[!%)(AUD]

I’m sure there is plenty of complaining along the lines of what I’m about to do, but bear with me.

I passed REG back in summer 2018, then FAR and BEC in winter 2018 and 19. REG wasn’t that tough. I got in the 80s. FAR was tougher, but I still got in the 80s. BEC wasn’t tough.

Then came AUD.

I waited till after busy season in the spring to take AUD. I figured it would be easy since many had said it was and I had passed all previous tests on the first attempt in the 80s. I took two weeks before starting at B4. My family (wife and kids) really needed a vacation. I desperately needed one. I got a 68.

Alright, no big deal. I started studying in July and with a new job and 65 hour weeks, I upped that to 85 and studied my ass off. I got a 74.

Now I was in busy season. 75 hours average for two and a half months. Couldn’t study. Finally, when things slowed after 10/15 I started studying for the last day I could take it——11/11. If I didn’t pass now I would lost REG.

I studied, but I was just exhausted. I still can’t understand this shit. The questions seem contradictory. So much to remember, and no matter what I do I can only do so well on the simulations. II had used Becker for everything, but it just wasn’t working.

I got 69 and on 11/30 I’m going to lose REG. Now I am really pissed off.

I got WILEY and I’m planning an early March retake. I hate to have to work these same kind of hours when my kids need me, but I really don’t have an option. I need to pass AUD and BEN by next June to get my top bonus and I sure as shit don’t intend on losing it.

What can I do?

I struggle with remembering the controls and procedures. They just seem to overlap and be very generic. I can’t keep them straight.

[12tang]

AUD was the only test I that I failed when I hit my planned study hours. I failed with a 72. I restudied from scratch like it was a whole new exam, I did this after FAR; I passed with a 78. That's not a huge jump in score for having started from scratch. For me, I was weaker across the board in MCQ's. This tells me nuances were probably tripping me up. Start by reading the problems VERY carefully. Do not worry about time in this case. For us to help you further, it would help if you shed some light based off what your score report is telling you. You could also sign up for Ninja, you'll get everything for AUD, for 67 a month. You can switch materials for BEC once you pass AUD. I think some supplementary review will help you. Also, I can't speak for the new Becker AUD testbank but RogerCPA had a weak testbank for AUD. Ninja was substantially harder which can do nothing but benefit you. When I studied for AUD the first time, it was exclusively with RogerCPA. I passed once I introduced Ninja. Hope this helps!

BEC - PASS

FAR - PASS

AUD - PASS

REG - PASS

BOOM!  JUST LIKE THAT, I GOT MY LIFE BACK!  =D

Using Becker self-study
FAR: (82) 175 hours - 1st attempt
BEC: (XX)
AUD: (69) 45hrs of study - 1st attempt
REG: (XX)

[thunderlips]

I have not taken audit yet given I cannot get through regulation. I hated audit during college so I am dreading the day I take this section, but I am really looking forward to BEC when the time comes!

[vbmer]

Don't delay. Push hard now before the new year when things are slow (at work) and take it again in early January before work consumes you. REG can wait since you've already passed it. Your family will need to understand that this is something you need to wrap up ASAP, and that you'll be studying a lot during the holidays. It'll be worth it when you're done.

AUD - 79
BEC - 88
FAR - 89
REG - 80

Manager, Big 4 Corporate Finance, CPA (WA)

[!%)(AUD]

I wish, but I simply can’t push anymore. Have been killing myself with 70 hour weeks for years now and I just don’t have it in me for a while. I’d sooner quite my B4 job and be a bum. I’m not kidding. I need some time off. I need this holiday. Parent deaths, school, work, kids, all at the same time and all full time, and I’m not very old at all. It’s been a problem for my health. I have a year and a half before I lose anymore sections. The bonus and being done is it, but this time I’m going to be getting 90s on practices tests before I retake AUD.

REG I should do OK. It’s my strongest section:

[thunderlips]

Buckle down and pass this now. Then you get your life back and never have to take this test again. Otherwise letting them expire and your hard work for nothing. I saw a stat that less than 1% of those that pass 3 sections never pass the 4th to become CPA

[aaronmo]

Audit is the most conceptual of the tests, and it requires more reading ability and analysis than some of the other sections. It's the easiest in terms of preparation, but also tends to act more as a traditional aptitude test in some ways…problem solving, reading, logic…

The key to audit is remembering backwards – forwards…always start with who the information user is, what their needs are, what type of information you're looking at, or looking to provide, and how that impacts your professional obligations.

AUD - 96
BEC - 84
FAR - 89
REG - 86

Aaron and always remember, YMMV

I profit from your CPE frustration. You're welcome.

[!%)(AUD]

I wish I could agree but numerous times I have compared multiple questions from test banks and they have strict contradictions in them. Not “I don’t like the question” contradictions. I mean same terms, same format, same inputs, and different outcomes. This has actually been the hardest part for me because I remember both answers and I can’t know which one is correct.

The simulations also change and are not consistent.

[aaronmo]

Respectfully, you're missing a nuance/concept. There are times that I encountered problematic questions in exam prep…and I found them in class materials as well if I recall, but I didn't see many issues like that during the actual exam. People are passing this, so stop blaming the test and learn the material.

You need to understand the different types of attest and review services…the differences in what obligations different entities have…and how that impacts concepts like materiality. What the different opinions are…engagement letter obligations and who has what responsibilities between you and management. What are the testing requirements and what's the process for different entities and audit/reviews.

AUD - 96
BEC - 84
FAR - 89
REG - 86

Aaron and always remember, YMMV

I profit from your CPE frustration. You're welcome.

[Author]

Replies