[Anonymous]

I thought this would be an interesting thread to create and hear people’s different stories. When did you feel like you turned the corner? When did you almost quit? Who/what made you push through?

I’ll never forget where exactly I was and at what time I found out I failed FAR. I was so broken I thought there was no way I could relearn all that material again. The thought of going through that much stuff again just made me want to give up. I got back at it and now I’m a week away from taking my last exam hopefully ever.

[Anonymous]

I want to quit just about everytime I productively study. It is not getting any easier for me. I hate the whole process of studying followed by taking a test that makes me feel like I studied the wrong material. Its getting old. Tired of feeling stupid. Don't know if it's even worth it. I know people that will still look down on me even if I pass because I didn't get B4.

Congrats on your success. I hope to find my own eventually, but I don't even know what that would be anymore. The only corner I have turned is one that is full of doubt and self loathing.

This dark post was brought to you by the CPA exam experience.

[Skynet]

I got tired of the PURE STUPIDITY, INCOMPETENCE, AND EFFING MORONS from both Supervisors and Managers at my prior Retail job. I only took the retail job due to the Recession. After close to three years, Enough was Enough. Now, I'm going FULL THROTTLE wih the CPA exams. Knocked out two alreaady. TWO more left.

Got me all RILED UP now. Going to hit FAR and AUD hard.

AUD - 90
BEC - 78
FAR - 84
REG - 87

World Domination Plan

Phase I : Pass CPA Exams - Complete
Phase II : Megan Fox - In Progress
Phase III : Megan Fox & Scarlett Johansson Lingerie Pillow Fight
Phase IV : Form the new Charlie's Angels with Megan Fox, Scarlett Johansson, & Gal Gadot
Phase V : TBD

BEC : 78
REG : 87
FAR : 84
AUD : 90

World Domination Plan

Phase I : Pass CPA Exams - Complete
Phase II : Megan Fox - Initiated
Phase III : Bring back 8-Tracks
Phase IV : Megan Fox & Scarlett Johansson Lingerie Pillow Fight
Phase V : TBA

[Anonymous]

When I feel that I want to give up and feel so angry and disappointing of myself, I just think about CPAs (clients and co-workers) which I have to deal everyday. Some are very good but some are (ehhh WTF). So, the people which I don't understand how they passed the exam are the best motivation to keep going . (well, in addition to the motivation of some members of my family and some friends and boss)

[thechapman]

I wanted to quit the most right before I took REG, which was my third exam. That was the peak of my burnout, and then finding out that I passed really gave me the push to finish the last one out. Good luck!

Passed - 2014

[Rocky123]

Quitting was NEVER an option. I had thought about it, sure. Who hasn't? But I knew that deep down I was not going to give up. I want a better life for myself and for my kids.

CPA is not a cure all, but it will help jumpstart my career. The rest is up to me.

The tallest oak in the forest was once just a little nut that held its ground.

AUD-PASS
BEC-PASS
REG-PASS
FAR-PASS

Rocky123, CPA

[Anonymous]

@Rocky123, you sound just like me! I have honestly wanted just to throw up my hands and say “SCREW THIS!” but I do not want to let my wife and kids down. As the head of my household I strive to be successful to create a better life for my family and hopefully be able to enjoy a few nice things along the way that I never had growing up. I have never been the smartest in the class ( as my signature entails) , but I have never been the dumbest either… If that makes any sense…. I do have a great work ethic though.. My wife and kids are the reason I want to pass this thing. They are the ones that I am walking through this fire for! Even though I sometimes wonder if I am ever going to pass another section again, I just try to keep holding my head up high and keep moving forward. I don't know what the future holds, but I keep telling myself that one day I will receive my last passing score for my last section and just be so excited! I want to be able to show my son that if things get hard and you don't see any signs of success anywhere around you, just keep on and don't give up, and things will work out eventually. I also want to show the people that have doubted me along the way that I can do this and let them suffer by seeing my success! Sorry for the rant, but I had to get that out!

[Rocky123]

@DreamChaser

Good for you. You are setting an example for your kids and for your wife as well.

The key to passing this thing is to not let failure be an option. Put in the time. I sacrificed a lot to pass but I kept reminding myself that it won't be forever. And it doesn't.

Good luck on BEC!!!

The tallest oak in the forest was once just a little nut that held its ground.

AUD-PASS
BEC-PASS
REG-PASS
FAR-PASS

Rocky123, CPA

[jm962011]

I think this might be the time I just give up. I am taking FAR for the 2nd time on Wednesday and I am way more stressed out this time than I was last time and for the AUD exam I took 3 times. I still have two to go before this and my AUD pass expires 7/31/2015 so I'm not even sure I will make it.

Becker website is down which is proof they give up sometimes too.

[Anonymous]

After passing three exams on the first try I thought I'd lose at least a bit of my motivation after two failing scores in FAR, but I was still in studying mode and had planned on diving right back into studying in early November after a few weeks of a break from the score release date. And then the unthinkable happened and my mom, who I am extremely close to and also work with (she's a partner in my firm), was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer at the age of just 49. Going with her to doctors' appointments and keeping track of her treatment schedule as well as now picking up some of the work she does for her clients combined with trying to keep things at the house clean and doing laundry, etc. has pretty much wiped out all of my motivation.

However, I know that me finishing the CPA exam is still at the top of her priority list for me and she's absolutely insistent that I don't take away from my study time to do things with or for her, but at the end of the day it is just an exam and it's always going to be there for me to take. Fortunately, my BEC score doesn't expire until August so I do still have a bit longer to pass FAR before I have to worry about that, but trying to motivate myself to start studying again has been very difficult. I'm tentatively planning on starting again tomorrow and have my exam scheduled for February 13th, so I guess we'll see how it goes this time!

[Determined CPA]

amandilee – I am so sorry to hear about your mom. You are an amazing daughter for going to all her doctors appointments and being there for her!

“However, I know that me finishing the CPA exam is still at the top of her priority list for me and she's absolutely insistent that I don't take away from my study time to do things with or for her, but at the end of the day it is just an exam and it's always going to be right, this is just an exam.” Those are very powerful words that can honestly make me cry! A mom is irreplaceable and you're right, this is just an exam. Talk about perspective!

I wish you the best for luck and I really hope that you are able to get a passing FAR score in February. You and your mom are in my prayers!

A - 75
B - 78 God is good.
F - 77 Answered prayers.
R - 84! Done!!

Paperwork sent - waiting for license!!
Still on a cloud and in shock. Through God, all things will happen.

[s2sylvir]

Reading everyone's stories about the difficulty/stress – I can completely relate!

My boss has told me this — I just don't want it that badly. And she's right. I didn't see it as a goal (as you can tell from my AUD experience). Until now. I'm in my 3rd year in public accounting and everyone else I know has been promoted except me. I had this wonderful job opportunity in another state to do international tax, but no CPA qualifications. I am now realizing that I'm my own worst enemy.

I am going to start living in the “tomorrow”. I have a clear vision of where I want to be, and in order to get there, I'm now determined to the pass the CPA.

And to all others reading my post: You WILL past. I believe in you!

BEC - PASS (79)
AUD - PASS (63, 71, 74, 74, 83)
REG - PASS (88)
FAR - PASS (58, 89)

Becker for all + FAR 10 Point Combo

[Anonymous]

Quitting was never an option for me either. When I got laid off from my manufacturing job, I had the opportunity to go back to school, so I chose accounting because I had already been thinking about doing taxes as a side job. Going back to school meant almost 2 years of my wife and I scraping by, and part of the agreement I made with my wife when I first started was that I would graduate with honors, and would get my CPA. She was there the whole time reminding me about the sacrifices we made, and that I owed it to her and to myself to get my CPA. I knew that if I didn't graduate with honors or get my CPA, there would be serious hell to pay, so I kept grinding away whether I wanted to give up or not.

[Anonymous]

I actually did give up taking the exams due to life getting in the way (both my in-laws were sick and my husband and I were the caregivers). Then after the dust settled, I decided to get my master's degree. After graduating, I decided to sit for AUD and passed. Then I said eh, I don't need to finish — my employer really doesn't care. Was I wrong. After my boss said you cannot be promoted without the CPA, I kicked it into high gear and started taking the tests again. To add to the pressure I was in jeopardy of losing AUD. Once I started studying again, I knew I couldn't quit and didn't want my kids to see that quitting was an option. It was four months of pure hell but I am glad I did it!

[Last Chance CPA]

I told myself that “if I fail any section 3 times, I will abandon the exam.” I had previously failed FAR twice with no other sections passed…

I was on a flight back (coast-to-coast trip) from work, and as I landed, my wife called and said “what were you doing on the flight – studying for AUD or watching a movie?” I said “I was studying.” She said “good, because you got a 76 on FAR!”

Greatest moment of my life….other than getting married and having a baby (and probably a few other things….)

AUD - 75
BEC - 75
FAR - 76
REG - 76

I want those initials next to my name!!!!

FAR - 76
AUD - 75
BEC - 75
REG - 76

Now I need some experience!!! And some networking...

[Anonymous]

I began my studies with Becker. Took REG and passed it the first time. Studied my butt off for FAR next. Got through 6 chapters and got vertigo for 6 weeks. NTS was expiring so I took it & failed. Tried only studying the last 3 chapters, took it again & failed. Eventually I passed FAR, but lost so much time, REG was about to expire. Tried to cram AUD & BEC in the same month – didn't pass either. Kept plugging away and eventually passed both BEC & AUD in the same window.

Now I am here after taking REG again and missing by one point. My turning point for confidence was after I unexpectedly passed both BEC & AUD in the same window.

While Becker helped me squeak by on REG, it certainly caused more frustration and stress with the expiration date since I paid for it out of pocket. I didn't pass FAR, BEC or AUD until after I purchased the A71 audio and MCQ's when they became available. I definitely feel that the easy accessibility of A71 materials is what helped me pass. The audio and smartphone/tablet accessible MCQs have allowed me to integrate my studying more easily with a preexisting daily routine than other programs. Full on advocate of the stuff Jeff's been putting out.

[Author]

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