[qwertyaas]

I just took Audit a couple weeks ago too. I was using the Becker books, CPA Review for Free and CPAExcel. The MC felt pretty simple for me. I completed the three sections within ~90 minutes.

The simulations, for 4 of them I felt like I have never even seen them before.

Now when it comes to taking Audit again, I really don’t know how to get back to studying for it. I was getting 80%+ on the MC questions I was taking. I just don’t know where to begin studying for the simulations as they can throw anything at you, whether it be included in the study material or not. Just as an aside, I completed around 50 simulations on CPAExcel, and I was still completely taken aback by the Simulations I saw on the exam.

My plan now is to stick to my weak points and try to do mostly tests on CPAExcel. But it’s tough when scoring highly on the MC – it just feels like I have seen every question already. As for the Simulations, my issues are above – they just feel so… random. Like it could be about anything.

[That Cartoon Mouse]

Have you gotten your score back? It's unclear from your post. Anyway, don't get too freaked out until you see your score. Honestly, if you were doing well on the MCQs, then you're probably going to do well on the sims — sims just test if you can apply the material in a less abstract setting.

I think the point of studying sims is just so you get comfortable with the dealing with the format — making your own calculations, reading and understanding directions, selecting options — but the content is the same as in MCQs. If you get the concepts, then the sims are nothing new.

If you did well in MCQs and sucky in the sims, then try to pinpoint what your weakness is — is it a conceptual weakness where you don't really understand the material? Is it a format problem where the form of the sims throws you? Is it a problem understanding directions?

If you're getting the MCQs its probably not a conceptual problem, it might be that you just have a problem understanding what they want from you. Try diagramming what your supposed to do with little pictures or notes or initials — not a lot, just enough so that you can visualize what they're asking. After you read the directions or the prompt, explain it back to yourself in your own words.

I hope this helps.

REG 82 (10/07/11)
BEC 88 (11/01/11)
FAR 86 (11/21/11)
AUD 82 (11/30/11)
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Roger CPA Review, live & cram course

[qwertyaas]

Sorry, forgot to mention. I got a 64 on the test. I just received the score today.

I think my issue with the Sims I had on the test was I just felt like I never studied or reviewed the items on the simulations. One being Journal Entries and that not being the in study material what-so-ever. 4 out of the 7 simulations on my test were things I had pretty much no familiarity with – meaning, I haven't saw it once in my studying.

But you are right. Practice Sims are really just to feel comfortable with them. I guess I should just go back and really go through the material again.

[iPass]

@qwertyaas,

don't get discouraged, audit SIMS are usually tricky (well, at least from my experience). It is very important to utilize research tab during the exam! Of course, you will not always find straight forward answer, but in most cases you will be able to get a hint or some helpful information related to the topic.

However, what's even more important is to understand the material and do your best on MC. Honestly, I didn't do well on SIMS (according to my performance report was “weaker” in SIMS), but got “stronger” in every area of MC, and as you can see in my signature, managed to pass.

Good luck, you'll get it next time!

BEC - 10/12/2011 - 78
AUD - 11/23/2011 - 84
FAR - 02/22/2012 - 76 (I'll take it!)
REG - 08/31/2012

“Win as if you were used to it, lose as if you enjoyed it for a change.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

[Anonymous]

I had similar situation with the simulations. I took this test 3 times already and I always do better on MCQ, but simulations are always weaker. I also had problems with the journal entries…and most of the questions I've never seen before ( and i took this test 3 times already).

[Anonymous]

I'm taking Audit on Monday and am approaching the SIMS as if they are expecting me to use the research tab to answer them (thanks to advice I have read on here over the last couple of months). The MCQ's go pretty quickly, so why else would they give you 4 hours for the exam? Certainly not to be nice!

[Author]

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