In this episode of the CPA Exam Experience Podcast, you’ll hear how Cynthia was able to stay motivated and pass the CPA exams. After failing 6 exams in one year, she had to take a break and find a new way to study. Cynthia found SuperfastCPA and followed what the Pro Course taught to find success. She went from failing 6 exams in one year, to passing all of her exams in about 6 months.
Cynthia talks about motivation and how she stuck through till the end. You’ll also hear how much of a difference studying in the morning, studying constantly on her phone, and focusing on the questions first all made in her study journey. This is not an episode you want to miss!
IMPORTANT LINKS:
Master your study process by attending one of our free study training workshops:
https://www.superfastcpa.com/study-secrets/
Episode Timestamps
- 00:00 Cynthia Interview
- 02:47 How Cynthia Got Into Accounting
- 03:34 Went Back to School for the Missing Credits
- 04:12 Cynthia’s CPA Journey
- 05:52 Finding SuperfastCPA and Trying It Out
- 06:45 Finished Everything in Around 6 Months
- 07:49 What Made Studying So Stressful Before SuperfastCPA
- 09:05 Did Not Enjoy the Study Process Before
- 09:46 What Made Sense After Seeing the Ad and Free Webinar
- 10:26 Thought That the PRO Course Was Her Best Purchase
- 11:37 Implementing the Strategies from the PRO Course
- 12:26 Switching to Studying in the Mornings
- 13:04 Cynthia’s Process for Learning the MCQs
- 13:45 Used Notes for Learning
- 15:22 A Big Improvement with Re-Review
- 15:58 Re-Review Sessions
- 16:40 Using the SuperfastCPA Study Tools
- 19:03 Daily Study Process
- 19:55 Constantly Doing Mini Quizzes Whenever She Could
- 20:32 Using Your Phone to Study
- 22:55 Listening to the Audio Notes
- 24:15 Podcasts and Motivation
- 26:16 Cynthia’s CPA Exam Timeline
- 27:34 Passed the Remaining 3 Exams Without Failing
- 28:42 How the CPA Exams Experience Translated to Doing Other Things in Life
- 29:34 Weekend Study Routine
- 30:56 What Helped the Most from SuperfastCPA
- 31:56 The Difference from Studying Before and After SuperfastCPA
- 32:53 You Can Still Socialize Even Though You’re Studying for the CPA Exams
- 33:41 Having People Around You Who Know What You’re Going Through
- 36:17 Exam Day Rituals
- 38:45 Top Tips for People Studying for the CPA Exams
Interview Transcript
Cynthia: [00:00:00] And I like that the program kind of works around the life you’re already living, like you’re already looking at your phone, you’re already probably getting up earlier, so it didn’t really feel like as stressful because you’re just kind of adding, it’s, it’s kind of more of a time management thing. You’re just kind of adding, uh, these study sessions into your daily life and it doesn’t feel like you’ve changed anything in your daily life.
Logan: Welcome to another episode of the CPA Exam Experience podcast from SuperfastCPA. I’m Logan, and in today’s episode, you’re going to hear me talking to Cynthia.
Now, Cynthia has a great story. The first time she went for the CPA exams, she failed the exams six times in the first year that she did it. And she kind of took a break, she wasn’t really sure what to do, but then she came back later and she found SuperfastCPA.
And in this episode you’ll hear her talking about a [00:01:00] lot of great things, including how the PRO Course really helped her be more efficient and understand what she needed to do, and she also talked a lot about her motivation, about what kept her motivated and going through this process. A big part of that was her grandmother who was super supportive of her and was always there for her, and she wanted to make her grandmother proud. And so that was a big part of her wanting to become a CPA because she wanted to prove to herself and to others and to again, show her grandmother that she could do it because her grandmother always believed in her.
And I loved that part of her story and I’m excited for you to hear what she has to share. Now, before we dive into the episode with Cynthia, I just wanna give a couple reminders. Again, always remember you can go to superfastcpa.com and sign up for our free one hour webinar training where we will teach you the key ingredients to passing the CPA exam again for free in just one hour.
And after you watch that, you’re going to want to learn more. So make sure you also check out becoming a SuperfastCPA PRO member. PRO members get access to a lot of great stuff, including the PRO course, which again, Cynthia will [00:02:00] talk about, where Nate explains in detail exactly what you’re supposed to be doing every day to pass the CPA exams.
It’s like a much more in-depth version of the one hour webinar and SuperfastCPA PRO members also get access to the full versions of our MCQ walkthrough videos. I have been working on MCQ walkthrough videos for just about every topic in the CPA exam blueprints for almost two years at this point, maybe more like a year and a half.
And I again, have made videos for just about every topic in FAR, just about every topic in audit, a lot of topics in REG and TCP, and I’m currently working on BAR. So if you want to check out becoming a PRO member again, remember you get access to the full versions of our MCQ walkthrough videos, whereas the shorter versions are on YouTube, so maybe go check those out as well. But with all that said, let’s dive into the interview with Cynthia.
How Cynthia Got Into Accounting
Logan: So how did you get into accounting? Like, what was your journey to getting into accounting, which of course then led to your CPA journey.
Cynthia: Um, so I actually found accounting in high school. I took a couple of classes. I really [00:03:00] liked it. Um, I majored in accounting in college and undergrad. Um, so I’ve, I’ve always liked it.
And then I started my CPA journey about four or five years after graduating with undergrad.
Um, I went back to school and, um, yeah, been doing it ever since, yeah. Yeah.
Logan: So, you got your undergrad and then, like started working, I’m assuming, uh,
Cynthia: Yes, right away.
Logan: What side of accounting did you start working in?
Cynthia: Uh, finance so just doing like the month end closed, uh, yeah, the staff accountant job.
Logan: Okay.
Went Back to School for the Missing Credits
Logan: And then about a few years later, you, so did you go back to school for your MAC or did you just go back to for some credits to be able to take the exam?
Cynthia: I just went back for some credits. I figured that was the cheapest way.
and
um
I figured CPA probably trumps having the masters.
Logan: It does, yeah, I mean, the only reason that people get their master’s degree is, well, for accounting is usually to become a CPA, so that makes sense.
So, [00:04:00] uh, you go back, get the credits, now, did you start the CPA at the same time or did you wait till after you finished school and then started?
Cynthia: Um, I waited until I finished school and then I started. Mm-hmm.
Cynthia’s CPA Journey
Logan: And about what, when did you start the CPA then? Like, so we can kind of know a timeline?
Cynthia: So that’s where I finished, um, about six months later I started studying,
Logan: Mm-hmm. Okay.
Cynthia: For the CPA exam, yeah.
Logan: And, and when? What year was that?
Cynthia: That was 2019.
Logan: 2019?
Cynthia: Yeah, in 2019 I took six exams. Um, I failed all of them and I gave up. I was like, I don’t know what I’m doing like, I don’t know why this is so hard.
Um, and so, um, I gave up, I started again in 2020, we were all in quarantine. I was like, I might as well start again. And I actually passed after a year off. I passed FAR. Um, then I started going through like, you know, life struggles, relationships ending and [00:05:00] other stress and, um, so I took another year off and like the way that I was studying to pass was so stressful already.
I was just like, I don’t know if I have the mental capacity to do this work full time and, you know, maintain some type of balance.
Um, so I took another, some more time off. I came back, I passed audit, uh, but at this time my FAR credit’s almost expiring, um, so.
Logan: Yeah.
Cynthia: I, yes. So at that time, that was back when it was only 18 months.
I think now it’s changed to.
Logan: Yeah, I think it’s been extended to 30, I think.
Cynthia: Yeah, it was only 18 months that time and so my FAR was about to expire. I passed audit. Um, I took some more time off and then, um, I just got tired of like starting and stopping and like just being so exhausted.
Finding SuperfastCPA and Trying It Out
Cynthia: Um, and I found Nate on YouTube, like an ad popped up. Um, and,
Logan: Yeah, that’s the typical, that’s [00:06:00] the typical thing, yep.
Cynthia: Yeah, and I was like, okay, I’ll give it a try. I, I did the free, uh, webinar that he offered. Um, and December 2022 I signed up for SuperfastCPA.
I was like, let’s try this out. Let me try it out on the, like the most difficult exam.
At this point I already had lost my FAR credit.
Logan: Right.
Cynthia: Um, but I still had audit. I was like, let’s see, let’s try this out, um, I ended up passing using SuperfastCPA without any of the stress that I was experiencing before. Um, and I was like, I don’t know how I passed REG and you know, I felt like, I was like, okay, here, clearly this works and I’m not stressed out and I feel like I can keep going.
Finished Everything in Around 6 Months
Cynthia: And so, um, I kept going and, um, I finished, I took a small break because I, you know, had some more family things going on.
Um, but I went, started studying again, uh, at the end of 2023.
[00:07:00] And, um, I did the SuperfastCPA, at this point I’ve also lost audit, my audit credit.
Logan: Okay.
Cynthia: So I only have REG now, um, and I was like, okay, now I have to retake FAR and audit or re-pass those. And then, uh, I started again with BEC, passed, uh, did audit again and FAR took all those within five months.
Logan: Mm-hmm.
Cynthia: And, I passed all of those back to back, and I was just like, why did I not find this sooner?
Logan: Yeah. Yeah.
Cynthia: You know, like, I wish, you know, I knew about this in college, uh, too, because, you know, intermediate would’ve made, would’ve been so much easier.
Right. Yeah. Right. I agree. Yeah, yeah,
So, um, yeah, that’s basically my, my story.
Logan: That’s kinda like the timeline.
What Made Studying So Stressful Before SuperfastCPA
Logan: So I really want to ask you about, so what were you doing? What were your main struggles before you found SuperfastCPA? Because you know, you had a lot of breaks and, uh, a [00:08:00] lot of struggles, and you said it was super stressful, so why was studying so stressful before?
Cynthia: Um, it was me trying to watch all the lectures and do all the MCQs and do the full program, I was using Becker at the time, uh, and I did use Becker still, uh, while using SuperfastCPA.
Uh, but I was just using, like trying to like consume all of this information and I wasn’t retaining anything.
Logan: Yeah.
Cynthia: And um, and that’s why I kept failing and I was like, I was actually going to classes like they have, uh, in classes.
Logan: Like the live classes right?
Cynthia: Live classes, yeah, um, and I was like, okay, I’m understanding in class, but it’s not really, when on exam day I’m not really like seeing any results. And um, yeah, I was just lost, I was like frustrated and, um, yeah, so that was basically the process I was going through, trying to like grab [00:09:00] everything and like not retain anything, and yeah.
Logan: Okay.
Did Not Enjoy the Study Process Before
Logan: So, you were watching all the lectures. You were, and were you doing this in the evening? Like, uh, or were you trying to study in the morning?
Cynthia: Yes, evenings after work so I mean, I’m already like a bit mentally drained at the time too.
Logan: Yup, exactly, yeah, that totally makes sense. So, uh, you know, you’re watching all the lectures, doing all the MCQs. You’re not really feeling like everything’s working. You’re super stressed. So you even, but you still passed a couple exams. But I mean, doing it that way probably was like, I don’t think I can maintain this. It’s just too much.
Cynthia: Right because I was having to like isolate myself and cut everything out that I enjoyed and just to pass, and it was, It was too much.
Logan: Yeah.
What Made Sense After Seeing the Ad and Free Webinar
Logan: So you find SuperfastCPA, and then what was like the, the light bulb, what was the thing that drew you to wanting to try it out when you saw that ad?
Cynthia: Um, the re-review, that was [00:10:00] something that I hadn’t tried before, and like daily re-review and I was like, well, let’s try it. Um, and again, it actually started working like, I was actually able to remember everything instead of trying to review everything like, you know, a week before the exam and having to relearn everything Like, it just, that was like, a light bulb for me, the re-review process.
Thought That the PRO Course Was Her Best Purchase
Logan: So you, you liked that from the webinar, and did you then go buy everything like the PRO course or did you buy just the materials? What, what did you use?
Cynthia: I bought the PRO course, so I um, and, that’s what I really needed, I think. Um, the materials were awesome, but the PRO course is like explaining how to actually study, how to actually like get through this without losing your mind, but
Logan: Yeah.
Cynthia: It was a great, yeah, best, best, uh, purchase I’ve ever made, honestly.
Logan: I, I, I felt the same way, like I luckily was able to get Becker through my [00:11:00] work when I was doing it, so I didn’t have to pay for Becker. But, uh, you know, I of course had to pay for all the exams and everything, but I would say by far my most important and best purchase throughout the CPA journey was buying the PRO bundle, like the, the total bundle through SuperfastCPA.
Um, and cause, you know, we, of course, I think the materials we make are also very helpful and I want people to use those as well. But if somebody was only going to buy one piece of SuperfastCPA, PRO course is just so invaluable because it just tells you exactly and shows you exactly what you’re supposed to do and it works with any review course.
Implementing the Strategies from the PRO Course
Logan: So you, you watched the PRO course and did you start implementing everything from the PRO course or like how did that go?
Cynthia: I did not use the flashcards cause I’d never been a big flashcard person but, um, as far as like taking the notes and like re-explaining it to myself in my own words, that was awesome.
Logan: Yeah.
Cynthia: And, yeah, just the daily [00:12:00] re-review getting up in the morning, um, I’m like, you know, I can get up extra a couple hours early, like I get up early anyway and scroll my phone, I might as well do something productive, so.
Logan: Right, I really like what you said there with the, the like changing what you’re already doing in the morning. Like if you’re already waking up and just kind of milling around or doing nothing in the house, you may as well again use that time to study.
Switching to Studying in the Mornings
Logan: So what, with the morning sessions, did you immediately notice a difference once you kind of got used to it, like feeling better about the material?
Cynthia: Yes, like immediately, like maybe the first week, it was kind of counterintuitive, like doing questions first.
Logan: Yeah.
Cynthia: Um, instead of watching the lectures, I was like, how am I supposed to answer? You know, but, um, yeah, I, like after doing it for a week, I was like, I get it now. Like I get, and just kind of explaining all the answers back to yourself and like, why the [00:13:00] wrong answers are wrong and yeah, it just made it so much easier.
Logan: Right.
Cynthia’s Process for Learning the MCQs
Logan: So you switched from watching lectures and with the MCQs, how did you, I mean, you kind of already mentioned it, but how did your approach change with them? Did you just go straight into them? If you didn’t know how to do it did you just click the answer? Like, how did your process go with the multiple choice questions in the morning?
Cynthia: Yeah, So I would actually attempt to understand the question and attempt to like answer it, um, correctly, and um, I wouldn’t just guess and then, um, I didn’t watch the lectures anymore after this, so like
Logan: I didn’t either.
Cynthia: Yeah, I just used MCQs only and the little explanations that they gave and made my own notes and.
Logan: Right. Okay.
Used Notes for Learning
Logan: So as far as your own notes, how did that look? Did you like write out the whole question, or did you just kind of pull out the key point from it? And also did you do it on paper or did you do it like in a Excel sheet or a doc? How did [00:14:00] that look?
Cynthia: I had paper. Yeah, I’m definitely a pen and paper, uh, person but, um, yeah, I ha and I still have my notebooks like, and so the thing is also like, sometimes my mind would wander, like I’d get, you know, lost in the material.
And so I had like a separate section of the notebook just for me to write down things like when my mind would wander, uh, like, oh, like, oh, I need to like unload the dishwasher.
Okay, I’m just gonna write this on this sheet of paper and then get back to studying. Just to like get it outta my head and then get back to focus on it.
Logan: Right, and that’s a good, and that’s a, that’s a real thing. Like I, uh, I journal every day and I use something called bullet journaling, if you’ve ever heard of that.
Um, and same, kind of the same idea like frequently, like I’ll be at work or whatever and be like, oh, I need to do this thing.
Uh, but I’ll, I try to, instead of like going and doing it, just write it down cause that you’re like, uh, then you’re letting yourself be like, yes, I, I know I need to [00:15:00] do this, but by writing it down, you’re saying, I’m not gonna forget this, but I can save it for later. I like that idea. And that was just in the same notebook you were, you were already using right?
Cynthia: Yes. Yeah, it was, but just a separate section of the notebook of things I’m gonna get back to, or things I’ll look up later and then just getting it out of my head and getting back to that focus two hours in the morning.
Logan: Yeah.
A Big Improvement with Re-Review
Logan: And so you would do 90 minutes of new questions, and then you said that re-review was a big light bulb for you, so did you feel like as soon as you started doing re-review, you started seeing a big improvement?
Cynthia: Oh my gosh, yes, like immediately. And it helped me to understand the other exams as well too. Like, um, like, that’s why I was able to pass the last three exams, like back to back because I was able to like, re-tie everything together. I was actually understanding everything, um, much better, so, um.
Logan: Yeah.
Re-Review Sessions
Logan: And did you do like [00:16:00] the, did you do 30 questions, 20 questions? Like, um, how did that look? And you said you didn’t make flashcards, so did you just take notes on the things you missed during the re-review?
Cynthia: Yes. and um, so I, would do about my, my 30 questions after my 90 minute session, and I would take notes and then I would update the notes too, like if, um. If they, I had a better understanding, like a, week later I would like redo that note or just leave the original note, but like add more to it.
Um, and then that was something that, that was what I used for my final review is just going through my notes that I used, that I created. Yeah.
Using the SuperfastCPA Study Tools
Logan: So as far as, kind of going along with the notes, uh, on that same line, you know, you brought the materials as well. Did, what did your mini sessions look like? Did you, cause you used your notes a lot, it seems like, but how did, how did it look with like the audio notes and the review notes and stuff like that?
Cynthia: I didn’t use [00:17:00] the audio notes as much. Um, I did use the app, the five, uh, question quizzes. Oh my, those were awesome too, like on days when I just knew I didn’t probably have the best session in the morning, but I just wanted to, you know, get some studying in. That was awesome.
Like, I could just do those at night or, you know, in the grocery store or, you know, just whenever you’re looking at your phone. Those were awesome.
Um, and the explanations were really great in the app and, yeah, we have, we all have five minutes just to knock out a quiz.
Logan: Oh, for sure.
Cynthia: And then, um, I also use the SuperfastCPA notes. Those are also awesome. They kind of helped me to supplement my own notes and just like fill in gaps where maybe I didn’t fully understand. I would just read the notes that you guys prepared and you know, oh, that’s a different way to think of it or a different way to look at it.
Logan: Yeah, or, or, I didn’t have a note on this yet. That’s actually very similar, kind of like a flipped way of what I did. Uh, I [00:18:00] printed out the review notes when I was going, like I printed out the SuperfastCPA review notes, and then I took my notes on those physical notes, so that, it kind of the same idea, like all of my notes were there, but it was all right there in the same spot.
And I did the same thing where if I saw something was missing from the Superfast notes, I added it myself. Or if I saw that my understanding of something didn’t include what was in the notes. I tried to like make sure that that was tied together and stuff like that.
Um, and I think there is something to be said, like frequently we do recommend people to take notes in like Google Sheets or Google Docs just because people can type faster than they can write usually.
Um, and it builds a good habit for test day because you’ll have a Google sheet. So we do recommend that a lot, but I do think there is something to be said for physical note taking, like being able to structure it the exact way you want it and really write it out in your own way. [00:19:00] Uh, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with doing it like that.
Daily Study Process
Logan: Um, so I, I, it sounds like you had a, a pretty good system with that, and so you didn’t really listen to the audio notes too much, but what did your typical day look like? Like, you know, you wake up, what time did you wake up? What time did you go to work? Like I just kind of want to hear what your typical day looked like to be able to get in all the studying you needed to get in.
Cynthia: Gotcha. Uh, so I usually wake up at 5:00 AM, um, it gave me two hours to knock everything out and then I work from home, so.
Logan: Nice.
Cynthia: It gave me time after that to go walk my dog and you know, if I wanted to do, squeeze a quick workout in before I logged in to work. Um, so it, it was pretty easy to, um, to maintain the 5:00 AM and again, like I said, sometimes I would wake up early and not be doing anything productive so, you know, I will just study.
Logan: Yeah.
Constantly Doing Mini Quizzes Whenever She Could
Logan: And kind of along that, like, um, throughout the [00:20:00] day, how did you try to stay productive with work and also with studying? Like, did you take breaks so that you could study? Like how did that look?
Cynthia: Yeah, I did those mini quizzes all day, like I don’t even know how many mini sessions I would do, like, but almost. Yeah, I remember telling myself, hey, before I get on social media, before I text anyone, check emails, let me do a five minute quiz. Um, and it was like no effort, you know, no effort required, so.
Logan: I love that.
Cynthia: Yeah. That was awesome.
Using Your Phone to Study
Logan: So, um, I really like, it sounds like you basically took exactly Nate’s idea that he says in the PRO course, like anytime you’re gonna pick up your phone to do something, you do a mini session of some kind. Usually we say like mini quizzes or review notes, so you did mini quizzes a lot.
And so did you still keep like social media and stuff on your phone, but then you would do the mini quizzes? Or did you eventually kind of try to minimize your phone? I’m just curious how you were [00:21:00] able to use your phone as a tool.
Cynthia: Yeah. so I took social media off my phone, like when I was really focused, um, but you know, I still check emails, I still have text messages.
Logan: Yep.
Cynthia: Um, you know, so I still, or if I wanted to listen to a podcast, like let me listen to SuperfastCPA podcast first, and then I can listen to the, the other like true crime podcast or whatever I wanna listen to afterwards but, um, so I always tried to make sure that was my priority, uh, with, with my phone.
And I like that the program kind of works around the life you’re already living, like you’re already looking at your phone, you’re already probably getting up earlier, so it didn’t really feel like as stressful because you’re just kind of adding, it’s, it’s kind of more of a time management thing. You’re just kind of adding, uh, these study sessions into your daily life and it doesn’t feel like you’ve changed anything in your daily life.
Logan: Yeah, I, uh, that’s perfect, you know, Nate and I actually talk [00:22:00] frequently about how surprising it is to us. How much of this comes down to really just like the strategies and time management because, you know, we’ll talk to people either in the coaching program or in just, the forum.
And it’s surprising how many people are like, I can’t do it. I, you know, things like that. But then I’ve, I’ve had a lot of people lay out their schedule and like, show me, well what does your day look like?
And then like you, there’s so much time in your day that you don’t realize you have until you really look at it. And I like what you said there, cause you’re already probably, you already probably have a lot of those moments. You just need to turn it into study time, right?
Cynthia: Right. Right. So, um, yeah, that’s all it was, is, um, I think your program showed you how much free time you actually have that a lot of us don’t even think about. Like, oh, I don’t have time to study today, but you actually do.
Listening to the Audio Notes
Cynthia: You can, you have time for, to listen to music, and that’s the one thing I did [00:23:00] too at the end. like, I don’t think I listened to music for like six months because I was like, I’m just gonna listen to podcasts.
Logan: Mm-hmm.
Cynthia: And, um, I listened to the audio notes, too, like when I’d be in the car. That’s probably the only time I’d listen to it, um, and I, it wouldn’t, it wasn’t like an active listening, listening, but it was more like a, I could hear it in the background though.
Logan: Yeah. Yeah, and, and that’s kind of the idea behind the audio notes. Like we know that they’re pretty boring, uh, and you’re not going to be able to sit there and just like listen intently 100% of the time.
But you’d be surprised, and maybe you noticed this, but uh, I definitely noticed this, that there would be little pieces that I would catch and then I would remember it later.
So even if you’re just gleaning little teeny bits throughout listening to it, that’s, that’s the whole point of it.
Uh, and so you would listen to audio notes when you were driving places, but mostly you were at home cause you worked at home.
So you would do the morning study session and then you would do mini quizzes throughout the [00:24:00] day. And then did you also do review notes kind of as a part of that, or did you read those at a different time?
Cynthia: Um, my review notes as well, like, I, I definitely read the notes. Um, I think the two things I used the most were the notes and the mini quizzes.
Logan: Okay. Okay.
Cynthia: For sure.
Podcasts and Motivation
Cynthia: Yeah, and then the podcasts are just more so for me, motivation because motivation wanes and it was just more so of a, okay, I can do this, you know? Let’s do it. Let’s stop starting and stopping and just get it done.
Logan: Yeah, exactly, and so you’re talking about our podcast right?
Cynthia: Yes, yes, your podcast.
Logan: For the, actually, kind of talking about motivation, what kept you, you know, before you found SuperfastCPA and you’re struggling and everything. Um, how were you able to, I mean, or were you able to stay motivated? And then once you, what changed in your process to kind of start motivating you to keep going until you passed? Does that make sense?
Cynthia: It does. Yeah, [00:25:00] um, so before I found SuperfastCPA, I don’t think I had much motivation. It was just more so of a, a bucket list thing, like I just wanna get my CPA.
And then, uh, once I found it, my favorite person in the world, my grandma like got sick and she passed.
And I think that was my motivation, um, to keep going because I know, like she was always rooting for me. She was like, she had it on her calendar every time I had an exam, like she
Logan: Awesome.
Cynthia: You know, she’s like, I saw your exams coming up next week. Good luck, baby. And I was like, oh, thanks grandma, and she was my, my motivation to finish.
And then I already had found SuperfastCPA right before she passed, so I knew that the process worked and I knew that I could knock it out like quickly, um, as long as I just stayed focused.
And, um, so that, that was my why. It was just wanting to make her proud and, just finally complete this goal that I have had for a few years at this point, yeah.
Logan: Yeah. So, and I, I, [00:26:00] that’s an, that’s awesome that that was a part of your motivation. And I think that, you know, we can, well, I think that, uh, as far as when you started passing exams, that’s also super motivational I’m sure as well.
Cynthia’s CPA Exam Timeline
Logan: So, I mean, imagine, just seeing that contrast of you struggling for multiple years, I think it was like, what, two or three years?
Uh, and then, and then you passed three exams in five months. Is that right?
Cynthia: In five months back to back.
Logan: Yeah. And, and I mean, you had passed another one, how long before those ones did you passed REG?
Cynthia: So I passed, I signed up for SuperfastCPA at the end of 2022. I took the exam at the beginning of 2023 and passed. And then, um, I took a little break cause that was around the time my grandma had, uh, passed but then I started again back like October of 2023, um, studying.
I took audit in December 2023, [00:27:00] passed it. I took, retook FAR cause again I had lost my FAR credit, uh, no retook audit first in um, that was the beginning of 2023.
And then I took FAR also like May, 2023, so between December and May I was testing and, um,
Logan: And, and in, in there you also passed BEC?
Cynthia: Yes. Yeah, I also passed. Yeah, so it was REG at the end of, at the beginning of 2023. BEC at the end of 2023, and then um, audit and FAR again in 2024.
Passed the Remaining 3 Exams Without Failing
Logan: So really like even though you had a long break between taking REG, once you started applying the SuperfastCPA strategies, you passed all four in like without failing, is that right?
Cynthia: Yeah, no fails. Yeah, I was just knocking it out.
Logan: Awesome. So how did that, like, how did that feel like having that contrast, like obviously it must’ve felt good, but like what was that like [00:28:00] in your life?
Cynthia: It felt like, okay, I finally get it like I felt, not saying that it became easy, but um, the process didn’t seem as daunting because I now knew what to do, like I had a good routine now. And just having that routine, um, that atomic habit of just getting up and studying no matter what, no matter if you feel like it or not. And, um, yeah, I feel great, like I feel invincible now.
Logan: Yeah. Oh yeah. Yeah. I, I’ve, I, I’ve seen that a lot, like with myself and with a lot of people. Like once you do this, you’re like, I can do anything. I could go learn a language, I could go start a business, you know.
How the CPA Exams Experience Translated to Doing Other Things in Life
Logan: Uh, is there anything that you’ve been like, I’m like, just outta curiosity that you’ve kind of taken those habits and turned them into doing something else?
Cynthia: Yeah, I, I ran a 5K, um, after that, and I’ve never liked running. But I was like, I [00:29:00] mean, I can do this though like I, this, it was far easier than the CPA exams to just get up and like practice running at three miles so um, so yeah. Um, that, um, trying to get into the gym and just get, you know, become a healthier person so, um, again, all those seem much easier than the CPA exam.
So once you like get through those, you’re like, yeah, I can, I can do anything now at this point. It’s definitely a, a confidence booster, um, just to know that you can pass.
Logan: Yeah, that’s definitely, I definitely felt the same way.
Weekend Study Routine
Logan: And, um, kind of along, kind of switching gears a little bit, just, but just wanting to make sure that we cover your whole process. Uh, so, you know, weekdays, we already talked about that like you wake up, do your studying, and then throughout the day you’re doing your mini sessions and your, and things like that.
Uh, did you study extra on the weekends? How did you study sims? Like how did that look?
Cynthia: So I would save my [00:30:00] sims for the weekends. Um, and I try to get through like, I think five to seven sims and like really understand what they were asking.
Uh, again, taking my notes. If I didn’t understand something, I would use the SuperfastCPA notes, um, just to see if they could explain it better. And, uh, so that was how my weekends were spent. So that was like two or three hours, uh, a, day on the weekends.
Um, and if I knew I was gonna be busy like a certain day, I would just double up and do like a, a, you know, four or five hour session on like a Sunday cause I know like Saturday I’m gonna be out, um.
Logan: That makes sense.
Cynthia: So yeah.
Logan: And did you do just sims on the weekends or did you also do your normal two hour session and then do an additional, do sims as well?
Cynthia: I did both, um, so most I would focus mostly on sims and I still like squeeze in at 30, uh, question quiz.
Logan: Re-review? Okay.
What Helped the Most from SuperfastCPA
Logan: Okay, and kind of, I mean, [00:31:00] we’ve covered a lot of things and you, you know, even though you’ve already talked about some of this, what would you say, you know, we, we already know some of your biggest struggles and we’ve talked about re-review, but what would you say were the parts of SuperfastCPA that really changed your process?
Like what was the most helpful to you?
Cynthia: The most helpful thing. Um, definitely like I said, the podcast because it was like just having that motivation to keep going, um, was very helpful.
Um, those like five minute, uh, the five question quizzes on my phone probably were the second best motivator because no matter what you’re going through that day, like I can do a quiz, I can do a few quizzes on my phone.
So that was like a, the no excuses, uh,
Logan: Yeah.
Cynthia: Um, tool that I, used. Um, so yeah, those are probably the, the biggest two, yeah.
Logan: I, love that.
The Difference from Studying Before and After SuperfastCPA
Logan: And um, like you’ve talked about how [00:32:00] it was super stressful the first time around, uh, and then you felt like it really wasn’t that stressful the second time around. And what did, like by changing your strategy and studying in the morning and things like that, what kind of hobbies or activities were you able to still maintain even though you were studying for the CPA exam and working?
Cynthia: Um, I was still able to spend time like with my dog, take her out to the park, go throw the ball for like an hour, and that was, uh, I was still able to see my friends afterwards, like, cause I think the first few times I was doing this, I was isolating myself.
And this time with SuperfastCPA, I’m like, oh, I still have time to like hang out after work and, you know, take a trip, you know, So, um, it definitely gave me more of a social life, uh, using SuperfastCPA.
You Can Still Socialize Even Though You’re Studying for the CPA Exams
Logan: Yeah, kind, kind of able to almost have closer to a normal social life, you know, [00:33:00] like maybe you still occasionally had to make a few sacrifices, but it sounds like overall you’re able to like get your studying done in the morning and then throughout the day, and then you pretty much had your evenings, would you say that?
Cynthia: Right. I definitely have my evenings back, and then even in the evening, I would still do my quizzes.
Like if I’m on my phone, if I’m out with friends, like we’re waiting to be seated at a restaurant, I’ll like check my phone and do some quizzes really quickly. And, um, I, I don’t have to explain this to my friends when I’m doing, like, they just see me on the phone.
They’re not, they don’t think I’m studying. Um, so it was one of those things where, uh, yeah, like I said, it is you just realize how much time you have, uh, to do this.
Having People Around You Who Know What You’re Going Through
Logan: And with, I actually kind of, I, I’m curious about with like your friends and family and stuff, like, did anybody understand at all what you were doing? Like, did you have anybody in your family who knew what the CPA was or friends, either?
Cynthia: Uh, yes, so one of my friends, um, well two, two of my friends are actually CPAs and [00:34:00] got it before me. Um, but both of them were not working when they were studying and, you know, I have to work, uh, the full-time job so their experience was a bit different from mine.
Um, and so that’s what I was saying, I feel like for me it was awesome because I was still able to maintain my job and have a small social life still.
And, you know, I had to be home at a certain time so I can go to bed. But, um, just being able to like still have a bit of a life and um, but yeah, my friends who’ve gone through that, they understood how hard it was, but they were able to study all day and I didn’t have that, that, uh, privilege.
Logan: And I think that almost nobody does. That’s the thing. Like, you know, like it’s, it is the, a rare instance where somebody is able to take like a full like six months with no work and take the exams. Like even Nate, like he, uh, you know, he was, [00:35:00] he took, I think he, when he figured all this out, he had three months in the summer to just study for one exam, spent the whole three months studying, had no work like, just was studying all day and then still got a 74 and I think that’s like, so it really comes down more to, less about the time and more about, well, I mean like the time spent and more about how you spend that time and more about the strategies during that time.
Um, did you ever talk to your friends about like, the differences in, or was that not really ever something that came up?
Cynthia: I did, yeah, cause I think my friends, remember when I was passing back in 2020 and 2021 and how stressed out I was and how I wasn’t like not talking to anyone and they were like, oh, you’re like coming outside and you know I’m being social.
And I was like, yeah, I, I found something that works and I don’t have to, you know, uh, hibernate anymore, so,
Logan: Yeah. I, it, it’s, it, you, you know that it’s. I mean, [00:36:00] in my opinion, one of the ways that, you know, it’s working, like if you’re passing exams and people still know you’re around, like you’re still able to spend time with people. Um, but I, yeah, I, I mean, you obviously applied everything really well, and I, I think you have an awesome story.
Exam Day Rituals
Logan: Is there any other parts of your process or your story that, you know, like when you were thinking about this that we haven’t gotten to share yet?
Cynthia: Um, I did, you know, like some sports fans have like a exam day, um, not exam day, like a, a ritual, so I had a exam day ritual, so I wore like the same outfit, um, every exam. I ate the same Chick-fil-A breakfast. Um,
Logan: I love  Chick-fil-A.
Cynthia: The same shoes, yeah, the same, um, testing center because I’m like, I know where the parking is. Um, I would always get to the testing center about 90 minutes before my exam and just read through all my notes, multiple times. And then I’d also read the [00:37:00] SuperfastCPA notes too during that time, and then I went in there and it, I didn’t feel any stress like looking at the exams after that.
Logan: Yeah, I mean, yeah, you had Chick-fil-A, so of course no stress.
Cynthia: True.
Logan: That, uh, you know, actually, I don’t know if, maybe I shouldn’t share this on the podcast, but my, I love Chick-fil-A so much that I convinced everyone when I got married to my wife, that that was gonna be our luncheon. So that was the, that was the meal that we had for, for when I got married was Chick-fil-A sandwiches.
Um, but, uh, anyway, that, that I think that, well, yeah, yeah. Um, so I, I mean, that’s an awesome, I, I mean, I think that there’s a lot of this that comes down to rituals, like daily rituals and just being in the habits, being in the same atomic habits, kinda like you mentioned.
Um, so when you, and you weren’t really that stressed on exam day because of that, and was that what you did before, like when you were taking the exams multiple years before Or did you not really [00:38:00] have a, like a,
Cynthia: No, I didn’t have a, ritual. Yeah.
Logan: Okay.
Cynthia: Um, but once I, I decided, let me just like, get in the game, like how athletes are and you know, you know, some athletes would wear like the same stinky socks, like that was my thing. Like I didn’t wear stinky socks, but I would just wear the same like outfit and,
Logan: Yeah. I wore the same shirt.
Cynthia: Kind of helped me, really, okay.
Logan: Yeah,
Cynthia: Yeah, so it just helped you to get your head in the game.
Logan: Yeah. I, I love that. I, I mean, I, that actually is something that comes up a lot for people, uh, on this podcast. Like, tons of people share that they had like a, a, a exam day ritual. Uh, so I mean, I, I think that we again, have covered most everything, uh, again, unless you have something else you wanted to share.
Top Tips for People Studying for the CPA Exams
Logan: So as we kind of wrap up, this is the same question we always ask everybody, but just to kind of summarize it and reiterate it right at the end. If you could talk to anybody who is going through the CPA exam, what would be your top two or [00:39:00] three tips to them to get through this and to pass the exams?
Cynthia: Um, I’ll say for sure I have a good routine. Like, that is something that SuperfastCPA helped me with is having an awesome routine. Um, also just give yourself permission to succeed.
Just say like, Hey, um, I’m not going to fail this, like I’m gonna do this and, you know, just give yourself those positive affirmations.
Um, and for sure always remember your why. I, I’ll say that too, for sure like, um, cause that will keep you going every day.
Logan: Mm-hmm. Exactly that. That’s definitely something we touch on a lot is. You have to know why you’re doing this. It can’t just be for money, or shouldn’t be just for money. It can’t be just for, uh, you know, just because everybody else is doing it. Like you have to have a real reason that you’re doing this.
And you mentioned, uh, some really important reasons for yourself. [00:40:00] And I, I think that those are some fantastic tips. You know, stay motivated. Just have confidence that you can and will succeed and don’t give up, you know, and then have a routine. I, I, I love all those tips. So I, I think that, again, we’ve pretty much covered everything in this call.
So with all that, thank you so much for being on the call today, Cynthia. It was awesome talking to you.
Cynthia: Thanks for having me Logan.
Logan: Yeah, of course. And I think this is gonna be a great episode. I think a lot of people are gonna love it, and I’m excited for it to go out. So thank you again and, uh, talk to you later.
Cynthia: All right. You have a good day.
Logan: All right, that was the episode, the interview with Cynthia. And again, I loved her story. I loved how she went from failing the exam six times in one year to again passing the CPA exams, and she was able to stay motivated through all of that. Again, a big motivator for her was her grandmother, and I loved her story of wanting to do it for her grandmother.
And I think [00:41:00] that is an important thing that a lot of people could consider is always making sure you have a why, whether it’s family or friends or for personal reasons, or whatever the case is. Always make sure you know what your why is so that you can stay motivated through whatever you do in your process.
So again, I’m sure you loved that interview with Cynthia. Now, just before you go, just one more reminder. Check out our free one hour webinar training on superfastcpa.com. Check out becoming a SuperfastCPA PRO member because again, you get a lot of access to really great stuff, including our MCQ walkthrough videos, which I have been making.
You get access to the full versions of those if you become a SuperfastCPA PRO member, so check those out on YouTube and check out becoming a PRO member. I’m sure you love this episode. If you did like it, make sure to like it and leave a comment in the YouTube video or leave a rating in your favorite podcast app.
Thanks for listening or watching, and I will see you in the next episode.
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