[pray475]

So I just found out to today it’s going to take at least 14 exams for me before I can burry the hatchet…and I found out in the worst way possible (got a 74 on audit). I took REG yesterday and was feeling pretty great because the test went well, but those feelings quickly subsided when I spent the night studying for audit. Here’s how it’s all gone down. So far

1) Reg (fail) 2) Bec (pass) 3) Aud (pass) 4) Reg (fail) 5) Reg (pass) 6) Far (fail) 7) Far (fail) 8) Far (fail) (here’s where it gets good) I lost BEC and AUD…decided to change things up, re-took 9) Aud (fail) decided I needed a break and wasn’t going to pass 3 parts in 1.5 testing windows so I let Reg expire. I took some time off from the CPA, then repurchased new Becker materials and started with 10) Far (pass) then 11) Bec (pass) then 12) Aud (74) then 13) Reg (waiting). Has anyone else sat for more than 14 exams? Any other horror stories out there of people who still ended up passing?

REG- 1) Aug 10' 73, 2) Aug 11' 67, 3) Nov 11' 76 (expired), 4) Aug 14' 83 PASSED!
AUD- 5) Nov 10' 83 (expired) , 6) Nov 13' 63, 7) July 14' 74, 8) Oct 14' 98 PASSED!
BEC-9) Oct 10' 79 (expired), 10) Nov 14' 75 PASSED!
FAR-11) Feb 12' 61, 12) May 12' 62, 13) Aug 12' 65, 14) Aug 13' 75 PASSED!

IM DONE!!!

[Iggy1985]

I don't have any horror stories (YET!) but just know we are all here with you, and the fact that you are still going shows intense determination, and that's all that really matters. You will SLAY those exams!!! Just DO it 🙂 also you should take at least a 3-4 day break between tests, live a little, it will help you see the big picture!!

FAR - 89 (8/19/14) Wiley TB, Wiley Book, Books from School, Ninja Audio/Notes
AUD - 92 (10/14/14) Wiley TB, Wiley Book, Ninja Audio
BEC - 82 (5/8/15) Mostly Ninja MCQ, sprinkles of Becker lectures and Ninja Audio
REG - (8/14/15)

[M.O.D.]

There is the legend BaxterCPA: 28 exams

https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/baxter-is-going-to-be-a-cpa

I don't recommend it. I think there are better outlets for one's energies. As much as I respect dedication, there are some things we that are not our forte, and this is true for every person alive.

We should choose avenues that are the most productive, for each individual.

Alternatively, there are certifications which might be easier, ie the CIA, EA, etc.

BA Mathematics, UC Berkeley
Certificates in CPA and EA preparation, College of San Mateo
CMA I 420, II 470
FAR 91, AUD Feb 2015 (Gleim self-study)

[koz124]

I've heard plenty of those stories, but are you sure you can't pass 3 exams in 1.5 windows? I just took three retakes from July 1st to Aug. 14th and passed them all. Maybe you are spreading your studying across too much time and therefore not retaining enough info? Everyone is different though I know. Keep at it and good luck!

Studying with Wiley Review, Wiley Test Bank, Ninja Audio.
Retakes with Ninja MCQ only...awesome!
Far - 1/28 72, 7/22 79
Aud - 2/28 70, 8/14 83
Bec - 4/10 80
Reg - 5/30 64, 7/2 82

[Anonymous]

@koz124 What was your study plan that you were able to take 3 in such a short amount of time? Did u only use the NINJA MCQ or wiley also?

[pray475]

@koz, that was a year ago so it doesn't really matter now, but yea, in the middle of busy season and having had one of the tests I needed to pass at the time be FAR which I had already failed 3 times, pretty sure I wasn't going to pass 3 in 1.5 windows

REG- 1) Aug 10' 73, 2) Aug 11' 67, 3) Nov 11' 76 (expired), 4) Aug 14' 83 PASSED!
AUD- 5) Nov 10' 83 (expired) , 6) Nov 13' 63, 7) July 14' 74, 8) Oct 14' 98 PASSED!
BEC-9) Oct 10' 79 (expired), 10) Nov 14' 75 PASSED!
FAR-11) Feb 12' 61, 12) May 12' 62, 13) Aug 12' 65, 14) Aug 13' 75 PASSED!

IM DONE!!!

[koz124]

I used the Wiley text book the first time around, but I've never been good at studying. I just retain information fairly well…except I obviously underestimated this exam. The second time around I didn't want to re-read and felt it held little value for me personally, so yes, I only used the Ninja MCQ's on the retakes. However, I still made sure to understand the question and read the supplements given, especially if I was unsure of the “why”.

*Actually, I just remembered I used CPA Review for Free to touch up on bonds (FAR).

Studying with Wiley Review, Wiley Test Bank, Ninja Audio.
Retakes with Ninja MCQ only...awesome!
Far - 1/28 72, 7/22 79
Aud - 2/28 70, 8/14 83
Bec - 4/10 80
Reg - 5/30 64, 7/2 82

[jaclynnh]

Although I haven't finished.. I have taken the test 14 times. FAR x4 AUD x4 BEC x1 REG x5 waiting for my final score REG.. fingers crossed. It sounds like you've past them all except one before, which means you ARE capable! If only they would get rid of the 18 month window!

REG - 77*, 74, 70, 71, 82
AUD - 71, 68, 71, 83
BEC - 75
FAR - 65, 70, 72, 75

* = Lost credit due to the 18 month rule

[koz124]

@pray – Well hopefully you got past Reg yesterday and will get Aud next window. Good luck!

Studying with Wiley Review, Wiley Test Bank, Ninja Audio.
Retakes with Ninja MCQ only...awesome!
Far - 1/28 72, 7/22 79
Aud - 2/28 70, 8/14 83
Bec - 4/10 80
Reg - 5/30 64, 7/2 82

[pray475]

@jaclynnh I've actually passed all 4 parts at least once, I had REG/BEC/AUD all passed at once but couldn't pass FAR and lost credit for all 3. Started over with FAR, took a bunch of time off of work and just ate/slept/breathed FAR and finally passed

REG- 1) Aug 10' 73, 2) Aug 11' 67, 3) Nov 11' 76 (expired), 4) Aug 14' 83 PASSED!
AUD- 5) Nov 10' 83 (expired) , 6) Nov 13' 63, 7) July 14' 74, 8) Oct 14' 98 PASSED!
BEC-9) Oct 10' 79 (expired), 10) Nov 14' 75 PASSED!
FAR-11) Feb 12' 61, 12) May 12' 62, 13) Aug 12' 65, 14) Aug 13' 75 PASSED!

IM DONE!!!

[Anonymous]

@koz124 I feel I learn in a similar way to you. So do you suggest just starting off NINJA MCQ on new sections that we haven't studied previously? Just keep doing random MCQ, and learning from each until test day?

[koz124]

@Etcetera – My tactic was going through each group and doing approximately 50% of the questions. I felt it was a nice refresher and “built” my knowledge. After I had completed all sections, then I utilized the software as designed.

Studying with Wiley Review, Wiley Test Bank, Ninja Audio.
Retakes with Ninja MCQ only...awesome!
Far - 1/28 72, 7/22 79
Aud - 2/28 70, 8/14 83
Bec - 4/10 80
Reg - 5/30 64, 7/2 82

[Author]

Replies