[Brittney]

So unfortunately, I just took FAR for the third time, and yet again came so close to passing but not quite.

First off, one thing you must know about me that I don’t like letting other people down, but most of all I don’t like letting myself down. And right now it has been almost a year and a half testing and taking so many exams that I don’t even want to count how many. Every time I take a new exam, my family is supportive and encouraging, but they always say things along these lines “well you have studied for this one for so long” “you must have it down by now so you will pass” “you will definitely pass this time” and so it just makes me feel so horrible having to say that I didn’t pass, yet again. And it is incredibly frustrating and I feel like my family doesn’t understand (oh and it definitely doesn’t help that my father is a managing partner at another firm, so he is in the CPA business).

FAR is my last exam to get done. I took it last December 2012 and January 2013 (as a bad attempt of a quick turnaround to try to pass again real quickly). So I took busy season off from studying (which is January through July for me) and started to study again and took it this window. Unfortunately, I just got my score back and was so close but it was as we would say “another 71”.

I need help deciding, at this point, do I just tell my family I passed and go on with it and try at it again in January? I am just not sure if I can deal with their reactions of not passing again. Any advice would be helpful, thank you.

BEC - DONE! - 10/12/12
AUD - DONE! - 10/31/12
FAR - Nope, Nope, Nope, Nope... 5th times the charm? 4/6/2014...
REG - DONE! - 8/25/13

[Anonymous]

I think you should tell them. That's what family is for. Love and support. It will only make the celebration all that much better when you do pull it off. And no they don't really understand – they never will – you can't really expect them too. My boss – who has his own firm – and is brilliant – says he could never pass it again. I also worked with a guy who was a cpa and an attorney. He said in his opinion the cpa exam is “far more difficult” than the bar. This exam is beyond explanation. Good luck on your next one. I'm sitting in the bubble on my last one and am slowly losing it.

[Anonymous]

I think you should tell them. That's what family is for. Love and support. It will only make the celebration all that much better when you do pull it off. And no they don't really understand – they never will – you can't really expect them too. My boss – who has his own firm – and is brilliant – says he could never pass it again. I also worked with a guy who was a cpa and an attorney. He said in his opinion the cpa exam is “far more difficult” than the bar. This exam is beyond explanation. Good luck on your next one. I'm sitting in the bubble on my last one and am slowly losing it.

[thehip41]

I decided to not tell my family when Im taking tests. I told them just assume I'm studying, and when I'm done, I'll tell you.

It really is less pressure.

FAR - 83
AUD - 73 92
BEC - 83
REG - 88

Licensed CPA in the state of Michigan

[thehip41]

I decided to not tell my family when Im taking tests. I told them just assume I'm studying, and when I'm done, I'll tell you.

It really is less pressure.

FAR - 83
AUD - 73 92
BEC - 83
REG - 88

Licensed CPA in the state of Michigan

[islandsoulchild]

I am with you, I had to tell my best friend how stressful it is when she constantly asking whether I got my score or giving me the side eye if I decided to take a study day off. As much as they are supportive…many don't understand the courage and commitment pass or fail to sit for one of those exams. Even if you learn that stuff in school its almost like you are teaching yourself over again. For instance I spent 3 days on a topic in FAR because I kept getting this one question wrong….day of exam that topic never showed up. UGH.

Anyways, I don't think you should lie “Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive”, I think the conversation that you need to have with your family is to discuss how it feels when they make those comments even if coming from a good place.

Everyone I talk to regardless of how I felt about the exam always says…I am pretty sure you will pass. Really…thanks for the added pressure…so I just stopped telling them when I take the test…

I think lying will pressure you even more. Don't do it

FAR - 87 (11/3/2013)
BEC - 81 (12/6/2013)
REG - 87 (8/11/2014) Impact of work on my goals...still passed on first try... HAPPY! HAPPY!
AUD - 86 (2/28/2015) (More impact of work arg)

Done! Done! Done! and Done!

"The best way to predict the future is to create it." ~Peter Drucker

[islandsoulchild]

I am with you, I had to tell my best friend how stressful it is when she constantly asking whether I got my score or giving me the side eye if I decided to take a study day off. As much as they are supportive…many don't understand the courage and commitment pass or fail to sit for one of those exams. Even if you learn that stuff in school its almost like you are teaching yourself over again. For instance I spent 3 days on a topic in FAR because I kept getting this one question wrong….day of exam that topic never showed up. UGH.

Anyways, I don't think you should lie “Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive”, I think the conversation that you need to have with your family is to discuss how it feels when they make those comments even if coming from a good place.

Everyone I talk to regardless of how I felt about the exam always says…I am pretty sure you will pass. Really…thanks for the added pressure…so I just stopped telling them when I take the test…

I think lying will pressure you even more. Don't do it

FAR - 87 (11/3/2013)
BEC - 81 (12/6/2013)
REG - 87 (8/11/2014) Impact of work on my goals...still passed on first try... HAPPY! HAPPY!
AUD - 86 (2/28/2015) (More impact of work arg)

Done! Done! Done! and Done!

"The best way to predict the future is to create it." ~Peter Drucker

[LStevens225]

I'm sort of going through the same thing but with my sister in law. I told my mom my score which was lower than I thought. I received a 60 but expected a 68. So I was pretty disappointed. Everyone I told I was studying same the EXACT same thing your family said. “You've studied so much! I'm sure you did fine. Blah blah blah” But I knew that it would be much more difficult than that. And I started to believe them. Well my sister in law has always been in competition with me. When we got engaged she got engaged like a month later and married before us. She is always pressuring me to have a baby. I really want one but I want my CPA first. Well I know she'll ask my score so I was stuck between lying about it or finding a way not to tell her. Well thanks to Jeff I have figured it out. If she asked I'll tell her I failed and a fail is a fail. If she says it does matter I'll throw in well I still have 75 points to go so I'm not any closer. OH for the record my mom said she'd tell the family I got 70. I was like “whats wrong with my 60!” She's mom… I just let her do what she wants lol. I'm guessing she told everyone or they forgot because no one asked me about it lol Didn't bother me

Family is supposed to be supportive. I don't care if my brothers know as they will help me pick myself back up. They might add a little making fun but not until its over and I'm all passed (if I do pass them all lol)

[LStevens225]

I'm sort of going through the same thing but with my sister in law. I told my mom my score which was lower than I thought. I received a 60 but expected a 68. So I was pretty disappointed. Everyone I told I was studying same the EXACT same thing your family said. “You've studied so much! I'm sure you did fine. Blah blah blah” But I knew that it would be much more difficult than that. And I started to believe them. Well my sister in law has always been in competition with me. When we got engaged she got engaged like a month later and married before us. She is always pressuring me to have a baby. I really want one but I want my CPA first. Well I know she'll ask my score so I was stuck between lying about it or finding a way not to tell her. Well thanks to Jeff I have figured it out. If she asked I'll tell her I failed and a fail is a fail. If she says it does matter I'll throw in well I still have 75 points to go so I'm not any closer. OH for the record my mom said she'd tell the family I got 70. I was like “whats wrong with my 60!” She's mom… I just let her do what she wants lol. I'm guessing she told everyone or they forgot because no one asked me about it lol Didn't bother me

Family is supposed to be supportive. I don't care if my brothers know as they will help me pick myself back up. They might add a little making fun but not until its over and I'm all passed (if I do pass them all lol)

[Anonymous]

john2173 – I don't think I would suggest you to tell your family that you passed because this is truly your last exam. If it was your first, sec, or third then I think it would be okay to get them off your back. Because you would still be studying and they just know what your studying for. So because this is your last one, if they see you studying even it is for the ethics, (i would imagine that the ethics is no where complicated then FAR), they might figure things out. Especially since your father is in the business! That would be the risk you take. Tough call – i understand completely that you want to get family off your back.

Good luck with your decision!

[Anonymous]

john2173 – I don't think I would suggest you to tell your family that you passed because this is truly your last exam. If it was your first, sec, or third then I think it would be okay to get them off your back. Because you would still be studying and they just know what your studying for. So because this is your last one, if they see you studying even it is for the ethics, (i would imagine that the ethics is no where complicated then FAR), they might figure things out. Especially since your father is in the business! That would be the risk you take. Tough call – i understand completely that you want to get family off your back.

Good luck with your decision!

[10keyLeah]

Good posts with some good advice. It may be tempting to lie, but don't do it.

I think honesty will get you further. Like someone said above, tell your family it's stressful when they ask you questions about the exam and you'd rather just tell them how it turns out later. Maybe you could keep them updated on your own terms and in your own time. You'll update them when you are ready or something.

My family has been really supportive too, but it can be added stress when they ask how I did, or ‘oh I know you passed'. They don't really understand the process, but that's ok. I'd rather have people trying to be supportive than be in a situation where they are not supportive. So, treat your family with respect by being honest, and you should get that respect back (and they will leave you alone with questions).

Ninja Combo, Yaeger, Wiley -- Licensed CPA, May 2015

[10keyLeah]

Good posts with some good advice. It may be tempting to lie, but don't do it.

I think honesty will get you further. Like someone said above, tell your family it's stressful when they ask you questions about the exam and you'd rather just tell them how it turns out later. Maybe you could keep them updated on your own terms and in your own time. You'll update them when you are ready or something.

My family has been really supportive too, but it can be added stress when they ask how I did, or ‘oh I know you passed'. They don't really understand the process, but that's ok. I'd rather have people trying to be supportive than be in a situation where they are not supportive. So, treat your family with respect by being honest, and you should get that respect back (and they will leave you alone with questions).

Ninja Combo, Yaeger, Wiley -- Licensed CPA, May 2015

[runnerup]

I'm sorry you are finding it difficult to tell your family the truth, but I don't think lying is the answer. Definitely try the exam again soon, kick its butt, and tell your family you passed. As for support (if you're not getting it from your family), I think you'll get tons of it here!

REG 10/12/13 - 94
FAR 10/17/13 - 93
AUD 11/11/13 - 92
BEC 11/20/13 - 87
ethics 11/27/13 - 92%

[runnerup]

I'm sorry you are finding it difficult to tell your family the truth, but I don't think lying is the answer. Definitely try the exam again soon, kick its butt, and tell your family you passed. As for support (if you're not getting it from your family), I think you'll get tons of it here!

REG 10/12/13 - 94
FAR 10/17/13 - 93
AUD 11/11/13 - 92
BEC 11/20/13 - 87
ethics 11/27/13 - 92%

[Tncincy]

Failing is not the ideal conversation for anyone, but it gives an incentive to study a little harder. Becoming a CPA is just as prestigious as becoming a doctor, lawyer or any other professional, but if you fail apart or two or three or even four and have to retake as many times to pass it is well worth it if you deem it so. Tell them the truth and go study. In the end it's your life, even when we want our family to be proud of us. Pass (all parts) and then celebrate. It's a long hard journey, don't expect your family to keep up with the details.

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

[Author]

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