Kim is a weekly Another71 Facebook blogger as she documents her journey through the CPA Exam.
Like all of you, I look so forward each week to reading the new blogs on this site. It is truly therapeutic. I find myself getting emotional when I see a blog about someone not passing and read about them describing the emotions that they feel. Having been in that spot for four of the six times that Ive sat for parts of the exam, I fully understand the feelings.
From the time on Wednesday afternoon that I saw the NASBA Tweet that the AICPA had released the scores to the time that I saw my score yesterday morning seemed like an eternity. I had four sleepless hours Wednesday night where I did what Bridget referred to in her blog as post-test second guessing.
When I sat for REG on November 29, it was my fourth attempt (previous scores: 63, 74, and 73). I did feel a little better last week when I left the testing site, but I was so guarded about that feeling. When I saw my score yesterday morning and it was a 75, I thought it was the most beautiful number that Ive ever seen! All of the hard work and prayers had finally paid off!
I decided to wait to write this blog until I had added up all of my REG study hours. I keep a detailed study schedule, so that made it easy to get the total. Im going to share the total because I think its a good example that it takes some of us longer than others to master this exam.
Ive been studying for REG since last December and I logged 710 hours. This is not meant to scare anyone, but I do want it to be an example that persistence does pay off! Also, remember that Im an older candidate, that I have bi-focal eyes, and havent worked in public accounting in over 20 years.
With all that said, I need to pass both FAR and AUD before my BEC score expires on May 31, 2012. So somehow, someway, Ive got to grasp the material faster and/or develop better test-taking skills than I did for REG. Ill be tackling FAR first. I have started studying for it twice already while waiting on the failed REG scores, so I have a few hours already. Ill take any advice anyone has to give on tackling these two parts.
One of the first things that occurred to me yesterday after seeing the passing REG score was thanking my friends and family for their support. The first one that came to mind was my husband. He returned from a deployment in mid-October and had to get used to my very late and very early study hours. He weathered it well.
Our grown kids had been supportive as well. I sent the four of them a text yesterday that said, The Old Lady finally passed my second part of the exam to which one son replied, Its a pre-Christmas miracle! You have to have a good sense of humor in our family!
My parents have been an awesome support, and when I called to share the good news with them yesterday, my stepfather said, Well Im going to have some spare time now each day because I wont have to pray about this any more! He wont have much spare time, because his prayers will be needed for FAR.?
Were all in this together. Happy Holidays to each of you.
Kim
2 down 2 to go!!! Good Luck and Congrats!!
That is awesome!! I too am a "mature" candidate:) I received my first passing score in September of this year. I got AUD on my second try(78) and narrowly missed BEC by four measly points. I have taken REG twice(55, 64 score from 11/19). My fourth rematch with BEC(68,66,71) is January 3rd. Who knows about FAR!!! Your blogs are an inspiration. Keep up the hard work!!
Thanks Jo Marie! I always enjoy reading your blog:) Karen, thanks for sharing your experiences with the exam. Sounds like you may sit for more than one test in each testing window... if so, how is to juggle that?
Congrats Kim! Keep going!!!
Congrats Kim!! Keep up the hard work and it will be over before we know it :)
Thanks Barry... your success has inspired me! And thank you to the Anonymous comment too:) Good luck to you too!
Congratulations on passing Regulation! Just a side note, I don't think it's necessary to remind people that you haven't worked in public accounting for over 20 years as a reason for your 710 hours of studying. I know you're trying to reassure people that they don't need to study that much. I only mention this because others reading that comment might make the assumption that work experience helps one to pass this exam. If anything, work experience may hurt you when taking this exam because what is done in practice is not necessarily theoretical. I have absolutely no real work experience and passed. I do agree that as long as you're persistent, you will pass this exam and I admire your tenacity.
Hi KIm: This is Bridget, one of the other bloggers. I just found out that I scored a 77 on REG. My first score was an humiliating 58. Just a note to share with you, as a Grandma of 6, what I did this time around besides stress and study. I tried some hormone re-balancing naturally. I used Chinese herbal medicine, natural progesterone cream, and supplements. I think it really helped with some of the brain fog I struggle with. Taking tests now, is nothing like it was in my 20's or 30's. Of course, this is not something I would share on my blog, but I think we "more mature" candidates need to stick together. Congrats on your pass. Email me if you want more info.
Thanks LN. You make a very good point about not associating working in public accounting with having to study more. I have my CMA and CFM certifications and the same studying techniques that I used for them has not worked for this exam. (Guess I should quit trying to figure out why I'm having to study more!) Thanks for your words of encouragement!
Bridget, Yes we mature candidates do need to help each other as much as possible. You hit the nail on the head when you describe the 'brain fog'! I'm very interested in your regimen. My e-mail address is: kim.jones@wtbc.edu. Thank you! Kim
Bridget, I forgot the most important part... Congratulations on your 77!!!!! You have worked so hard for that. I can't wait to see your blog when you write about it! Kim
Congrats Kim, I was really pulling for you!!!
Thank you Angie! I'm pulling for you too. How did things turn out for you?
Kim - Congrats! I too and not new to the party. Took me 2x to get REG, 3x on BEC, 1x AUD, and finally on the 3rd attempt passed FAR this window. I was about to lose credit on REG 1/31 if I didn't pass and I think my firm was about to write me off (I had a 3.9 GPA so they all expected me to pass on 1st try). I started studying after tax season of 2009, so I've been at this for a while. After all those exams, it wasn't until the last one that I figured out what worked for me was not endless hours reading, taking notes and watching videos - it was reviewing only MCQs ad nauseum. I worked all 1343 FAR MCQ in the Wiley test bank in a 30 days period and then did practice tests until I was consistently scoring 65-75 and I passed with an 82. You will see this posted repeatedly - it's a test of endurance, persistence and tenacity, not intelligence. Keep your eye on the prize and you will get there.
I got a 69 on BEC, so I am gearing up to re-take next window. I'm just trying to motivate myself not to procrastinate by reminding myself it's the last section.
Hope, Thanks for sharing your experiences.. and good for you on being finished!!! That has to be the best feeling in the world. And I think you are right about making the MC questions to top priority.. that's the advice I've been getting most consistently. Staying focused on the prize!! Kim
Angie, You're almost there... you've got this! Kim
I would say a "rear view window" vantage point is pretty sweet :) I appreciated what you wrote since I have older kids myself. 19 and 16--two boys who for the timebeing are not really clued into what Mom is involved in. Nothing personal, they are just focused on their stuff. I laughed at the text you sent them--LOL! Glad you got REG past you! And best of luck with FAR. Thanks for sharing your thoughts--I enjoyed reading the blog.