[HustlinHustlin]

I am pretty devastated. I just got my most recent REG score…48 – ouch. Crash and burn. I previously scored a 48 on reg once when I had NTS issues and took it without studying. I spent about 2 months on this and it HAD to be done or I lose credit for BEC and AUD. Now there isn’t enough time before April 15th to pass Far and reg. Now I am totally defeated. I realize how much time and money I’ve lost during the last two years trying to pass and it kills me. I also still need to go back to school to meet the 150 credit rule. I have worked in public accounting the last three years and now am questioning if this is the right path…

So now the question is between coughing up another couple thousand for updated materials and all the exams or choose another path….

I know everyone will tell me not to quit…and I don’t want to, but I can’t help but wonder if it’s actually meant to be.

Insight accepted.

B 71 - 79 EXPIRED
A 69 - 75 EXPIRED
R 65 - 48 - 45
F 56 - 61 - 65 - 64

Becker, Wiley Test Bank, Wiley Text and Ninja Notes

"The fish who keeps on swimming is the first to chill upstream" -311

Experience - Done, like WAAAY done.
Still need 30 more credits, in basket weaving (gotta love new CA requirements)

[Anonymous]

You know I will be the last person to tell you to quit! Since you have to take extra classes to meet the 150 hours, do you think you could take some advanced accounting classes or tax classes to build your knowledge base and then come back to the exam?

[Anonymous]

You know I will be the last person to tell you to quit! Since you have to take extra classes to meet the 150 hours, do you think you could take some advanced accounting classes or tax classes to build your knowledge base and then come back to the exam?

[khanhaustin]

No do not quit! It took me more than 5 years, never passed any part. I spend a lot money and time too, may be more than you did. April 1, will retake, not big deal. You almost getting there, keep trying. Now you have a job, many don't. I was out the accounting job for 4 years even 17 years experiences and accounting degree in Pennsylvania. Anyway, sometimes, people may take longer to pass the exam, that's all. As long as you try, it will be fine.

[khanhaustin]

No do not quit! It took me more than 5 years, never passed any part. I spend a lot money and time too, may be more than you did. April 1, will retake, not big deal. You almost getting there, keep trying. Now you have a job, many don't. I was out the accounting job for 4 years even 17 years experiences and accounting degree in Pennsylvania. Anyway, sometimes, people may take longer to pass the exam, that's all. As long as you try, it will be fine.

[Wanna_B_TXCPA2014]

Hustlin don't let a few minor setbacks deter you from your ultimate goal. Some days when I am feeling optimistic, which are far and few between, I feel like the difficulty with the exam is its inherent value. Basically in a world where everyone has a Bachleor's and increasing numbers of people are getting Master's degrees, the CPA is the new minimum standard for go-getters. Its another way to distinguish yourself. Almost like the Marine Corp “The few, the proud” ad campaign in the 80's. The CPA is a professional crucible that is known and respected by leaders in the business world and beyond.

Hustlin seems like at this point you may benefit from stepping back and regrouping. Basically this exam is a mental fist fight and you've been punched a few times, but its ok.

You may not need to spend thousands on new material. Wiley books are reasonably priced, and CPAreviewforfree.com is out there. So there are low cost alternatives out there

“The fish who keeps on swimming is the first to chill upstream” -311(KEEP MOVING YOUR FINS AND YOU'LL EVENTUALLY BE ABLE TO CHILL)

[Wanna_B_TXCPA2014]

Hustlin don't let a few minor setbacks deter you from your ultimate goal. Some days when I am feeling optimistic, which are far and few between, I feel like the difficulty with the exam is its inherent value. Basically in a world where everyone has a Bachleor's and increasing numbers of people are getting Master's degrees, the CPA is the new minimum standard for go-getters. Its another way to distinguish yourself. Almost like the Marine Corp “The few, the proud” ad campaign in the 80's. The CPA is a professional crucible that is known and respected by leaders in the business world and beyond.

Hustlin seems like at this point you may benefit from stepping back and regrouping. Basically this exam is a mental fist fight and you've been punched a few times, but its ok.

You may not need to spend thousands on new material. Wiley books are reasonably priced, and CPAreviewforfree.com is out there. So there are low cost alternatives out there

“The fish who keeps on swimming is the first to chill upstream” -311(KEEP MOVING YOUR FINS AND YOU'LL EVENTUALLY BE ABLE TO CHILL)

[Anonymous]

@OP My two cents:

If you spent 3 years in public practice you worth to have the CPA designation, period.

I say this because public practice is the best and hardest (in my own opinion) school to get the accounting experience you could have. It is very easy to see the bads when we are depressed but if you put your eyes up the situation, you will see that you have the hardest part needed : the experience.

About the exams:

It is pretty obvious the way or strategy you are using in the failing sections is not working, and you actually passed 2!!!. That doesnt mean that you dont worth to be a CPA, that only means that you need to change that strategy used (I don't think this is related to the review program). Think yourself what is the best way you learned in school, and try to apply it to your study sessions. I myself I'm visual learner, so audios are not really good, my best shot in my sessions is making maps or draws of concepts with colors, for example.

The $$ and time invested so far, doesn't count, is past. It is done. Close that chapter and move on.

If you lose credits or a section, too bad, NEXT!! you got practice and if you could do it once, you can do it again.

If necessary buy books, or search videos on study strategies and keep an eye on this site because many people are very generous sharing their strategies as well (MINTs is a genious on that hahaha).

You can do it and is not just telling you “don't quit”, you are smart enough to pass this thing, be brave and do it!

You know I think the best took is to be MAD about this and go for it.. is the best way to face defeat!

Again, this is just my opinion.

Hope it helps!

[Anonymous]

@OP My two cents:

If you spent 3 years in public practice you worth to have the CPA designation, period.

I say this because public practice is the best and hardest (in my own opinion) school to get the accounting experience you could have. It is very easy to see the bads when we are depressed but if you put your eyes up the situation, you will see that you have the hardest part needed : the experience.

About the exams:

It is pretty obvious the way or strategy you are using in the failing sections is not working, and you actually passed 2!!!. That doesnt mean that you dont worth to be a CPA, that only means that you need to change that strategy used (I don't think this is related to the review program). Think yourself what is the best way you learned in school, and try to apply it to your study sessions. I myself I'm visual learner, so audios are not really good, my best shot in my sessions is making maps or draws of concepts with colors, for example.

The $$ and time invested so far, doesn't count, is past. It is done. Close that chapter and move on.

If you lose credits or a section, too bad, NEXT!! you got practice and if you could do it once, you can do it again.

If necessary buy books, or search videos on study strategies and keep an eye on this site because many people are very generous sharing their strategies as well (MINTs is a genious on that hahaha).

You can do it and is not just telling you “don't quit”, you are smart enough to pass this thing, be brave and do it!

You know I think the best took is to be MAD about this and go for it.. is the best way to face defeat!

Again, this is just my opinion.

Hope it helps!

[jlough]

@OP- I feel your pain- I went through a similar dilemma back in 2007-2008 when I had epic failure after failure. You need to ask yourself two questions: 1) Do you really want the CPA? and 2) Are you really giving it everything you have to pass?

If the answer to number one is yes, then definitely continue on this journey. If the answer is no, that is OK! I know plenty of people who have changed careers or focused on getting an MBA/CMA/CFA/CIA/CFE or were just happy with going through their career with just a Bachelors.

For question number two, you need to be real with yourself. During my first attempt at the exam, I thought I studied hard. But really I didn't. I would go on Facebook, stop studying early to go to happy hour, try to study on Sunday while hungover after staying out until 2 am the night before, go to lunch with my coworkers instead of using that time to study, etc. etc. etc. You get the point– I wasn't giving it everything that I had to pass.

Honestly, I would recommend taking some time off from the CPA to evaluate what you really want before you spend any more time, energy, and money on it. I took 5 years off from pursuing the CPA and then came back to pass them all on the first try within 9 months.

F- 7/13- 84
R- 10/13- 79
A- 11/13- 99
B- 1/14- 86

Licensed in PA- 3/20/2014

This exam ALMOST defeated me back in 2006-2008, but I came back and WON!

[jlough]

@OP- I feel your pain- I went through a similar dilemma back in 2007-2008 when I had epic failure after failure. You need to ask yourself two questions: 1) Do you really want the CPA? and 2) Are you really giving it everything you have to pass?

If the answer to number one is yes, then definitely continue on this journey. If the answer is no, that is OK! I know plenty of people who have changed careers or focused on getting an MBA/CMA/CFA/CIA/CFE or were just happy with going through their career with just a Bachelors.

For question number two, you need to be real with yourself. During my first attempt at the exam, I thought I studied hard. But really I didn't. I would go on Facebook, stop studying early to go to happy hour, try to study on Sunday while hungover after staying out until 2 am the night before, go to lunch with my coworkers instead of using that time to study, etc. etc. etc. You get the point– I wasn't giving it everything that I had to pass.

Honestly, I would recommend taking some time off from the CPA to evaluate what you really want before you spend any more time, energy, and money on it. I took 5 years off from pursuing the CPA and then came back to pass them all on the first try within 9 months.

F- 7/13- 84
R- 10/13- 79
A- 11/13- 99
B- 1/14- 86

Licensed in PA- 3/20/2014

This exam ALMOST defeated me back in 2006-2008, but I came back and WON!

[sstephenson]

NEVER. EVER. EVER. EVER GIVE UP! Look at my scores, I have wanted to give up so many times. We will get through this! We will be CPA's!

REG - 75
BEC - 76
AUD - 76
FAR - 84, DONE 11/9/14!

[sstephenson]

NEVER. EVER. EVER. EVER GIVE UP! Look at my scores, I have wanted to give up so many times. We will get through this! We will be CPA's!

REG - 75
BEC - 76
AUD - 76
FAR - 84, DONE 11/9/14!

[fuzyfro89]

What are your career goals? Do you want to move into a manager/leadership position in your current firm or in industry, or do you plan to leave the field entirely and do something different?

If you change careers, then what's the point of doing it?

If you do see a career in accounting and want to progress into leadership, then take the hits and begin again. Obviously, you've failed more than twice so you need to change something in the way you study. In the scheme of things, you've only spent $5k at most on your exams? Think of it as a degree of sorts and $5k seems cheap!!!

Maybe take some time off and think about what you really want to do with your career. No one ever passed with only half their heart/effort into it. Best wishes with whatever you decide.

[fuzyfro89]

What are your career goals? Do you want to move into a manager/leadership position in your current firm or in industry, or do you plan to leave the field entirely and do something different?

If you change careers, then what's the point of doing it?

If you do see a career in accounting and want to progress into leadership, then take the hits and begin again. Obviously, you've failed more than twice so you need to change something in the way you study. In the scheme of things, you've only spent $5k at most on your exams? Think of it as a degree of sorts and $5k seems cheap!!!

Maybe take some time off and think about what you really want to do with your career. No one ever passed with only half their heart/effort into it. Best wishes with whatever you decide.

[Anonymous]

Hustlin: I just want to make you a cup of hot cocoa and pat you on the head and tell you everything will be Ok. I will not be the one to tell you to give up because I know first hand that if you want to be a CPA, you can be. You have to take a deep breath and decide which path works for you at this time. You can either go back and finish the 150 or you can keep with the exams.

A third alternative is to fight for this designation. Get an NTS and take one on April 1 and the other on April 20. It may be a long shot but it ain't over til it is over. Forget the study guides. Do non-stop MCQs and write fact nuggets in your NINJA notes and review them regularly. Review the notes every night before you go to bed. Fall asleep listening to the NINJA audio. Flashcards on your phone every time you have 5 minutes free. Have a basic understanding of every topic listed in the notes. (This list is not comprehensive but if it is in the notes, it is IMPORTANT) On MCQs, understand why the correct answer is right and the others are wrong. Look for patterns in the answers…three usually have something in common and one is different. Learn to look for these patterns when answering questions.

Can you go to your boss and lay it out on the line and ask for their support in the next few weeks? Use sick/vacation days to study? Get rid of social media and all distractions!

Turn this into a great success story instead of a great defeat! You can do this!!!

[Author]

Replies