A quick video on my passing score for BEC. I get a tad bit teary eyed, but its tears of happiness. 

I will continue with my blog/vlog as I progress through the licensing process. I find that this step is a bit confusing and there needs to be an instruction manual. I will also continue because a CPA exam candidate and CPA always need guidance. 

Video was still processing when I posted this, so the video may not be available.

I go through my before preparations for BEC. Everyone is different so no worries if what I do is nothing what you do. Best of luck to all sitting! Lets pass this thing.

PSA - Taxes are due 4/17/2012! 

It is the final days/week before my exam. I review what I have been doing. Here are the sites I talk about:

freecpareview.com

http://www.gleim.com/accounting/cpa/diagnosticquiz.php

http://www.cpaexamclub.com/groups/cpaexamnotes

http://www.becker.com/accounting/cpaexamreview/students/2011%20AICPA%20Business%20Questions.pdf

I last left off with my gray period…

I completed my 4th and final class, paid for the NTS, scheduled the exam, and never sat. I left my NTS expire. 

I blame no one but myself, but that is why I wanted to blog about my experience. At this time in my CPA process, I had started a new job. This job had a big commute and took away from my studying time. Unfortunately, I was later laid off from this position and spent the next 2 months searching for a new job. This is also why I ended my last post about NTS’s and scheduling. I had an unfortunate circumstance. For me this was very upsetting and not conducive to my studying. The one thing I was absolutely happy about from that experience was I didn’t pay for all 4 parts at once. I would have had too many activities on my plate. I would not have given this exam the focus it rightly deserves. I know some people thrive in that pressure and pass with no problem, but that is not my experience nor how I function.

I do like to report I am employed for almost 2 years now after being laid off. It was a time I might blog about later, but right now, its CPA exam time and I digress. 

After I found job security, a place to live, and had steady finances, I decided to tackle the CPA exam again. I enrolled in the same program as before and hit the books hard again. I began where I last left off, FAR. This would be my second time taking the course, so I was very familiar with the instructor and material.

I received my NTS, set a date, and took the exam. The envelope came and this time it was a 62. At this moment, I was confused. Why did something I had such a passion for seem to be slipping away from me? After a serious talk with an old colleague and my boyfriend, I decided it wasn’t me but my review course. 

I was taking this test for now 3 years, and it still baffled me as to why I couldn’t pass. I graduated college Summa Cum Laude with a 3.91, started a business club on campus, came back from a job loss, and gave up significant amounts of time with family and friends to achieve this ultimate goal in life, a CPA designation. What gives! I realized I only relied on one source for material this whole time. I wasn’t getting a fully rounded review course. I do not blame my instructor or the course material. My mind needed more information to fully understand the material I needed to know for this exam. (As previously noted, I will privately let you know the courses I have taken if inquiring minds need to know.)

After research and inquiry from fellow friends and colleagues, I settled on a new course, literally. I again toiled away for hours studying and practicing as instructed. I was soon ready to take the exam and then I had a personal emergency. I ended up in the ER and on the couch for 3 weeks in pain and unable to concentrate on studying. I was able to reschedule my FAR test. Again I will reiterate from an earlier post, I never paid for more than 2 tests on my NTS. I did pay for FAR and REG, but only scheduled FAR. To say the least, I was happy to reschedule my exam with out any fear hanging over my head. 

I sat for FAR in November 2010. It was two weeks before Thanksgiving. I was ready for the holiday break and welcomed a short study break. To my surprise, I received the NASBA envelope 2 weeks later. I remember the exact placement of my furniture and who was in the room. I opened the envelope with shaky hands and screamed, literally screamed so loud my throat was sore for a good day, to see a 80! I PASSED. 

My previous post, I have answered why a CPA. Now, I want to get to the point! That point being, I started this blog to begin logging my studies, vent my frustrations, ask questions, and offer any help to other fellow examiners. 

If it helps anyone reading this rant, I began this process in 2007. Not very proud at this moment because it is now 2011. I haven’t been exactly dedicated the last 4 years to my studies, hence why I am still taking this exam!

I first studied for BEC. I thought fresh out of school BEC would be the easiest. I was wrong. My self studying didn’t get me very far. I got a 50. I was absolutely devastated. Regardless, I got back up on that horse, and enrolled in a review course. (NOTE: I won’t mention any review courses specifically, but if inquiring minds need to know you can ask me privately). I chose to do live classes for all 4 parts in an 8 month process. To say the least, it was a major shock and adjustment to my life that I wasn’t prepared for.

This time, I began with AUD. I made a schedule, stayed on task with all the homework assigned in class and practiced MCQs until my hand hurt. I sat for the exam and waited and waited and waited…did I mention I waited…yes it did feel like a century passed before I got that envelope in the mail. I held my breathe and opened a 74. While the AUD wait was going on, I moved on to class #2 BEC. I already was knee deep studying for BEC when that score came in the mail. I decided the just add AUD to the end of the list of sections still to take. 

I sat for BEC and 2 weeks later began class #3 REG. I was half way through REG when I received a 68. This is what I call the gray period. At this point, I was mentally not even prepared to finish the rest of the course, but I did. I went to every class, even #4 FAR. I decided to add BEC to the end of the list, focus on the last class and pass “the most difficult” part first. That would give me the motivation I needed to pass a part, any part. 

Before I end here and continue the drama in the next post, I want to outline how I scheduled my NTS’s. My first NTS for BEC, I only signed up for BEC. The second round, I signed up for AUD and BEC. I have only ever signed up for 2 tests at a time. For me personally, this is my preference. A NTS expires after 6 months. I didn’t want to spend the money then have an emergency that would prevent me from sitting. I consider that a waste of money. 

To be continued in the next post.