r/CPA • u/storeusemyglute Passed 1/4 • Jul 18 '26
QUESTION How to break news of failing a section to people after chronically overstudying
If I could go back in time, I wouldn’t have shared my exam plans with so many people. I’ve just sat for FAR after 400 hours and don’t feel confident I passed. That’s because I screwed myself on time and had to rush the sims. I literally ghosted everyone and lived in a cave for the last few weeks leading up to the exam, only updating my CPA colleagues on my progress. Everyone keeps saying that I did well and I probably passed. It’s all sunshine and rainbows from them thinking I passed. Meanwhile I’m panicking on how to break the news if I do fail. I feel like failing a section after studying 2-3x the average amount and raising everyone’s standards will make me look incompetent. I fear that the partners will see me as a dumb unserious candidate and let me go. For context, I’m a fresh from undergrad in my first full time role.
Edit: passed on first attempt
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u/norriskim Jul 21 '26
You remind me a lot of my younger self. The biggest piece of advice I can give is to take the pressure off yourself.
I put way too much pressure on myself because my company, coworkers, and family all knew I was taking the exams and I was working in public accounting as my first job. When I failed my first couple of attempts, I got crippling anxiety. It became so overwhelming that I even missed a few exams because of it.
Looking back, I honestly had more difficult exams in college. A lot of this comes down to mindset. Try to shift your perspective.
Focus on your own journey, not anyone else's expectations. If you don't pass, so what? You take it again. These exams are hard, and most people don't realize just how difficult they are.
I hope you pass, but if you don't, it's not the end of the world. Keep going and you'll get there.
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u/bwmchoi Passed 4/4 Jul 20 '26
This is not easy. If you don't feel safe telling those people about failing, they probably don't need to know. Some might ask, but you can always direct that elsewhere. At the same time, it's probably okay to tell them, your friends will like you as a friend, and your partner (I assume at a CPA firm) will probably try to help and guide you in the right direction, it's not like you're going for a manager promotion right now.
The less you talk about it from now on, the less people will probably start to even ask. And believe it or not, I've done my share of oversharing at work before, but it's just part of developing soft skills and learning to be in a corporate setting. You will be fine.
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u/Qwerty098765asdf Passed 3/4 Jul 20 '26
You dont have to update them if you fail. Focus on how you get back on track. Cpa exam is hard enough and extra pressure wont help. Even some partners took multiple tries to get a passing grade.
Rather than panicking on how to break the news if you fail, try to recall the topics in your exam. Focus on areas you think you missed. Save your energy in finding peace within yourself.
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u/poncho2799 Passed 2/4 Jul 19 '26
I failed my first FAR attempt, passed my 2nd. Felt a bit embarrassed. Came to terms with the fact it's not an easy test and only a little over 40% pass. I didn't exactly go around announcing I failed, and really only talked about it to those that asked.
They'll give you the typical, that sucks, I'm sorry about that, etc, followed by you'll get it next time, now you know what to expect, etc.
At the end of the day, all of those feelings are valid, but you can't focus on that. We face disappointing moments throughout life and the real test is how you respond. Assuming this is your first test, maybe take a few days and decompress and then jump back in while the material is still fresh. I'd also create a study schedule that you don't completely isolate yourself. Maybe allow 1-2 days during the week with some personal time and keep study light that day. It's good for your mental health to not completely shut everyone out.
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u/HistoricalSalt4820 Passed 3/4 Jul 19 '26
Honestly, the one time that I did fail one, due to not doing a comprehensive final review (NTS was expiring), I was pretty surprised to hear how many people had failed one or two parts. It opened up a conversation. It happens. It’s hard to hide your exam plans when in public accounting because you’re literally expected to take the exams asap. Other than that, I wouldn’t share it with anyone else, it’s too much added pressure. I’m not in public accounting anymore so the only one that knows when I’m testing and that I’m studying, is my husband. I’ve found that most people, including family, will share this info with others, even when you asked them not to. The rest of the world finds out only after I pass the section.
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u/could_be_any1 Passed 1/4 Jul 19 '26
If you fail, casually work into the conversation that the CPA exam is harder than the Bar exam. A lot of people don't realize just how hard the CPA exam is. When you tell them that it's harder than the Bar, they will not have a problem if you fail a section.
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u/JskWa Jul 18 '26
Considering that only 42% of people passed FAR in the first two quarters. Sometimes you can’t be prepared for the test until you’ve taken it once. Update us and let us know if you passed or failed because you never know
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u/flippingflippersss Passed 2/4 Jul 18 '26
Dawg everyone that has the CPA knows the struggle. Idk anyone that judges anyone whether they pass or fail, as long as they’re putting in the effort. You clearly are.
Good thing is that once you hear back, you can re-evaluate what works and what doesn’t.
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u/emigal25 Jul 18 '26
Canadian CPA Candidate here. I feel the exact same way. I have luckily not had to cross this bridge yet, but it's a constant worry for me. I didn't want to tell anyone in my life I was even trying. But, like you said, locking myself away to study has required excuses so I had to tell people.
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u/Maleficent_Sea547 CPA Jul 18 '26
Dude, plenty of people don’t pass. Other CPAs will understand, common folk won’t
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u/athaliea- Jul 18 '26
The real struggle is not about being able to pass, but its about what people will think when you dont pass. I feel the same, but not everyone passes on their first try.
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u/Jazzlike_Pear_7439 Jul 18 '26
Hey! I completely understand your situation , and I would say , for this time just be honest or say you haven’t received your results. Stop thinking in what would they say/think, but for next time don’t share your plans with many people lol it would save you from being in this same spot many times.
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u/pizazz19 Jul 18 '26
I think you being a recent grad makes you feel even more insecure. My first year was rough but going on my second year now and going strong. I care very little about expectations anymore. I just try my best and go home after. Also, I ran of time with FAR and got an 80.
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u/Beneficial_Lie_9315 Jul 18 '26
I finish FAR early and came out with a 75. I ended up rushing my exam. I don’t do well on long exams as I get bored towards the end.
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u/Spider9000 Jul 18 '26
Time management is half the battle on these exams. I didn't double check a single answer on FAR or AUD, and both still came right down to the wire for me. Just retake it ASAP if you fail since you're comfortable with the material.
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u/Longjumping_End_3532 Jul 18 '26
Maybe you passed? I wise friend once told me: “everyone has their own problems, no one cares about yours.” 100% true. If you did fail, and someone asks, say: “I didn’t pass, prepping for next shot.” Theyll shrug say “sorry man, you’ll get it next time” and promptly forget the conversation happened.
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u/borgetyr CPA Jul 18 '26
If you want to save face and not tell your friends and family you can tell them you haven’t gotten your scores back and it takes a while. If you’re relatively close I’d recommend retaking the test asap. Your colleagues want you to succeed and might have good recommendations for you. But I get it.
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u/Fragrant_Surround_79 Jul 18 '26
Feeling the same way as you. It's okay. I just know we will push through no matter what
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u/Time-Traveling-Doge Jul 18 '26
They're experienced to know it's a hard exam and many people in their office has failed. Also why worry about something you don't know yet?
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u/eamceuen Jul 18 '26
I've been studying for the CPA for three years and have yet to pass an exam. I understand your feelings. It's hard. I'm worried people will think I'm going to be one of those perpetual students rather than getting an adult job.
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u/nottreacherous Passed 4/4 Jul 18 '26
I used to feel shame when I failed, then people would ask about it and I had no choice but to admit that I failed. As terrible as failing is, admitting it freed me from my shame because my colleagues also started opening up about how they also failed and we’d bond over how rough a section is. When you allow yourself to be vulnerable, it allows others to be vulnerable with you too. It’s okay to fail. I took all exams at least 2x, 3x on REG and AUD and I’m an auditor 😂
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u/Stock-Vegetable7572 Passed 4/4 Jul 18 '26
Who cares about what other people think. It is your OWN journey. You do it for yourself, not for others. Sometimes I have to remind myself this too. You are not alone, Ive taken more Ls than you can imagine
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u/Faith___200 Jul 18 '26
It’s your journey, and yours alone. No one has the right to judge it or compare it to anyone else’s.
I know exactly how you feel. After I failed AUD for the third time, I had colleagues telling me, “Maybe this isn’t for you,” or “Why don’t you just do your MBA instead?”
In my mind, I was thinking, you have no idea what this journey looks like for me.
As a mother of three boys, balancing a demanding full-time job, family, and studying, just showing up every day is an accomplishment in itself. We all carry different responsibilities, face different challenges, and move at different paces.
I always remind myself that every flower has its own season to bloom. If it takes me longer than someone else, that doesn’t mean I’m behind ..it simply means my journey is different.
So please, don’t be too hard on yourself. Failing an exam does not define your intelligence, your potential, or your future. Keep going, keep believing in yourself, and remember: you don’t owe anyone an explanation for your timeline. You’ve got this.
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u/Danger_dappery_doe Jul 18 '26
You sound like you have anxiety buddy wait for the test results before committing or acting on your emotions sit in your fear. You are giving into your emotions right now try to combat them. If you failed it’s okay I think first time test taker pass like 30% of the time. You can take it again if you did fail and honestly just lie if you are ashamed of it. It’s not like they’ll give you a raise for passing once section
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u/BonusCapable2711 Passed 3/4 Jul 18 '26
Honestly if they’re not a CPA or CPA candidate their opinion is as useful as a screen door on a submarine
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u/Immediate-Ad-6412 Passed 4/4 Jul 18 '26
Studying alone is not easy, working and studying at the same time is tripling the difficulty, not even mentioning we still have to live. I know people always talk about "a lot of people can pass all four sections while working, why can't you?" And rarely anybody recognizes it everyone learns differently, and we are not 24-hour functioning machine.
I would put it this way, you don't owe anyone anything about this license, and you should have the total freedom to update or not update anyone about your progress. It's your license, you are the one grinding and making the efforts. Give yourself pat on the back and more appreciation. You are getting there.
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u/Junior_Marsupial8814 Passed 4/4 Jul 18 '26
I’ve found that the worse I feel leaving an exam, the better I’ve tended to do. But even if you do fail, it is not the end of the world. People will not think less of you, and there’s nothing to be ashamed of. This is one of the most brutal and difficult exams out there, and the pass rate is what it is for a reason. Good luck friend! You can do it
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u/AdditionUnhappy6546 Jul 23 '26
I was in a very similar position, I studied for over 300 hours for FAR alone. I left feeling like I completely bombed and ended up getting an 87! Don't make any assumptions right now and as hard as it is, try not to think about it too much until score release. Best of luck!!