[LKD CPA]

I’m sure everyone experiences testing anxiety on the day of the test, but I’m wondering if anyone else has severe anxiety? For my entire life, when I hear the word test I freeze up. It is typical for me to vomit at least one time before the test. When I took REG in July I made it through the 1st testlet just fine, but then the 2nd testlet was horrible (much harder). I had to take a break between the 2nd and 3rd so I could go puke in the bathroom. (I ended up with a 76, thank God!) I knew when I started this CPA journey it would be the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. I’ve given birth to my three children without any pain medication, and I’ve sent my husband to war multiple times, but this is harder than those by far. Does anyone have advise or recommendations for the anxiety?

FAR: 74, 83
REG: 76
BEC: 77
AUD: 89

[h0wdyus]

I strongly advise you to pray before the exam and during the exam. Prepare for your exam and then leave it in gods hand.

Just answer the questions and move to the next one. Prayer during the exam can take 10 seconds, it will calm you down. Close you eyes say a quick prayer and continue.

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

FROM NJ

[fjabay]

Hi LKD CPA,

I have anxiety in general not just test anxiety. It's very crippling to my everyday life and I don't use any medication as my doctor suggested because of the side effects that came along with it.

Stress situations also make me feel like vomiting so don't feel like you're alone.

What I've been doing to manage my anxiety is I gave up any form of caffeine and I cut back on sugar. I also learned how to do breathing exercises (look up “square breathing”). On the testing day, it was very hard for me to concentrate because my heart is pounding and there were several times that I closed my eyes, did my square breathing and went back to answering the questions. I also drink water lots of water(not on testing day, of course) and regularly exercise- even if it's just walking for 30minutes a day.

I hope this helps.

AUD - 07/14/14 - 88

[QuesoDip]

It sounds like you have a real problem, getting so worked up that you puke is a pretty severe reaction to anxiety. I think the best course of action would be to consult a doctor about it. I know there are several medications out there that work to reduce anxiety, maybe see if a doctor can steer you in the right direction to something that doesn't make you drowsy?

REG - 88 - 8 Weeks (Becker, Ninja Audio/Flashcards, Wiley TB)
FAR - 87 - 10 Weeks (Becker, Ninja Audio)
AUD - 98 - 6 Weeks (Becker, Ninja Audio, Ninja MCQ)
BEC - 87 - 2 Weeks (Becker & Ninja Audio)

[thechapman]

This may sound stupid, but if you are truly freaking out it could be good to take 5 minutes to just close your eyes and calm down. 5 minutes lost on the exam is a small price to pay if you are able to calm down and regain control and confidence. I had a moment (although not as severe) during my FAR sims because I thought I was getting destroyed. It really helps to remember that you've prepared a ton for this test, and that you'd be selling yourself short if you didn't give it everything you have to give yourself the best chance of putting all that preparation to work.

Passed - 2014

[10keyLeah]

I've had general anxiety issues, not just testing. As you said, it's natural to have some anxiety, but when it keeps you from doing ‘normal' things, then it's a problem. It kept me from going to college sooner, and almost kept me from trying to sit for cpa exams. So, I think it's great that you are tackling the exams. Congrats.

Is this your very first cpa exam? You said it is ‘typical', so I'm thinking it's not your first cpa exam. Did you always puke during your college exams? I'm sure your not the first and only person to ever puke before/during/ or after an exam, but it's no good if this has been an on going issue.

Try some relaxation techniques. It may not completely cure you, but it could help significantly. Anything from prayer, meditation, saying your concerns out loud, exercise. I'd give any of those a real try before considering anything like medications.

Just know, you are not alone. Good luck!

Ninja Combo, Yaeger, Wiley -- Licensed CPA, May 2015

[LKD CPA]

Thank you all for the advice. I am dead set against medication so I am going to try some of the breathing techniques and I plan on slowly cutting back (and then getting completely off) caffeine. I already run at least 4 miles in the morning or do one of my workout videos, so I'm good with exercise.

In my college classes I would be VERY nervous and shaky during test time, but it didn't bother me as much. I think because I didn't put as much stock/value in it. I literally sailed through college – seriously – we lived in Hawaii at the time and we spent hours on our boat. I rarely studied and made a 3.96 GPA with little effort.

With the CPA exams I just can't put my finger on what is freaking me out. I took FAR in April and got a 74. I was very nervous and got sick the morning before the test, but made it through the exam without upchucking. 🙂 When I took REG in July I think it was exacerbated by my failing FAR the first go around. The proctor at Prometric also came in the room and told me to stop fiddling with my necklace or she was going to ask me to remove it. I just had a lot going on in my brain and my body and lost focus. Again, I am SHOCKED that I passed REG – granted it was a 76, but I passed!!!

FAR: 74, 83
REG: 76
BEC: 77
AUD: 89

[Guti]

You should take your husband to the testing site and try to have sex 30 minutes before the exam. This way you will be very relaxed by the time you start working on the first testlet.

FAR-84
AUD-
REG-
BEC-

[Anonymous]

At least you made it to a break. I ran out of the testing room during a REG test to puke once. Then I started puking at 4am before a REG test at 8am after I had gone all the way to Houston to take the test. I made it through the test but puked all the way home. I thought I had food poisoning. I went to the doctor and my blood pressure was at stroke level 24 hours after the exam. Get your blood pressure checked and talk to your doctor. Puking is one of the first signs of a heart attack. This is nothing to play around with.

[Author]

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