One of the hardest parts for me in this whole process has been to not let myself get discouraged. I get so frustrated working the MCQs, especially when my scores are low. “How can you put that question in the testlet when you didn’t tell me about it in the lectures I just watched?!?” I often find myself practically screaming at the computer. “How am I supposed to remember all of this?” is another one. I get frustrated, close my books for the day and it takes me dayssss before I get back the motivation to start again. This is a vicious vicious cycle for me.
During one of these fights with my CPA books I read the book “A Place of Yes” by Bethenny Frankel. At first I thought this book might be a little too rah-rah for me but I decided to give it a try since I am obsessed with Bethenny and think she can do no wrong. In the book she talks a lot about how she overcame many obstacles and was able to get to where she is now. At first I didn’t make the connection but the more I read it the more I was able to see that I could apply her tactics to taking the CPA exam and my struggle with the MCQs.
In the book she talks about her less than ideal childhood, her failed relationships and multiple failed businesses. But with each situation she was able to take what she learned and build on it. Each time she got stronger until she finally got to where she is today- happily married with a newborn daughter and a multi million dollar empire. Even though it took her 40 years she never gave up.
This really resonated with me and my struggle with MCQs. I’m not going to get every single one right. I might not pass each exam on the first try. But that’s ok. The point is to keep going. Keep trying and adding to my building blocks until I finally get to add those 3 letters after my name. The most important thing is to not give up.
With 5 weeks left until my test and my renewed sense of motivation it’s time to once again get back to those MCQs. Wish me luck!
Jola
My girlfriend has been in the process of trying to finish the CPA exams and has struggled with financial. I have no experience with the CPA exams but I do have some experience with exams since I had to fight through the process of passing the Mass bar. I felt that the most important thing I did in order to prepare for the exam was taking a class that prepared me on how to take the exam and not just how to learn the information on the exam. I have been trying to encourage my girlfriend to find a class for the CPA exam that would help her learn how to take the exam and manage time better but she claims there isn’t anything available. Does anybody know of a class available in the boston area that offers anything like that?
Hi R,
Becker CPA Review offers classes in the area