As you may know, results came out last week. While we received many messages with good news, there were some who didn’t receive the same. And with those people who didn’t pass this time, we saw messages of discouragement, feeling like they’ve done everything they can, feel like they’re burnt out.
If there’s one thing I learned, it’s that giving up isn’t the solution. It especially wasn’t for Cassandra Wally, MS, BCBA — who after taking the BCBA exam 10 times over the course of 2.5 years, she passed in November 2016.
When she was taking the exam, she talked about how she only used one study product and that was it. She had a supervisor who told her “you can’t test the same and expect different results”, and that changed her study habits.
“I met Amy and Kevin (of Behavior Analyst Supervisor),” Cassandra said. “They got my score from a 289 to a 389 … They’re so wonderful; they’re just great people. They really cared about who I was and what I wanted, and that was my first encounter of someone who really cared about me passing other than me or my family.”
Obstacles and Struggles Abound
Throughout her exam journey, she had to fight many battles; one of which being her health. A struggle she highlighted on happened in 2015, when Cassandra took on a new job. What she thought was stress and anxiety turned out to be something much worse — she discovered that she had embolism blood clots in her lungs, and they were over halfway full. It was during this time she met Amy and Kevin of Behavior Analyst Supervisor and received tutoring through them.
Not only was her health at jeopardy, but even her marriage was rocky during her exam journey as well. Each time she was testing starting in 2013, arguments would stir up. While it’s gotten a lot better through time and applied principles, the arguing still happened. However, she still got up and went each time.
Never Give Up!
However, despite these struggles, Cassandra never once gave up.
“When I started my education in 2001 (because I was a non-traditional student), I had 2 children and I was just in the middle of a divorce,” said Cassandra. “I wanted to go back to school and I told myself “I am NOT finishing my education until I reached the end”…And I just told myself I owe my kids this, my husband this, my family, myself, the families I work with… it was all so many things and it’s just like, I can’t. I can’t stop. And I knew that, way back, so I never stopped.”
Despite all of the struggles Cassandra went through, she STILL didn’t give up. She was determined to pass this exam.
So what was so different about this time versus the other nine? She continued to sacrifice her time with her family (even not having a Thanksgiving in 2016), she took on different study habits prior to taking the exam.
“I had joined (the Rogue ABA Study Materials and Exam Prep) group (on Facebook) and there were 10 girls from the group on the West Coast who could meet at the same time,” said Cassandra. “We all joined together Mondays and Wednesdays for 2.5 hours. It was crazy, it was hard. We tackled the task list intensively, came up with questions ,and tried to answer all of the questions.”
November Exam
With that said and done, she walked into the November exam with confidence (and also took a break – something Cassandra never did during her previous attempts).
“I walked in and said ‘you got this!’ and I kept saying to myself, ‘I can do all things through Christ’,” said Cassandra with tears in her eyes. “I’ve prayed before and people have prayed to me before… I don’t know, I guess I just believed more so than last time.”
The belief most certainly paid off. Her struggles turned into successes when she saw the word “Passed” next to her name. Cassandra was overjoyed when she learned of her passing.
Passed!
“It’s still kind of surreal to even say that (I’m a BCBA),” said Cassandra. “They knew I had been taking the exam for a while, but they didn’t know the magnitude of taking this exam…When I (could) finally say I passed, it means it’s permanent. I don’t have to take time away from my family anymore, I don’t have to study anymore.”
Not only was it a Hallmark moment for Cassandra, but it was even more so for her husband.
“When I could finally get a hold of my husband, I asked him ‘do you know who you’re talking to?'” said Cassandra. “He said ‘uhh, Cassey…?’ I (said), ‘your BCBA wife!’ He just started crying. It’s been such a struggle with him. He’s been so patient.”
With her future as a BCBA looking bright, she instilled a very important lesson that we all can learn: seeing the word “Failed” doesn’t mean you should throw in the towel and give up.
“Don’t ever stop,” said Cassandra. “If there was a testing cycle I never tested it, it was a chance that I gave up of passing. Your dream is out there and it’s attainable.”
Cassandra can be reached via Facebook if you want to reach out to her, and she would be happy to lend you a listening ear.
All My Love,
Michelle
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