[sunflower]

I’ve been struggling on this exam for 3 years and received another failing score. I’m wanting to quit but 5% of me is telling me to keep going. I’ve been pretty depressed for about 8 months now but it seems like this test is making it worse. Ready to break down, but I know I’m not alone….

I was wondering if there’s any tips on how you or anyone overcame this wall…

[melissahoff]

You are not the only one going three years into this. I started this process in May 2013.. Its not easy. With each failure I have had, I try to turn it into a positive lesson. Like what to do and what NOT to do. Ive learned how to study differently, deal with my anxiety and stress so much better and it has helped in other aspects of my life too. Try not to focus on the failure, its so easy to get trapped in that and it will do no good. Its done, you cant change it. All you can do is change the future. What can you do differently? Focus on that and get pumped because you are going to pass them all!! If you have this much dedication to spend three years on this goal, you will get it. People get places with hard work and motivation.. Keep at it!!

AUD - 74,72,74,73,67,80
BEC - 69,80
FAR - 50,51,50,74,71,79
REG - 69, 72, 81.. and I am DONE...
Ethics-93

[kaywalee]

Good Morning Sunflower,
I am in the same boat with you, I am a little down and out today because I found out I failed AUD. I have been on this journey for a very long time…years.

Passed FAR after many retakes, lost that credit. Got close to passing, average 7 to 5 to points from passing REG and AUD after many retakes.

Today, was my biggest disappointment, and to answer your question. I would many times have to look back at all my failing exams and say what have I learned, I view the process as a learning experience.

However, it does get mundane with all the studies, and I like to play a little now. Meaning I am working full time and every downtime I get it is studies.

I have say, with every attempt I have gained a great understanding of the material, and how do I related my studies to my working environment.

Sometimes, I think it is luck of the draw with this exam. So, with BEC schedule for July I am just not going to dwell on this failure.

I have already started studying for BEC, I got some good tips in here by just reading what others have to say. I have come too far to stop now. Keep slugging away

[sunflower]

@melissahoff, thank you for those words! I was really struggling this morning to go to work, but after reading this I feel some relief and hope. It really helps to know when others feel the same way. I'm the only one that is studying for this test at work. Some of my friends have given up on this test..And I agree, I think I tend to focus on the failure… which gets me down but you are right, need to focus on what I can do better next time. I'm going to re-read this when I feel down again.

@kaywalee, me too… I found out I failed Aud this morning…and omg wow, you must have been devastated to lose FAR credit!! 🙁 I'm really glad to hear that you're not giving up after all that. It's just so frustrating. I am in that range of close to passing, but not passing. Yeah, I've been trying to study more during down times as much as I can. I just need to learn how to tune out noise and people walking around since I don't work in a cube. I totally agree… after spending so much time… is it worth to run away from this test… thank you for sharing your story.

[gigabyte2001]

FWIW – I'm old enough to have lost several loved ones and seen the deep dark pit of despair that is depression. If I'm not very, very careful, I can find myself at the bottom of that pit where the light does not penetrate. Here's how I handle those things, it may or may not work for you. When the bad thing happens, I have a conversation with myself (in my head) about how i am going to CHOOSE to deal with it. For example, when I lost my most favorite grandfather my heart just broke. So I said, I am choosing to feel whatever I feel for the next 7 days. When that time is up, I will no longer allow myself to feel the sadness. If I feel sadness after 7 days, I will tell myself I have had my time to grieve and that time is now passed. I have done what I needed to do, felt what I needed to feel and now I am releasing those feelings.
I realize this sounds a little out there and over simplified, but it is what I really do. I have to remind myself that the dark pit is a bad place, depression is a little voice in my head that lies to me and there is happiness again. Otherwise I'll be at the bottom of that pit fast.
I try to use similar tactics to deal with anxiety as well. I end up having lots of conversations with myself, but it works for me.

AUD - 87
BEC - 78
FAR - 82
REG - 93

.

B - 11/11/16
A - 4/16/16 87!!
R - 2/17/17
F - 7/26/16 - Waiting for 8/23

[Sang]

@Gigabyte2001 – Great advice!

@Sunflower – I am sorry to hear about your failed tests.

Can you tell us how you normally study for each test? Maybe some of the people here can give you some advice on studying.

One of the advice that is mentioned many times in this forum is to do 3,000 to 5,000 Ninja MCQs for each section.
Have you been doing a lot of Ninja MCQs?

You mentioned that it is hard for your to concentrate on studying while you are at work, since a lot of people are walking around you. Are you able to wear head phones at work to listen to music?

I usually listen to music while I study. Since songs with singing distracts me from studying, I usually listen to piano music.
Since there are no words said, it doesn't distract me from studying.

Is it possible for you to put a 3-sided poster board in front of you, so that it will block your view from seeing people walk by your desk?

FAR: (5/24/16) | (7/16/16)

AUD: (9/07/16)

BEC: TBA

REG: TBA

FAR: (05/24/16) | (07/15/16) | (10/22/16)
AUD: (09/07/16) | (11/29/16) |
BEC: TBD
REG: TBD
Using Roger CPA Review + Ninja (MCQs, Notes, Audio)

[sunflower]

@gigabyte2001, thank you so much for the tip. I don't want to stay in this pit, but it's like a tape recorder in my head repeating belittling words.. I'm going to give it a try with your advice. I feel that I am in that pit and I usually distract myself but it comes back only to hit me harder.

@Sang, I'm using Becker, but I'm finally supplementing it with Ninja MCQs. I actually didn't know I should be doing that much mcq, but I will do so for my next test. I typically do multiple choices over and over and started implementing flash cards. But after reading this post, I had a honest conversation with myself… am I really understanding this or am I just trying to memorize. And to be honest, 80% I am trying to memorize instead of really understanding the concepts… which is my fault.

and yes, I can wear headphones at work so I try to listen to videos/lectures slides but I'm still trying to get the hang of focusing on what I'm listening. Sometimes I listen to piano music while I study, but it's been distracting me a lot lately so I don't. I do know that my mind wanders and zone out more than before. I never had issues focusing when I studied before but I struggle with bringing my mind back to the present (I'm trying to get back into a habit of doing yoga and meditation). I would like to put a poster, but I'm not sure how my controller would feel. She's has a full view of my desk and my co-worker's desk. She likes to what people are doing/working… if you know what I mean.. My office is a creative office/open space, so we don't have our own cubicles 🙁 But I think I might try that when she's not in the office… I know I just really need my mind to focus and ignore the distractions/noises.

[Skynet]

I only pick up women. Picking up myself would make the Bar Keep think I'm Crazy.

AUD - 90
BEC - 78
FAR - 84
REG - 87

World Domination Plan

Phase I : Pass CPA Exams - Complete
Phase II : Megan Fox - In Progress
Phase III : Megan Fox & Scarlett Johansson Lingerie Pillow Fight
Phase IV : Form the new Charlie's Angels with Megan Fox, Scarlett Johansson, & Gal Gadot
Phase V : TBD

BEC : 78
REG : 87
FAR : 84
AUD : 90

World Domination Plan

Phase I : Pass CPA Exams - Complete
Phase II : Megan Fox - Initiated
Phase III : Bring back 8-Tracks
Phase IV : Megan Fox & Scarlett Johansson Lingerie Pillow Fight
Phase V : TBA

[gigabyte2001]

@Sunflower – Depression lies to you. That's why i have that conversation with myself. I need to think logically in order to override the nasty tape recorder with its belittling crap. If you can look at it objectively & logically, you can logic your way through and override. For example, nasty voice says – “oh just give up already you're never going to pass” logic says: “I have evidence via this forum that tons of people have failed multiple times and gone on to succeed. I can do that too. I can use the tips from others, create a plan to study & pass and succeed.” Keep repeating it every time the tape recorder of nastiness repeats.

FWIW – I use the Gleim Premium system and work the plan they laid out. For each chapter, i start with a set of MCQ's, then do their video slide deck, then T/F Focus Questions, then read the text, then the MCQ's & SIMS in the book, then MCQ's on line x 2, 1 set of sims and finally 1 more set of MCQ's. I complete 2 chapters per week for 10 weeks then take 2 weeks to review.
In the review, I do lots of MCQ's and more SIMs. I leave it set on the Adaptive learning setting that asks the things I'm weak on for awhile, then switch it off to see how I'm doing overall. Go back & re-read chapters as needed. Make my own flash cards (index cards) and review as needed for stuff I just have to memorize (like formulas.)
Those are the steps I used for AUD and am now using for FAR.
This system also helps me with focusing because there are defined steps and I can take a 5 or 10 min break in between steps.

AUD - 87
BEC - 78
FAR - 82
REG - 93

.

B - 11/11/16
A - 4/16/16 87!!
R - 2/17/17
F - 7/26/16 - Waiting for 8/23

[Author]

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