[mgoloubenko]

Hey everyone! Hope you’re doing well and not freaking out about score release on Friday as much as I am 😉

I’m taking Audit on the 16th and I wish I had more time but I’m leaving for vacation and would rather take the exam now than in October. Currently, I’m finishing up A4 today and moving onto A5 and will spend about 5-6 hours a day studying ( I’m 60 hours in right now). I’ve noticed throughout the exam process that Becker tends to over emphasize certain chapters that I barely saw questions on during exam day. For example, in BEC I barely saw any of those intensive calculations and even my variance questions were very simple although that was a high focus point in the Becker homework. I know that people will say that everything is important, and I do plan to go through all the MCQ’s several times but which chapters should I really hit hard to better my chances? Any advice is appreciated, with no disclosures of course 🙂

FAR 4/9/12- PASSED
BEC 7/13/12- PASSED
AUD 8/16/12- Ughhh 71, Rematch: 90!!!
REG-12/6/12 PASSED

USC MAcc- Fight on!

They say good things come to those who wait, but only those things that are left by those who hustle.

[Mrs 300]

There are certain areas that the AICPA loves to test. Independence rules – you must have down. Know the rules and how to apply them. I am fairly certain that Becker might have a SIM for practice that is key in testing your knowledge. I think this area is very easy to just skim over and you think you know it because it seems like common sense. But I would make sure that you really UNDERSTAND it.

REG - 80 (Becker only)
BEC - 76 (Becker only)
AUD - 71, 76 (Becker only)
FAR - 65, 74, 81! (Becker, Wiley Test Bank, Ninja notes & Audio)

CPA Class of 2012 🙂

[jenuno01]

@mg you are in good hands with Becker. I wouldn't even get any other supplements besides NINJA notes (those are always a must). Trust Becker and ride the wave to a passing score! What I loved about AUD was that I could pork out about 200 MCQs in an hour because there are no calculations.

In the spirit of non-disclosure, I would suggest not going HAM on AUD cycles… I know Becker emphasizes it heavily, and it's important don't get me wrong… I just think it was a little too much on Becker.

Class of 2012

[mena je twa]

At this point , make sure you can identify why A B& C are wrong if D is correct…This is crucial…

If you approach audit with this mentality you should be in good shape. Audit is all about why the other 3 stooges are wrong……also in other sections too, but its more important in audit.

Licensed CPA, Texas - 2012

[Anonymous]

Know your reports and the audit risk formula inside out.

[taupat2012]

I'm taking Audit on the 15th, it's my first exam. I really don't know what to expect. Should I be memorizing all the financial ratios?

[mena je twa]

taupat

No..memorizing formulas will do you no good. They are not going to ask you 4/2 is how much. They usually tend to focus on cause & effect. for e.g Working capital, if Assets goes down or liab goes up, whats the effect on …what ever the questions is…..You got the drift, i hope..

But do understand the formulas, Invt turnover etc , AR Turnover…..

Licensed CPA, Texas - 2012

[Anonymous]

I think two meaty areas are knowing the reports and all the different situations/changes in the reports i.e. explanatory paragraphs, which section of the report is changed (intro, scope, opinion), etc. Know the reports inside and out, read through the whole section again, and do all the MC's on those AGAIN.

The other area I'd recommend is knowing how to test the assertions, i.e. tracing, vouching, and knowing how certain tests apply to what assertion (confirming accounts receivable tests the existence assertion, etc.) This is found in A4.

Also it wouldn't hurt to review the statistical sampling section. You'll probably get a few questions testing you on those, and it is pretty useful information if you are planning on becoming on auditor.

[mgoloubenko]

Thanks guys! I will definitely look over the sections you mentioned and while A4 looks important, knowing each applicable assertion for each part of the transaction cycle ( account balances, transactions, presentation and disclosure) looks pretty intense so I hope I don't see too many details on that

@dumguy, I see that you'll be retaking Audit, what do you think you will do differently in the second round?

FAR 4/9/12- PASSED
BEC 7/13/12- PASSED
AUD 8/16/12- Ughhh 71, Rematch: 90!!!
REG-12/6/12 PASSED

USC MAcc- Fight on!

They say good things come to those who wait, but only those things that are left by those who hustle.

[LittleMoe]

Know the reports! Some people memorize the standard report word for word. But I think if you know what goes where in the standard report, then know how the others are different you will be good there.

Also, mnemonics like CRIME and the like can help with answering MCQ's quickly. You don't have to waste time rationalizing out why each answer might be right or wrong. You have the list in your head (or on your scratch paper if you already wrote it down). Makes at least some of the MCQ's not so tricky.

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

[Anonymous]

@mgoloubenko

I did everything again and then some. Read the book through again, did all the MC's, every single flashcard, watched the lectures, and researched other iffy areas online.

Focus on the two areas I mentioned before, and re-visit all the other areas as well. For me, it I think it was one of those tests where you take the “easier” stuff too lightly and those missed points add up.

Also, the simulations are kind of a big deal, lol. Be sure to leave at least about 1.5-2 hours for those I'd say.

[Anonymous]

I only missed passing by a few points, had a friend visit from out of town during my last week before the test 🙁 so I didn't get to have a good 1-2 day last minute cram session. But if I score anything less than an 80 this time around, I'd be surprised.

Skim through the book and note the areas that are still a little fuzzy, and do that 1-2 more times before your test. Sounds like much, but again I think its mostly the little details and stuff that got me. And also I probably bombed the sims since I never even touched practicing those.

Good luck, my re-take is on August 14, I'll try to find you on here and give more advice then.

[mgoloubenko]

Haha I hope I can pull this off in two weeks!

FAR 4/9/12- PASSED
BEC 7/13/12- PASSED
AUD 8/16/12- Ughhh 71, Rematch: 90!!!
REG-12/6/12 PASSED

USC MAcc- Fight on!

They say good things come to those who wait, but only those things that are left by those who hustle.

[Anonymous]

no excuses!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mgoloubenko]

Thanks dumguy! Very much appreciated input, I will follow your advice and wish you luck on the retake!

CPATerminator- You tough cookie 😛

FAR 4/9/12- PASSED
BEC 7/13/12- PASSED
AUD 8/16/12- Ughhh 71, Rematch: 90!!!
REG-12/6/12 PASSED

USC MAcc- Fight on!

They say good things come to those who wait, but only those things that are left by those who hustle.

[Anonymous]

btw, I highly recommend CPAReviewForFree SIMS. I think they did a great job to make sure I paid attention to the small details that make the difference between an A+ and a A-. They're only $10.

[Author]

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