[jakeeee]

Hi everyone. I need to vent, as I’m sure my family and friends are tired of me always telling them that I didn’t pass.

I have been studying for this test since December 2011. However, I was able to sit for and pass my first test in January 2012 (two weeks after my last and final suicide attempt–don’t know how I pulled that off). I got cheated on and frankly was just depressed and not happy with myself. Of course I sought help and am happy to say that chapter of my life is closed.

Since then, I’ve sat for the test numerous times and only once felt good walking out of a test (it was REG and I got a 74). In college, I never failed a class and I actually graduated with honors. I’ve been working as a staff accountant straight out of college for almost 2 years and have been doing exceptionally well. Unfortunately I just don’t do well with standardized testing.

I’ve spent so much money and so many hours on this test. I received my AUD score yesterday and found out I got a 70. Did worse on the multiple choice than expected and did just as expected on the SIMS. Sometimes I feel so stupid and just want to give up and change my career, but I can’t see myself really doing anything else. It’s just so frustrating when I’m told I’m really good at what I do, yet I can’t pass a test.

Having your life in order is definitely important when sitting for this test. Today, I can say it’s as close to that as it has been in an extremely long time. I have a wonderful boyfriend and family. I actually recently came out to my whole family on Thanksgiving (day before I sat for AUD), and the reaction I received was the best reaction I could ever have expected. No excuses, but the thought of having to come out did distract me sometimes from studying for AUD. My brother suggested that I maybe take a break and sit for the test later on (especially since I’m in CA and I only graduated with about 126 units–pathway expired!)… but AUD is fresh in my mind and I feel like I’m just so close.

When I sat for REG for a third time in July, my family was in the process of moving/finding a house (parents’ home was foreclosed)… fortunately, my brother and I were able to co-sign on a house for all of us. We downgraded from a beautiful neighborhood to a not-so-beautiful or safe one. My depression kicked in a little there. Growing up, we lived in a bad neighborhood. After middle school, we were able to move to a beautiful house, which I had always dreamed of and we lived there for 10 years. Having it taken away and having to move back to a bad neighborhood was tough. But I am using it as motivation to save money for myself and move far, far away from here. And I’m using it as motivation to pass this test!

I can admit to myself that I have been distracted with personal issues pretty much every time I have taken this test. With that in mind, I’m hoping I can really start focusing on the test and dedicating a lot more time to it.

This post is all over the place because I’m pretty emotional. But if you took the time to read my venting, I just want to thank you. :p

BEC - July 2014
REG - Aug 2014
FAR - January 2015
AUD - May 2014
Ethics - 3x...

[stoleway]

Like the theme of your post ……never ever give up. You know the materials well enough to pass, you just need to put in extra effort. The fact that you've pass one section before means that you have what it takes to pass.

Perseverance should be the watch word.

REG -63│ 84!!
BEC- 59│70│ 71 │78!
AUD- 75!
FAR- 87!

Mass-CPA

[stoleway]

Like the theme of your post ……never ever give up. You know the materials well enough to pass, you just need to put in extra effort. The fact that you've pass one section before means that you have what it takes to pass.

Perseverance should be the watch word.

REG -63│ 84!!
BEC- 59│70│ 71 │78!
AUD- 75!
FAR- 87!

Mass-CPA

[Guti]

I gave up after passing 3 parts in 9 months just because my ex wife cheated on me. There are people here that have taken these exams from 12 to 23 times. We both look very weak in comparison to these individuals cause we gave up too quickly. Read more stories here and you will find what you are looking for to get motivated.

FAR-84
AUD-
REG-
BEC-

[Guti]

I gave up after passing 3 parts in 9 months just because my ex wife cheated on me. There are people here that have taken these exams from 12 to 23 times. We both look very weak in comparison to these individuals cause we gave up too quickly. Read more stories here and you will find what you are looking for to get motivated.

FAR-84
AUD-
REG-
BEC-

[zieba]

I was “homeless” for close to two months, which ended just weeks ago. I sat for FAR last Friday.

We ended a lease in one space and because of a chain of events were not able to move into the new space at the expected time. Sure, I rented a town home on airbnb (had to split time between two) but with all our stuff packed except for two pieces of luggage and laptops, it wasn't easy. In fact, it was extremely stressful, a fair share of fights, etc, work full time. Again, I just sat for FAR last week and I think I got pretty damn close. Study sessions from 7 to 1AM were a nightly thing…

In the end it only comes down to one thing: you either want it really [expletive] bad; or you don't. Coming from meager means certainly helps to fuel that fire.

AUD - 75*, 88 done 5/14! (*exp)
BEC - 74 , 77
REG - 65 , 76 (10 point combooo!!)
FAR - 69 , 75

Dr: perseverance
Dr: intelligence
Dr: luck
. Cr: . advisory score

[zieba]

I was “homeless” for close to two months, which ended just weeks ago. I sat for FAR last Friday.

We ended a lease in one space and because of a chain of events were not able to move into the new space at the expected time. Sure, I rented a town home on airbnb (had to split time between two) but with all our stuff packed except for two pieces of luggage and laptops, it wasn't easy. In fact, it was extremely stressful, a fair share of fights, etc, work full time. Again, I just sat for FAR last week and I think I got pretty damn close. Study sessions from 7 to 1AM were a nightly thing…

In the end it only comes down to one thing: you either want it really [expletive] bad; or you don't. Coming from meager means certainly helps to fuel that fire.

AUD - 75*, 88 done 5/14! (*exp)
BEC - 74 , 77
REG - 65 , 76 (10 point combooo!!)
FAR - 69 , 75

Dr: perseverance
Dr: intelligence
Dr: luck
. Cr: . advisory score

[Anonymous]

First let me say that I understand that this exam can take you to a really dark place. I was there myself once. I'm glad you got some help and don't have any plans to take your life again. I hate to sound blunt, but that is a very selfish thing to do. Mothers should never outlive their children. I should know, I lost a son when he was 2 months old. So if you are in counseling, please continue to go.

Now on to the exam.. I am one of those people who sat 25 times. I lost credit for FAR and BEC because of REG. I love what I do. I'm a manager at a very small firm, and I'm good at it. I couldn't see me doing anything else for a living. I've always heard that if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life. But I was not prepared for the exam. I didn't have a clue what I was getting into when I first started. It took me almost 5 years.

It gave me ulcers. The surgeon told my husband that I didn't have an ulcer, my stomach was an ulcer. The entire lining of my stomach was inflamed and bleeding. The damage from the ulcers caused me to have a stricture in my esophagus. I'll never eat like a normal person again. I can't swallow bread or anything that has a lot of flour in it, because it expands and chokes me.

What got me over the hump, and finally a license, was getting angry. I found out in October 2012, that I had a 1cm mass in my thyroid. I got madder than I have ever been in my life. I couldn't believe that I had cancer, although at that time I hadn't been diagnosed, and I had spent the last 5 years studying instead of spending time with my family. But I kept studying, because I was so close. I took FAR in November 2012 and got another 73. I got even madder and more determined. My last exam was scheduled for February 21st. I found out February 19th that I now had multiple tumors. There were 3 over 1cm and one greater than 3cm. The very thing that had taken nearly 5 years from me wasn't going to beat me. I decided that if I had cancer and it was going to kill me then it was going to kill a CPA. I was just angry. I felt like the exam was a bully. It kicked me when I was down and I had taken enough. It was time to take back my life, whatever of it was left.

From December to February, I got up every morning at 4:30 to study. Then I'd go to work for 8 hours, come home and study until midnight. I was exhausted but determined. I wanted to punch the bully in the gut and take back my freaking lunch money. I worked every problem in Wiley. I listened to Jeff's audio over and over. If I got a problem wrong, I researched it until I understood the concept. I took notes until my hand cramped. I went over the Ninja flashcards in line at Wal-mart. I studied constantly.

When I took my last exam, I was so mad all the way home. I knew I had failed. I could never tell when the testlets got harder. I just remember having a bunch of really obscure crap, that I would NEVER use, on that exam. I decided before I left the testing center that if I failed, and I was sure I had, that I was done. I cranked Eminem as loud as the speakers in my car would go. 25 to Life was my anthem. I felt like this exam had stolen 5 years of my life. I missed my second son's youth because I was studying. My marriage was in trouble and my health was shot. But something switched in my brain on the 2 hour drive home. I wasn't going to let the bully win. I was not a failure. My grandmother always told me the only way to fail was to quit. I wouldn't quit. If I had to study while taking chemo, then I would do it. The bully wasn't going to beat me.

I didn't even check my score. I had a friend do it for me. When she called me to tell me I got an 85, I think I called her a liar. I don't remember. I just remember crying. It was over. I punched the bully in the gut and took back my life! I had a fine needle biopsy the next Tuesday and got a definite diagnosis of thyroid cancer. I passed the wrong test.

But the exam, and 5 years of fighting the bully, taught me how to find my feet and my voice. Ultimately, it saved my life. Surgery was scheduled for April 16, 2013. The surgeon wanted to delay it 6 months. He even went so far as to cancel the operating room. But I knew how to fight. The exam taught me that. When he told me he wanted to put it off, before I knew what I was doing, I was on my feet, in his face, telling him that either he could take it out, I'd find another surgeon to take it out or I'd take it out myself with a pocket knife and a spoon. I didn't care. That cancerous b@tch was coming OUT! He took it out as originally planned. The pre-CPA exam me, would never have done what I did. I would have gone along with whatever the surgeon wanted. I think I scared the crap out him.

I'm better now. No chemo. Instead I had to take Radio Active Iodine, which has caused other problems, but I can LIVE with all of them. The point of me telling you all of this is so that you understand what this exam does to some of us, while mine is probably an extreme example. You aren't alone. There is a reason this site is another71.com and not another75.com. You are in the right place to get help and support. My advice is to get angry and go get your life back. How many times does the bully have to knock you down? Punch it back!

I have a few video's on youtube. If you have time search Slow Train Ride Through Hell. You can see what kind of place the exam took me to. I just remember it was dark and lonely and I won't ever go there again.

Good Luck!

[Anonymous]

First let me say that I understand that this exam can take you to a really dark place. I was there myself once. I'm glad you got some help and don't have any plans to take your life again. I hate to sound blunt, but that is a very selfish thing to do. Mothers should never outlive their children. I should know, I lost a son when he was 2 months old. So if you are in counseling, please continue to go.

Now on to the exam.. I am one of those people who sat 25 times. I lost credit for FAR and BEC because of REG. I love what I do. I'm a manager at a very small firm, and I'm good at it. I couldn't see me doing anything else for a living. I've always heard that if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life. But I was not prepared for the exam. I didn't have a clue what I was getting into when I first started. It took me almost 5 years.

It gave me ulcers. The surgeon told my husband that I didn't have an ulcer, my stomach was an ulcer. The entire lining of my stomach was inflamed and bleeding. The damage from the ulcers caused me to have a stricture in my esophagus. I'll never eat like a normal person again. I can't swallow bread or anything that has a lot of flour in it, because it expands and chokes me.

What got me over the hump, and finally a license, was getting angry. I found out in October 2012, that I had a 1cm mass in my thyroid. I got madder than I have ever been in my life. I couldn't believe that I had cancer, although at that time I hadn't been diagnosed, and I had spent the last 5 years studying instead of spending time with my family. But I kept studying, because I was so close. I took FAR in November 2012 and got another 73. I got even madder and more determined. My last exam was scheduled for February 21st. I found out February 19th that I now had multiple tumors. There were 3 over 1cm and one greater than 3cm. The very thing that had taken nearly 5 years from me wasn't going to beat me. I decided that if I had cancer and it was going to kill me then it was going to kill a CPA. I was just angry. I felt like the exam was a bully. It kicked me when I was down and I had taken enough. It was time to take back my life, whatever of it was left.

From December to February, I got up every morning at 4:30 to study. Then I'd go to work for 8 hours, come home and study until midnight. I was exhausted but determined. I wanted to punch the bully in the gut and take back my freaking lunch money. I worked every problem in Wiley. I listened to Jeff's audio over and over. If I got a problem wrong, I researched it until I understood the concept. I took notes until my hand cramped. I went over the Ninja flashcards in line at Wal-mart. I studied constantly.

When I took my last exam, I was so mad all the way home. I knew I had failed. I could never tell when the testlets got harder. I just remember having a bunch of really obscure crap, that I would NEVER use, on that exam. I decided before I left the testing center that if I failed, and I was sure I had, that I was done. I cranked Eminem as loud as the speakers in my car would go. 25 to Life was my anthem. I felt like this exam had stolen 5 years of my life. I missed my second son's youth because I was studying. My marriage was in trouble and my health was shot. But something switched in my brain on the 2 hour drive home. I wasn't going to let the bully win. I was not a failure. My grandmother always told me the only way to fail was to quit. I wouldn't quit. If I had to study while taking chemo, then I would do it. The bully wasn't going to beat me.

I didn't even check my score. I had a friend do it for me. When she called me to tell me I got an 85, I think I called her a liar. I don't remember. I just remember crying. It was over. I punched the bully in the gut and took back my life! I had a fine needle biopsy the next Tuesday and got a definite diagnosis of thyroid cancer. I passed the wrong test.

But the exam, and 5 years of fighting the bully, taught me how to find my feet and my voice. Ultimately, it saved my life. Surgery was scheduled for April 16, 2013. The surgeon wanted to delay it 6 months. He even went so far as to cancel the operating room. But I knew how to fight. The exam taught me that. When he told me he wanted to put it off, before I knew what I was doing, I was on my feet, in his face, telling him that either he could take it out, I'd find another surgeon to take it out or I'd take it out myself with a pocket knife and a spoon. I didn't care. That cancerous b@tch was coming OUT! He took it out as originally planned. The pre-CPA exam me, would never have done what I did. I would have gone along with whatever the surgeon wanted. I think I scared the crap out him.

I'm better now. No chemo. Instead I had to take Radio Active Iodine, which has caused other problems, but I can LIVE with all of them. The point of me telling you all of this is so that you understand what this exam does to some of us, while mine is probably an extreme example. You aren't alone. There is a reason this site is another71.com and not another75.com. You are in the right place to get help and support. My advice is to get angry and go get your life back. How many times does the bully have to knock you down? Punch it back!

I have a few video's on youtube. If you have time search Slow Train Ride Through Hell. You can see what kind of place the exam took me to. I just remember it was dark and lonely and I won't ever go there again.

Good Luck!

[kabur]

@Kricket, I have been following your story for a few years & it never ceases to bring tears to my eyes each time I read one of your motivating posts. I've been sitting for this exam for 3.5 years, receiving my first passing score on my 13th attempt. So many of us experience what you're talking about….that incredibly dark place when you continue to study and study, only to receive yet another failing score. It's the worst. But what is even worse than failing, is giving up. Kricket, you and JoMarie were so inspirational to so many people here at Another71 and reading these types of posts are what kept me from giving up. What a fantastic community we have here to keep each other going.

@Jakeeee, you can do this. You can beat this exam. You just have to want it enough. If you want something enough, you'll work hard enough to get it. After 12 attempts at this exam, I finally figured out what it was going to take for me in order to pass. It hasn't been easy, that's for sure. But it will be worth all the blood, sweat, and tears in the end. Good Luck!!!

AUD - 59, 60, 68, 65, 77!
FAR - 56, 55, 64, 55, 69, 75!!
BEC - 60, 50, 70, 75!!!
REG - 67, 63, 66, 86!!!!

Used Becker, Yaeger, Wiley textbook, Wiley testbank, NINJA Notes, NINJA Blitz, & NINJA Audio.

[kabur]

@Kricket, I have been following your story for a few years & it never ceases to bring tears to my eyes each time I read one of your motivating posts. I've been sitting for this exam for 3.5 years, receiving my first passing score on my 13th attempt. So many of us experience what you're talking about….that incredibly dark place when you continue to study and study, only to receive yet another failing score. It's the worst. But what is even worse than failing, is giving up. Kricket, you and JoMarie were so inspirational to so many people here at Another71 and reading these types of posts are what kept me from giving up. What a fantastic community we have here to keep each other going.

@Jakeeee, you can do this. You can beat this exam. You just have to want it enough. If you want something enough, you'll work hard enough to get it. After 12 attempts at this exam, I finally figured out what it was going to take for me in order to pass. It hasn't been easy, that's for sure. But it will be worth all the blood, sweat, and tears in the end. Good Luck!!!

AUD - 59, 60, 68, 65, 77!
FAR - 56, 55, 64, 55, 69, 75!!
BEC - 60, 50, 70, 75!!!
REG - 67, 63, 66, 86!!!!

Used Becker, Yaeger, Wiley textbook, Wiley testbank, NINJA Notes, NINJA Blitz, & NINJA Audio.

[Tncincy]

well, If you want to pass we are here to encourage you. Life have all kinds of twists and turns, ups and downs, but we have to take the good with the bad. It will be worth it in the end. Get up one more time……it's worth it. Life is worth it and those coveted letters are worth the beginning hard work and ending salary to gain. You can do it……Don't let yourself be defeated.

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

[Tncincy]

well, If you want to pass we are here to encourage you. Life have all kinds of twists and turns, ups and downs, but we have to take the good with the bad. It will be worth it in the end. Get up one more time……it's worth it. Life is worth it and those coveted letters are worth the beginning hard work and ending salary to gain. You can do it……Don't let yourself be defeated.

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

[jakeeee]

Thanks everyone for the encouraging words. I'm motivated more than ever now. These words are so inspiring, especially your story @Kricket. I will definitely be checking out your videos. Everyone's journey is so different, and it's very encouraging to hear these stories of perseverance. We all have the same end goal, and I'll be using this forum more as a means of motivation. One day I'll be that person saying that I finally passed my last part. =] I'll be studying tonight!

BEC - July 2014
REG - Aug 2014
FAR - January 2015
AUD - May 2014
Ethics - 3x...

[jakeeee]

Thanks everyone for the encouraging words. I'm motivated more than ever now. These words are so inspiring, especially your story @Kricket. I will definitely be checking out your videos. Everyone's journey is so different, and it's very encouraging to hear these stories of perseverance. We all have the same end goal, and I'll be using this forum more as a means of motivation. One day I'll be that person saying that I finally passed my last part. =] I'll be studying tonight!

BEC - July 2014
REG - Aug 2014
FAR - January 2015
AUD - May 2014
Ethics - 3x...

[MarathonRunner1]

Kricket:

You story and journey is an amazing one. Thank you for inspiring us all. I look forward to being inspired further by watching your youtube videos.

OP: Hang in there buddy. Keep on pushing. As long as you have the drive and the attitude, you will get there!

AUD: 94 (Nov. 2013)
FAR: 76 (Oct. 2013)
BEC: 79 (Nov. 2012)
REG: 84 (Dec. 2013) It's Mile 26.2, and we finished. Blood, sweat and tears, passion, perseverance, and never giving up, we did it!

California Candidate

[Author]

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