[sdollen64]

I’m not a typical candidate. I’m 55. Work in accounting in a financial institution; so most of everything in FAR isn’t used in our daily work. Yeah, it’s weird. I did a finance degree, MBA – worked in investments selling and education, back office capital markets for chase bank, then I went back and obtained my accounting hours/degree and started working in external audit and wasn’t a fan since I was in my 40s with two little kids and working with people half my age. No offense to people half my age! I took and passed BEC and AUD back in late 2007. Moved into internal auditing in 2008 and figured I’ll never need or want the CPA. I did obtain the CIA.

Fast forward 8 years and decided after moving into the accounting area I’d in fact need the designation. Figured FAR would be my nemesis and it has proven to be. By 2016 I had one child a senior in high school and one a freshman. A lot of activities and things always going on.

8/30/16 – 45. Didn’t really prepare
2/25/17 – 56. Sorta studied off and on
3/3/18 – 25 REALLY didn’t study. Just sat to keep candidacy.

Piddled around and then figured I really seriously probably need to get the designation.

5/4/19 – 60 Felt I studied pretty well
11/30/19 – 74 Ugh
8/01/20 – 62 Ugh.

Six times. I don’t feel like I’m a total moron, although my wife might disagree. I kid! Type II diabetic, sleep apnea, and just a lot of responsibility in my current role at work. We all have our issues though, right? Some might be dyslexic, test anxiety, etc. etc. etc. I just mention it as background for my lengthy post.

I started two weeks ago on REG as I figured it would be the 2nd hardest for me. At this point, I think they all might be!

With all of this said and sorry for the length, the score notice said I was weaker in Sect. I, II, IV and stronger in Sect III. I’ve usually been stronger in govt/NP. Then at the bottom it said I was stronger in MCQ and weaker in Sims.

I’m not shocked by the weaker in sims. To be honest….this last test I felt like I had 3-4 sims that all had 6-8 attachments and I open them and I just freeze and I mentally am just fatigued at that point and mentally just blow chunks all over the place.

I posted my fail in the score release thread last night and I ain’t gonna lie – it is hard not being envious seeing others posting their passes or dones. BUT, we all have our own road to travel and no one can compare themselves to anyone else. I know everyone can probably share a similar story about the roadblocks and pain/grief they have gone through to pass. I was talking to a friend this last weekend and he was a CPA before he entered the MBA program, which is where we met. He went on to get his PhD in accounting and has been teaching accounting classes at a University the last 10+ years. He told me that he had to take it 6-7 times back in “the old days” when you did it over the 2-3 day time span. He said to not let the test and the fails define me. He said to just keep chugging away and keep at it.

I guess that’s why my long post and actually posting all of my FAR fails. I hope other people who didn’t pass will pick themselves up and dust themselves off and really, do what I’m going to try and do. I’m going to use all of the pass and done posts in the score thread to help motivate me. I know I need to practice doing sims. Like I mentioned, we don’t use much of anything from FAR in the work we do. Yeah, it’s a balance sheet, income statement, but we don’t have bonds, leases, we are a tax exempt organization. So, applying all of the information to a real life simulation is a little harder for me. I just need to practice more and get comfortable with those before I try number seven.

Keep your chin up. Persevere. If you want it bad enough and put in the time, you can do it. Sounds cliche, but as Roger Phillip says “It isn’t an IQ test”.

Sorry for the length but I hope this encourages someone.

My teenage son to me "If you don't pass, it isn't like you'll die or anything."  True.  Very true.  Just do your best, it's all you can do.

[Josh]

i agree with your son. it sounds like this exam is getting to you. you’re also right about getting back up. i don’t have an accounting degree either & most of my accounting education is prior to 2000. these reviews provide what you need. it may sound counterintuitive but take these exams in 1-2 months each + continually review. these are sprints. you need short term memory. we got this.

AUD - 75
BEC - 78
FAR - 76
REG - 80

Josh
“Focus on the future for 50%, on the present for 40%, and on the past for 10%." - Maasaki Hatsumi

[sdollen64]

Well…FAR is definitely getting to me! Haaaa! But, yeah, I think I'm burned out on that area after having piddled with it once a year. I think I'm going to stick with another section for now and come back to it later and just redo that section like I've never done it. Spend a lot more time doing sims.

I do agree that spreading the study time out too long isn't a good choice. There is a sweet spot between not enough time and too much time.

Hope you're having a great week and appreciate the response and encouragement!

My teenage son to me "If you don't pass, it isn't like you'll die or anything."  True.  Very true.  Just do your best, it's all you can do.

[monikernc]

@sdollen I was in my mid50s when I returned to school for the accounting credits and took exams. I was an empty nester and I loved it the entire time. Returning to school was a joy for me. I had an MBA and finance undergrad originally so accounting was not too far off the page for me. After finishing school studying while working was a welcome diversion from a crappy job. Getting the experience at my age was the biggest challenge because salaries are so low and ageism rampant. I gave up on NC and moved to CO and have been more successful. Now I realize time is running out for me but I am determined to do all that I can because I love it.

Read this post from 2016. CPA50 showed us what this can take. She was awesome. https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/forum/far-cpa-exam-prep-test-day-experience/how-to-pass-far/topic/headline-cpa50-passes-far/

As I like to say, if you want things to change you have to do something different.

Good luck and stick with it!

AUD - 93
BEC - 82
FAR - 76
REG - 88

How have you been?
Ninja book and MCQs and the forum, all first try! 2016
Licensed State of Montana April Fool’s Day 2020
State of Colorado June 2020 - AICPA Ethics 93
Experience was the worst part of the journey for me. You?
If you want things to change you have to do something different.

FAR 7/25/15 76!
AUD 10/30/15 93
BEC 2/27/16 82
REG 5/23/16 88!
Ninja Book and MCQ and the forum - all the way!!!
and a little thing i like to call, time and effort!
if you want things to change, you have to do something different

[Tncincy]

@sdollen64, Join the 50’s club with the same anxiety, same test failures, the same “why didn’t I do this when I was younger”, the same NEED TO GET THIS DONE !!!
Life is short, lick the bowl. I like what you said, Time to get back up, dust yourself off and try again. Don’t make this a competition. Just get the book out, isolate some study time and try again. The key is to keep trying until you pass. Good luck to you. Let us (Ninja’s) know how your study is going.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader.....time to pass

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[sdollen64]

Thanks @monikernc & @Tncincy. Yeah, I think I diverged a little because it was meant to say, hey I sucked and feel beaten down and discouraged when I see other's passes, but can't fall into that trap of comparing because none of us are apples 2 apples. Yeah, the 50s club sucks because of health issues and memory difficulties. But, you just keep trying.

My oldest is now a senior in college and youngest is a freshman in college; so few time commitments there. Now, it's just coming home mentally tired each day after work.

BUT, you gotta just make yourself if you want it bad enough. That's what I've always told my kids. This challenge really has turned into me now wanting to finish it even if I have to kill myself, just so I can show my kids that you can achieve it if you work hard enough.

Thanks for the encouragement too!

My teenage son to me "If you don't pass, it isn't like you'll die or anything."  True.  Very true.  Just do your best, it's all you can do.

[RobOh]

@sdollen64 I am now a member of the 50's club but I finished all parts when I was 49. I had to miss out on a lot of time with my son and family time etc. but in the end it was all worth it. I kind of look at it the same as when I run a marathon, it doesn't matter when I get there as long as I get to finish and get that medal. You already know this but you have to be all in on it and cut no corners or that 18 month window will sneak up on you every time. We believe in you, but it's most important that you believe in yourself. Your kids will be so proud of you when you pass, keep thinking about that when you have any doubts to get you through it. I can't wait to see your post where you say you passed, we are all routing for you.

[monikernc]

@sdollen no one has to die to get this done. Inner dialogue matters.
Eat right, sleep well, and keep moving. Screw age. It has nothing to do with it except the clock is ticking. Clear your head, have courage, and move forward. Set a goal and get it done! Now not later.

AUD - 93
BEC - 82
FAR - 76
REG - 88

How have you been?
Ninja book and MCQs and the forum, all first try! 2016
Licensed State of Montana April Fool’s Day 2020
State of Colorado June 2020 - AICPA Ethics 93
Experience was the worst part of the journey for me. You?
If you want things to change you have to do something different.

FAR 7/25/15 76!
AUD 10/30/15 93
BEC 2/27/16 82
REG 5/23/16 88!
Ninja Book and MCQ and the forum - all the way!!!
and a little thing i like to call, time and effort!
if you want things to change, you have to do something different

[Author]

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