[kaydun]

So I just got back my score for REG and I didn’t pass for the second time. I know what I need to do when it comes to the actual material, but I struggle a lot with maintaining focus.

I know a lot of people know the mental toll of not passing a part of the CPA exam (especially REG), so I was wondering if anyone had tips to keeping yourself upbeat and focused for studying the retake? I think that was my biggest issue when studying for my first retake.

FAR - 76 Oct 2015 (Becker)
REG - 87 Apr 2016 (Becker + Ninja MCQ) - 3rd time's the charm!
AUD - 82 Feb 2016 (Becker)
BEC - 85 May 2016 (Becker)

[Gatorgirl1231]

I like to listen to music when I am answering the MCQ.

Also I give myself scheduled breaks instead of trying to kill myself.

For instance on the weekends I study for 6-8 hours, so I will split that in two different sections of the day, I treat it like a work day and give myself a break in between.

Florida Candidate

AUD: 77
REG: 86
FAR: TBD
BEC: 79 (Expired)

[Claudia408]

think about having to take REG a FOURTH time, that will motivate you to hunker down and focus on passing on attempt 3.

BEC 65, 71, 75
AUD 62, 70, 78
REG 67, 66, 65, 66, 64
FAR 68, 64, 73

BEC - 75 (3x)
AUD - 78 (3x)
REG - 67, 66, Aug 1
FAR - 54, Sept 8

[Jdn9201]

I think you have to go into a retake with the mindset of having a clean slate. Try your best to act like you haven't seen the material before. I took BEC in May 2014 after starting a job with a crazy travel schedule, and made a 74. I didn't take it again until Aug 2015 (studied for a month), but that's how I approached it. Even though I was frustrated about coming so close, I didn't beat myself up about it either. Self pity does nothing. Also, I know these exams are hard and some people test better than others, but from reading similar threads I think a lot of smart people are being tripped up by test anxiety. This board has been great to pick up tips from other people, but you also have to figure out what works for you and do that. I always schedule afternoon exams, I never stay up late studying, and I always sleep later and spend the late morning with a good breakfast and relaxing. I even tell myself before going into Prometric that even if I fail, I still have my job and everything else. I guess I kind of trick myself into making it seem like not a big deal. If you can work in accounting and/or get a college degree in the subject, you're smart enough to get a CPA.

BEC - 88 8/29/15
REG - 82 11/14/15
AUD - 83 1/8/16
FAR - 80 2/29/16

[Future Ninja]

@Claudia408 – how's your REG exam?

AUD - 79 (expired) retaking July 28,2016
FAR - 76 expiring July 31, 2016
BEC - 85
REG - 74,74,74,74,59,70,

[Future Ninja]

@kaydun – IDK if I can give something to you because I myself is having the hard time to pass REG. Just dont be like me taking it the fifth time. Live by a moment and study your butt off every single day!

AUD - 79 (expired) retaking July 28,2016
FAR - 76 expiring July 31, 2016
BEC - 85
REG - 74,74,74,74,59,70,

[Anonymous]

@Kaydun. Retakes definitely suck. I had to retake REG and FAR and both times I was fortunate enough to pass on the 2nd try. What I can say is take the time to take a step back and be honest with yourself on your understanding of the material. As far as focus goes, it's incredibly hard to do and I sound cliche in saying this, but use the anger and disappointment from failing to fuel your studying on the retake. I would also look at how you're handling your review phase which in my opinion is key. If possible, give yourself an extra couple of days or consider taking time off work right before the exam to reinforce everything you know and not be questioning it on exam day. That might be all you need to put you through to a passing score. Good luck !

[kaydun]

Thanks for the advice everyone! I'm not working (yet), so most of my time is spent studying, which is a blessing and a curse. I have all the free time in the world, but I didn't structure my time because of it, so the quality of studying definitely lacked when I took my first retake.

I'm definitely going to try to utilize my anger (which is mostly directly at myself for not studying as hard). The the horror of taking it a fourth time is definitely a motivator.

I really do appreciate it!

FAR - 76 Oct 2015 (Becker)
REG - 87 Apr 2016 (Becker + Ninja MCQ) - 3rd time's the charm!
AUD - 82 Feb 2016 (Becker)
BEC - 85 May 2016 (Becker)

[kaydun]

Also, for anyone who's in my same position, I read this and it really put things in perspective:

https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-fail-retake/#comment-276144

FAR - 76 Oct 2015 (Becker)
REG - 87 Apr 2016 (Becker + Ninja MCQ) - 3rd time's the charm!
AUD - 82 Feb 2016 (Becker)
BEC - 85 May 2016 (Becker)

[Anonymous]

Delete Facebook from your phone. Turn your phone off. Buy noise cancelling headphones. Study at a library or a coffee shop. Study when the rest of the family is asleep. Do not study at your office. Do not study at home. Study when you are alert and feel good (for me it was early mornings). These are the things I did to pass.

[Claudia408]

@future – Reg was doable but i didn't pass. i didn't think i passed walking out of prometric. i really wish i had an extra week or two of study time bc i don't think my SIMs were that hard (no AMT, no M-1 recon). what a waste! oh well, on to FAR and circle back with Reg. when is your Reg exam?

BEC 65, 71, 75
AUD 62, 70, 78
REG 67, 66, 65, 66, 64
FAR 68, 64, 73

BEC - 75 (3x)
AUD - 78 (3x)
REG - 67, 66, Aug 1
FAR - 54, Sept 8

[Author]

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