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This will benefit someone, so I’ll share:
6 years, 20+ tries. Needed to change service lines and make a career pivot to have normal hours. Also, was dealing with chronic depression and a bit of memory loss. My situation was very extreme. But I hope this encourages someone going through it very heavily. You’re not alone. These exams aren’t a test of intellect, they’re a test of perseverance. Keep going. Don’t give up. It’s worth it in the end.
Dang, this got a lot of likes. Thanks for all the love and support, guys 🫶🏻
6 months with 2 kids under 5. It was rough, but I did it.
6 months, full time job and three kids…so worth it. Becker Review was my go to study method
4 months
I’m 4 years in and haven’t passed. I’m currently going through what KPMG1 went through up top. Depression and anxiety followed by comorbidies of ADHD and complex PTSD. I’ve come to terms that I’m either going to have to leave PA for a bit or transfer to another group. But I have to deal with my mental health for a bit before I can’t even begin to consider those next steps. On top of needing to move in the next couple of months.
I made a 73 on FAR my first time and passed AUD while pending my FAR score. Retook FAR, but that was during my first busy season, my cat died, hadn’t looked at the material in 7 months and made a 68. Retook it again a year later and the day before my dad was admitted into the hospital for a possible brain tumor. Made a 53 on that one, lol..
Stay strong. Lord knows I’m doin my best rn 🥲
If you’re getting those scores sick and in the midst of hard times, imagine what you could do when well: unstoppable. I will add that 8 months in those 6 years, I was on heavy antidepressants that severely affected my cognitive ability.
Do not give up. This might require huge life changes, but you’ll be all the better for it personally and professionally. You can do it. ❤️
Four months
what was your study method?
The full 18 months
Working full time with four kids at home, three times
1 year. But I had to be extremely strict and didn’t have much of a social life.
It took me a little bit over 2 years. I took Auditing and taxes and passed with 92 and 96. I was working for a CPA firm at the time and subsequently got very busy with work. I had no choice but to let my credits expired. I left public accounting and started a position as a controller. This offered me more time to study. I passed all 4 sections within 6 months while working full-time and taking care of my son.
You got this!!! If you work hard, the universe will reward you.
9 months and I had to stop studying Feb-April for tax season. So that's really only 6 months of dedicated studying and testing. I passed all 4 exams on the first try. I used SuperFastCPA combined with my review course. Without that I am 100% sure that it would have been much longer. Best part is, if you stick to their study strategy, you get to keep your personal life (and sanity) because you get your evenings free. Best of luck on your CPA journey!
I sat for the exam in May 2001 when it was a four-part, two day exam. I sat with around 1,000 other people. I took the Becker Conviser study course every weekend (10 hour days) from early January until late May. Passed all four parts the first try. I was working 50 hours a week in my job, and was married with a five year old child.
Over a year. It’s hard but you need to treat it like a second job
13 months from when I started to study until my final score release. Would have been 10 months but I failed REG and had to retake. 1 kid and a very demanding full time job in a public company
Close to a year. Studied and took the tests between my peaks. You can do it!
One time.
The limit was 18 months and I did it with one quarter to spare. Got a 74 on a exam after waiting over 3 months for the score release in the exam transition of 2017. Almost lost my mind then. But after one more fail after that, I found my groove and pushed through passing the final 3 in 6 months.
Perseverance. Patience. Support. And the ability to sacrifice and figure out how you best study and then stick with it. I definitely used other ppls stories to motivate. But it’s ultimately about finding what works for you!! Best of luck!