[Anonymous]

I am a CPA candidate in the state of Georgia. I work in a warehouse. I have been there for roughly 9 years in aggregate. They let me go to college and finish ( with a hellish work schedule) where I graduated with a 3.3 overall GPA and a 3.0 accounting GPA so I am definitely not STUPID!. After graduating with my 4 year accounting degree, my managers know that I am really trying to get into public accounting and better my life. I have a wife and two small children. I work my butt off for them and I am really ready to get this exam behind me before getting the rest of my educational credit hours. I have had several interviews with negative results so I have ultimately quit looking for a public accounting position and have focused on this exam. My managers at this warehouse always ask me how this experience is going always laughing in my face as I describe how I struggle with working 40-50 hours a week all year round and studying for this test. After telling them I failed a section they seem to get enjoyment out of it. I figure they want me to fail since they cannot find any good workers that will stay due to the demanding physical requirements of the job. The managers always say “y’all get paid from the neck down!” When I describe how I study and study and then receive a failing score they always make comments such as ” are you sure you should keep taking this thing?” as they look at me like I am a complete idiot for not passing after my attempts. I just needed to get this out because my wife does not know anything material wise about this exam and those stupid managers dang sure don’t know! OK RANT PARTIALLY OVER!

I also study on my off days which is normally on Thursday and Friday ( if they don’t make me work an off day). I use Becker, supplemented with Wiley test bank and Ninja audio on my second attempt at REG. I need to change the way I study because I want to pass Also, I read the book that comes with Becker, but is it necessary to read the entire book or can I just watch the videos and take INTENSE notes? I want to limit my studying to 8 weeks MAX while working like this and balancing family life. After 2 failed attempts I want to go HAM on studying and pass my next tests the first time through. I have limited time as I work like crazy all year round and have a family! I have just sat for REG on April 11, 2014 and I am waiting on my results, but I felt so defeated as I walked out of the testing center! I always say ok I can work through the MCQ, but once I get to the SIMS I know what to do in my head, but seeing the way they present to stuff is just confusing and I get lost since I usually have 1 hour for the SIMS. The clock seems to speed up once I hit that first SIM lol. If there is anyone out there that can offer ANY advice such as study tips or what to do when you encounter a HATER at work that is your BOSS please feel free to comment!

[Kimboroni]

Obviously they have no idea how hard these tests are. That is rude that they laugh, but they are just ignorant about what it takes to pass. Too bad.

Are you only studying on your days off? If so, that is probably part of the problem. You need to study pretty much every day for those 6-8 weeks. This is coming from someone who, for school, doesn't prep for tests very much ahead of time at all. These tests are a different animal and take a LOT more prep work. If you can fit in at least a couple of hours (like an hour at lunch and an hour plus in the evening) every day, that should help a lot. Or if you already study every day, study a little more every day. That should help your retention and your ability to get through the whole program and do all the practice problems. You probably need more practice on MCQs so that you have more time for the SIMs when you get to exam day.

As for reading the book, yes, you should, but everyone learns a bit different. If that isn't effective for you, it's probably not the best use of your time. It's about figuring out your learning style– are you visual, auditory, kinesthetic, etc.

AUD 84 (1/9/14-Wiley books/TB + free materials)
FAR 83 (5/21/14-the above + NINJA 10 Pt Combo Lite)
REG 84 (7/9/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC/Notes)
BEC 76 (10/5/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC)

Disclaimer: My ninja avatar is not meant to imply that I have any affiliation with this site other than being a forum member. That's a pic of a T-shirt that my daughter gave me for my birthday. 🙂

[Anonymous]

Hey chica/chico, I used to be like you in terms of this test. Not passing and having to explain to the people in my life how my process is coming along. It is rather stressful aint it?

I told myself that the only person you need to prove that you are worthy is yourself. I literally said to myself they aint got a clue how it is, so what they say has no merit. What people say to you about the CPA should not matter to you as much as you think it does. When I could I would not talk about it to people who I know have no clue on how it goes. As I was studying one time a guy studying for his CFA had the nerve to tell me the CPA aint nothing compared to the CFA. All you can do when something like that happens is brush it off and get your study grind back on.

In terms of the test, its not easy. You will definitely fail time and time again unless you're one of the special few who pass it first try. I for sure did not pass on first try. It does suck to fail, but it feels good to learn from your mistakes for when you do pass.

In terms of studying, I never watch lectures. I felt like lectures was wasting my time because I was just counting down the minutes till completion. So I decided a new approach. Read the chapter, do 60-90 problems, read the chapter again, and do those same 60-90 problems to make sure I know those concepts.

[How many letters do you need]

Not only do they have no idea what the CPA is about, but they are basically jealous. Doubly so when it's your boss. They see you bettering yourself and they want to knock you down because it makes them feel worse about their own lives. NEVER let the naysayers get inside your head. You have your direction and your purpose, let that guide your way and F anybody who tries to tell you otherwise.

As for studying, my methodology is pretty simple, here is what I did for FAR (fair warning, I still don't know if I passed). I use a similar timeframe, anything longer I really feel like you end up chasing your tail restudying what you lost; and who has time for that? I take a lap through all topics, doing MCQs (WTB & back of book) to get an idea as to where I stand, this takes about four weeks. I classify all topics into Strong-Medium-Weak. I then look at the outline of topics and weightings provided by the AICPA. Anything weak that is heavily tested is a priority and that's where I focus until I get it. Then it's on to the medium that are heavily focused and so on. When looking to improve, again, I look at the outliers. When doing MCQs I take notes of sub topics that are repeatedly giving me issues; these will usually be the drivers behind the poor performance in that category. More than likely you might be talking about 1 or 2 concepts that are the difference between a 60% and an 80% in that category. I figure out what they are and I work on them; a truly targeted approach because quite frankly we can't afford the time to go back over an entire section at that point in the study process. Throughout all of this I take notes on my weaknesses and I review them on a regular basis, as well as some time on strengths so the strenghts stay strengths (roughly 20% of my study time); combining notes with NINJA notes if that helps

In the second to last week, I update notes on all weaknesses and topics that just lend themselves to memorization. If I'm still not getting a particular topic it by the start of the final week, I abondon all effort to really “understand” the concpets and just shoot for memorization from my notes. More than likely you will be sunk if you happen to get a sim on that topic, but at least you can probably get some MCQs correct and so long as you don't have too many of these weaknesses your odds are pretty good. This is my approach, and is certainly not geared toward getting perfect exam scores, just enough to get a pass with the least amount of pain and suffering required. Ill find out if I reached my goal in a little under three weeks:) Good luck.

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[Anonymous]

@DreamChaser > I feel for you. This exam is so hard while working with kids and here's what you don't want to hear….You say you want to limit your studying to 8 weeks and balance your family life but this exam has no balance. Took me 19 months of 3 a.m. study sessions before work and then studying all day on Sat/Sun to get through. Like you I work full time and have two young kids. I cried my 40 minute drive to the library more times than I can count. I hated hated leaving my kids. I stuck my husband and two daughters on a plane to FL on school break and I sat in my dining room studying REG. I was going to pass no matter what it took.

Give everything up for whatever period of time it takes and throw yourself in 500% knowing at the end of the day you win. 8-10 weeks is not realistic for everyone and life balance is not realistic for anyone. This exam doesn't allow for it. Find whatever works for you – no matter how painful it is and just do it. You may need to work harder and longer than you ever thought or wanted but at the end of the day it will eventually be over and you will be a CPA.

As for those guys at work. We all know people like that. Like I tell my kids the people that try to bring you down are just not feeling great about themselves and you have to feel sorry for them. Those guys at work wish they had the opportunity in front of them that you do.

Good luck on your REG score. Don't give up. You can do this.

[Anonymous]

@Dream, I feel you. We could really discern the hearts of those people who are for us and who are against us. Those people who are against us would be happy to see us fail and rattle to watch us succeed. Don't give them too much of the details of what you're doing. They have no idea anyway. (They're the certified stupid, big time! They could not even sit to any of this CPA test anyway!)

If they ask you how it goes again, answer them in a polite but not in an overly exhaustive way. It's exhausting enough to share your emotions with people who neither understand nor sympathize with you. Guard yourself and don't fall beyond your boundary lines.

After watching the video clip of Muhammad Ali from MCLKT's post about getting angry at her failing score, I've become Ali's fan. “I'm going to show you how great I am!”

We need to show how GREAT WE ARE to the same people who are against us and MORE ESPECIALLY to those people (who support and believe in us) whom we truly love and care for.

[Anonymous]

Only a person who has gone through the experience and knows when you try and try and try and fail and dust your self off and try again and fail. Has allot of respect for someone who keeps on going. Its easy to give up, just throw away your books. But staying on a horse is hardest. Any person who has lived will respect you for trying and not giving up.

I don't believe we all set out to fail, but due to errors and underestimating the process we end in the gutter. If you were stupid you would have quit long ago, but you know you can do it GPA in CPA exam is not that important its about test taking technique. When they say study released questions you do it like mad. Download all the past exams buy old Wiley books for $5 bucks on ebay and try relate the question to current numbers. There only so much they can ask in the test after failing a couple of times I noticed a pattern which helped me. Know the Sample test and released questions (understand them). Read the journal of accountancy thats another clue when subject is a hot topic. Don't torture yourself.

Analyse your previous attempts and try remember what stumped you. Did you panic!! Or did you miss something. If you can remember your mcqs and sims write them down for yourself. They have asked me the same question in 2 tests in differrent testlets and third time I got it right (it was worded differently) its hard to forget a “stupid question” I got wrong twice.

Practice test yourself create your Prometric experience (Blind exams). Go to the library Sat afternoon, put in your ear buds and nose canceling earphones. Its like running marathon you run the track before the actual day you know the feel of the road when you get tired and when you start giving up, when to start encouraging yourself, when to start drawing on your mental reserves because you are ready to give up . So if you are scheduled for morning test two weeks before your test at that time you do a exam (if you manage to do practice test at work do) if scheduled for afternoon do the same. You will understand how your body reacts to different situations. If REG do 30 mcqs instead of 24.

Good luck you can do it.!!!

[Study Monk]

I agree with How many letters do you need. A lot of people who don't have formal educations resent people who do the things they are to lazy to do. Blue collar males are more likely to have a ball busting sense of humor, so it possible that its not completely mean spirited. It could be a company culture thing.

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

“Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section”

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

"Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

[Anonymous]

Agree with study monk. It's possible they are just busting your balls.

Or maybe they want you to stay blue collar like them. Either way, you should not care. You are there to just make money while you pass the exam, and then its on to greener pastures my friend.

Cheers

[Anonymous]

No one knows how hard this is until they have to go through it themselves!

As for studying, maybe Becker just isn't the right program for you. Becker didn't work for me at all – I had a hard time picking up anything from their approach. Works great for some people, but not everyone. I used CPAExcel + Wiley Test Bank (I finished taking exams right as they merged) + the NINJA 10-point combos.

Take a look at some different study program trials – see if there's something out there that might fit your study style better than Becker.

[yalwas]

At least you have job. I passed all 4 sections of the CPA and managers refuse me!!

[Anonymous]

Reading the books never helped me. I had to hear the material over and over and over again for it to finally stick. Can you listen to the Ninja audio while you are working? That's what I did. I didn't do the type of work you are doing, so I don't even know if that is possible.

It sounds to me like you are ready to get mad, if you are not already mad! For some of us, getting mad was the key piece of the puzzle. When I got mad I learned to STAND.

Study like your life depends on it.

Take control of your life

Accept that you won't know everything

Never give the bully a free shot

Discipline yourself to the point of obsession

It sounds like you've been knocked down a time or two. The good news is that you only have to do one thing at this point… GET. BACK. UP! This exam is a bully. Punch it in the gut and take your life back! The boss that is giving you such grief for not passing, is probably afraid that one day you are going to be his boss. I was a secretary for 20 years, and believe me, some bosses do NOT like it when you stop working to make them look good and start showing the world what you can do. Have faith that this will happen for you. Maybe not when you want it to, but it will happen, if you get back up and learn to STAND.

[h0wdyus]

I am work in IT and I go on call too every 4th weekend. Working hours are 9 hours a day + 2 hour commute.

What I do is get up at 4:00 am or 4:30 AM study 2 hours every day. Weekend and off days go for studying too. One thing I have done is no one knows at my work that I have passed 2 exams already. No one knows that I am even enrolled for CPA exams.

All these people at work are loosers, they never accomplished any thing in their life, and neither do they have the aptitude to do so.

So why would you even listen to these low life forms. You are on the right track. Don't waste your mental energy on these people telling them anything. Just make up some excuse, tell them you are not pursuing CPA, that you just doing some Masters which will be easier. Change you job if you have too and make sure you don't tell them anything about CPA, just say you are pursuing your masters. Lying for a good cause is not a sin , lie if you have too, but giving up on CPA is not an option. I would say change your job and tell your boss that you will need a weeks time off of and on for doing your Masters.

Family, yes I have one too. they are on the back burner, I get involved if there is a crisis only and let the wife handle the rest.

I am using Yager , I like his teaching style.

FAR - 81 29th Aug 2013
AUD - 84
REG - 82
BEC - 89 29th Aug 2014
Using Yager

FROM NJ

[Anonymous]

I have worked in industry accounting for 13 years, had a 4.0 accounting gpa and it took me 3 tries for FAR (passed it first try but lost credit), 5 attempts at Audit, 3 attempts at BEC and 4 attempts at REG. You are definitely NOT STUPID!

These exams are the spawn of the devil!

[Anonymous]

Thank you all! All of that was great advice! I had to get that off my chest yesterday to people that actually understand how it is! I am going to change my study habits and continue with Becker, Wiley test bank, ninja audio, and ninja notes. My FAR score is so low because that was my first ever attempt at this test and I casually studied for that section. I would study for a few days, take a week off, study a little more…. and before I knew it I had to go sit for it. I finished half of the review course and just dove right in the test.. needless to say that was an eye opener! I didn't realize how much time I was going to have to put into this thing to beat it. Then I went for REG before my FAR score came back. I studied a lot more and finished the review course all the way up to R7, then I had to go sit for that section. I actually scored better than I thought I did on both attempts LOL.. My 2nd attempt at REG I restudied the whole book, took A LOT of notes, read ninja notes, listened to ninja audio for 2 weeks straight while at work and did A LOT of MCQ's. I still feel like it wasn't enough though as I walked out of the testing center, but we shall see! Honestly, I lose most of my points in the SIMS.. When I get to the SIMS I look at them and I am like WTF! Time is pressing me down and I start rushing through things a bit. Maybe I don't actually understand the concepts enough to APPLY it to the SIMS or something but I feel like I understand the concepts as I am doing MCQ's while studying. Also, the practice SIMS are nothing compared to the real test in my opinion. Maybe during the actual test I am my biggest enemy! Doubting my answers as I plow through the exam.

[NYCaccountant]

The SIMS are sooooooo confusing though lol. I know exactly what you mean.

AUD - 99
BEC - 84
FAR - 93
REG - 87

NYC born and raised.

FAR - 93
REG - 87
BEC - 84!!!!
AUD - 99!!!!!! CPA exam complete.

[Author]

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