Is it time to give up and walk away?

Hi Pauljaco, Please don’t give up, you’re not too old! I remember nearly giving up when I kept failing F5 (passed it on the 5th attempt with 53%). I’d suggest you try taking the papers one at a time, starting with F8. Bit by bit, you’ll get there … Hope this helps.

Hi Paul

Do you work in something accounts related at the moment? Its tough working and studying at the same time – perhaps see how the next exams go and take it from there?

Well, I wasn’t good with inventory questions in F8, but was ok with internal controls, so I remember getting stuck with a question and I paused and tried to recall practical situations at work, where there are internal control issues, asked myself questions to get the ideas coming, what would I have done in these cases? Then ideas started to flow. I always remember, F8 is a practical paper, I’d say 80% application. Remember what the terminologies mean for knowledge questions, and then try and elaborate from there. Stick with time allocation and write just enough to get the marks and leave enough space, in case you need to add some more in the end.

Also, when you state an issue or a problem, always follow it by why it is a problem, and then recommend a solution.

I wouldn’t focus too much on age, Paul, though I admit, I wish I had started this when I was younger.

I have been paying for my own exams/membership fees too, and I got no exemptions and started from F1 too.

I’ve failed an exam, I’ve contemplated quitting, my life has essentially been on hold for the past four years, I use all of my annual leave at work to do day release courses. I haven’t been on holiday in years. But I keep going and I will keep going until my P papers start to expire. If it takes me another 6 years then that’s fine. I’ve spent too much blood, sweat, tears, time, and actual money on this to give up so easily. When I think of what I’ve sacrificed in order to do this, relationships, friends, family relationships, general happiness; I don’t want that all to be for nothing.

I have only 2 exams left to go (1 if I passed my September exam). I wouldn’t say I’m enjoying them, or that I’m motivated anymore, I’m just putting one foot in front of the other inching slowly towards my goal.

I’m too far in to quit, but you’ve only done 5 exams. I feel like there is still time for you to decide you don’t want to do this. Because it will get harder the further you go. Have a think about why you are studying in the first place. If you still have that reason to study, and you are willing to put in another 2 years at least of hard graft then I’d suggest you plough on. If you aren’t sure why you’re doing this and you don’t feel you can do it for much longer then there’s no point in prolonging the inevitable. I know many accountants that have quit professional exams at various stages. There’s no shame in it, knowing when to quit is a virtue. But ultimately that isn’t something any of us can tell you, you need to have a long, honest think about it and decide if this is really for you.

But know that people of all ages, backgrounds, situations etc have passed these exams. People have failed multiple exams multiple times and have still made it through. It might seem like it’s impossible and you can’t do it, but it isn’t impossible and you can do it, if you want to.