[SADCPATAKER]

Does anyone know what the Authoritative Literature contains on the SIMS in AUDIT?

I know on the AICPA sample tests it only gives you

AU Section 200- The General Standards

AU Section 300- Field Work Standards

Also- How important is using the authoritative literature in scoring high on the SIMS?

[Anonymous]

It's very important.

There are often one or more SIM question(s) that you can perfectly nail down using AL.

On the actual exam I thought like “OMG all the answers are here!!.” LOL

Especially when the question tests the understanding of definitions/categorizations, AL helps a looooooooot.

[Anonymous]

Pretty much way more AL than you would ever need is supplied, you need to be comfortable with it from a time management issue as you could easily go down a rabbit hole looking.

Each SIM is independent and therefore you will have to expand in each tab. The first expanse gives you pretty much everything, next click which section you think you need (AU for example) and this expansion will give you all the subheadings. At this point I was opening up the window a bit to make searching easier. I didn't use many brain cells remembering the specific numbers assigned to the topics, only where things could be found. Once I opened the window I could scan for where the likely topics on Engagement Planning issues were and go from there. If you are not comfortable with Research in general then I would consider putting more effort into the topic number memorization as the sheer volume can be overwhelming.

Another tip for the research question, there may be a topic that could be answered by more than one AL body re read the question to see if it asks what section to use.

As for how important the AL is to scoring high on the SIMS, that pretty much is up to what SIMS you are dealt in your exam. I can't see where they would be much help in JE SIMS if you do not already know JE's. I used the AL on a non research question for an issue I was dead sure went one way. I looked the issue up and in one tiny little circumstance the alternate way is proper. That helped ease my mind as in the choices given were three that did not fit in any way and the fourth was what looked like backwards. So if you are like me and would have picked the backwards choice as it was the only one even remotely related to the question you would still have a right answer but it would be easier waiting on the scores as it wouldn't have been bugging you the whole time.

Hope this helps and IMO I think as long as you know where things are, can focus and not get distracted double checking each set of AL, and know that basic framework then you will be fine.

[LittleMoe]

If you go to the AICPA's website, you can sign up to have access to the AL because you are a CPA candidate. I definitely recommend getting access to that and getting familiar with the full volume of AL. You don't need to memorize anything from it but just get a feel for how to navigate it and the best way to find things. Also, be sure that you use the advanced search options. That is a lifesaver to narrow down the topics returned in a search.

The AL came in handy for Audit far more than any other section for me. I really don't think I would have passed without it.

AUD 4/12/12 79
FAR 5/29/12 76
REG 8/2/12 82
BEC 8/30/12 72 Retake 10/18/12 76!!! DONE!!!!
ExamMatrix, Wiley Books, NINJA notes and audio
LICENSED ALABAMA CPA 11/30/12

[Author]

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