[Topo30]

A71 Community,

Today, 9/10/14 I found out I failed FAR with a 40! Yes, that is right a freaking 40!!

I have been at this for 2.5 years and life has not seemed to care. Way back in late 2011 my grandfather became seriously ill and passed due to diabetes complications. That event was very impactful since I cared for the man via MD visits, prescription refills, and medical test. So, months later, I picked myself up and began to study again.

Next, in 2012 my wife abandoned my son and I. This event really put this damn thing on the back burner; I was trying to find answers, fighting for her not to leave, and battle for my sons’ custody. Needless to say, I did not have the mental brainpower to continue to study. Therefore, my materials had expired. 3k + down the drain.

Later that year my father decided to have back surgery since he could no longer take the pain and hell of his herniated disc. Days later, he passed due to complications. This tore me into pieces, fighting with hospital staff, seeking the guidance of a malpractice attorney took a toll on me and the fam, Big Time! During that nightmarish time, this “expletive” exam was nonexistent, poof gone, zilch. After many. many months of self healing, I once again decided to pursue this damn thing.

I do my due diligence, put in the time and work MCQs. You know, the usual. All for what?! Just to repeatedly fail, pay more money, fail…rinse and repeat. I have tried Becker and heck went with a solid University review program from upstate IL, and it was a Live class. To only fail.

Life is too short, it really is. This exam is a hellish nightmare that does not want to end and I feel like putting this bitch to sleep. AND…. it is a pitiful measure of the man, father, son, uncle that I am; it cannot quantify me as a human being.

All that said, ladies and gents I am officially contemplating ending this torture by hanging it up. At best I would probably take a good year off.

Singing off

AUD-FAILED X5
FAR-FAILED X1
BEC-FAILED
REG-FAILED

[spartancpa15]

I've been lurking on these forums for a few months now without a single post, and I couldn't bring myself to go past your post without replying.

I personally can't imagine studying for the CPA exam even after going through all the personal things you've had to deal with. I can imagine it must still take its toll even after a couple of years.

My advice:

Take that year off you mentioned to clear your head even more. You had the perseverance to get it done before, it's never too late. The quote in your signature pretty much says it all.

In my opinion, Becker is too expensive no matter what. I just passed my first part (FAR) using CPAexcel exclusively. It is a third the price of Becker and it never expires, so you can use it at your leisure.

You are right when you say you don't want the exam to quantify you as a human being, but I don't think that's true in any case for anyone.

If you really want to be a CPA it will happen! Don't give up.

Best of luck

FAR - Aug '14 - 90
AUD - Jan '15 - 91
REG - May '15 - 93
BEC - July '15 - 85

Used CPAexcel exclusively
Master of Science in Accounting (focus in Tax) May '15

[zkaraca2012]

Well Jimmy, was it? The sole fact of you posting this announcement on this website in translated as “Guys give me some support to pick up whatever energy left in me and keep pushing to get this effing license”.

Losing money for this test, sucks. Failing, sucks. Entering your credit card info into nasba website, sucks even more.

(Cheating a little from mastercard commercials) BUT PASSING A SECTION IS PRICELESS! (And obviously, doesn't suck).

The events you had to endure are really tough. I am not religious at all, but challenges are sent to people who can handle them. And obviously, you were one of the chosen. Keep going. You can do this.

AUD 78 Lost Credit, retake after FAR rematch
BEC 83 (Expires 2015-02-28)
FAR 71 Failed (2014-09-09), retake in Q4'14
REG 80 (Expires 2015-11-30)

[mena je twa]

Topo30 –

Bless your hear, brother. May God give you the strength to go throught this misery. Words cant describe it, so i guess just take some time off and i will always be here, if you need any kind of help…

Be brave!!!

Licensed CPA, Texas - 2012

[June2016]

I am very sorry about everything that happened. That sounds very rough and it's very understandable to not be able to concentrate or study to your best ability during times like this and for some time after.

I think everyone is different when it comes to handling something like this, and no one can really advise you unless they are in your position. Some people wouldn't be able to concentrate and others would benefit from digging themselves into the cpa material to zone out all their problems.

I just know that personally although not as extreme as your situation, I went through some stuff and was unable to concentrate but still tried to push through and study, and at the same time I would be mentally beating myself up for not putting in more effort into studying.

Anyway my point is if you can't concentrate and you think now is the wrong time to continue don't beat yourself up over it… take a break but make sure you come back and finish the cpa.

When you return to studying, pick the study material you think will help you pass.. don't look at the price or how much you already spent in the past. I think the future benefits will outweigh the cost.

[super.senpai]

If you need a break, then take it. Personally, I can relate to some of the unfortunate events that you mentioned. However, for me, those forlorn incidents are reasons to continue pursuit. This exam definitely is teaching me about myself and I'm 35. Its more than just a title, career/profession, pay raise…its like life metamorphosis life bro. nonetheless, an expensive lesson. take a break and try again later. a lot has happened. Find balance again…for what its worth, and it ain't much, I got a 47 in AUD.

BEC: 72,72, 77
AUD: 47, 63

[Anonymous]

I have to second Spartan's opinion. I also have been lurking around the forum and I couldn't let this post go buy without following up. I am sorry for all of the struggles you have gone through. My advice to you is to stay strong and remind yourself everyday of why you wanted to be a CPA. Make a list of why you wanted to be a CPA in the first place and put it next to your desk/study area and whenever you are down look at it. The biggest piece of advice is to believe in yourself. You can pass this exam, you just have to dig deep and be relentless in your studies.

My other piece of advice to you is like Spartan said, purchase CPAexcel. Its so much cheaper than Becker and is an excellent product. CPAexcel breaks the lessons down into manageable pieces and creates a self study plan to keep you on track before you take your exam. I have used it to pass AUD and BEC. My gf has used it to pass AUD and BEC. My friend has used it to pass FAR.

Ultimately, just stick with it and never give up. Sure you should take a break, but only long enough to clear your mind. These exams are beatable and you can do it.

[mla1169]

Personally I think that if you hang this up it will nag at you because its obviously something you've cared enough about to pursue during all of the turmoil in your life.

Do it to honor your grandfather and your dad. Do it to prove something to YOURSELF. The things you've been through have changed you for sure but don't let them define you.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[ijustwant76]

Topo30, you've been through a lot over the past few years.

The CPA test is a big commitment. For me personally, I was just trying to pass/study for it doing the bare minimum. I really couldn't pass this thing without fully committing to it. Dont try to do it unless you're ready. It sounds like you've got a lot of other things going on.

Hang in there!

[numbercruncher123]

Do it for your son as well. Use that as a motivation. Take a break if you must. We all need a breather once in a while. Don't stop. You might regret it in the future. Best of luck to you sir!

Review Materials: RogerCPA, WTB, NINJA

BEC - IP (May 2014)
AUD - TBA 2014
REG - TBA 2014
FAR - TBA 2014

[LaComptable]

This exam doesn't define anyone. It's just one more goal in life. If it's important to you, keep going for it. And if it's not, let it go.

In case you do want to keep going for it, I'd like to share my .02 being that I also just sat for REG. First of all, don't be discouraged by a 40. I think REG is the toughest exam to study for. It's just so damn much stuff! How did you study? What was your methodology? My study process was not efficient but it was effective for me. I budgeted 3 months to study for REG – a long time, but I too have a child and having 3 months to study gave me flexibility in case I fell off my study schedule (which I did). Having this much time also allowed me to study enough, without taking much time away from my kid.

The tax concepts were all Greek to me when I started since I took very little tax in school and have no tax experience. My study method went like this for the tax chapters: 1) Skim the Becker chapter to get the highlights; 2) Read each subsection of the Becker chapter, and take notes of anything that you don't solidly understand (I filled up 4 notebooks!); 3) Watch the lecture. Yes, I know a lot of people don't watch the lectures. They are time consuming. But repetition is key with REG and it is one more repetition of the material so it was worth it IMO. Even if you don't think it is sticking…. chances are, it is. 4) AFTER learning the material, then do MCQ's for the subsection, and write down in your notes each one you got wrong, and why you missed it. I know a lot of people learn by doing MCQ's, but for me it works better to learn first and then do MCQ's. Definitely do all the MCQ's in all your homeworks, but I recommend putting in the study time beforehand because otherwise you run the risk of memorizing the MCQs and not learning the underlying concept. For the remaining subsections in each chapter, repeat steps 1-4. Do these steps for each chapter, and you can't help but soak in the material. Yes, it's awfully time consuming and I ended up not being able to follow this methodology 100% with the BLaw material because I ended up falling of my study schedule because – as you put it – life happens. But I did it with the Tax material and it was enough to eek out a pass.

After you've gone through all chapters, make time for a practice exam so you can practice doing the work in a timed setting. You don't get a lot of time on REG and you need to be able to use it wisely.

I would also recommend studying simulations. Get familiar with the authoritative literature. REG SIMs are tricky! Also, make a list of most helpful mnemonics and formulas as you go through your final review. Also make up your own mnemonics for anything you have trouble memorizing. On the last study day, or the morning of your test, go over these mnemonics again and again so that you don't have to think about them when the exam comes. In the exam, write the mnemonics you memorized on your board first thing while your mind is fresh.

Also, I agree with the advice about CPAExcel. It doesn't expire until you pass and it includes updates so the material is never out of date. From reading this and other posts of yours, it sounds like Becker didn't work for you so why not try something different?

Good luck. I know it's frustrating, but it is understandable that you haven't had a pass given everything that you have going on. You've shown a lot of commitment in continuing to persevere through such circumstances and that's commendable. In the end the decision to keep going or hang it up is yours. There's no shame in either choice, there are plenty of important things to do in life that don't involve the CPA. I hope the best for you.

BEC - 88
AUD - 74, 87
REG - 77
FAR - 63, 82

CIA certified in 2013

[Herbieherb]

Take a break, timing is off. You arent super man

NEW YORK- DONE

[Anonymous]

Topo — don't give up — you will regret it. I tried to take the exam in 2010 right when my mother-in-law was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer. I failed Audit with a 72 and became her caregiver as we were the only children in the same area. It was hell for months until she passed in July. Then we became the caregiver for my father-in-law. I always regretted not finishing and finally got kicked in the pants of 2013 and retook audit and passed. Then I figured I don't need to finish but something kept nagging me. So only this year did I seriously start studying again and have passed BEC.

Life may throw you curve balls but you can do it! Keep the faith and if you need a break take it! But you can pass it!

[Anonymous]

I say do not give up, you will regret it.

Get some less expensive materials and just study 1 hour a day

and little by little you will feel better. But his way you still keep some

of the information in your head. It is very hard but you can do it!

[David]

Hang in there. I used CPA Excel to pass while going through a very bad divorce. I don't view my self as anything special, so if I can do it, you can too. I had the one test passed, and was able to do the other 3 in the year of my litigation and divorce proceedings. It was hell ~ no doubt about it. Kids alternating between hating me, loving me, hating their Mom, getting in trouble at school where there had never been any, one was booted from his travel baseball team because he couldn't keep up anymore due in part to I'm sure Dad never being there to practice with him anymore. Just an absolute emotionally terrible year.

And FAR was my last and most difficult to pass. What I discovered, is that with the other 3 memorization was the most important thing. With FAR, you have to really understand the bulk of how to do the items. Sure gov't and NP portions were memorization, but the rest was really do you need to understand,not memorize. And it helps which version of the test you get. I had to take FAR 3 times to pass and I will tell anyone to my dying days that the last time I took it, it was like a completely different test from the first 2 times.

Hang in there!!!!!!!!!

AUD-74,75(8/13)
REG-76(5/13)
BEC-77(12/13)
FAR-69(didn't study),73,84(9/14)

[Juliemiddle]

I'm basically re-posting what most people have said – hang in there, but take a break.

My 1st attempt at an exam (FAR, no less) was in 2012 – I started studying a month after my brother passed away. It was a mistake. I thought studying would take my mind off of things, but that wasn't the case. There were lots of family issues that occurred b/c of his passing, as well as me still grieving. My head wasn't 100% into studying, and in this CPA game, you need to be in it 150%, to the point of almost obsessive (I'm only half joking).

I took a year off, and picked up studying again last year, when I was in a much better place emotionally. I've passed each attempted exam, so far! I'm sure you'll get there, too. Just give yourself a break.

P.S. – Try CPAExcel – the review material never expires. You only have to pay for it once. It's worked well for me, along with Ninja Audio.

AUD: 84 - Oct. 2013
BEC: 83 - Feb. 2014
REG: 91 - May, 2014
FAR: 68, 96 - Oct. 2014...DONE

CPAExcel, Ninja Audio (all sections)

[Author]

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