[Karrie]

I was just wondering if anyone else has had these same feelings. I wish I hadn’t told so many people that I was taking the CPA exam. It’s not that they are unsupportive, they are just almost… too supportive? I enjoyed the support in the beginning, but it’s been a long process for me and now I’m getting so tired of answering alllll the questions from so many friends/family/coworkers.

I can’t really be mad because they aren’t doing anything wrong, but it’s just hard to express to them that I don’t want to talk about it or be asked about it (but I’ve tried). It’s getting to the point where I try to avoid the topic altogether because even if I just mention that I studied over the weekend, it goes into the list of questions:

“oh yeah, how’s studying going?”
“when is your next test?”
“how many parts are there again…?”
“what section are you studying for now?”
“when do you get your scores back?”
“you have to wait THAT LONG for your scores?!! That’s crazy!”
“when I took the [whatever stupid easy exam], I got my score the next week!”
“oh, you got a 74? Can’t they just round it to a 75?!” (ugh)

And the list goes on… Is it just me? Maybe I’d feel differently if I’d passed them on the first try, but no such luck haha

[Wanna_B_TXCPA2014]

Ive just stopped talking about it. No matter how you try and explain they don't understand. Its like how your life changes when you have kids. We had friends that would give us “advice” all the time on how we could get more things done. Fast fwd 3yrs and they have a 2yr old and 3 month old and they can barely say hello.

[Anonymous]

When I fail – I know I fail. People close in my life – parents, siblings and GF really the only ones who kind of understand the time I have put into studying. When I tell them I failed and need to start thinking about a retake (I've been correct in saying I failed every single time) they tell me “who knows maybe you will get lucky!” This test shows no mercy! Also, I always translate that to them telling me that if I pass and when I pass all 4 parts it will be due to luck. If you are prepared, and put the time/effort into studying, you will pass. I feel like it undermines my hardwork by attributing passing scores to anything other than hard work and focus.

Maybe this is petty, but with the time and effort I have put into this thing I want to scream when I'm told I was 1 ounce lucky, because based on my track record, there hasn't been any luck!

[TX LECPA]

I agree with all of this! But the one good thing is when a CPA or a CPA candidate is asking because they don't (usually) ask the super silly ones. They have an understanding….But I hear you!

FAR - 64,71,64,71,75!!!!
REG - 64,63,65,68, July
BEC - 69,74, July
AUD - 53, June 8th

[Anonymous]

@Karrie – YES! People will say things like, just one more section to go! And I don't know that I only have one more section until I get my score. What I tell people that seems to work pretty well is that I've put it behind me and I'm not even going to think about it anymore. When they understand that I'm trying not to think about it so I can focus on the section I'm studying for, it tends to keep them quiet.

Also, I do tell people what the score release day is, but I also tell them not to ask me about it. If I come in excited saying I passed, we can celebrate. If I come in and don't say a word, they know what happened and to leave me alone to grieve 🙂

[ellejay]

I have a similar situation but I have stopped talking so much about it. I don't even tell people (except people who need to know, like my husband) when I am testing. It creates so much more pressure than I really need to deal with when people know.

My problem is none of my family or friends have any clue about the accounting world. My mother-in-law asked me the day I graduated “so you're a CPA now!” and I had to correct her and say I have a lot more to do. Most people ask me why I haven't become a CPA yet (it hasn't even been a year since I graduated) and I have to explain to them that there's a test, and it's a really hard test, and then there's experience, blah blah blah. I feel like most people don't understand how difficult this exam is, they don't even understand it's 4 parts, and how long each part is, etc. It puts even more pressure on me to do well.

Also my boss passed her CPA within 3 months, she passed all parts. She passed on the first try each time and said she barely even studied. I don't plan to tell her at all about my testing because it makes me feel weak. I just don't talk about it. I'm bad at testing and I suspect I'll fail a few sections, maybe even multiple times. It's something I'm preparing myself to deal with (the failure). I might mention the test but I don't tell her when I'm testing or studying. I don't really plan to talk about it much until after I get my license, or at least pass all the sections.

[kdawg22]

Here is a pretty repetitive conversation I have had with multiple people since taking the last part. “Why are you still studying? aren't you just waiting for your results.” I explain how if I find out that I failed there is only 2 weeks left in the 3rd qtr. for a retake and there probably will not be any seats available at prometric by that time. “Oh well when does your first part expire.” I tell them in March 2018. “Why are you stressing that is over 5 months. You have plenty of time. I am sure you will pass by then.”

[Author]

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