When your exams don't go to plan

Powerfairy

Hi there,

I sat my CPA Finals there Last week and they couldn't have gone worse for me. To say I'm disappointed is a major understatement.

I took off a month from my holiday leave in work to pass them which was not wise because looking back I burnt myself out. I went to every lecture, every revision course, and worked damn hard. I spent my weekends since January on college work
Then on the day I really felt the pressure, I Couldn't sleep the night before, I couldn't eat, I was a nervous mess.

I went to the exam hall and put my archive box with all my carefully tabbed notes next to me in the seat I was shaking. They were so important to me and I bombed them. In the 20 minutes reading time I was trying to settle myself so didn't use this efficiently. I ran out of time in every paper, even though I had done the mocks in college, and managed ok with time then,

I was sitting all of the finals in P2.

I am heartbroken. They weren't just exams to me, a lot was depending on me passing them,
Its the first day back at work and everyone is asking how I get on, and I don't know what to say.
There is a purpose to this post, I am wondering If I did fail them all should I try sit them again in August, or wait until April 2018. Has anyone been in this situation before?

The thoughts of facing them again is awful I will have no break all year.

however I know it might be best to get them out of the way as the tax syllabus changes every year, as does Strategy leadership the focus of the case study was the fitness industry this year, and Audit is up for a big overhaul in the 2018 sitting.

I think I have just answered my question, but I was looking for general advice when people fail in April is there enough time from June - August to study? Has this happened to anyone on here?

These exams are not easy I know that, but It didn't matter how much prep I did, because I feel like I just threw them away by being very being overly anxious, and not sleeping in the run up to them.

Results are out in 6 weeks but I already know. I failed them all. Any advice welcome. Thanks guys,

CassieManson

Hi there. 4 exams in one week was a lot to take on but you still might be pleasantly surprised by the results when they come out. It might be an idea to repeat one or two in Aug.

PhoneMain

Right so 2 things.

Exam results are not for another 6 weeks. First of all you don't know you failed for sure yet. You may very well have passed!!! Stop being so pessimistic! Second of all, just try and relax for the next 6 weeks. No amount of worry or thinking about results is gonna change your exam results now. If you failed, then deal with it in 6 weeks time and try enjoy your guaranteed study free time for the next few weeks.

As regards repeating them (if it comes to that), then I'd do them in August, even just for the simple matter that they'll be hanging over you until April 2018 otherwise rather than just for another 3 months. Plus, studying for a repeat is easier as you're just building on the level of knowledge you have now rather than starting afresh in January when you might have a lot of it forgotten.

Finally, as a guy who's done exams in college (twice!) and ACA exams, at the end of the day, they're just exams. Try not to get so wound up about them as they don't define who you are!

CIARAN_BOYLE

All accountancy exams are difficult exams.

If you failed them all and failed cleanly (ie by 10% or more) I would try and narrow in your focus for the repeats. If you can knock off two of them in a short time the other two will be more achievable than going for them all.

Secondly everyone knows they are hard exams don't be afraid to go into work and admit they are a struggle. Hell I sat aca exams once and came back saying they were a struggle hopefully I passed a couple and I could focus on a few for the resits .

if you are truly certain you failed you can start studying for resits now.

more than anything book a day off for your results day nothing worse than having to be in the office and talk to everyone the day you get a fail result.

Powerfairy

Thanks Ciaran, Cassie & PhoneMain,
I am in a lot better form today than I was,
I seem to be defining myself on whether I pass or fail. There is added pressure that I work in an office with two people (who are younger than me 23/ 27) and they pass every ACCA exam they sit first time.
I am so happy for them don't get me wrong, they are very smart & lovely people, but the added competition from my bosses, that colleagues who started after me (1 year / 2 years in the job) are passing first time, but here I am in the job 4 years and potentially failing. The lesson is don't compare yourself to others. It is never helpful.
Also I sat the P2's altogether, and they sit one at a time which is probably a better approach and its great that ACCA offer the 4 sittings a year, but CPA don't really allow for that unfortunately, (2 sittings a year & 2 years to complete all P2s, its a gamble to sit one at a time as you may exhaust all your sittings and end up failing anyway)

I have real admiration for anyone who passes these exams. They are so tough. Thanks to you all. Great advice about booking results day off. I am going to ask can I work from home that day. I have no holidays left !

C191919

It's not the end of the world, some might tell you it is but it's certainly not.

I am still sitting CPA exams, have one F paper that I keep failing and I have 4 P2 papers left.

I am on my second Finance Director role (early 30's) so I would say it's really not the end of the world. It's just an exam at the end of the day and won't stop you progressing in your career, hasn't stopped me anyway. (I don't have a degree either)

Frustrating as it may be, and I know how you feel as I used to feel really crap when I failed an exam but just remember it's an exam, life goes on and success is not measured by how many qualifications you have( well not in my eyes or the many executives I have worked with/for).

Just repeat one in August. Regroup and attempt the final 3 in April.

Hope it goes well.

myshirt

Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep going. Persevere, and don't give up. You will get there.

Powerfairy

C191919 wrote: »

It's not the end of the world, some might tell you it is but it's certainly not.

I am still sitting CPA exams, have one F paper that I keep failing and I have 4 P2 papers left.

I am on my second Finance Director role (early 30's) so I would say it's really not the end of the world. It's just an exam at the end of the day and won't stop you progressing in your career, hasn't stopped me anyway. (I don't have a degree either)

Frustrating as it may be, and I know how you feel as I used to feel really crap when I failed an exam but just remember it's an exam, life goes on and success is not measured by how many qualifications you have( well not in my eyes or the many executives I have worked with/for).

Just repeat one in August. Regroup and attempt the final 3 in April.

Hope it goes well.

Wow that is seriously impressive to be in a finance director role, I am 29 and still in a pretty junior role. But the company I work for are very nice so Its fine when I am studying to stay here, Thanks for your message it seriously helped and best of luck to you too,

Powerfairy

myshirt wrote: »

Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep going. Persevere, and don't give up. You will get there.

Thanks myshirt I will do.
I didn't come this far to give up at the last hurdle.

Powerfairy

Hi All, just to let you know. today i got my results & I actually passed 3 of the exams! I failed one, but got the other 3, I am so shocked I cannot believe it. I will sit the other one in August and please god now i get it and that will be the CPA done with, i had convinced myself i failed them all horribly. THRILLED IS NOT THE WORD. Thanks everyone !

Lokie

Well done!

L.Jenkins

Fair dues PowerFairy. I've completed F1 and will be starting work in Practice Monday, so I'll be working on the remaining F2, P1 and P2. Any plans for the future? Practice Cert, CTA? Any tips or advice?

Powerfairy

L.Jenkins wrote: »

Fair dues PowerFairy. I've completed F1 and will be starting work in Practice Monday, so I'll be working on the remaining F2, P1 and P2. Any plans for the future? Practice Cert, CTA? Any tips or advice?

Thanks L.Jenkins, I will wait until I pass the last exam before I give tips in case i don't get it in August and i am not sure I have any good tips, but I will make sure to let you all know if I do pass in August (results October)

Plans for future, are: Once I pass hopefully get a better job, (Currently working in industry) as I've been in the current place 4 years and really want to move out of Dublin and save some money, finally & Get a mortgage!

I would like one day to do the CTA and get actual practice experience but for now i don't think i could face any more exams. Its a long old slog getting the CPA exams, so if i pass i will absolutely take a break from study!

Best of luck to you, Oh actually I do have one piece of advice: do not listen to your classmates when they say oh 4 exams cant be done, or any negative talk to de-rail you, because this is your path, and you walk it how u want to walk it. GOOD LUCK

L.Jenkins

Thanks again PF and congrats I'll definitely be putting the effort in.

Cpa1982

Hi there..anyone has advanced tax and advanced audit notes for cpa for sale ?

Powerfairy

Cpa1982 wrote: »

Hi there..anyone has advanced tax and advanced audit notes for cpa for sale ?

Hey i can give you my audit notes / and advanced audit Book no charge. I need to keep the tax stuff however, i still refer to it a good bit in my job would u believe. PM me your address, i can post them over no problem, or if you are based in Dublin i can leave them in a shop or something for you to collect. Thanks.

Also If you are doing the P2 tax paper this August go to tax grinds in town, that lady Claire who runs it got me over the line, i got 62% in tax, and it was what i thought to be my worst subject, but she is amazing. 200 euro well spent.