Need2Pass
I am not sure what failed miserably means in terms of score. But I doubt that the feeling is much different among CPA candidates who scores anything less than a 75. I also failed AUD as my first exam with a 73. I was ticked, confused and felt I should have passed. From reading your post, I get the sense that the biggest disappointment was that you let your family down. I know when I received my failing score after waiting 70+ days, I felt I had let my family down since they sacrifice much in leaving me alone to study (I have a full time job and six children). Just to throw a stat your way, less than 30% of all CPA candidates pass all four exams first time. Approximately 50% of all CPA candidates fail the exam each window.
Should you give up. HECK NO!!! Have you received your diagnostic report for the exam yet. This will tell you where you were weak at and whether it was multiple choice questions, simulations or written communication and by how much compared to those who passed the exam scoring between 75-80. It was difficult for me study for a retake because my program was employer driven and we were starting FAR section so I did not have the opportunity to study AUD for a retake. Here I was with a failed AUD score and study FAR which is the largest amount of material and which everyone calls the beast. It was very difficult to get motivate for FAR, but I just set a study schedule for FAR and stuck to it while totally ingnoring AUD. I tested for FAR on Aug 2 and on Aug 3, I started restudying for AUD after a nearly 4 month break from my first exam. I studied for approximately 55 hours over 3 weeks going over all the material from start to finish. I couldn't take any longer since our BEC section was starting. Even though I did not open my AUD book for 4 months, the studying seemed more like a review. I spent approximately 175 hours on FAR over 10 weeks and received a passing score just days before my retaking the AUD exam. This all happen over July and August which really felt like a 2 month cram of CPA material. Nights and weekends. I barely remember anything I did that wasn't related to the CPA exam during that time frame. It was horrible.
I am using Becker, again not my choice employer selected. I do not have any information on GLEIM material but most of the review courses have the same basic questions from the AICPA. You need to evaluate your study habits, are you getting quality study time. Are you tracking your study time? Ensure you concentrate on learning the concepts and not memorizing the questions which is easy to do. Are you taking notes on the material. I am not a notetaker, but some candidates swear by it. For AUD, where you very familiar practically memorize the different audit reports and the location of the explanatory paragraphs. You need to know the internal control concepts, auditing standards, assertions, etc. The diagnostic report should help to determine where your weak areas are,
This forum is great, if you read through the post, I know you will find many inspirational stories, study plans, and tips to help you on this journey. Feel free to ask questions, you will get many answers/suggestions. We are all here to help each other for no one understands what a CPA candidate is going through unless they have been there. Good Luck and it is often said that the CPA exam is one of perserverance.
Becker - FAR 80, AUD 73, 81, BEC 76, REG 81 (2010) DONE!!!! IN LICENSED CPA
