Random things I did not know before embarking on the CPA exam journey

  • Creator
    Topic
  • #202818
    WannaBeCPA1Day
    Participant

    As I sit here attempting to study FAR in order to keep the material fresh until score release day later this month (because I feel almost certain that I failed), I have been pondering several things that I did not know or expect (either about myself or the exam experience) before embarking on this very long, and often-times very frustrating, journey:

    1. The weight gain. It should be called the “CPA exam 15” because I am almost certain that I will have at least 15 pounds to lose after I pass this last section.

    2. The anticipation of score release day. It comes in a close 2nd place to the anticipation I felt about the birth of both of my children. Sad, but true.

    3. To be as vague as possible when asked by friends and family about when my next exam is scheduled. The less other people know, the better I feel.

    4. That studying for the CPA exam is completely different from anything that I have ever studied for in my life… Ever.

    5. That I have some pretty annoying and illogical quirks and habits… The biggest one being that, within a couple of days after taking an exam section, I begin checking to see if my score has been posted earlier than officially scheduled. I know that it hasn’t and it’s utterly ridiculous, and yet I do it every single time.

    6. Along the same lines as #5: That wearing the same outfit for every exam would have a positive impact and influence on my score. Rain or shine, hot or cold, those black sweat pants and Coca-Cola shirt were/are my CPA exam battle uniform.

    7. That watching episodes of “The Office”, during breaks from studying for REG and FAR, saved me from throwing in the towel. Laughter was a great stress reliever when I felt the most frustrated and overwhelmed with the material.

    And…

    8. How happy I felt the day I discovered a community who understands exactly how I feel and what I am going through. Thank you Another71 user community! I am so thankful for all the questions, answers, tips and suggestions. I am especially grateful for the random humorous posts that give me a good laugh when I need it the most!

    AUD - 87
    BEC - 80
    FAR - 80
    REG - 77
    "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit." ~Aristotle

    B: 80
    A: 87
    R: 77
    F: ** (6/21/16)

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 18 total)
  • Author
    Replies
  • #781699
    mselaineous
    Participant

    hahaahaa!!! I thought I was the only one that did #5 & #6!!!

    FAR - Passed (04/16) ROGER
    AUD - Passed (05/16) ROGER & Ninja MCQs
    REG - Passed (07/16) ROGER & Ninja MCQs
    BEC - 08/16

    #781700
    mselaineous
    Participant

    I also go back periodically and make sure my scores are still there!!

    FAR - Passed (04/16) ROGER
    AUD - Passed (05/16) ROGER & Ninja MCQs
    REG - Passed (07/16) ROGER & Ninja MCQs
    BEC - 08/16

    #781701
    Andyred04
    Participant

    1, 6, and 8 especially apply to me. 1, yeah I’ve probably gained 5-15 pounds since December, whatever. 6, lime green polo, my favorite jeans, and sneakers. I also have a post-exam ritual of going to Buffalo Wild Wings directly from Prometric for a buffalo chicken wrap and a 23 oz Miller Lite (think I care that it's only 11 AM?). 8, I seriously have learned so much from this forum. Everything from doing countless multiple choice to what not to do on test day. Don’t know if I’d be sitting 3 for 3 right now without this forum

    FAR 80
    REG 87
    BEC 87
    AUD 96

    Primarily Gleim, supplemented with Ninja Notes & Ninja MCQs

    Missouri CPA as of January, 2017

    FAR: 80 (Gleim, Ninja Notes, Ninja MCQs)
    REG: 87 (Gleim, Ninja Notes, Ninja MCQs)
    BEC: 87 (Gleim, Ninja Notes, Ninja MCQs)
    AUD: 8/27/16

    PA Candidate

    #781702
    Tncincy
    Participant

    I didn't know the people I told I was studying for the cpa would be so persistent in asking Did you pass? Since I have not passed any sections yet, I just don't talk about it any more.

    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

    #781703
    Ag12thman
    Participant

    Okay, please don't think I live in a cave, but can someone please tell me what “The Office” is? Is it a show or a movie? I only ask because this is the 3rd time someone has mentioned it in conversations I've had in the last week. It must be popular, whatever it is. Also, where can I find the episodes? I obviously must need to check it out.

    FAR: July 2016

    #781704
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I'd thought this thread was going to be some of the bizarre facts you stumble across in the exams – like some piece of contract law that is funny especially if taken out of context. 🙂

    I'm just now finally starting to go the right direction with the weight…and it's been 3 years since the exams for me. 😐 My weight gain started as I transitioned from active jobs during college to sedentary jobs in accounting (plus studying after work), and had gotten out of hand. Around November of last year I started losing instead of gaining – I'm now within about 15 pounds of my just-finished-exam-weight, and then I can start losing the exam weight! Getting there! haha

    #781705
    stozzo88
    Participant

    I hear ya, good fitting jeans and my cowboy boots every time. After every test I went to off the hook, (highly recommend if your ever around the burgh). Always would be the same thing, chorizo and cream mahi mahi. Whatever works, I'll take it. Go Pens

    FAR - 82 1/18/2016
    BEC - 81 2/22/2016
    REG - 84 4/11/2016
    AUD - 86 5/17/2016

    PA Licensed CPA 2016

    FAR- 1-18-2016- 82
    BEC- 2-22-2016- 81
    REG- 4-11-2016- 84
    AUD- 5-17-2016- 86

    #781706
    Nancy
    Participant

    I do almost every single one of these and watch the office after studying as well! Knowing about this website makes studying for 8-10 hours on a Saturday bearable knowing tons of people are stuck right there with me. Is it bad that I not only wear the same exact outfit to take the exams……….but also almost every Saturday I wear the same thing to study……..The people at the library probably think I am a bum at this point and don't have any other clothes. My “study” pants now have a hole in the knee and I cannot part with them. I would add to the list that I need to make a stop at the store for a 6 pack and possibly taco bell every single Saturday after studying………AND possibly fast food for breakfast BEFORE studying. Sad I've never eaten so much crap in my life except after a study session.

    AUD - NINJA in Training
    BEC - 78
    FAR - NINJA in Training
    REG - 82
    BEC: 78

    REG: 82

    AUD: February 20, 2017

    FAR: January 2, 2017

    For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
    Philippians 4:13

    #781707
    aatoural
    Participant

    I am totally doing number 3. Nothing irritates me more than people constantly asking did finish? Did you pass? Hello I just started!

    BEC - PASSED
    AUD - PASSED
    REG - PASSED
    FAR - PASSED

    BEC - PASSED
    AUD - 8/29/16
    FAR - TBS
    REG - TBS

    #781708
    justkeepswimming23
    Participant

    lol! Number 1 was kind of opposite for me, I lost weight in the beginning because I felt so stressed. Even a family member asked was I getting sick. I checked my weight on the scale and yeah, 10 pounds gone. That's when I knew I had to calm the hell down and just take it easy. Other things were stressing me as well but these exams made up 75% of the stress. For number 3 whenever someone asks about when my next exam is I just say “early ___” or “mid ____” or late ___” …totally agree with number 8!

    FAR: 78
    REG: 74, 75
    AUD:
    BEC:

    #781709
    sarah40460
    Participant

    LMAO. I gained 12 lbs just with AUD and reigned that nonsense in quickly. I was not about to be 50 lbs overweight by the end of this thing.

    #6 and #7 are completely relatable! I have watched all of the seasons of the Office I don't know how many times both to relieve myself of CPA stress and to deal with my real life boring office job. I also have to make baked salmon, spinach, and broccoli the night before every exam. In my mind, it's fueling my brain for greatness! I also listen to “The Final Countdown” and “Eye of the Tiger” on my way to Prometric every time. I'm a dork.

    AUD - 95
    BEC - 90
    FAR - 88
    REG - 89
    Illinois CPA!

    AUD: 95 (11/2015)
    FAR: 88 (02/2016)
    REG: 89 (06/2016)
    BEC: 90 (07/2016)
    Ethics: 93

    I'm never studying for anything ever again!

    #781710
    Texan_176
    Participant

    I watched The Office too; the earlier seasons though with “Chili's is the new golf course” episode as a fav.

    In the time between my 3rd try at FAR and score release I was browsing online and saw the entire I Dream of Jeannie series for under $19 so I bought it on an impulse. It was my first pure throw some money at entertainment purchase since October 2014; yeah pretty sad. Anyway I started watching that show leading up to June 8th so it will forever be associated with the time I found out I passed the final section of the exam.

    AUD - 83
    BEC - 77
    FAR - 83
    REG - 78
    Licensed TX CPA

    BEC 11/29/14 77 (Roger)
    AUD 2/23/15 60 (Roger) 4/13/2015 83 (Roger & Ninja MCQ)
    REG 5/30/2015 66 (Roger & Ninja MCQ(7 hours only)) 8/23/2015 78 (Roger & Ninja MCQ)
    FAR 11/23/2015 60 (Roger & NINJA MCQ) 2/24/2016 74 (Roger & NINJA MCQ) 5/25/2016 83 (Roger+Roger CRAM & NINJA MCQ/NOTES)
    Texas Ethics Exam 92%

    Licensed TX CPA Aug 2016

    #781711
    Stilgoin
    Participant

    Well- I lost 21 lbs that I gained last year studying because that is literally the only thing I have any control over right now. When people ask about my exam, lately I have said ‘still waiting on scores for my last one’. Jeez. It is crazy how similar everyone’s lives are in studying for this and dealing with the same crap every day. I have been trying to get my $hit together and be more positive, but it sure is tough. I am kind of in exile because I hate for people to see me in such a negative mood. This is so not my normal behavior Lol

    Stilgoin, CPA

    There are enough critics. Be an encourager

    B | 62, 78
    A | 73, 67, 79
    R | 82
    F | 59, 59, Waiting

    Ethics | 93

    "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."
    ~Winston Churchill

    “In a world full of critics, be an encourager."

    #781712
    monikernc
    Participant

    i am a 5, 6 and 8 person. always wore my lucky pants. always checked my scores early. always hit the forum – still doing that and i plan on hanging around for awhile. i love this place and appreciate the people.

    AUD - 93
    BEC - 82
    FAR - 76
    REG - 88
    How have you been?
    Ninja book and MCQs and the forum, all first try! 2016
    Licensed State of Montana April Fool’s Day 2020
    State of Colorado June 2020 - AICPA Ethics 93
    Experience was the worst part of the journey for me. You?
    If you want things to change you have to do something different.

    FAR 7/25/15 76!
    AUD 10/30/15 93
    BEC 2/27/16 82
    REG 5/23/16 88!
    Ninja Book and MCQ and the forum - all the way!!!
    and a little thing i like to call, time and effort!
    if you want things to change, you have to do something different

    #781713
    Stilgoin
    Participant

    I should add that letting my negative flag fly freely here makes me feel so much better. 😀 I, too, love this forum and all the different stories. It inspires me daily to keep going. 😉

    Stilgoin, CPA

    There are enough critics. Be an encourager

    B | 62, 78
    A | 73, 67, 79
    R | 82
    F | 59, 59, Waiting

    Ethics | 93

    "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."
    ~Winston Churchill

    “In a world full of critics, be an encourager."

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 18 total)
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