longer than intended, breaks during busy season, putting time into a relationship, etc). To finish these exams as quick as possible, you need to make them a priority. Even during busy season/finishing school, I was studying for these exams. I have a girlfriend myself, and it can be hard for her sometimes because I would see her once a week or so (despite being in the same city) while studying. But ultimately your significant other should understand (which she did) that you NEED to do this.

[Trele6]

To get through all four exams it requires dedication and sacrifice. I didn't hang out with friends, go out to the movies etc at all for basically 12 months. However, I passed and now I can resume my life with the letters CPA after my name.

If you want to date, go out, see family, etc. Good luck. Some people might be able to do all of that and still pass but I imagine it is a small percentage. If that's not you, you have to make the sacrifice to want to be a CPA.

First go at the CPA! Only using Becker
Reg / Nov 2015 - 87
Far / Apr 2016 - 79
Bec / May 2016 - 80
Aud / Aug 2016

[Missy]

Consider the two passes a sunk cost and come back when you REALLY have the fire in you to do it no matter what life throws at you. I have to tell you unless something drastic has changed in your desire to become a CPA being pregnant and working full time is exponentially more draining than anything else you put this exam aside for.

Not saying you CAN'T pass all four (unfortunately I don't see any path to keeping your passed scores unless you passed the two you just took) but I'm just not sensing the determination it will take.

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

[Anonymous]

MRS Degree > CPA Certification

[Danielle]

Thank you all for the blunt words. It's been much needed for me, honestly!!! Also, to Berre22, I'm definitely the breadwinner in my relationship. By a long shot. He doesn't even have a degree. He's more of a handy man. Which I love about him, don't get me wrong. But, with that being said, MRS Degree isn't really in the books for me. Hahaha.

[Anonymous]

Alright alright, fair enough. More constructive answer. I think it all comes down to if being a CPA is something you really want. If it is something you really want you will find a way. I have a daughter and another on the way, I started big 4 hours and moved half way across the country twice while studying for these exams. I get up early, stay up late, study during naps times, whatever it takes. It's not easy for me and it won't be for you, but if it's something you want you can do it!

[Affekerl]

Wow. As I was reading, I thought, “We are in exactly the same boat”. Or at least up til the, “I'm pregnant” part…

I took FAR and REG in Q2, AUD expired yesterday if I didn't pass, and BEC would have expired in July, except for the fact the fact that Oregon extended it to December. Check with your state board on that. According to this, “NASBA's National Candidate Database is designed to prohibit expiration of conditional credits until advisory scores are received if candidates take the Examination prior to the date of their score expiration. In June and July, NASBA will notify state boards of all candidates testing in Q2 2017 with existing conditional credit who will be impacted by the score hold. The state boards will consider extending a candidate's conditional credit. Extensions of credit are handled on an individual case-by-case basis. State boards will notify candidates if an extension is granted.”

AUD: 81 (10/30/15)
BEC: 80 (01/19/16)
REG: XX (05/XX/16)
FAR: XX (07/XX/16)

[Affekerl]

Also, I tend to disagree with most of the blunt words. Life happens, and if you're like me, you've beat yourself up plenty over what you could have done better. It does make sense to reevaluate and see how you can best move forward, but like mia said, consider what happened in the past a sunk cost. Depending on your due date or if you do get an extension on BEC, you have 7 months to study for and pass 3 exams, assuming you failed both REG and FAR. That's more than enough time to study well and take each one once.

I'm going to squeeze in AUD in the Q3 window, but only after the score release. Then study for FAR, sit in early October. Study for REG, sit in early November.

I can't tell from experience how much harder studying while being pregnant will be. But studying when you have a kid is definitely not easy.

AUD: 81 (10/30/15)
BEC: 80 (01/19/16)
REG: XX (05/XX/16)
FAR: XX (07/XX/16)

[CPAwannab]

@Affekerl let me tell you that studying while pregnant is a totally different beast. I was studying during my both pregnancies and both times i had to drop the classes. It is soooo hard, I was falling asleep basically everywhere including school and work. Your body uses extra energy to produce tiny human in your body and it is exhausting.
I would probably put studying on hold until the little one arrives, and I am keeping my fingers crossed that he/she sleeps well for you:)
I am just starting my CPA journey with two kids and a full time job, but I feel it's way easier than when I was pregnant. Good luck and congrats

[Author]

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