Because this entire process has been long, I like to at least control when I look at scores so I decided ahead of time not to look at my score until a few days later. When I did I finally passed my final exam – REG – and I am done with the exam part of the CPA journey. I hoped that this was the end, as I didn't want to come up against the wire of my BEC expiring. Thankfully I made it with one quarter to spare. I just cannot believe I am done; it honestly hasn't sunk in and probably won't for a while.
If it helps give someone hope, here's my story in brief. I had NO idea how hard this journey would be. Between being unprepared (1st exam) and the horribly long delays last year, I honestly wanted to quit. I passed 1 exam of the first 5 I took. It took me 9 months to hear another passing score, but then I passed my remaining two in the next 5 months after that. It took me a long time to find my stride and I never thought this process would be this hard. But as others have said it is not a test of intelligence – but definitely a test of will and endurance. I kept saying this will be one of the hardest things to go through until I pass and then I knew it would feel like the best experience. It was hard. It was humbling. I am so thankful to my family and friends for everything this last year and a half when my life was on hold to study. I am looking forward to time with them, losing the 20 lbs I put on due to the stress of this exam, and reading books for fun.
Congratulations to all those who passed! Those that didn't, if this is something you truly want, please keep going. I almost quit twice last year; I'm glad I stuck it through. There is a light at the end. Thanks to Jeff and the support of this board which made me feel less alone in what can feel like an incredibly isolating journey.
BEC - Passed
AUD - Passed
FAR - Passed
REG - Passed
BEC/AUD - Wiley + Ninja / FAR - Surgent / REG - Wiley/Surgent