Well, right now I'm struggling with the fact I don't know if I passed my last CPA exam. A little background on the exam (and my history with it):
The CPA exam is 4 parts. You can take each part independently of the others, at your pace, and in any order. The main requirement is that you have 18 months to pass all four parts after your first passing score. Seems easy enough, right? Well...... you would think so. But only if you have the right level of motivation, determination, and study materials that fit your learning style.
I've struggled with this exam for the past three years. I would study and take the exam and kept falling short. It didn't really help that my work schedule was not always the most predictable (hello, public accounting). Last summer, I made the leap out of public accounting into industry (basically, anything other than public accounting) and renewed my determination to pass that stupid test.
I felt like I studied my butt off those first few months at the new job. I'd study during lunch, and even stay late to get a couple of good hours in without distractions. Yes, they're outside here - I couldn't find the picture I was actually looking for, but you can still see how cute they are :)
I had passed one part back in November 2011, which is expiring at the end of May if I haven't passed my most recent test. I took some time off after I passed that one because I was working an average of 80 hours a week, which would cause burn out for almost anyone when you work that hard and pull an all-nighter at the end. That break was nice and needed, but I should have gotten back to studying sooner.
So, like I said, I was busting my butt to study late last summer - and fell short of passing. I was so disappointed. Then I got right back to it and started again - this time just one point ONE POINT shy. Really? ONE POINT!!! GRR!!!
So I moved on from that test and took the one I had passed before because it had expired. Thankfully by this time I had discovered a better set of study materials (Roger CPA for anyone out there that is looking for a good CPA review course). I passed that test again and ready to face the part that most people think is the hardest.
Again, I studied at lunch every day and would study 2-3 or more hours at home in the evenings. My weekends were spent studying all day. I was averaging 25-30 hours a week studying, in addition to a full time job. If I didn't pass that one, I was going to break down.
When it came time to check my score, I couldn't look. (We log into the Oklahoma Accountancy Board website for our scores.) I closed my eyes and J looked for me. He hesitated and I'm pretty sure my heart stopped for a second until he started shaking me and yelling. I looked and couldn't believe my eyes!!!! I passed!!!! That meant only one more to go......
So I went through it all again - studying at lunch and in the evenings and on the weekends.... I should get my score this week, and haven't really been thinking about it, but apparently it's been on my mind. I had a dream that I got my score (which was broken into two in my dream) - 25 and 39, neither of which are anywhere close to passing, even if you combine them.
So come Thursday, I'll either be done with the exam, or be back at 50% (since I'll have one expiring and the one that I failed). It's all out of my hands at this point, but I'm struggling to find the patience to wait until I get home Thursday to check the website. Any good thoughts on Thursday would be appreciated!!
Hopefully I can be cheering like Sheldon come the end of the week!
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