[Anonymous]

A little background on me:

1. graduated 08 with an accounting degree (never took aud, tax 2, cost accounting 2, and got a D in FAR 3)

2. Started working as a financial analyst in the industry in 2008 after graduation (currently employed at same company).

3. Received an MBA in 2011. An ACTUAL MBA, not this online crap.

4. Made the painful decision to start start studying the CPA in Sep of 2012.

5. Been studying non-stop, 20-30 hours a week since christmas 2012.

6. Taking FAR first and have not taken a test yet.

My first FAR test will be FEB 23rd. I’ve been busting my ass studying for this thing, but I can’t seem to do better than 65 on comprehensive tests. I take them in sets of 30 after reviewing chapters (currently using Becker).

I don’t know what my problem is, but I can’t get out of the 60’s. Am I doomed to fail? DId anyone get 60’s on the MC and pass the exam? Did anyone get 60’s and fail? I have 11 days until test day and there is just so much damn information that this thing feels impossible. All I can do is just keep reviewing weak topics and do multiple choice non stop. If anyone has any suggestions, please send them my way.

[kctiger]

I take FAR tomorrow and I too have been studying since Dec. 25. I know how you feel, believe me. This test has nothing to do with intelligence as I've seen plenty of people I would call less than savvy pass this thing. It is a matter of will power. I had a fairly cocky attitude when I started reviewing this (I use Becker as well), but I was quickly put in my place. The bottom line is that all the education in the world doesn't prepare you for this exam. I took a TON of accounting courses, but since I didn't use 75% of the material in my real job, I had to relearn all of it.

Just hang in there. I get extremely frustrated and feel like punching my computer, but I'm determined not to let this exam beat me. At the end of the day, the sun rises and the world moves on. I know it sounds cliché, especially because of the time we devote to this thing, but this exam isn't the end all be all of the universe. It certainly won't make or break you.

[Anonymous]

Hey dirtrider,

I dont mean to get off topic from your original post but i've been toying with the idea of getting an MBA and heading towards a more financial analyst position. I'm in tax right now. What is making you come my direction (public accounting) and leave out of a financial analyst role?

[Anonymous]

Thanks for censoring the title of my thread .

@Boarderguy4288. No worries, I'm not necessarily heading your direction. I want a CPA for a number of reasons. The first of which is so I can either 1. Go work for a small CPA firm and do taxes/business consulting and possibly start my own firm. Or 2., to get a job at a better company. Who knows, I could end up being a Financial Analyst for the rest of my career. But I really think it is rediculous to have the accounting degree and hours requirements and NOT get a CPA. I think its foolish. I choose to get an MBA first because the company i work for paid for it. And I KNEW this would not always be an available benefit. Well, i turned out to be right. They cut the education reimbursement in 2011 the month I graduated.

Also, its an ego thing, its badass to be able to call myself a CPA/MBA. How many people can claim that?

Basically, I'm doing it to keep my options open. I want to work for myself and after years of thinking about it, this is the best route I can take right now.

Good luck

[mla1169]

May want to rethink the language. You're welcome.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[jeff]

It's not censoring.

People access this site from work.

AUD - 79
BEC - 80
FAR - 76
REG - 92

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS)
NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE | Another71

[Anonymous]

@dirtrider735 – I don't usually bother to reply to something like this, but the “3. Received an MBA in 2011. An ACTUAL MBA, not this online crap.” really bothered me.

I did an online Masters program and it was not easy. I worked my ass off to earn that degree. Online allowed me to work full-time while completing my coursework.

Your statement implies that you think more highly of your degree just because you sat in a classroom chair rather than a desk chair. A live classroom degree program is not any better than an online degree program. It's just a different learning option.

Careful who you say things like that too. You never know who did their coursework online.

[mla1169]

K917, I did my degree online too, and nowhere on my degree does it signify the location of my classes. Go figure. The OP apparently was looking for a reaction, based on a subsequent post that was also edited. Funny about bragging on educational credentials while lamenting low practice exam scores. Nothing wrong with low practice exam scores, any more than something wrong with attaining a masters online while working full time and raising a family lol.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[MCLKT]

k917 – I thought the same thing. Like a CPA earned by sitting in a Becker class instead of studying at home is more valuable.

It's not the learning option that makes the credential valuable… it's not even necessarily the school from which it was earned. It's what you make of it. It's what you gained from the program. Just getting your CPA and MBA won't make you “bad ass” either. (maybe just an ass?) I work with a couple of ignorant CPA's and their title isn't fooling anyone. And there is this girl that's right out of school, undergrad, that is brilliant. She has not needed a credential to be noticed.

Anyways, this is not meant to gang up on the OP. Just something to consider. You are in sort of a safe place online to say those things. But if you portray that attitude in the office, it may be harmful.

As far at the test goes. We all freak out. I've been freaking out all weekend and finally, thanks to support on this forum, I'm coming out of it. Do the work and you'll do great. You absolutely are NOT doomed to fail 🙂

I personally like to be scoring 80 average by test day.

A:[73]97 F:[74]85 R:86 B:[74]82
*NINJA 10 Pt. COMBO & Yaeger*

[Tncincy]

I agree online degree is a learning options and as k917 I worked really hard to get my BS and MS in Accounting, I was a retruning student with a business and a family and did not have time to traditionally sit in a class like the 20 year olds. Online school was an absolue benefit to me and now I am able to realize the rest of my dream of becoming a cpa. My degree, quality, and gpa is as good as anyone else's.

Thank you k917…shout out for online students.

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

[Anonymous]

I realize my 3rd bullet point is offensive to MBAs who have taken online MBA programs, but that is my opinion, no need to get worked up by some strangers post on the internet but there is one simple reason I believe this is true:

1. The TRUE value of an MBA comes from class discussion and interacting with other students/networking that you simply don't get in an online program. Sure, we probably learned the exact same material and yes I agree that an MBA is absolutely not a one way ticket to career success. But somebody who has not received an in person MBA would fail to see this value.

So back to my original question, has anyone passed this thing while getting 65-70's on the becker comprehensive sections?

[mla1169]

Dirt rider, if there's so much more value in face to face interaction, I suggest you pose this question at a live Becker class. Surely the value of the feedback you'd receive on a message board would pale in comparison. See the irony?

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[MCLKT]

@dirtrider – You do realize you are continuing the debate on MBA programs, right?

I would be surprised if your original question gets addressed again.

I'm going to chalk it up to your immaturity. Hopefully you will gain something from the storm that is a brewin' on this thread, lol.

A:[73]97 F:[74]85 R:86 B:[74]82
*NINJA 10 Pt. COMBO & Yaeger*

[MCLKT]

PS if the TRUE value is the networking. Then save your money and join a networking group for professionals.

The truth is, as you mentioned, you want the MBA CPA 1-2 punch to feel like a bad ass. And you think the time and money you spent to sit in a class makes you bad ass-er. Lol.

https://www.viewfromtheblueridge.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/facepalm.jpg

A:[73]97 F:[74]85 R:86 B:[74]82
*NINJA 10 Pt. COMBO & Yaeger*

[Anonymous]

@dirtrider – Of course everyone is entitled to their own opinions. You're just not going to get much help when you lead up to your question by offending a good % of this forum.

And BTW – my online classes did have discussions. So I do know the value of it. Is this not a discussion because we're to face to face?

[jeff]

The true value of an MBA comes from having practical experience and real-world perspective to apply the coursework to.

AUD - 79
BEC - 80
FAR - 76
REG - 92

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS)
NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE | Another71

[Author]

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