To be honest, I kept hitting a wall with BEC. I just felt that BEC was the garbage can exam. Where any concept not applicable to financial statements or tax was just thrown in there. So I had the hardest time finding a correlation because there was no central theme. And I simply couldn’t pass it. But to be honest, these were the factors keeping me from being on my way (you may not relate to any of them):
1. I was using outdated materials that I didn’t use much when they were new. Maybe cause my firm paid for it so I didn’t make good use of it. Instead of spending my own money for new materials, I settled for my old ones. I learned that when I used my own hard earned money, I took studying more seriously. I was in essence “paying for not passing.”
2. Work was too demanding. I work in public accounting. But I have realized that if you only study and take exams during the off season, you’re eliminating months out of your window. I took an exam during tax season and I actually passed! What’s the worst that could happen? Not pass because I was so occupied with work? Which ends up not being so bad, because you’re not expected to pass exams during busy season. Lol
3. I think the most difficult part is getting past the halfway mark. I see it as a mountain. Just focus on getting to that top of the hill. I believe it really gave me confidence once I finally passed BEC, which was my 2nd exam. I’m still 1 exam away, but maybe back to 2? But that 1 exam could end up being your “top of the hill.” I think BEC was my “top of the hill,” because it was harder for me than AUD, REG, or even FAR (despite probably not passing it again).
4. I relied too much on others. I had to be honest with myself. Sometimes I noticed I would constantly try to get help from others to give me the quick and dirty. Or I would “study with others.” But in hindsight, I realized that it was just my excuse or subconsciously thinking that other people can explain things to me and I would automatically understand it. But struggling with the concept actually helped me when it finally clicked. It’s kind of like seeing moreso how bright a light bulb was when you spend so much time in the dark? Don’t get me wrong, it’s good to get help. More often than not, I ask for help even before I spent the time to learn it intimately.
I don’t know. I’m speaking as if I’ve already passed all four exams. I really don’t think I passed FAR. But I do feel I passed all four exams already, and just need to do it.
5. May not necessarily be a good word of advice, but one thing a partner once told me is that if I score a really high score, I studied too much. Hahaha what?! In a way, it did apply to me. Only because he said all I needed is a 75. When I studied my butt off, I drained myself and wasn’t motivated for the next one. Sometimes I did so many long hours that my brain didn’t absorb it. Or it’s like looking at a painting from an inch away. It was only when I took a step back did I see the big picture, and things started to click. And what clicked to me, I would write or illustrate my own way. Obviously, I don’t recommend it for everyone because people think or learn differently. A person can read something and understand it at face value. For me, I’ve realized that if I am able to interpret it without regurgitating the concept, it truly sticks.
6. Finally… ironically, my biggest obstacle was that I focused too much on the concepts. That I always, always never spent enough time on multiple choices. Also, simulations. Lame I know! lol
I made so many mistakes in my study habits. But something has to click. I am sorry I never did answer your question about what kept me going. I just think it was more of “finding out what I was doing wrong” that really had nothing to do with my difficulty in not absorbing the materials that truly kept me going. Does that make sense? Cause Ninja is great for the multiple choices and simulations. Roger worked great for the lectures. Becker was too dry and overwhelming for me, but it helped me pass AUD. In other words, it wasn’t the materials’ fault. I think that it really was underlying excuses and distractions that I needed to realize.
BEC: 65/69/64/69/68/NS/78
AUD: 70/65/77/72/75
REG: 65/76
FAR: 64/retake
Pls. dont laugh
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