[Kadyrosa]

I went into today’s BEC exam confident. After failing Audit by 2 points in May, I knew I had to step up my studying game.

This time I supplemented my Becker with the Ninja notes… I have done nothing except study for weeks. Early mornings, lunch breaks, late nights, weekends (what are those???). I am starting to become delusional and swear Im dating Peter Olinto as much time as we spend together!!!… I was scoring high 80’s/low 90’s on the pretests. THEN… today- the test was HORRIBLE. It was all math problems. They should have been easy— I was prepared. I knew these. –none of my answers matched the options. AND from what I read it was suppose to be more theory than questions. But I worked all the Becker questions (several times). I reviewed my Ninja notes. I had this. I was prepared for the IT. I had very minimal questions on IT. I know its random… why me???????????

In the meantime, my patience is gone. My thoughts are irrational. My emotions intensified. What is happening to me? I dont know anyone else taking the exam. This is a career transition for me. Not that I wish this for anyone else, but please I hope I am not alone! 🙁

AUD 73 <– really?

BEC ??

[MCLKT]

You are not alone.

I have completely lost my mind. A physician friend of mine actually suggested medication for anxiety. And he is a more holistic anti-med kinda doc. I know I've gone crazy.

LOL @ dating Peter! I refer to my AUD study sessions as dates with Gary 🙂 It used to be funny, until I completely stopped dating in reality in an effort to stay focused and be disciplined. After my last score of 73 I began to eat, sleep, breathe CPA. I KNOW I was ready for FAR… and just lost track of time. I completely ruined it for myself. That test was mine for the taking and I forgot all about time management. The result 74.

For what it's worth… BEC is coo-coo. So many of the questions are like, “what are you even asking?”, you probably did much better than you anticipate.

I wish you luck on your score release day. Until then, try to relax. I have quit drinking, except on high anxiety day. A glass of wine pretest night, test day…. and I thought score release day. But nope, I don't even want a drink tonight. I'm just studying, and watching A71 for the moral support.

Hang in there. This is a big step for a career change!

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

[Anonymous]

I will be taking BEC for the 4th time next month. First time i took BEC I got 74, then 72 and just found out I got a 73 this time!! This is my last section, if i dont pass next month I will lose my FAR credit. I'm at the point in BEC where I dont even know what to study any more. It feels as if I have remembered all the answer to the Wiley questions.

We know what your going thru so hang in there, it's not a easy process.

[littlenumberrobot]

Kadyrosa

I know how you feel! I had a break down last week the night before my REG exam. I wanted to give up so bad. I'm so miserable with how much i study and lack of life and it still doesn't seem enough to pass. It's been even more tough for me during the holidays. Keep at it you will succeed. Hang in there we are all with you

CA CPA - All because of the journey listed below
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FAR - 53('10), 8/25/12 79 PASSED!
REG - 66('11), 69('12), 12/06/12 77 PASSED!!
BEC - 58('10), 74('12), 01/05/13 77 PASSED!!!
AUD - 43('11), 66('12), 69('13), 74('13) 7/29/13 85 PASSED!!!!!

(Combinations of Roger, Yaeger, Wiley Book, Wiley TB, & NINJA Notes)

Ethics 90%

[Kadyrosa]

Thank you everyone! I can't begin to explain how comforting/reassuring it is to know I am not alone. Last night was my first time writing on A71. I am hooked. 🙂

I definitely think I need anxiety meds! I went to the doctor last Friday after crying for 2 days! She laughed, reassured I will pass, and gave me scripts for B12. Really?? Maybe that's because I have a better chance of becoming a lawyer in California, doctor, or being drafted in the NFL. (us.talentlens.com/quality-of-hire/worlds-toughest-tests-and-final-exams)

I, too, have stopped dating to focus on this exam. In fact, even my closest friends find me difficult at times. I have to find a study routine that works. Pulling all nighters makes me a raging lunatic. I did find that jogging makes me feel better. My question now is: how do others create more of a balance? I work 9-6 and bartend on weekend nights. I know once I pass this exam, I will be able to find a job making more $ and I won't have to work two jobs. I miss so many family/friends events. I am ever grateful for my mother who helps me with my 15 yr old son. I just want to push through this exam and pass so I can start living and enjoying my life again. To think I gave up 7yrs in law enforcement/ CSI, for a career that I thought would allow me to have more quality time with family and friends.

I am open for suggestions for what works for others. Also, what study materials should I be using.

Off to clean up this house that is destroyed…. Oh, and instead of wine I had vodka last night. Cotton candy vodka and coke zero with a Saturday Night Live reruns…. Made me feel better. =)

[MCLKT]

Well Kadyrosa welcome to the craziness! I'm a Katie testing out of CA too 🙂

That article is strangely gratifying, thanks for sharing. I'm sure it will be even more-so after passing, lol.

The only balance I can justify is debiting study time, and crediting everything else in my life. Which is no balance at all.

I have found, if I allow myself 1-2 hours of nonstudy time right after work, to take care of my daughter and house, I don't feel quite as guilty for the time dedicated to studying. I work 8-5, commute, nonstudy 6-8, study 8-11 on weekdays. I keep telling myself I will exercise a bit to help ease the anxiety, but I feel too guilty taking the time. Maybe if I got off of A71, I could exercise some, lol.

I think for us (single parents working full time) we have to give it more time. I know I felt much more confident leaving myself 2 full weeks for review only, after covering all of the material. I did this with FAR, and have no doubt I would have passed had I managed my time better.

So, you have taken 2 exams. Waiting on your BEC score (will probably get it the 15th). And you are currently using Becker/Ninja notes. I think you have what you need to succeed, really. I love the Wiley test bank, so you may look into that, but many people have passed using Becker alone. Also check out https://cpareviewforfree.com create a free account and work through all of the free questions. I am going to pay the $10 or so to get the additional SIMS to practice too. It's been helpful for me to get questions from different sources (you will want to review the AICPA release questions too).

What is your game plan? Are you studying for the next test or just waiting to get your score then take it from there?

Glad you were able to relax a bit last night. Cotton Candy vodka and comedy sounds like heaven!

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

[Anonymous]

My suggestion is that you supplement Becker with Wiley. I used Wiley almost exclusively (sprinkled with some CPAExcel) and I had great scores.

You need to do all the Wiley mcq's 3x each and during each pass through write down the reason you missed each question you missed along with any you guessed on. You will pass.

[Kadyrosa]

I thank everyone for the support. Perhaps my new thread will be “boarded the crazy train, getting off next stop!” lol. I have had much needed sleep since Saturday. Last night I slept fr 13hrs. Tonight I am spending much needed quality time with my son. I will resume the studies next week after the dreaded score release. I did look into the Wiley test bank and sample test online. (Thanks!) So moving forward, what do I do to prevent myself from boarding the crazy train again? I started making a list of what I was doing prior: exercise, eating, and sleeping. I believe these will be pivotal during my next study session. Had it not been for my bestie who came over Friday (pretest day) and fixed breakfast and dinner, I would not have ate for 3 days prior to sitting for the exam. Also, I am no longer making unrealistic time goals for passing this exam. Slow and steady wins the race right? No longer am I the rabbit but a turtle! Lol

Well back to work. Everyone take care! =)

[Author]

Replies