[Topo30]

Good Day All,

I have not posted any thoughts on this thread for quite sometime now. That said, the last thread was about how sick and tired I was in regards to failing AUD for the fourth time!

I have not abandoned the entire exam, but rather got Medieval on it’s a$$. In other words, I became ‘Mad/Angry’ and decided to take on three sections at a time, that’s right three! FAR, AUD and REG. While raising a son and working full-time.

I have implemented this strategy for about 1.5 months now, and I just do not have a desire to even do a single MCQ or open a single book! I am simply disgusted even thinking about the material for any given section.

Now some of you may make a comment such as: ‘You’re crazy’ or ‘You’re setting yourself up for failure’…… That may be the case, but what fueled the fire was my son. He’s the reason why I continue to push through and setting an example of defeating adversity and accomplishing a goal!

All that being said, I may be experiencing what is called burnt out? Should I just focus on one section at a time until I pass? Because frankly, I am sick of AUD and thought that by studying FAR it would help with AUD.

Thank you for your thoughts.

AUD-FAILED X5
FAR-FAILED X1
BEC-FAILED
REG-FAILED

[mla1169]

I would definately just do one at a time. Be MAD, make this exam your puppet but work smart and don't spin your wheels. Remember your son is watching you so tackle this in the way you want him to tackle challenges!

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Jsmith87]

I wouldn't recommend that. I don't think anyone would recommend studying for 3 sections at a time. When do you plan on taking these exams?

[Anonymous]

Just remember that the sections of the CPA exam don't care what you're doing, how many you are taking at once, or any other excuses. That section only cares about how well you do on that single section.

If you feel that it's beneficial for you to study 3 at a time, then go for it. If it is more beneficial for you to study one at a time, then do that. Study smartly, don't take your frustration out on three exams, pay for them, and lose your money by failing.

If you are mad at one section, take your vengeance out on it, not on the exam as a whole.

Good luck, whatever you decide!

[Tncincy]

Far in my opinion is the worse one….try studying it with two others :-/..??? I know how you feel though, just want to get it over with. I am currently studying for Far and Reg, only because my nts will expire 8/15 so I am going to go down swinging.

Is it a good idea? not really, because it is so much to take in with the anxiety and everyday life. I don't have small children anymore…yay…but studying is no easier because life is what it is. If I am lucky enough to pass one I'll take it, but I am going for it for the sake of not quitting. You know what you know, you know what materials and time you have so just be realistic because failing feel the same way, one time or three times….it hurts and it brings self-doubt and questions of self worth.

Good luck……

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader.....time to pass

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[katerina2665]

in my experience, i took all 4 exams in 1 window, passed 3, failed AUD, but let me tell you. i dnt have any kids and i was staying at home for months studying non-stop and it was hell to say the least. by the time i took AUD i was so exhausted i think i started to have depression (no kiddin'), lost weight, had insomnia, and had a feeling like i was PMSing two weeks straight. This drains your powers and i just feel like it was not worth it, if i would do it ever again (yeah, more like, never again), i would probably would split like 2 exams in a window (but again, i dnt work and dnt have kids).

verdict: doing more than 1 exam in 1 window is definitely doable, if you willing to sacrifice everything in those months, including your health and good mood

NYS CPA since December, 2016

[mla1169]

Tell us about your study habits? I see you've been at this 2 years and taken AUD four times. Are you studying for 6 months between each exam or do you go in spurts where you get frustrated and walk away for several months then go back to it? It's not concerning (to me) that you've failed AUD four times-plenty of people take a half dozen tries to nail a section. But 4 sittings during the course of 8 test windows makes me wonder where your commitment level is exactly especially now that you're trying to study 3 at once. Consistency is EVERYTHING in relation to this process.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Topo30]

All,

I am grateful for each of your opinions! I would like to give you the big picture of how my journey has been for the past 2 years. Before I do, I would like to add the sudden departure of a colleague has added more duties on top of my regular duties AND we have our fiscal YE audit in September. Oh boy!

mla1169, yes I have been at this for two years. My journey started in 2011. I purchased the Becker review as an out-of-pocket expenses, at the time the economy was still in shambles and I was working in retail with an accounting degree. SMH.

The material came in the mail in a cardboard box and I was excited. I decided to take on audit since it was my second favorite class in College. I would view the videos, make the notes in the book, per their instruction and then do the MCQs for that section. I studied for like 6 weeks. So, I took the exam and scored a 60. What?!

Early in 2011, my father suddenly past and I lost ALL motivation to study for about 4 months. I decided to pursue the exam again in mid 2011. Did the same as above, but this time I omitted the videos and just read the book and did MCQs. Scored a 65. WTH, I hate this process, what am I doing wrong! These were the thoughts running through my head.

OK it was 2012 and I was still using the 2011 material for audit. Did the same as usual, but this time I looked at my weak areas per the performance report ……scored a 66. C'mon!! 1 point improvement for all the time and effort I put in!!! Bu now my stupid Becker license expired and there were changes being made to the auditing standards. So I was told.

Luckily in 2012 I landed my first staff accounting role after two years of seeking work in my chosen profession. I was blessed that they pick up the tab for the Becker 2013/2014 material. But this time I only focused on MCQs, per my supervisor instruction. She said not to bother with reading just pound out as many MCQ as possible, I was nauseated toward the end…..scored a 69. Studied for like 8 weeks this time and focused on weaker areas too.

I find myself with the 2013/2014 material expiring again! As this was the case in 2011. Hence, this is why I wanted to take on three sections.

Please believe that I do put in ‘the time', study my butt off, miss going out with friends and especially having to make up for my son's outings. I don't know what I am doing wrong. I do try to learn instead of memorizing, which I hate.

To recap, AUD scores were 60, 65, 66, 69, respectively.

Again, thank you all!

AUD-FAILED X5
FAR-FAILED X1
BEC-FAILED
REG-FAILED

[Long-walk]

Hey there Man!

Let me talk to you quick and fast:

The only way to succeed your AUD exam is by imagining yourself as a managing partner of your OWN PRACTICE. OK? Imagine that “one day” has come to you (Just like Chris Gardner had that day in the Pursuit of Happyness”) and that You now need to put all your integrity and objectivity and capacity to service a nice neighborhood client.”

So, that nice day could only be reached by your imagining it now. Chris has seen his dad by age 28, good that you have been with your dad all your life and now thank Him you are here in this blog with thousands of determined people around you. Remember miracle never comes overnight, every short term pain has its long term gain. Get some minimal time for your little one too. That should be a nice brake too.

And a little poem for punctuality :))

Patience pays the price,

Completeness is nice,

As cold as an ice,

Audit here ties.

Work it out nice,

Work it out nice.

GOOD LUCK!

FAR Scheduled 10/01/2014
AUD Scheduled 10/02/2014

[mla1169]

What made the difference for me with AUD which was my last exam was the Ninja notes. I copied them word for word, 10 pages per day. In 30 days time, I had rewritten the ninja notes 3 times. I was also doing 100 MCQ's per day. Every single day. During that time I didn't miss out on anything at all (well maybe sacrificed some sleep) but made it to every Girl Scout meeting and cheer practice.

I think your biggest problem is continuing to use Becker if it isn't working for you. It's a greet review but by no means the best for everybody. There are plenty of samples on the main A71 site and if you take a look you might find a different one that seems to click better with how you learn. If you need a break from AUD, try another section and come back to it. It's lucky for you that you're not facing losing another section while hammering away at AUD.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Kimboroni]

Are you doing a thorough review of all of the chapters before you go sit for the exam? If you're just going through the chapters and not reviewing, we tend to forget everything from the early chapters.

You can also try applying the NINJA method, but using the Becker materials since you already have them.

AUD 84 (1/9/14-Wiley books/TB + free materials)
FAR 83 (5/21/14-the above + NINJA 10 Pt Combo Lite)
REG 84 (7/9/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC/Notes)
BEC 76 (10/5/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC)

Disclaimer: My ninja avatar is not meant to imply that I have any affiliation with this site other than being a forum member. That's a pic of a T-shirt that my daughter gave me for my birthday. 🙂

[OnmywaytoaCPA2727]

It might benefit you to start with FAR. A lot of the material in audit makes more sense with a knowledge of how the client accounts for things which is exactly what FAR focuses on. I would definitely be struggling right now in my audit material had I not already learned the material in FAR. However, people pass audit all the time without taking FAR first. You might also benefit from taking a break from audit and coming back to it later. Good luck!!

FAR: 7/1/14 (waiting for my score is torture!!)
AUD: 7/27/14
BEC: 8/30/14
REG: TBD

[Author]

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