[Anonymous]

Just got my score today and found out I failed AUD with a 72 . . . back in April I failed FAR with a 67. Every time I check this site for some help and inspiration, it seems like everyone has these amazing scores of 80 or above and passing on their first time. I feel incredibly defeated. I’m doing some research for new study tactics. I’m using the Becker Review, but considering spending money I don’t really have on ANYTHING that will help me pass. Does anyone who’s had trouble like me have a suggestion on what helped?

[Jennifer241]

When I failed Audit last December, for the 5th time, I got ANGRY. I bought the Wiley book, NINJA notes and read everything. I did the MCQ's in the books and wrote on my NINJA notes whatever I needed more information on. Anytime I didn't understand something, I stopped and looked it up on the internet.

Get mad, take back your life, and make it your goal to get 100% correct on the exam. That way if you miss a couple you still pass 🙂

Also, I didn't schedule my exam until I was in my 2 week review, that way I KNEW I was ready. This only works if you stay focused on a plan with a date in mind.

AUD - Jan 9,13 Pass
REG - Aug 30,13 Pass
BEC - Oct 26,13 Pass
FAR - Dec 4,13 Pass

Licensed CPA in the state of Oregon

[Anonymous]

Corrie: See below for inspiration: It is NOT always a walk in the park and the scores are NOT always amazing. Sometimes they hurt…badly! ( 72,71, 74, 74 AUD is TRULY awful). Most people don't broadcast their failures so you are seeing a skewed version of scores which is heightened because you are reeling from two failures.

Be mad for a day and pull out the AUD book and start again.

I would reschedule for AUD in early October and FAR in late November and then hit it like an Army tank!

You can do this! So have a good cry, take a day off and then get back to work!!

PS. The Ninja 10 point combo helped me. I pull out my phone and hit flashcards every time I am standing in a line…I once got 1.5 hours of quality study time in a Chicago traffic jam!

[nbad311]

Failing is usually a part of it all. I had 4 fails over a course of 5 years before my first pass (REG last August). I didnt have good excuses for failing. I simply never studied hard enough for long enough. I am turning 30 in 3 months and before that REG pass, I was so down on myself for it, wondering how all these 22-23 year old could come along and pass it all in 6 months. I have not passed any section on my first try. But that's ok. Everyone is different. I don't think I'm naturally good at accounting or really fit to be a CPA, but its a huge noteworthy trio of letters to add to your name and after all this time and effort, I'm hungry to finish! Be patient, work hard, and reward yourself when you have truly earned good results. *posting from a cabin in the north georgia mountains with my pugs at my side* (my reward to myself for passing audit) 🙂

Edtied to add:

1. My scores have not been stellar either, as you can see. But thats part of the glory. It dont matter if its a 75 or 99! Im squeakin by with my passes. I love the 75 I just got. When I told my husband over a phone call, he laughed, I laughed, and we were both like “can you believe I busted my ASS for an extra month and only gained 2 extra points?!?” He's also a cpa who passed all his parts with multiple tries without even ever getting over the 70s

2. I forgot to mention that I am also drinking my favorite beer right now, Sweetwater Blue

REG - 65, 70, 80!
BEC - 35, 62, 79!
AUD - 73, 75!
FAR - 65, 73, 70, 75! DONE.

[kmaahs]

You got this, Corrie. Don't get down.

75-99 spread doesn't matter. Is a person who 99'ed all four on the first shot anymore of a CPA than someone who 75'ed across the board and failed a few times? NO.

Everyone's life is different. Some are more conducive of tackling the test than others.

In my opinion, anyone sitting for the exam can pass it. Just gotta take your own path.

You will get it, hang in there!

C.P.A.

[novatrek86]

I think the secret to this Exam is to take your time and move at your own pace. Once you are ready, then you schedule the test. I began the CPA with AUD and took my sweet time passing BEC and REG. My Audit score expired heh, today actually, I took FAR yesterday.

For Audit, I distinctly remember the questions being almost word for word. Take your time, complete the multiple choice questions, while figuring why you got certain questions wrong and that should do you for Audit.

[mrankin]

Corrie check out my scores – the second time around I improved significantly. Just keep at it and keep working hard

AUD: 70, 78
REG: 79
BEC: 73, 86
FAR: 8/31/13

[nishvik]

Hey Corrie,

I know how dissapointing it is to see a failing score on your computer/mobile screen you keep checking it again and again thinking it might in case change to 75 or above ..we wish it so badly

I have learnt that CPA is not an easy journey.There are downfalls but if you dont stand up you will stay where you are.Make determination that you will be a CPA. I know its tough coz i am going through it.Talk to someone who can understand and inspire you. Lot of people here are very helpful and share experiences

For tips on restudying when i missed REG first time I ordered wiley test bank it has additional MCQ's which are really beneficial.First read the becker stuff then do becker mcq and then wiley ..and managed to pass REG very close.With AUD also i prepared with Becker and Wiley testbank.waiting for results but my exam went bad so :(:(

If you order via another71 u also get discount which helps.

Good Luck..I am sure you will pass this phase 🙂

FAR- 79 -->Becker self study, Final review & Flashcards
REG -72-->Becker ,76-->Becker plus Wiley test bank
AUD- 73 Becker,72-->Becker+Wiley,69-->Added ninja notes,89 --> Added Gleim review
BEC- 84 Becker plus Wiley Test bank

I am Done !!!!

[Myredstapler]

I failed plenty too. Just keep on pushing and you will eventually succeed

[TDKR]

without failures, you won't have an idea of how sweet your success is.

My Director passed her CPA right out of school, my Manager passed his after a few years of trying. You can guess which one is more proud in telling me their success story. Let your failures serve you as a launchpad to your success. The only time you will truly fail is giving up.

When all else fail to motivate you, just take a look at BaxterCPA's signature block. Good luck with your journey!

REG - 72, 72, 81
BEC - 77
FAR - 70, 81
AUD - 74 "so that's what it feels like." Round 2: 79

Passing the exam is not impossible task. GIVING UP is the only way YOU can make it impossible!

[quittingcpa2013]

“… it seems like everyone has these amazing scores of 80 or above and passing on their first time.”

lol

https://i.minus.com/iygqIWAYiMN47.jpg

[blandrover123]

The way I passed AUD was with NINJA notes (rewritten 2x and read at least 5x), read Becker twice, watched videos and did MCQ once. I also did every question in the Gleim testbank. After Gleim I did small becker progress tests (10-20 mcq) and kept rereading NINJA the few days leading up the exam. That took a total of 7 weeks.

In my opinion, that should definitely get you a passing grade. I also made sure to really concentrate and read every single MCQ because they try to trick you.

I think that repetition in AUD is definitely the key. I don't know about the other sections though.

[Anonymous]

Thank you all so much for responding. I used to think these things were a little corny but it seriously helps. I took that day off to feel depressed, angry, and motivated to get back to it. I'm going to buy the Wiley test bank for FAR and see how this goes. You just put so much into passing the tests. “I can plan on going on a vacation if I pass at least 2 tests” or ” I will allow myself to take 2 weeks off and actually see friends and family if I pass this test”. And NO ONE understands unless they've gone through it/are going through it. Thanks again everyone. I feel a lot better today and have a new study plan.

I hope I can come back in a couple months with a passing grade.

[Anonymous]

Yep…like the others said…you just see the happy people. Statistically, 80% of people who start this exam series do not pass everything first-try (there's no exact figure, but that's the closest estimate). Of that 80%, no one really knows how many sit for the exam 5 times total, and how many sit 30 times total, and how many sit more. But what matters is that, at some point in time, we all get to put those little letters behind our name (CPA – Created by Pure Agony).

And you're dead right that no one understands unless they've been here. But we all know you can do it. It won't be a walk in the park…but the parks will still be there for walking after we get done!

[Anonymous]

@corrie10 don't let it get you down. Not passing audit was a slap in the face for me, especially since I really enjoyed my two audit classes.

Take some time to reconnect with yourself and attack one of the sections again. Go on vacation or take the two weeks off to see your family, but schedule a test in a couple of months to keep yourself on track after your break. You have already done so much studying, just clear your mind, regain your balance, and look at your study materials with a fresh approach. You can do this!

[Author]

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