So after my last post, I’ve started doing some more research. My initial googling a few weeks ago led me to believe that you usually get your scores back by mail (with no online option) six to eight weeks after your exam.
I was wrong.
I won’t get into it in detail, because neither of us wants that, but here’s what I found out in a nutshell: you can check your score online. But it looks like my early score was due to my exam being graded with the April exams, even though I took it in May. They probably did this because there weren’t enough April exams to grade by themselves (trying not to think of the possibility that this could happen with the rest of my exams, especially since no exams are taken in June). Anyway, the point is that early score was a fluke. According to this, I can expect to start getting the rest of the scores in another week and a half.
I wouldn’t mind that at all, of course, had I not gotten the teaser score last week. But at least now I know, and I won’t be anxiously speeding home every day just to find an empty mailbox.
I received my first score back from my four part CPA exam. I’ve heard that it takes six to twelve weeks to get your scores, especially since three of the sections have essay questions, but I got my regulation score back after just three weeks. You need a 75 to pass, and I got an 88. Supposedly that’s not a percentage, but I don’t know what it is otherwise.
The chances are good that, because of the limited time I had to prepare, I will only pass the one section this time around (I spent about three days studying for the audit section, and about twice that studying for the reporting section. I spent considerably more time on the concepts section but only about two days before the test actually reviewing). But I am still quite anxious to receive all of the scores. And then I can get started studying again.
The odd thing is that you can only receive your score via snail mail. There is literally no way to find your score online. And odder still is that I find this to be a relief. While I would love to be able to check on my score right now, rather than waiting until I get home and check the mail, I am relieved that I won’t be clicking “refresh” a dozen times per hour until all of the score are reported (minimally a few weeks from now).
At least I’ve got a good excuse to leave work early. And you know, it sure helps to have a beer while checking the mail, too.
One test down and three to go on this round of the CPA exam. This first test had some parts that were super easy and other parts that had me looking at the screen sideways just to try to figure out what the question was asking.
My last post about good reasons for listening to new music while preparing for an exam left out reason number five: get new music so you won’t have a song stuck on repeat in your head while you’re trying to focus on the computer screen. I had that happen once. Cost accounting and “Psycho Killer.” It wasn’t pleasant.
Ironically, I forgot to put that in my post last night, and I ended up with Herman Dune stuck in my head on the way to the testing center. Luckily I was able to drive him out with a little pre exam Andrew Bird.
One of the weirdest things about taking a long exam like this CPA mess is the extreme disconnectedness you feel in the sterile testing center (I cannot express how much I hate that place, but that’s another story). For four hours this morning I sat in a room with a dozen or so people where all I could hear was the occasional cough and the opening and closing of the door as people came and left. Not only was there no music for four hours, there was no anything. I can’t recall the last time I was so completely disconnected from the world for so long (while awake).
But now it’s time to work on test number two, which I will take on Friday afternoon. Today’s post test pick is BrakesBrakesBrakes. I need to find at least one more pick, but first it’s time to clean the gutters before the next wave (ha!) of rain hits.
Yes, I am always thankful for music, but today I am especially thankful, for tomorrow I will take the first fourth of the CPA exam. I am starting on the subject I know best – regulation – but I am full of nerves.
Thankfully, memorization and cramming go nicely with music. While pondering the difference between the AMT exemption for individuals and corporations, I can stare at iTunes and rate a few songs or create new playlists. I can switch to last.fm and listen to some recommendations. I can occasionally crank up the sound and literally tune out everything else for a few minutes of stress-free peace.
I only wish that I could listen to music tomorrow as I spend four hours in the pit of Hell that is Prometric. I can only hope that not being able to listen to music while testing will motivate me to get finished early, and maybe focus a bit better, too.
I’m sure many of you know that I’m currently studying for the CPA exam – a massive test broken up into four parts that I will be taking over the next month.
I am not being modest when I say that I hope I will pass one or two sections of the test. I made the mistake of signing up for the exam in the middle of tax season (for good reason at the time), and I’ve hardly had time to study at all since early February.
And that is why I find this thought to be comforting: when studying, don’t focus on what you don’t know and the questions you will miss. Focus instead on how each thing you learn is one more question you will get right.