[RIST]

I’ve seen the recent pass rates and AUD is low.

And yet when I walked out I felt pretty good. A handful of questions on topics Becker either ignored totally or glossed over, yes, but overall many that were like the review material. Sims were reasonable I felt. 1 was right out of the AL and 2 others were mostly in the AL. Research question was done in less than 2 minutes and I’m certain it was right.

When I walked out of REG, on the otherhand, I was so distraught and sad. Half the Sims were bogus (yes I checked to see how poorly I did) and I missed the research question (yes, I checked at home >_<). Yet I end with a 88.

So I guess my question is this:

Is the AUD exam experience good with ruthless grading while REG is a psychotically nasty experience with easy grading?

I just don’t want to be arrogant and get blindsided XD

[Mamabear]

It's hard to judge how these tests are. I walked out of AUD and cried like a baby then hit the bar (which is rare nowadays) and played pool for 2 hours before I could calm down enough to go home. Passed with 85. I felt better walking out of the first attempt and failed with 65. You really just never know.

CPA Exam - Finally DONE (November 2014)
BEC (08/10/13) 80
AUD (08/24/13) 65 (11/13/13) 85
FAR (04/12/14) 81
REG (07/19/14) 69 (11/29/14) 87!!

[JamesBJames]

How in the world did you remember the simulation questions in so much detail that you could find them online (and wait, how does that even work)?

FAR: May 1st, 2014 - 91
AUD: May 29th, 2014 - 97!
BEC: July 16th, 2014 - 91
REG: August 29th, 2014 - 88

Licensed December 2015

Feel free to add me on LinkedIn by clicking my username!

[raven]

I've never had a “good experience” after taking the exams. I felt like someone kicked me in the stomach after bec and far….. I don't really remember what I felt like after aud so I guess it wasn't that bad after all 🙂

A- pass
F- pass
R- pass
B - August 2014 - pass - YAY!!!!

[Anonymous]

I think audit is the dangerous exam since it's similar to am English test. One word changes the awnser so you can think you're doing well when in fact it's the exact opposite.

I thought I got every mc right (literaly) but I only got comparable on my report. This exam requires the most control not to jump the gun on the questions and to re-read everything carefully.

[RIST]

“How in the world did you remember the simulation questions in so much detail that you could find them online (and wait, how does that even work)?”

It's my cross to bear >_< It is a totally counterproductive behavior but I've done it all my academic life. So I'm quite good at it…

And I didn't find them online, I actually pulled up the AL and Becker Text to prove myself wrong so it took hours >_< Sad thing is that after researching them they are fixed in my head so I even know them now a month later. I kind of make myself sick in this regard.

But it's interesting to hear how you guys felt. I suspect I didn't do as well as I feel (either that or I got a 95+ which is cool by me) but I do feel sort of like I passed. I know just what you guys mean when you say one tiny word can torpedo you. I caught myself a couple of times, but I suspect I FAILED to catch myself some times as well.

TBH I feel just like I did coming out of BEC which I got an 87 on. In BEC I felt like I got every MC at least down to 50% and the sims were OK. I feel the same for AUD. REG was like getting punched in the face repeatedly… The first two MCQs on my exam were insanity. The second MCQ was a calculation as long and complex as the Becker SIMS for REG. In fact, it was quite similar so I'm pretty sure I got it.

[Anonymous]

I pretty much had the same experience with Audit as you. I felt I did ok on the exam. But audit being the only exam I had taken I had no idea how to gauge my performance n also becus it is reputed to be the most tricky one. I passed!

I am sure you did great on the exam 🙂

[Jordan23cc]

@RIST I had exactly the same experience as you. REG was demoralizing and I conceded a fail immediately after leaving. I was so disgusted I just submitted it and walked out with 30 minutes left. On audit, I flew through the First three testlets. I had so much time I double checked all of my answers. I used the AL for a few of my sims and was able to work through the others. I ended up finishing with about an hour and half left. My scores are on in the signature. I was super surprised by my REG pass, but I felt I passed audit.

Needless to say, I am sure you're fine. However, you never really know with these exams. Whatever “scaling” they use is a mystery to me.

F - 2/15/2014 - 85
B - 2/26/2014 - 88
R - 4/1/2014 - 83
A - 4/21/2014 - 95

Licensed CPA in TX

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

[RIST]

The thing I really hate is that I have to start FAR this weekend 🙁

I wish the scores came faster so I could know my grade before I take the next one. I've jut got to stay away from some of these depressing stories about people thinking they aced it while failing 🙁 It's just that for REG the common story of a terrible exam experience kept me sane during the last month so I can't resist but to read everything!

I hope I did well. Feel free to Pray for me 🙂 I want this monster dead so I can live again!

[Lindrobe]

I felt great when I walked out of AUD and BEC and ended up with a 90 and an 88. I felt terrible and lost when I walked out of FAR and ended up with an 87. I take REG on Tuesday and after reading a lot of posts on here about people's REG experience, I am expecting to feel more like I felt after taking FAR when I take REG. At least I only have to wait 10 days for my score though.

FAR 12/3/14, 87
AUD 2/3/14, 90
BEC 4/1/14, 88
REG 5/27/14, 94

Licensed CPA, Indiana

"Successful people do things that unsuccessful people don't want to do"

[RIST]

I've actually heard you feel worse out of REG than FAR. It's those sims man. Nothing can prepare you for them. Just use the AL and make well reasoned guesses because chances are you've never seen anything like them before. The good news is the curve (or whatever you want to call it) is big. Realize that every candidate feels as confused as you when they are presented with patently unfair questions. I think part of the intent of the examiners is to see how you deal with a bad hand.

And not to give illegal info, but one of my REG sims was actually really easy (though the others were horrible including the research question…). However, it was basically a tax form NOT displayed as a tax form. I stared at it for 15 minutes trying to figure out what the confusing wording and the NON IRS version of the form was trying to ask but when it hit me I got it with 95% confidence in less than 2 minutes. So what I'm saying is that there is more than content being tested. The way they ask the question can be purposely confusing. I mean, seriously, if you want me to fill out part of a tax form… WHY DON'T YOU GIVE ME A TAX FORM!?

I did well on REG but felt like a was run over before I came to the forums to cool off. And to be fair I still felt bad, but knowing everyone feels bad means you are in good shape so long as you prepared well.

I just hope I do as well on AUD as you did!

[Lindrobe]

Thanks for the insight, RIST! At least I can know how I should expect to feel on Tuesday. Good luck on your AUD score! And FYI, I have no auditing experience with the exception of one undergrad auditing class.

FAR 12/3/14, 87
AUD 2/3/14, 90
BEC 4/1/14, 88
REG 5/27/14, 94

Licensed CPA, Indiana

"Successful people do things that unsuccessful people don't want to do"

[Anonymous]

The first time I took it I left the test center crying and scored an 87. I am not crying today but feel numb, depressed, and a little like vomiting. You. Just. Never. Know. Ugh! The longest 13 days ever are coming up now! Good luck!

[RIST]

Man, you've had a long Journey! I hope you get your victory. I hope we all do.

[pikachu]

I thought simulations for audit were a lot better than for far… I thought I bombed half the far sims. Though for FAR, I felt I aced all but a few MCQ, whereas with audit, I think I was confident in 60-75%… lol

we'll see June 6th.

FAR: 2/23/14 77 (1 month studying)
AUD: 5/25/14 68
AUD: 7/13/14 72
AUD: 10/12/14 72
I GIVE UP

[Anonymous]

Manage your expectations. The nature of audit MCQ's are that one little word can change an answer; so you might think you know something, but you are actually wrong. I thought I aced audit and barely scraped by. It's good that you think you did well, but be prepared for any result…

[Author]

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