[T]

Hi All,

New poster, long time reader. I received my first passing CPA score in REG last August with a 77 the first time I took it. Since that time, I’ve passed BEC (82 on the second try) and FAR (76 on the first try). However, I have now taken–and failed–AUD three times (63, 69, 73). I am using Becker. I always went back and did tons of MC’s and Simulations before each time I’ve taken AUD. While I’ve improved each time, I am starting to freak out being as I think I am going to lose my REG credit if I don’t pass AUD in 4Q18. Like a lot of you, I am working full time, which makes study time at a premium. I guess the point of this post is to ask… What should I do to finally get over the hump? Keep using Becker questions to re-review? Use Ninja? Get a tutor? Any and all suggestions/advice are welcome. Thank you and best of luck to everyone!

Tanner

[Anonymous]

Tanner, sorry to hear about your struggles with AUD. It is not an easy exam (none of them are). When you are studying again, do you start from scratch or hit areas that you felt you are weak in? The problem with just hitting weak areas is that you may find yourself performing stronger in those, but weaker in areas you did well in the first time. I would recommend a change as you study for the 4th time. Having been through the material 3 times now, it seems almost certain that you will have memorized at least some of the material. NINJA is a cheap supplement that you can use. Private tutoring is not as cheap but may be a valid option. I do some private tutoring, and it helps out tremendously for some people. Getting a good tutor who specializes in the CPA exam is a must though if you decide to go this route. I would not recommend generic tutoring.

Chandler

[T]

@Chandler,

Thanks for your quick reply. Typically I start from scratch and hit all areas when I re-study because I really need to improve in all the areas. I’ve heard good things about Ninja, and have heard it can make your score increase considerably. FYI, my Becker expires at the end of November (when I anticipate taking AUD hopefully for the final time). With that said, is that the route you’d suggest? Thanks again.

[Anonymous]

Use Ninja for AUDIT! I used Becker my first time, I got 70, but then I supplemented with Ninja and I passed with an 84. I felt Ninja MC were similar to the exam!

[Anonymous]

I got a low 60s in the first time, but 2nd attempt I only studied for 3 weeks but my whole thing was making sure everyday I would study two new sub chapters and at night I would go back review them. Again review them in the morning next day. This helps you remember the content due repetition. Keeps hammering progress tests, first attempt program score on avg 70% and this time my average was 85%. I did not pay attention to chapters that were irrelevant due to being so complex in nature like govt compliance rules and reports. I did know the basics but I was not trying to get perfect 100.
But this methodology boosted my score by like 18 pts. I can tell you the reason I got an 82 was due to having pneumonia the last 6 days of the exam I could not master all the chapter 4 transaction cycles. I did not spend too much time on the simulations I was done with the test by 2 hours and 20 minutes. But I am sure you will have better luck then me.
Study business transaction cycles and internal control process, grasp the whole idea and be able to explain it. You should pass the exam.

[Sandy]

I am currently working on the AUD exam and I think it's important to read the source of the correct answers and understand the language they are using. For example, when I was doing MCQs of Wiley, I scored around 70%. I am weaker in the area of Fraud and Audit evidence, so I decided to find the Statement of Auditing standards and read through. I did that several times and right now my score on Wiley is around 90-95%. I haven't taken the test yet, but I think this is a good strategy and works for me.

[Anonymous]

AUD is one of those exams that either people are going to grasp the audit concepts easily or they are going to struggle. OP – I understand where you're coming from because I failed AUD with a 72 when I first took it. What shocked me was that I felt very confident going into the exam and after walking out of the test center, only to receive a 72…it definitely sucked and ruined my vacation plan after taking REG (assuming I passed both AUD/REG) since I had to allocate an extra month re-studying for AUD. Like many of them said above, it's extremely important to recognize why you got your answer correct as well as why incorrect answers are incorrect. Also, there are some who believe that AUD is purely memorization, but I beg to differ as the nature of the AUD materials is very conceptual/theoretical so understanding the materials well is very important. Sure, there are some parts of the AUD materials where memorization is required, such as audit reports and whatnot, but understanding the concepts is the key to pass this exam. Continue to work on your MCQs and recognize your weak areas and go back then do those MCQs. I hope this helps!

[Tyler]

You are progressively getting better – just keep reviewing and pounding the Ninja MC, you are bound to retain just a little bit more. That's all you need.
Looks to me like you just need one more attempt and you've got it.

AUD - 90
BEC - 80
FAR - 81
REG - 86

Good Luck to Everyone

[T]

All,

Thank you for your suggestions! I will definitely take all into account as I'm studying. Plan on doing it toward the end of November. Giving myself a few more days of a break, then going to get back to the grindstone. Hopefully I can get it this time.. Two more points!! Best of luck to everyone. Thanks again!

Tanner

[Accountinggirl03]

AUD was my first exam and I got a 72 . I’m also trying to get over the hump. Was strong in the MC but weak in Sims. I used Becker. Any recommendation on what programs best to practice simulations for AUD (gleim, ninja, Roger) ? Any recommendation is much appreciated.

AUD - 72
BEC - NINJA in Training
FAR - NINJA in Training
REG - NINJA in Training

AUD-72

BEC

FAR

REG

[ML]

I agree with others, supplement with Ninja. It took me 3 tries to pass AUD (70, 74, 91). The first two times I only used Roger, I also have a full time job and generally studied 1-2 hours after work and 4-6 on weekends, albeit both times I had a little under 3 weeks of preparation and was hoping to scrape by. Having that said, for my last try I supplemented AUD with Ninja exactly 1 month prior to my exam. Since I've studied AUD so many times, it took me about 2 weeks to cover all the sections of the Roger AUD review. From there I added Ninja and worked MCQs between Roger and Ninja. I gave myself a full week to do final review and rest before the exam. My days of final review was nothing but full exam simulations and TBS. I think on the last day I printed and read the Ninja notes to refresh my memory on all the major concepts. Now the huge jump in score wasn't just because I added Ninja, but it was also because I really gave it everything I had + 6 weeks of prep. I woke up early (4:30am) and studied, worked then went straight to the library and studied more. I studied at the library from open till close on weekends (8-10 hours). Despite how busy it was at work I put my foot down and told the partners not only was I taking some days off prior to the exam to review and rest but I was also NOT going to do overtime during my exam preparation. I put in my 8 hours and bounced so I could go study. So the max effort + Ninja really gave me the win in the end. Best of luck to you

AUD (08/31/18) - PASSED  [ROGER + NINJA]

BEC (05/22/17) - PASSED  [ROGER]

FAR (06/06/18) - PASSED  [ROGER + NINJA]

REG (09/07/17) - PASSED  [ROGER]

 

CA PETH - 94 (09/17/18)

 

I can't believe I am done. It was slow, unsteady, and painful. But so so worth it.

FAR - 7/31/14
AUG - ???
REG - ???
BEC - ???

"These are the precincts of pain. A goddess lives here. Her name is victory." - Unknown

[Matt]

I also failed. 67. I was stronger on the multiple choice but evidently really weak on simulations. I am not sure how to study for those! Does anyone have any advice? I plan on taking it again Oct 5.

[Anonymous]

I would supplement with Ninja-their SIMS is what actually gave the confidence even though for me it was the easiest to study….

[Madhav]

Purchase GLEIM TEST BANK if you are struggling with Audit. It will give necessary bump to get over the hurdle. I hated AUD more than FAR. I finally did it in fifth try after getting GLEIM TEST BANK and hammering their Sims(mostly). GOOD LUCK EVERYONE.

AUD - 76
BEC - 75
FAR - 76
REG - 77

FINISHED.    "If I can do it, so can you".- ME.

LEO MESSI:GOAT

 

Ethics: WA: 93, AICPA: 93

[Author]

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