Why Won't Anyone Let me "Fail"

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    Topic
  • #192069
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I am awaiting the score on my last section and really don’t feel well about how I did. Because of a weird personality issue I really struggle with the cheerleading you get in this test as it is. The “I know you did great!” or “you’re so smart you’ve got this” or any of the 10 million versions of it. For this last one though it’s the most difficult when I say with full vulnerability “I really don’t feel great about how I did” and the only answer I get now is “You passed the first three I just know you passed this one!”.

    Of course I appreciate the support, it’s so amazing to have! But I am scared of the next release; I am terrified! Why can’t anyone just let me be terrified? When I tell people that this is a tough test and there is a very real chance I didn’t pass why do they just brush it off?

    I finally started asking people to just let me be scared and vulnerable (it’s not my first damn section!!!) but they literally can’t just say, “OK, let’s talk about it”. It’s just endless cheerleading. If it weren’t for this site I would feel like the most alone person on the planet.

    Anyone else feel this?

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 20 total)
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  • #657781
    acamp
    Participant

    When people don't have thorough understanding of the test, they likely won't have any other input than to say you probably did well.

    Whereas, I would lean towards, well if you tanked, how's your 18-month window looking?! 🙂

    Self proclaimed: Highest ratio of Replies to Others v. Posts Created on A71

    California CPA - Big4 Aud Manager Alum - Private Accounting at Startups

    FAR, REG and BEC with Ninja Notes + WTB Only

    Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

    Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

    California CPA

    #657782
    LKD CPA
    Member

    I think it's safe to say almost all of us Ninjas have felt this way at one time or another. It's just way too difficult for most people to understand – they just haven't had an experience quite like studying and taking the CPA exams. Every single exam I have taken I had no clue how I did. When people would ask and provide words of encouragement I would cringe. Mainly because that was one more person that I would have to notify that I failed. Living under a rock with slugs is preferable to walking around and having everyone ask how I did because I would mentally put them on my list of people that would know I'm a big fat failure.

    Do what you can to get through it! In the grand scheme of things, 10 years from now, when you've passed all these exams and you have a license proudly framed on your wall, you will only remember how great of an accomplishment it was and hopefully will be able to laugh at the times of stress. My new favorite motto: If I've passed FAR, I can do anything!

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

    #657784
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    @LKD CPA, totally. I really appreciate your words because that's exactly when I am.

    I like your FAR motto, it's a good way to think!

    #657785
    MydnightDarkfyre
    Participant

    @brooks –

    I am soooooo right there with you. I too just took my last one. I didn't feel good about any of them, but this one…this one has a bigger black cloud over it than the rest. And of course my friends and family are all like ‘you stress everytime and everytime you pass'. Well, yes, I did pass the others…but if passing subsequent tests were automatic, this would be a much different situation.

    I feel sick to my stomach, primarily because I am so close to be over this whole nightmare…but feeling like I might not have done enough to get over that 75 bump this time 🙁

    FAR: 82 (Becker) 07/09/2014
    AUD: 80 (Becker) 10/01/2014
    BEC: 76 (Becker) 11/26/2014
    REG: 82 (Becker) 02/16/2015

    GA Licensed CPA 8/7/2015

    CISA: 564 (PASSED) 6/11/2016 - Certification pending

    #657786
    Skynet
    Participant

    We can't let you fail because we need you to pass so that you can cross over to the Darkside. *Devious Laughter*

    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

    #657788
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    BEC is the easiest exam IMHO

    #657790
    NJPRU
    Member

    I used to feel like this. I was very very pessimistic and very, like you, “let me be” and “let me think what i want to think” For sure. It's the harsh reality of these exams, they pick you up and tear you down.

    It wasn't until after FAR/BEC where I stopped caring about how I thought I did on the exam and began welcoming people's encouragement. I think there comes a point where you really need to start believing in yourself. For me, BEC was my biggest challenge in that realm. I studied my @$$ off and I really couldn't say that it was ME that didn't do well. It was entirely in the hands of the examiners at that point (I had the most horrible experience I could have ever had). I had made peace with myself that I had failed, but also made peace with myself that I had tried my very best, gave 110% and decided that it was really the luck of the test everyone gets (and how it correlates to the study material used). I ended up with an 85.

    So, as I sit here studying for REG, I'm going to give it my all and at the end of the day, that's all I can really do. If people want to encourage me that i did well after I take it (even if in the moment i don't believe them), I'll thank them, but i'm not going to fight with them and make them believe otherwise. I just have to remember that i studied my heart out and that whatever grade comes what may.

    AUD: DONE
    FAR: DONE
    BEC: DONE
    REG: DONE

    IM GOING TO BE A CPA!!!!!

    #657791
    mla1169
    Participant

    There are lots of times when people feel obligated to say SOMETHING and of course the right words are never there. Like if somebody loses a parent or a spouse and well meaning friends say something to the effect of “time heals all wounds”

    They're truly not trying to brush it off or make light of your fear but what else can they say “hey if I were you I'd be scared S$(%LESS right now?” somehow that would be less than helpful too.

    FAR- 77
    AUD -49, 71, 84
    REG -56,75!
    BEC -75

    Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

    #657792
    y_u_no_pass
    Participant

    I know. This is all I ever hear either. Hopefully it went well, but if not you can get it on the next one!

    Florida CPA!
    Took final exam 2/25/15.
    Sent in Application 3/12/15.
    Issued License 3/20/15.
    Used CPA Excel solely for all exams.

    #657793
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Be nice, please.

    #657794
    tomq04
    Participant

    Boom Roasted

    REG- (1) 76
    FAR- (2) 64, (5)74, (7)83 (Over achiever!)
    AUD- (3) 70, (4) 75
    BEC- (6) 75

    #657795
    zoctoman
    Member

    I hear you. The worst part about the positive encouragement like “I know you passed” or “I'm sure you did great” is that it creates a feeling like everyone feels you will pass because they think you are smart….so passing is just expected and if you fail its a big negative. When I passed my exams I felt elated as well as humbled by the whole process. I never coutned my chickens(well maybe with audit), so I think it takes away from the feeling of success when people just assume it is a given that you passed.

    I totally understand.

    Audit(11/5/13) - 89
    Reg(5/16/14) - 86
    FAR(7/18/14) - 82
    BEC(11/14) - 85

    #657796
    Laura M.
    Member

    I feel the exact same way. I feel more pressure than anything. I have a lot of people who are rooting for me and I don't want to let them down so to speak. It really irritates me when people say “oh, you do taxes so you should ace REG” I want to be like “uhh…yes I do taxes, but I am not an attorney and all the law stuff I don't do for a living. And I might do taxes but that doesn't mean I have everything I need to know for the exam memorized, and a lot of this stuff my tax software will do for me!” Sorry…rant over! I agree with you!!!

    FAR - 82
    AUD - 79 (lost credit), 75
    BEC - 76
    REG - 91

    CPAexcel and Ninja Notes and Ninja MCQ

    #657798
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I know how you feel. For me, at least, I know rationally they're just trying to be supportive and keep my spirits up (with maybe a dash of getting me to stop whining 😉 ), but what it does for me mostly is ramp up the pressure. It's like, well they think that I'm for sure going to pass and if I don't – and I don't feel like I passed at all – then it's just going to be super embarrassing and like I'm letting them and their faith in me down by failing on top of everything else that comes with failing. Though, again, logically I know this is just the stress and anxiety talking, that even if I do find out in a week that I failed AUD, they'll still love and respect me the same amount. But, yeah, it's rough.

    #657799
    taxman89
    Participant

    look at it from their POV. what should they say? oh thats right you took your test….ill bet you bombed it

    AUD - 75
    BEC - 77
    FAR - 78
    REG - 82
    AUD: 61-67-75 (Thanks ninja aud)
    BEC: 77
    FAR: 78
    REG:69-73-70-82

    Aud-75 3x I knew i never liked you
    Bec-77 1x being in the bubble is stressful
    Reg-82 4x its not me its you...and no we cant be friends
    Far-78 1x easiest section

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