[Journey to Fate]

Hi A71 Fam.

This is the question that continues to go through my head everyday for the last week or so. 2 steps forward, 1 step back

So here I am, a year later after refocusing and restudying and I sit in the same boat, with no sections passed.

Its been several months since I posted but here is where I am:

Becker has been great. After going into AUDI was confident. A few weeks later 63. Positive, I improved 10 points, Negative, I was back to where I was 4 months ago.

Switching gears, after refocusing my efforts, I am now preparing for BEC. My goal is to take BEC in mid-feb and AUD in mid apr. I have already finished all the Becker lectures for BEC and am now in full MC mode. I try to listen to the NINJA audio as much as possible on my walk and train to work, but its clear to me after several several months on why I am not passing these exams. Time. I just feel like i cant put enough in. And it’s starting to get to me to a point where I think will I or better yet can i ever pass this exam? Some days it’s maybe i’m not smart enough. Other days, it’s I dont have enough time. At this point, any advice is welcome from you all. Should I keep doing the MC’S (The calculations MCs on BEC are really tripping me up). Should I focus on all my notecards with the formulas? Write down notes from the chapters? I need to pass this exam. At this point, I feel like I am disappointing everyone because I cant get past it.

thanks for reading/listening everyone, and appreciate any advice!

JTF

BEC- 67, 69

[mla1169]

Honestly, it's a mind game. If you tell yourself you don't have enough time you're sabotaging yourself mentally. I always told myself I had plenty of time to study and I found the time somehow. There's no good reason I should have passed these exams when I did except make a conscious decision that nothing would stand in my way. You can do this once you make the decision that you can.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mrwills12]

I agree with the previous poster. There is a saying that goes something like “those who think they can and those who think they cant are usually both right”. You gotta be positive throughout this process or it will affect how you test. Visualize yourself passing…. tell yourself you can and will pass. Have you tried studying ELL (Early, Lunch, Late)? That combined with all day study sessions on the weekends should help you feel more prepared for the tests.

Also, maybe try moving onto a different test? Taking FAR or REG could get you that first pass and build your confidence. Once you know how to pass the first test… the second one becomes easier.

For BEC keep hammering MC's, write down the formula every single time you before you answer a question. That will help you memorize the formula but also aide you in answering the question. When in doubt do MCQs! When you are answering the questions instead of finding the 1 right answer, find the 3 wrong answers (when it is a conceptual question). Then explain why the answer is right. It will take longer but it will pay off come test time. Reread your notes and do progress tests.

You can pass these tests, you can become a CPA. Passing the test doesnt require you to be “smart”, it requires you to put in the time in and actively study. If you do ELL, weekends, and actively study/listen to your notes you should see better results. Hope this helps

FAR - 88 (Jul 2012)
AUD - 85 (Oct 2012)
BEC - 82 (Nov 2012)
REG - 92 (Jan 2013) DONE!

Using Becker Self Study 2012

[Anonymous]

Hang in there! Keep changing up your study strategy until you find something that clicks.

I'm taking my first exam this week (yikes!) so I don't know how helpful my advice will be… but I find it helpful to read through the sections at 3 different times. The first time, take very broad/general notes. Get the main points of the section but do not get weighed down by details. After you get this base, move on to the next chapters and do the same thing. Afterward, come back and build on the prior base. Focus a bit more on details but stay big picture oriented. Do the homework questions to gauge where you are at before going over the material the final time. The final time you should carefully study the details and make flashcards/memorize. Then do the homework again to see where you still need work.

When I started studying a few months ago, I was weighed down by the details and was missing the general understanding. After getting hammered on the MC, I started using my new strategy, and I think I have a good grasp on all of the information and am doing well on practice exams and progress reports.

I hope this helps.. but my best advice is to keep changing strategies until you find something that clicked. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

@JTF Yes you can and will pass. It took me almost a year of taking exams before I finally passed my first exam(AUD). I started this insane process in 2010 and am now knocking on the door of freedom.

And I totally agree with Mr. Willis. Visualization is a very powerful tool. When I was waiting on my FOURTH BEC score, I visualized myself calling one of my friends(who is also a CPA) and telling her that I made a 74, hesitate and then plus one. Guess what? That is exactly what happened. She actually went aww a 74. And when I told her plus one she screamed!!

Are you using current version of review materials? The reason I am asking is that the first time I took FAR in 2012 I was using Becker 2011 materials. My software expired and had to purchase the 2012 version. Althought subtle changes have been made, they are changes nonetheless.

You should be able to fit three hours per day studying at a minimum. Try mixing the ELL up. MAKE thirty minutes in the morning, thirty at lunch then two hours at night. Or whatever combination fits your schedule. And supplementing with the NINJA audios is great. I am currently studying for FAR and listen to the audio one time through at least once a day and sometimes more. I am able to listen to it at work. Repetition of all materials is key. One thing that I am utilizing different this time around with Becker is use of the progress tests. In the past, I just didn't get to them. This time around I am using them. Before I start a new chapter, I will do a progress test on the previous chapters. It really helps to keep the information from previous chapters fresh.

Don't get hung up on disappointing others. This is a personal and professional goal of yours and yours alone. Get rid of the negative thoughts.

Hang in there! You can do it. Best wishes and keep studying!!!

[Journey to Fate]

thanks everyone. i really appreciate the support. Starting this weekend off right and getting alot done in anticipation for 2/16. 2013 is my year. Confidence is key right?

BEC- 67, 69

[jomarie]

I told myself 2012 was going to be my year. And it was!!!

Started sitting in May 2002, on and off. But since 2008 I've been nonstop and my scores are....
AUD - 39, 48, 56, 65, 68, 73, 76!!! (Finally passed in Oct 2011!!!) Becker, NINJA, & Wiley
REG - 75 (Lost Credit) 72, 68, 73, 75 (Passed again in Aug 2011) Becker, NINJA, & Wiley
FAR - 65, 68, 75 (Lost Credit) 68, 73, 73, 80 (Passed again in May 2012) Roger, NINJA, & Wiley
BEC - 65, 68, 71, 72, 72, 71, 76 (Lost Credit)- 70, 76!!!! I AM DONE!!! - Roger, NINJA, & Wiley
After 10 long years of studying, I AM DONE!!!! Finally a Licensed CPA in the State of New York!!

[jaebberwock]

To be frank, if you are struggling with BEC and AUD, I would seriously consider switching gears and going for FAR and REG, in that order. I passed AUD and BEC in one go but I couldn't handle the volume of material covered in FAR and REG while working in public accounting. I eventually ended up taking 2 weeks off to try and cram for FAR and REG before the other 2 sections expired but wasn't even close and ended up with 0 credit after 1.5 years. Climb the mountain first. Brushing up on FAR helps a lot with the other sections, especially BEC.

[Keely]

I totally disagree with those who have said to try another exam. I see where they are coming from about familiarizing yourself with some concepts that may help you with another exam, but you have already expended so much effort with BEC and AUD, going on to REG or FAR will only make you have to start from the beginning with studying BEC and AUD at some point. To me, personally, it was never a question of whether I am smart enough to understand the concepts and retain the knowledge, it's about whether I can beat the test. I know some people will disagree with me, but that's how I feel. I also feel that the only test that helped me for another was REG, but it only helped me with FAR, so that doesn't help any with BEC or AUD.

You need to stick to one of the tests you've already attempted, find what works for you, and keep at it until you pass. Maybe Becker doesn't suit your learning style. Becker is pretty barebones, in my opinion. It does little with explaining the hows and whys of things. You may need to switch to something more thorough. And really take account of how you're studying. Quality is what matters, not quantity. If you're being interrupted every 15 minutes or zoning out, it's not going to be very quality study time.

FAR and REG are difficult, yes, but you have already invested so much time in the other two, I would really try to knock those out before moving on. Good luck!

BEC: (4/2012) 88
AUD: (5/2012) 91
REG: (8/2012) 82
FAR: (1/2013) 78 🙂

VA CPA #42010

[nolifecpa]

keep going and don't look back journey!

the beauty of the exam is you don't have to be smart to pass…but you do have to study damn hard and never give up

if you can do those 2 things you will def pass

REG-65,71,74,73,70,74,79
BEC-60's,60's,69,71,76*,78
FAR-67,66,65,79
AUD-54,60's,65,83*,69,80
*expired

DONE

[timmycpa]

Switching exams after failing is the worst thing you can do.

Focus on BEC and AUD in the same testing window, and keep doing it until you pass. No breaks, vacations, bar hopping. You should be only be concerned about your upcoming exam. Do something everyday, I dont care if its playing lectures in the shower, doing questions in the doctors office, reading on the treadmill…You need a complete attitude adjustment.

If you really want to pass, you are really going to have to work for it.

[Noct]

I will probably be flogged for saying this, but the exam isn't for everyone. It's intended as a barrier to entry, and it would have no value if everyone passed. That having been said, I truly believe that anyone can pass the exam. It may require a larger investment from some than others, but it is possible. The question you have to ask yourself is whether you are willing to make the sacrifices and put in the effort necessary for you to pass.

Stick with one section until it is passed. There is no reason to bounce around if you aren't on the clock for an expiring credit or NTS. You will have to pass all four sections eventually. If you switch to an “easier” topic and pass, you will be in the same situation with AUD except that you will be under the gun to get it passed in the 18 month window.

FAR - 79 - 07/2012
AUD - 65, 78 - 11/2012
BEC - 76 - 11/2012
REG - 78 - 01/2013
ETH - 98 - 01/2013

Material: Wiley books

[Anonymous]

Hello Fellow CPA Candidates…..

I was wondering if anyone had some advice on the BEC exam. I have struggled with this exam for a while now. I tried it a few times before I took FAR and failed. Now that I have passed all the other sections I have to tackle this one again and pass. I'm not sure why this exam has been so difficut for me but I can't seem to master it.

I have used Yaeger for all of my other sections and have had success with them. Are there better questions that I should prcatice besides the Wiley questions? The corp gov and IT are sections I have consistanly done well with, but the cost accounting. and economics……not so much. I am trying to master the concepts like I did with the other sections. It seems like I understand the topics when I am going through the lectures but I get to the MCQ's and just bomb them.

Any feedback on how any of you passed this exam would be appreciated.

FAR 78

AUD 84

REG 74 Retest 75

BEC 72,67,72,67…………..(This is seriously pissing me off!!!!) Retest scheduled 2/24/13

[MintsRGood]

You ARE smart enough to pass and you DO have the time to make it happen!!!!!! You have to dump these negative thoughts and fill that space with knowledge! Start getting up an hour earlier to study, keep listening to audio, rewrite your notes, and accept the fact that your social life is going to die again and throw yourself into your study plan. Think about WHY you want to pass, write it down, tape it to your mirror and read it EVERYDAY. It's a bit cheesy but it sounds like you need positive reinforcement. Don't get down on yourself and keep fighting!!!!!!!!! You CAN do this!!!!!!!!!!!!

REG: 75 DONE 🙂
AUD: 61, 71, 68, 92 DONE 🙂
BEC: 76 DONE 🙂
FAR: 72, 74, 79 DONE 🙂
Licensed Michigan CPA 🙂
-Some people dream of success...others wake up and work hard for it!!!
-The cowards never start and the weak die along the way!
-You better work, b***h!
-Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.-JFK

[Journey to Fate]

Tomorrow is test day!!' Thank you so much for all your support everyone. I kind of have been MIA since my last post.

Although I definitely know BEC the best I ever have I still feel like I have room to improve and if I do not pass this go around, I know I can achieve this goal. I just have that constant feeling of dissapointing my famiiy and friends and feel as if they think I will never get passed the failing grades. I want this more than ever and i will ever give up no matter what anyone thinks. I can thank my a71 fam for always supporting me!

I am focused and confident and will put my best foot forward tomorrow. Thank you everyone for the support and will keep you all posted:-)

BEC- 67, 69

[JG45]

I agree with the earlier posters. you have to be positive and have confidence that you can pass. Just keep on hammering out MCQs and you will be fine.

A lot of this test is a mind game. If you're not strong/tough mentally, you won't succeed. BUT, if you tell yourself your smart, confident, and will pass, you will end up doing really well.

Hang in there, I'm sure all of us have had days where we were wondering why we're doing this. Let me tell you, after all the hard work, this WILL be worth it and it will stay with you for the rest of your life.

Good luck and I wish you the best!

BEC- 10/5/12- 81
FAR- 11/30/12- 80
AUD- 1/15/13- 89
REG- 2/28/13- 92

[Author]

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