Florida_Candidate
offlineMember
wow you're studying for the CMA AND CPA??? That's freaking crazy, I admire you! And I'm terrified of REG.. I've never been a tax person. I probably shouldn't have left it for last but i was hoping I'd get some confidence from passing other sections first. We'll see how that strategy works ;)
OH - CPA Hopeful
offlineMember
I think there are a lot of people who fail a section but in their signature only list their passing score. This also makes it look like people pass at a higher rate than they do. Remember the pass rate for any given section is right around 50%. So for every person who passes there was one person who failed. The people who pass are the ones who are more likely to post it. I started following this website shortly after I failed AUD and REG for the second time and was down to two testing windows to pass both sections or lose my credit for BEC and FAR. I couldn't get the nerve up to post that I failed as many sections as I did until I finally passed. I also know what you mean about having to listen to people talk about how they bombed the test, skipped an entire simulation and then still passed with an 85 or higher. I don't know how many times I actually thought I had passed only to find out that I actually failed.
Joey J
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Florida_Candidate, you shouldn't fear REG. It is a LOT of memorizing, and it sounds like you are really good at that. REG is really not that bad at all, I am sure you will ace it. I struggled with a few multiple choice per testlet and parts of the simulation because they looked a bit alien to me (like Potatogun and a few others observed as well). And if you think doing both the CMA and CPA together this year is crazy, then maybe I shouldn't tell you that I also took and passed both Levels 1 &2 of the FRM (risk management), CFA Level 2, and these CPA and CMA endeavors. No, I don't deserve any kudos. It takes a lot of commitment in addition to work, and it has crimped my social life a bit. But, I have plans that transcend just work goals, so these are all very relevant to me. Last year, I completed some supply chain management/operations management certifications (CPIM, CSCP) and valuation credentials (CVA: CPA pass pending). All of this fits strongly into what I have done in my career and going forward plan, so I'll suck it up. Truthfully, I really love it. I have decided to put a lot of other things in personal life on hold (considering my experience with my last girlfriend, that may be a good thing!), so I NEED to get this done this year, otherwise it will be a lot of sacrifice for naught. And I don't want that.
Potatogun, I am using Gleim's complete system for the CMA. I did a lot of due diligence on systems, and I hear that's the best. Plus, they have a flat pass guarantee (not like Becker, whose guarantee is contingent on a few things), which is always a plus. I am WAY behind on studies, but will crank through it this month at nights and on weekends. My first exam is mid-month, and the second one is later this month. I am excited for it. Keep me posted on your CMA pursuits, and I will do the same. I am a BIG fan of the CMA and it's curriculum. It really doesn't get enough reputation and marketing out there.
I had a college proffesor once say, If you passed with more than a seventy five you study to hard. I do not post my scores because I am ashamed, I do not post them because who really cares about the number as long as you passed!!!! If you pass with a 75 your a CPA if you pass with a 95, guess what, your a CPA. If you failed a few times on the way guess what your a CPA.
nolifecpa
offlineMember
@OH - CPA Hopeful - i was thinking the same how people only post the passing scores. i get the most motivation when i see posts from people that took the exam 5+ times and still did not give up and passed. looks like i'm on the same track as you, lol!!
@Joey J - you are a BEAST!!!!!
Joey J
offlineMember
Potatogun, no problem. I wish you the best on your CPA and CMA endeavors, obviously. We all have our own individual goals, and it's great that we can all share on this site without ego, bravado, etc. Not like other sites where everyone is just out to brag, act belligerently, do each other in, be divisive, etc. It's a shame why folks have to act like that. I think it's so cool on this site that people can speak humbly about their goals, scores, testing experiences, etc. Whether someone passes with 90's scoring, or multiple times in the 70's, or not quite passing yet, we all approach it the same way: as colleagues.
NolifeCPA, no, I am not a beast. Just a guy like everyone else on this board that has certain goals (work, academic, etc.). But thanks, lol! And many times on sunny days and weekends when the world is out there playing and I am buried behind a desk all day and night studying, it sure feels that I have "no life". But hey, that's all part of it, no? Makes the time we do have off that much more valuable and precious. There was a guy who posted yesterday that after his exam he went out for sushi, Fat Tire beer and just a day off from studying/working. That's how I feel. Those little moments of rest are just so simple, yet so cherished.
potatogun
offlineMember
I'd rather have goals and tangible (ok well maybe they aren't always physical) strides towards improvement versus no direction or mindless fun. Even in my hobbies and passionate pursuits I have things I want to improve towards or achieve.
So "no life" or "life" is whatever you want to make of it. If bolting down and getting studying done gets you to your goals, I wouldn't consider it to the detriment of your life; rather, you're just seeking to improve it.
shakil127
offlineMember
I need some advise for someone who worked fulltime a 40 hours week office job and used Yaeger home study to pass the FAR. I am a very average student and using yaeger. It is hard to manage time for me sometimes with my fulltime job and MBA classes two night a week. I don't remember a thing that i studied two weeks ago. I would like to know how you manage your time within busy schedule. Also any tips are welcome.
christian2823
offlineMember
Florida Candidate, I failed AUD with a 71. I passed FAR with a 92, but I burned my eyes throughout the process.
I failed AUD because of the following reasons:
I only watched the lectures twice.
I didn't practice any multiple choice question.
I went to the exam with nothing in my head, and still managed to get a 71.
How much time did you studied for AUD?
Florida_Candidate
offlineMember
@ christian2823 - I studied for 4 weeks at least half a day every day (at least 4 hours per day) for AUD... and that sucks I'm sorry :( I can't imagine what it feels like to get a 92 on FAR and then a 71 on AUD. But, hey if you got a 71 with like nothing in your head that's pretty dang awesome! Apparently you won't have to study too much more to get that 75... :D
p.s. the MC's for audit were really important for me because it got me used to the tricky way they word questions sometimes... like you can know the material but sometimes the wording of the question can throw you off...
NYMadMan
offlineMember
I did the CMA and CFM in 2001, I really do not remember if it was hard or not. The only reason why I am doing the CPA is because I was promise the vacant Dir of Finance position if I pass it. I am a controller for a NYC Not for Profit Org. for the pass 6 years.
magic_8_ball_did_i_pass
offlineMember
Well I am one of the ppl that cpawannabe is referring to about sending an email to say that i failed. I have to admit i was pissed because the first time I took BEC, I too, CRIED. Right there in the exam, literally, tears running down my face. I just couldn't believe it. I gave up and just chose an answer because i was sure that i was beyond failing!! I have posted that many times on this site. Well, I got my score and I friggin got a 71. So naturally I was pissed because I felt that if I didnt give up I may have had a chance.
So the second time I took BEC I felt WAAAAAAYYYY more comfortable, I knew those calculations. I also knew i missed some sox stuff but i really felt like i did good only to get a 68. I was dumbfounded because I was smiling throughout the test because I felt like i knew that stuff. Only to get that score, I probably would have posted it here but i was mad and today is my first day back after a long time away from this site.
I took FAR this past sunday and I ran out of time. that is the first time that has ever happened to me for any test. So only time will tell how i did.
AUD hell what do i even say about it...I failed miserably with a 53. I am planning a retake hopefully for Oct 16. I am patiently waiting to see if I will be picked up for the new contract or if I will be laid off. I dont care 1 way or the other because if I am laid off good for me. Then i can study more for aud and bec (for the 3rd time). But it would also be nice to be gainfully employed because i do need cash to survive LOL.
REG --- I passed with an 80 on my first try. I agree about the posting of what your passing score is because it is only a score you passed who cares about the number. I remember back in college a professor told us this....
What do you call a person who finished last in their program studying to become a doctor???? A DOCTOR...your doctor will never tell you hey I finished medical school last in my class. Nope he is still going to charge you the going rate. Same way with Lawyers and eventually the same way with us!! We will eventually become CPA's and I dont plan on placing a note on my door....Hi welcome to Monique's cpa firm by the way I failed bec twice, far and aud once, but passed reg on my first try...guess you better only ask me tax and bus law questions!!
Well good luck to all and remember that sometimes our brains need a rest from all this studying to recouperate. I am on a break right now. But I will pick up AUD again hard and heavy soon!! I am thinking Sunday???
I will say this if Florida Candidate reads this post i would like to ask you some questions can you email me @ moniquehenderson28@gmail.com.
MPoni123
offlineMember
I am gonna play devil's advocate, but I honestly do not think that by passing all 4 parts of the CPA exam on your first try makes you a better accountant. Ya, definitely kudos to you for doing it and I think that is great, but sorry to say some people could just be really good test takers and not know a THING about real world accounting. It is one thing to take these exams and pass...it is QUITE another to work at an accounting firm and actually be in charge of doing the fieldwork for an audit or putting together financial statements or preparing a tax return. The exam is all academic and if you did well in school and had good study habits...you should be able to do it. I did very well in school, but clearly my study habits were horrible and that I really needed to step it up. The exam has taught me a lot about myself.
I have 3 exams officially done so far and did not pass any on my first try. I choose to only put my passing scores in my signature because bottom line...I PASSED. I have NO problem letting people know that I failed BEC multiple times and finally just passed it after switching from Becker to Yaeger. I agree with magic eight ball that at the end of the day...you are a CPA. Nobody gives two $h!ts if you passed all 4 on the first try. I feel like this website is geared towards candidates who struggle...just like Jeff did (hence "another71"). Again, I am not knocking anybody for passing on the first try...but your story is boring! :) I wanna hear about heartache, sacrifice, struggle and finally...triumph!! THAT is motivating and encouraging and the REAL WORLD. Of course we are all "sacrificing" but some more than others. I definitely agree with financeguy that you need a balance in your life.
That is my two cents :)
MPoni123
offlineMember
So basically - KEEP AT IT. You know why only 50% of candidates pass right? People GIVE UP. Yes of course, some people just aren't cut out for it and the AICPA has to weed those people out - it's life. It's what makes lawyers, doctors, CPAs "professionals"...not everybody can be one because it devalues what it stands for.
Keep pushing!!
NJCPA2B
offlineMember
I would have preferred to pass all 4 parts on my first try.....but in reality, I struggled to pass and didn't give up even after failing REG and AUD 2x back to back....I don't know how I passed FAR and BEC on the first try; I think luck has a big part to play with these exams......
Anna
offlineMember
Florida_Candidate, I know exactly what you are talking about - I think I'm guilty of writing one of those annoying "Guessed two teslests and left sims blank (except for the written part) and passed FARE" posts.
I think, in this case (besides preparation), half of it was indeed test taking skills - educated guesses as you said. The other half - luck. Because I do believe that the exam is curved/ compared to other candidates taking it that day with you...
Anyways, it took me three attempts to take REG, so I know how it feels not to pass.
I wish everyone lots of motivation and energy to keep trying and passing.
NJCPA2B
offlineMember
A junior accoutant in my firm passed the 4 exams last year and scored a 99 in REG, however, he struggled to actually prepare a complex 1120S (many schedules) for a client, he kept on coming to me with questions and help.......
You could be a great test taker, but it doesn't mean you have experience and really know how to actually do the work of an Accountant/CPA....it takes time to gain experience!
financeguy
offlineMember
One of the things I have posted about several times when it comes to the FAR exam and so many people saying they had to guess a lot, and felt like they failed yet still passed, etc. I am definitely one of those people. However, this is how I looked at it:
I knew how much time and effort I put into studying the thing. It is one thing to not prepare for an exam and going into it and guessing on half of it (I did that plenty in college). In those cases, I was not surprised that I had to guess, as I had not prepared. However, after prepping so much for FAR, I knew that it had to be that extremely difficult for >90% of the people taking the exam. FAR is a ton of material and I think you need the right mindset preparing for these exams and going into them. Some people seem as if they are trying to nail everything down, which I think is a mistake. I have gone into EVERY exam shooting for a 75. 99 never crosses my mind. I absolutely hate studying, and the joy of a 99 would never outweigh my hatred for studying, and so I shoot for the lowest possible passing grade. It is an opportunity cost thing. I know, when studying that I am not going to know everything. There is some things for each exam that I damn near flat out skip. Don't get too caught up on everything. If you spend 20 hours alone just studying pensions...that just simply is not worth it. You can't do that. You need to allocate your time appropriately and take what you can get. Recgonize and realize your strengths and weaknesses. On the exam when I come accross a question that I know is my weak area...I don't mess around...I narrow it down as quickly as possible and make an educated guess. I don't sit there and worry about missing a question. I know damn well that I am going to miss questions, and that is totally fine with me, because I know that it is 100% possible to pass when you miss several questions.
CPAWannaBe
offlineMember
WOW! I didn't expect such a response to this post. There are so many valid points on here. I totally agree that to pass this thing requires not only hard work, but a perfect alignment of the stars. I guessed a lot on REG and cried when I left yet amazingly, I passed it. Luck has a part in this.
My main point was to let people know that this forum is for everyone, no matter what your score. For a while there I thought I was the only one posting that wasn't a member of Mensa. The numbers are not important, passing is. There is a wonderful network of support on here and we are all anonymous so post whatever you feel. Had it not been for this forum, I would have given up by now. Don't give up!
AU1222
offlineMember
For the most part, I agree with what previous posters have said. Not only is the exam itself difficult, but the process seems to be designed to test your perseverance and patience. I compare it to sorority rush--mind games are played to specifically weed out who has the mental fortitude, and I think it sucks. We ALL have the *experience* of this process in common and, I would think, come here for the support that only someone who has lived/is living through it could provide. My heart aches for those who have put so much time into preparing for a section to not pass...CPAWannaBe, I was rooting so hard for you last time because I know how tough it is to get through this, let alone with kids and a family. This exam has been THE most difficult thing I have ever faced, which is saying A LOT considering that I have had two kids and cancer, and I am thankful there is a place I can come for support.
I do, however, want to offer a counterpoint to the "you studied x number of points too hard" as a general argument. The fact is, we are supposed to go into each section with ZERO knowledge of the exam other than the content outline, and I approach each exam accordingly. Does that mean I read every.single.page of the Becker book or watch those clowns over and over again? No. But, the element of surprise does force me to remain diligent and make sure I'm as prepared as I can be for each section while still maintaining my sanity. I do have to make some tough choices with my time, but I don't sacrifice everything for this test. I have two little boys and work full-time and would NEVER think to study any more than the absolute minimum that *I* felt was necessary to pass. If there were a magic number of hours to assure a 75, you can bet your ass that's all I would study. My rambling point being that, while I'm sure there are some people who DO study for CPA domination, just because someone has performed well doesn't mean that he/she "overstudied" or is trying to one-up the next person.
Florida_Candidate
offlineMember
I love all you guys........... seriously. Hearing everyone else's points just makes me realize what a wonderful community this is, no matter how difference our opinions we're all just here to support each other and you can totally see that in this thread. Seriously this is the only place I can go that understand the stress I'm going through :(
Keep up the amazing work guys!
MPoni123
offlineMember
Florida_Candidate - did you change your 91 score on FAR to "PASS??" If so, why?! You should be proud of your score...I think the whole "I guessed through most of the exam and didn't finish the SIMs and still passed" line is what upsets some of the candidates just because I think it gives others false expectations! lol :)
Anyway, rock the 91!!
NYcpaKGB
offlineMember
I have to say I am new to this forum and it is the most encouraging thing to read all the posts from everyone. None of my friends are going for their CPA, heck - barely any actually graduated college to be honest. They do not know the time and dedication it takes to actually become a CPA - or what it means to pass this test. Sure, some of them wish me good luck, but when test day comes they have no idea the anxiety and preparation that went into my 3-4 hours of exam time. To find a website like this where people are all on the same track towards a common goal is very inspiring. Whether or not you pass or fail on your first, second, third, etc. time there are others just like you on this website. I took FAR in July and REG in August - when I found out my FAR score of a 78 at 12:10am and woke my father up to tell him the good news his response was, wow you JUST passed how cone you couldn't score higher? I'm thinking in my head of course, "just passed? I got a 78! that left me with a 75, 76, 77, and 78! I did not 'just pass' I PASSED." The numbers do not matter, the number of times you tested do not matter - the only thing that matters is if you keep trying and putting in your best effort. I tried my hardest and if my hardest was only a 78, that's the best I could have done. I studied for hours upon hours and devoted my entire summer to the two parts of the CPA. That was the best I could do. So to everyone out there do not feel discouraged or let down by the exam - feel inspired and remember what your goal is. I promise there will be a light at the end of the (long or short for some) tunnel.
CPAWannaBe
offlineMember
NYcpaKGB,
A 78 would be perfection to me.
Florida_Candidate,
If I got a 91, I would have it tattooed on my butt. Put that score back up here!
AU1222,
If I got a 97, I would put it on my face!
financeguy
offlineMember
One thing I would just like to add, that while passing all of the exam on the first try is definitely a great accomplishment, I think it is very admirable for those who fail multiple times and continue on and pass the exam.
I think continuing to study and not give up really showcases a lot of great qualities in a person, such as persistence, ambition, work ethic, etc.
I think a majority of people give up on most everything in life when they don't succeed the first time, or they have very big obstacles to overcome. I read a lot about very successful people, and one thing in common w/ all of them is that they failed many, many times at things in life. What really separates them from many others is the will to succeed and not give up.
yankeeaccountant
offlineMember
Allyson,
Thanks for the bump...I just took the last 20 minutes or so to read the whole thread. Alot of great advice and alot I could totally emphathize with. All in all a good read.
Glad I read this before the day started, it was like getting an adjustment at the chiropractor!
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