Laura is a new Another71 Facebook blogger as she documents her journey through the CPA Exam.
Mom, Wife, Repeat Test Taker
Well its been almost five years since I started this madness of a journey to become a CPA. My first exam was REG on 2/27/07. I passed it and the 18 month clock started ticking and ticking and ticking.
During that 18 month window I took the various sections eight times not passing a single one.
Within this same timeframe my husband had gotten accepted to the University of Texas at Austin. Not only accepted into their business school but also into their M.P.A. program.
This meant moving from the Houston area to the Austin area while studying. I was not only studying but finding a new job, a place to live, and making sure that my then nine year old son was enrolled in a new school and Boy Scout troop.
On 2/24/09, almost exactly two years later I sat for REG again and passed it again. That darn 18 month clock start ticking again!! At this point in time I had taken and failed AUD, FAR, and BEC multiple times.
After taking FAR in July of 2009 I was tired of failing. The exam had beaten me 11 times and I only won 2. I was working so many hours, taking care of my family and making sure that all my ducks were in a row while my husband was studying full-time; I couldnt take studying anymore. I was tired of missing out on life and I was tired of beating myself up for this exam.
I gave up on myself that July; I kept repeating to myself that I wasnt going to be a CPA and there was no way I could pass any of these exams. I gave up .plain and simple I stopped believing in myself.
Now lets fast forward to May 2010. My husband graduated from UT and at this point had already passed the exams with very high scores. I was so proud of him but so disappointed and jealous. Disappointed that I had given up on myself and jealous that he could take each of those exams and pass in a 3 month time period on the first try.
I tried not to be resentful but I know I was and I know he felt it. I felt the tears of pride roll down my cheeks as well as the tears of failure. I wasnt use to not succeeding at what I set out for myself to accomplish and to have my husband dominate the exams made me feel so frustrated with my inability to pass.
We moved back to Houston and I made passing this exam a goal of mine again. Dont get me wrong. I had initially thought if I didnt pass FAR in November 10 I was done and it wasnt meant to be. Well call it divine intervention, luck, or I did just enough to pass by the skin of my teeth, but I passed FAR in Q4 2010. Since then Ive passed REG (AGAIN!!) and AUD. So Im 75% there; a place that at one time seemed unattainable to me.
BEC has become my nemesis. I have taken it eight times. You read that correctly – eight times!! I will be studying for it again for Q4 since once again I scored a 74!! Thats the second 74 Ive received in BEC and it sure doesnt make me too happy.
I look forward to letting you guys peek into my studying this time around and holding myself accountable to you as well as to myself. Any studying tips are welcomed and appreciated. Remember that even when this journey seems like it will never end there is always a small glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel even if it seems like it is 100 miles away!
Happy studying yall!!!
You didn't fail because you didn't quit! You are like me. You just have a lot of scores that are below 75! The only way to fail is to quit! Good Luck!
You'll get it!! Quitting is not an option. I'm not that far behind you. We'll get it together!!!
Hey Failure is turning your back on things and never going back, success is trying over and over again until you get it. "Genius: one percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration."
I enjoyed your post and it makes me realize that even when I want to throw in the towel it isn't worth it in the long run. I teared up for you (I am so emotional lately from this exam!) reading about your husband passing because I know I would feel the same exact way. I would be proud of my husband but feel defeated at the same time. Thanks for sharing and I look forward to seeing you pass the exam!! Good luck :)
I am an official cheerleader of yours. Thank you for putting yourself out there for the whole world to see and commiserate with you. Until I found another71 I knew 2 people who had passed the exam 1st try (except for 1 section which they retook and passed). One was not working and one had one of her parents live with her family during the entire 18 months it took her to pass the exam. Me, I have 4 kids (mother), a full time job (employee) and a hardworking husband (wife). Thank all of you real people who now motivate and inspire me, someday i will earn the designation too. GOOD LUCK to you next time Laura, may your hard work and efforts be rewarded!
Keeptrying.. I am a huge fan of yours!! You can do it! Just remember that "Failure is only a delayed success"...
Thank you guys! To be able to commiserate with others on the forum is wonderful. It has proven to give me a great outlet to ask questions, get motivation, and to share study tactics.
Thank you for sharing your story. You're so brave and inspiring. I wish you much deserved success soon!