[Tootsie]

So I have failed AUD 4 times and BEC twice. I really thought I had passed AUD last month, but I failed by 2 points. It was the sims, as usual. I have been doing practice sims from 2 sources now. One of the sources does not give good answer explanations, unfortunately. I’ve decided to start from the beginning, once again, and do more practice sims this time, and hopefully pass AUD in January. If I don’t pass, I am considering giving up on the CPA exam. I have spent thousands of dollars in exam fees and prep. I just feel like I am throwing my money at NASBA now. I feel like the grading system is vague too. Anyways, I hope I don’t have to give this up, but it’s been over a year that I’ve been taking the exam, and both my husband and me are questioning this, like is it really worth all the money we’ve been spending? I want more than anything to have a CPA license, but I feel like maybe this might not be for me. Anybody else ever feel this way?

FAR - 76
AUD - 88!!! DONE!!!!!!!!
BEC - 76
REG - 77

never, never, never give up

[Anonymous]

Here is the order of my first seven exams:

FAR – 71

AUD – 71

REG – 61

BEC – 66

FAR – 73

BEC – 67

FAR – 76

Ultimately you have to do what is best for you and your family, but don't think you are a number. Some people don't think I should even be allowed to sit for another exam because of the number of times I've tested. But, these days, I don't really care too much about what people think of me and I'll tell them exactly what I think of them if they voice an opinion on the subject. I know that I'm better and smarter than every one of these scores. This is just a test and some people are better test takers than others. You just have to ask yourself “How bad do I want this?” If you want it, then go get it. You can do anything you decide you are capable of doing. You just have to tell yourself that you are capable.

[Anonymous]

Amen Kricket!!

@Tootsie Don't give up. I started studying for the exam in 2010 and sat for BEC in November of 2010. It took me until July of 2011 before I passed my first part. I have not missed a testing window since 2010. I would cringe evertime I would have to pay the fees again. But I just couldn't give up. And now I am almost finished. I am waiting on what I hope and pray is my final score.

Best wishes!

[Tootsie]

Thanks, guys. I think I just need some motivation. I've been studying for about 14 months straight now. I know I can pass. I just gotta do better on the sims. Been practicing them like no other! 🙂 And on another note, I just ordered our first artificial Christmas tree, 7 feet tall, yay!!!!!!!!!

FAR - 76
AUD - 88!!! DONE!!!!!!!!
BEC - 76
REG - 77

never, never, never give up

[Anonymous]

I took AUD three times before passing. AUD is very easy to study, but difficult to pass. It is just a tricky word game. I passed after doing 3,000 questions. I used Becker AND Lambers for AUD. Lambers had the best lectures. Becker had the best memorization tools.

I passed BEC on the first try with Yaeger. Cindy at Yaeger was awesome and she was a lot better than Becker.

[Anonymous]

I took AUD three times before passing. AUD is very easy to study, but difficult to pass. It is just a tricky word game. I passed after doing 3,000 questions. I used Becker AND Lambers for AUD. Lambers had the best lectures. Becker had the best memorization tools.

I passed BEC on the first try with Yaeger. Cindy at Yaeger was awesome and she was a lot better than Becker.

[Whatdidyou]

You have my respect. I don't think I would have the will.

Honestly, it is okay to say enough is enough, it is not worth it. There is nothing wrong with that. Family/work can get in the way and often (always?) should take priority.

Personally, if I was where you are at now, I would similarly reasses the situation. Don't think you'll be able to pass by doing the same things you've been doing. Even if it works (learning through exam taking repetition), remember that you haven't started on REG & FAR yet.

If you've already been giving it your all and still can't pass, stop.

If you know you could do more but won't/can't for a good reason (health/family), stop.

However if you've identified a major deficiency in your study plan, have made plans to address it, and think you'll be able to pass all the sections in a time and at a cost that is acceptable to you and your family, then go ahead and try again.

It is a decision you will have to make. It very well could be worth more effort/time/money and it very well couldn't be. Just remember that the CPA is not everything and is definitely not worth making years of your life miserable. So whatever you decide, don't forget to enjoy life and have fun along the way too.

REG - Passed!!
BEC - Passed
FAR - Passed
AUD - Passed

Study Materials: Becker basic course

[LSNYC]

I think don't give up but maybe a break. I studied and sat the first time 2008-2010 and passed 2 sections and failed a few times. I got frustrated and was really beating myself up. I also had a lot going on outside of the test. So I took a year and a half break. Yes I lost 2 tests that I passed and yes I kick myself about that. However after the break my dedication has been much higher. My boss (at a new job) is really supportive, my husband has grown up and is way more supportive and understanding. I've grown up and matured and can make better choices on study time and budgeting my time. I am not even counting the old scores in my process since I feel like a new person this time around. I wish I didn't need the break, and I wish I would have taken a shorter one, but I feel like this worked for me. Maybe you need one testing window off to regroup and relax a bit then come back swinging.

Good luck!

A - 61, 91!!
B - 78!
F - 76!!!
R - 71, 73, 74, 69, 77!!!!

Finally done!

This is my 2nd attempt at the exam, I had two parts passed (failed many) and I stupidly quit, big mistake. Now I'm back and with a vengeance!

[Anonymous]

Tootsie,

I have been at this since May of 2010 and I can finally say I am studying for my last one. If you do take a break like a previous poster said, please don't take too long of one. I took a nine month break after multiple failures and needing to learn a new position at work and ultimately ended up losing my FAR credit because of that. If you look at my scores you will see it took me five attempts at AUD, two at BEC, three at REG and now I am retaking my FAR credit that I lost. Really sucks since I had passed that one first try.

You can get through this.

[musicamor]

Tootsie…I disagree with @whatdidyou‘s response. I would encourage you to NEVER give up. I would not listen to anybody who encourages one to give up (stop), never.

I took the exam (all four parts) a total of 17 times. There were times (many) that I wanted to give up; got the demeaning comments from posters on this and other websites; got the blank stares by friends, co-workers, enemies, family when I told them that I was “still” testing; however, I never gave up. That is my success story. I passed my final part in August of this year and am now a bonafied CPA.

Don't give up!

Texas CPA - licensed in 2012!!!

[Anonymous]

I gave up and am trying now.I gave up when i had no responsibilities and was v young and fresh and now am trying to juggle it with 2 little ones.I always feel i should have never given up in the first place.Giving up was a half hearted decision even then but my circumstances were v v different,dont want to share on a public platform.Maybe personally someday:-)) (just kidding)

My humble opinion,please dont give up.Rework ur entire study strategy,take a small break maybe a vacation and start fresh.This time dont tell anybody that u are writing the exams again and then try.

Gud luck and may god guide u on the right path.

[Anonymous]

Tootsie you had my complete support until you mentioned the FAKE Christmas tree you bought….

I refuse to be associated with that kind of mentality.

[SIMSLAYER]

I support Whatdidyou's position. It's more than a Rah! Rah! Never give up! speech. It is a thoughtful and insightful response.

It really comes down to each of us individually to make this decision. We have to question what we are doing. Why we are doing it. Who we are doing it for. What we expecting to get out of it. What we will have to sacrifice to get it. Then in the end, we have to question if it's worthwhile or not.

If you really have a passion for this and this is your dream, then fight, claw, scratch until you get there. If it is not, that is OK too. You are not “giving up” in that instance, you are just choosing something different for yourself.

I personally am willing to sacrifice up until a certain point to pursue this designation, but there is a limit to how much money and time I will detract from my family (wife and newborn son). I reasses this after each exam I take.

FAR- 81
AUD- 93
BEC- 79
REG-

[musicamor]

Again, I am not too sure how anyone can coherently encourage someone to give up–I completely disagree with that point-of-view.

Texas CPA - licensed in 2012!!!

[Anonymous]

Tootsie,

At one time that thought flickered across my mind when I failed FAR a few time (70 X4). Yes four times, 70 each time. The thought crossed my mind “Is the CPA exam for me?”……..my answer. Yes! I just have to retool and go at it again and I succeeded. I have heard personal stories of others who gave but still wonder “what if”. It is a sacrifice, time etc.

So get that out of your mind do not let a 73 stop you.

Sorry about your audit score, so close. CPA exam is not a sprint it is a marathon, here is a very important part of a poem that I find very uplifting”

…When things go wrong as they sometimes will

….rest if you must but don't you quit”.

A two weeks-three weeks break is good.

Ask your husband to support you more ( I know he supports your goals) but have him ask you questions at random times.

Example: when going out to eat give him all your flash cards that you made and have him select only 3-7 to take. He should select any topic without letting you know what he selects (NASBA does the same thing) and ask you questions on the drive/walk.

Sometimes you have to recite the material like poetry. Know your weak areas and build on them.

Change your study habits..go out of your comfort zone, know why your answer choice is wrong/right.

In practicing the SIMs, take a minute or two to journalize a question that is numerical in nature. Know what caused an adverse vs, qualified vs, unqualified opinion for GAAS and GAAP go back to the basics again and then build on them.

Don't just study all the time though take a break, like listen to some music you love, or watch a nice movie you enjoy.

Wishing you a passing score in January 2013. Make 2013 your year, believe it.

[Anonymous]

Don't give up! Stay motivated. Reach your goals! You'll feel like a million bucks when you pass. I promise. Also what program are you using to review? I've only used the Wiley Review Book and Test Bank. I'm telling you, that's all you need. Read EVERY page in that book and answer EVERY question in the book and online test bank. Seriously, why spend thousands of dollars when each Wiley book is $35 on amazon? Some say it's too detailed, but if you memorize this detail you'll pass.

[Author]

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