[katieeCPA]

I’m sitting for audit this weekend and was looking for some advice from those of you who have been successful in passing. Are there any specific areas any of you would recommend focusing on for review right before? Any tips for preparing for the simulations? I’ve managed to make over 200 flashcards, take notes on each chapter in Becker, and have practiced all MCQ at least 3, if not 4 times. Still freaking out, since I’m on a time crunch to get this one and REG done before BEC expires. Any advice is so very much appreciated! 🙂

BEC: PASSED!
FAR: PASSED!
AUD: PASSED!
REG: PASSED!

[Anonymous]

Katie – a few tips that helped me tremendously to pass Aud on the first go around.

1. RTMFQ – Read the monster flippin question! – Seriously – you have memorized so much of Becker from doing so many MC don't let your brain immediately tell you an answer to a MC on the actual exam when you see key words. Slow down and read, then reread, the questions.

2. Although you should RTMFQ, you should still save yourself plenty of time for the Sims. I left myself 1:45 and took the clock down to about 5 mins. Use the authoritative literature to your advantage, I found 3 of my sims word for word in the AL and another one wasn't word for word but basically gave me the answer.

I would do the Becker sims a few times through and hone your skill with using the AL esp the “search within” tool…

Hope this helps and good luck.

[katieeCPA]

Adam – thank you! You're completely right about the MCQs – I've practically memorized them at this point, so I feel like I'm flying through them while reviewing. The simulations are what scare me the most, since I'm convinced that my lack of preparation for the sims on my first attempt at audit caused me to fail. I'll be sure to focus on practicing the research function. Thanks again!

BEC: PASSED!
FAR: PASSED!
AUD: PASSED!
REG: PASSED!

[novatrek86]

Work the questions. Audit had a couple questions that were almost word for word from the becker test bank. My aim going into the tests was always to smash the MCQ and only perform to standard on the sims. Its worked very effectively for me.

[Seaner56]

Just be confident. you know the material if you went through the Becker material more than 3 times and understand the answer. Just don't put too much pressure on yourself! you will pass!

AUD - passed
FAR - 8/29
REG -
BEC -

[katieeCPA]

Thank you all for the good advice and support! I really appreciate it! Crossing my fingers that all of this hard work will pay off!

BEC: PASSED!
FAR: PASSED!
AUD: PASSED!
REG: PASSED!

[thekoreanaccountant]

Take it easy this week. Definitely review, but don't kill yourself and stress out. Seaner56 is right, confidence will help you to pass since you have already studied so hard. I had to take Audit 3 times. My first (passing) score expired, I failed the second with a 71, and passed the third. My original second attempt was postponed and rescheduled for a week before BEC because of a snow storm, which completely rattled me.

And besides, you are already halfway there!

AUD 2/2011 76 (lost credit), 2/2013 71, 7/2013 78
REG 2/2012 82
BEC 2/2013 75
FAR 4/2013 75

5 years in private accounting, < 1 year in public accounting. Runner, mommy, dog and cat lover. SO glad I took the exam before I went to public accounting.

[blandrover123]

I didn't practice SIMS at all. However, I made sure to leave plenty of time (almost 2 hours) for the SIMS. At first the SIMS looked hard, but eventually I found almost everything in the Authoritative Literature. I even had a really easy drop down menu one that I thought it was a joke.

Becker was really good for Audit so I think you will do fine. Just really read the questions carefully and don't get too scared.

[katieeCPA]

Great advice! You guys rock, thanks! Trying to stay confident! 🙂

BEC: PASSED!
FAR: PASSED!
AUD: PASSED!
REG: PASSED!

[GO Hawks]

Becker really shines for AUD, I chuckled a few times to myself during the test when I saw some questions so close to Becker.. like wow, does the AICPA have a mole? but RTMFQ also known as “the call of the question” is extremely important. there might be 2 statements that look correct. But one might be more irrefutable. Some of the questions almost seem like reading comprehension questions. But you already know this since Becker emphasizes it, so test day will be the same.

I think some ppl psych themselves out on test day, they answer differently on the actual test because they are freaked out. So act like its just another Becker practice test and you'll smoke this thing. Leave time for the SIMS and you're golden.

BEC 88 5/25/2013
FAR 96 7/01/2013
AUD 99 7/08/2013
REG 93 8/01/2013

Straight Becker'in it

[Zaq]

Make sure you're supplementing your MCQ's. Easy to memorize Becker's questions. Use Wiley if you haven't. If you do tons of MCQ's and take tons of notes, then rewrite and reread those notes, I think you'll be fine.

FAR: 50, 76!
REG: 74... (ouch baby, very ouch), 76!
AUD: 65, 91!?
BEC: 80! Aaaand doneskies!

May 2012 to August 2013. Can't believe it's over.

[MintsRGood]

RTMFQ is key to your success on exam day!!!! Do it 3-4 times before you even think about looking at the answer choices! Make sure you understand the call of the questions and take a second to run through/jot down what YOU know about the topic. Then carefully review each answer choice to see which one matches up with your notations. It's so easy to let the 3 wrong answers pollute your thought process when the clock is ticking and your nerves are ramping you up. You know what the right answer is so just take your time (within reason) and find it. 🙂

Leave yourself 2 hours for the SIMS…you don't want to rush these! This will also give you a moment to look at all the SIMS and decide which ones to tackle first. I always start with my “highest confidence” SIM and work my way down to the “Garbage/WTF” SIMS. Make sure to use the AL tab to the fullest! If you are stuck or draw a blank, pull up the appropriate standard and give it a quick read. You may find a nugget that gets your brain moving in the right direction. I haven't personally experienced a ” found it word for word in the AL” SIM yet but I have certainly used it to look up a detail or to get out of panic mode! You can use the AL for every SIM, not just research! Spend 30 minutes or so before you test this weekend familiarizing yourself with searching through the professional standards. I also like to utilize the standards when in “practice mode” on SIMS. It helps reinforce where to find things in the standards so you won't feel so rushed/crazy/desperate about trying to find major topics on exam day. 2 hours will give you plenty of time to review, complete, and check your work without feeling panicky.

Good luck and RTMFQ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂

REG: 75 DONE 🙂
AUD: 61, 71, 68, 92 DONE 🙂
BEC: 76 DONE 🙂
FAR: 72, 74, 79 DONE 🙂
Licensed Michigan CPA 🙂
-Some people dream of success...others wake up and work hard for it!!!
-The cowards never start and the weak die along the way!
-You better work, b***h!
-Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.-JFK

[katieeCPA]

@MintsRGood – Thank you! Excellent advice. I definitely need some more practice with the AL, as I'm not as comfortable finding answers as I'd like to be. While it'd be great to get a SIM that's word for word from the AL, at least I know that I can use it in the event I'm totally stuck on a SIM.

BEC: PASSED!
FAR: PASSED!
AUD: PASSED!
REG: PASSED!

[Author]

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