When I say years, I mean YEARS. It was a goal that I was trying to achieve since 2006! 5 years later I finally did it. It was a very long journey for me. I hope it doesn't take everyone this long, but if it seems to be taking forever for you to reach the finish line remember you are NOT alone.
I shared this information with my #twudygroup family after I found out I passed but some other friends did not. Everyone said that my story and journey were beyond motivating. I want to help motivate other candidates who are going through this journey that seems to never end.
As you can see from the graph, I my first Notice to Schedule (NTS) was issued on April 7, 2006 and my last NTS was issued on June 30, 2011! I sat for my final exam on November 12, 2011! That's 5 years 8 months that I studied pretty much non stop! My first passing score ever was FAR. Followed shortly by REG then AUD. A long time elapsed before my passing BEC score, as you can see. In the time between passing FAR the first time and finally passing BEC I lost my FAR credit followed by REG credit shortly after. It was heart breaking. Yes I curled up into a ball and wanted to be invisible to the world when I lost the credit I worked so hard for. But not for long. I was too strong to let that bring me down. The most time I took away from the studies was 3 nights. I emerged from my own world, told myself to keep going, and applied to take the lost sections again! Then I started studying again, every morning, every night and every free second I could find. I listened to audio review all day, every day at work. I had to make sure my studies were first in my life.
If I didn't keep at it I would have lost AUD as well. My ultimate goal was to NEVER have to take BEC again. (Me and BEC were archenemies since the day we met!) I knew I passed the others and could do it again and I did. I "purposely" (not so purposely) let REG expire while I was trying to pass FAR the second time. It was a hard decision. I set up a timeline and I knew I just didn't have enough time to study and remember everything that was tested in FAR in the short amount of time before REG expired. I knew I passed REG once and could do it again. While it was heartbreaking to see "expired" next to my passing score, I know I made the best choice in my journey. It paid off, I passed FAR and REG without any other credit expiring.
The whole CPA exam process is a very draining process! It took everything I had to pass. It takes hard work and dedication. I gave it my everything. Shoot for that magical 75!
Here are what I believe are the secret keys to passing the CPA exam:
- Don't over study. All you need is a 75
- Don't ever give up even if you feel you don't have anymore to give, give more
- Believe in yourself and abilities
- Hard Work
- Dedication
- It's a marathon, not a sprint. Be in it for the long haul.
- Don't get discouraged.
- Join #twudygroup They are the BEST motivational friends! (Plus we're fun!)
After I figured out the keys to passing I was able to do it! Here is the proof! My final scores!
Now I'm in a waiting game with the State of Pennsylvania. I will keep you updated on my application status. Good Luck studying.
