what was your biggest roadblock/obstacle with the CPA exam, and how did you overcome it? Thank you!

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Back in my PA days it was time. The way I got around that was making it priority number 1 above work even. It helped that I was a first year

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Motivation to study for it. First test I never showed up for it. I was tired where I was at after 2 years and wanted more.

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Getting discouraged after a fail and finding the will to continue

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Work. Work was the road block. Passed half the exam while still in college during an extra semester. That helped
Then again, that was 1990

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Got laid off when the company i worked at started going under in 08 and had no money for study courses. Everyone wanted someone with a CPA at the time so i kept losing out on job offers to people with less experience who had gotten their licenses (this was the reason give multiple times.) I actually *won* a free study program at the time (according to their email it was a super scientific chance of random luck, but im pretty sure they felt for me after I shared my story while comisserating with someone on their fb group page). Having the study program boosted my morale at the time and I went for it and passed the exams.

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Time, I made time where I could and got it done.

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The biggest roadblock for most everyone is going to be time. I spent 6 weeks, 8 hours per day studying for FAR and REG. I wasn’t working or was unassigned at the time so I could do that. I did BEC in November or December working full time, and AUD in March/April after busy season.

The key to overcoming roadblocks is appropriate planning. Schedule the hardest test for when you have the most time.

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Staying focused on finishing the test. Removed social media apps during the week and built a study plan into my calendar to hold myself accountable.

For me it’s been motivation/burn out. My first test I studied a lot and passed first try, it was hard but I did it. Second test it was harder to study a lot, I barely passed but did it. Third test I was just done….barely studied and really struggled, I didn’t pass. I’m studying now to retake it and it’s been a little easier to find the motivation because I took a break while waiting for my results, but I’m just exhausted. It’s so difficult to study and work full time

I had a criminal record at one point with 5 incidents and one of the crimes I allegedly committed was theft, which got dropped to a disorderly conduct. I overcame it by quitting drinking/drugging, having a really good lawyer, and staying out of trouble for a minimum of 5 years to get my record expunged. I am licensed now and though my record is clean, it comes up on FBI background checks and fortunately employers are understanding when I explain.

All in all it pushed back my ability to test by 2 years following graduation. All of this happened before I even became an accounting major. Some people aren’t so lucky, so if you’re young my advice would be not to involve yourself in a party lifestyle and never overstep boundaries you set for yourself.

Work, busy season, client deadlines, etc.

Believing in myself and avoiding distractions

Thought I wasn’t going to be long term PA, and figured it’s a waste when I can go party

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