[Scared-cpa]

I sat for AUD on 03/08 and found out I failed last week. Tomorrow I begin restudying. Should I go back through all the material as if I’ve never done it before or just do Ninja MCQ until I am trending like I need to be?

Since I’m wanting to give myself as much time as I need, I thought it would be best to start over from scratch. This is also what Jeff says to do. My only worry with this is that since studying wasn’t enough to get a pass the first time, why would it get me a pass the second time through? I’m just afraid Wiley CPAexcel isn’t fit for me, but I bought it and can’t afford another course.

However, I do have Ninja MCQ and will be utilizing it to the fullest. With my FAR retake, I literally only did Ninja MCQ so that is why I wonder if it’s what I should do for my retake with AUD, I’m just terrified of failing at this point.

So should I (1) Start over from scratch then finish the review with Ninja MCQ, (2) Only do Ninja MCQ until I am trending 85 and feel ready, or (3) Start over in studying AND simultaneously work through Ninja MCQ?

Since FAR, the only section I have passed so far doesn’t expire until 07/31/17, I’m wanting to take my time with the other three sections and give myself the bet chance possible of passing. So I am devoting all of Q2 to studying AUD. Ideally, I want to sit May 10, but I can extend that date until the end of May if I feel like I need to.

[Scared-cpa]

The one thing I dislike about CPAexcel is that I feel like some of the terms they use aren't defined thoroughly. Especially my first time through the chapters when I'm learning from scratch. That's what I really like about Ninja. I think your approach may be fine but I did something similar my first time through AUD and failed, but you may be different. This time around, I've learned to not rush it to meet a specific date. I'm giving myself the cushion of the last 3 weeks of May if I need it in order to ensure I am fully prepared for the exam. I'd rather extend my study time a few weeks and pass, then fail and start all over again.

[Anonymous]

How are you choosing to study for the SIMS? I just read a forum which stated the new SIMS were more “real-life” like. I don't know about either of you, but I do not have audit experience. I feel as if the AICPA are very aware of the fact that many candidates do not have that experience per se which is why it will take them such a long time to score the first few batches of exams. Honestly, the review programs need time to get up to speed on the content too, right. Maybe that will work in our favor? So confused.

I'm tired of operating in fear and mediocrity. It's time to try. It's time to do. It's time to go.

[Anthony]

When people mean more “real life” like they most likely mean DRS/enhance sims. DRS isn't new because its been out for almost a year..same with enhance sims, which is a regular sim with supporting docs like DRS.

[Scared-cpa]

I'm doing the sims throughout the study plan which are given within CPAexcel. So after an assessment, there are sims covering those topics. I do those and move on. I try to do 4 sims or so per day during the last week of final review but I don't go overboard. And hopefully ‘real life' sims will be better, but given that I have no real life experience, I don't know how that will go!

[Scared-cpa]

Hopefully real life also means less confusing because I've always found a lack of clarity in instructions with sims. I've found myself asking simple questions about what I should do that don't have to do with my knowledge as much as how I apply that knowledge within the simulation. So hopefully that will have improved, as well. I'm kind of excited to take the new format 🙂 How sad is that haha

[RyonT]

I do a couple of SIMs at the end of the sections, but I don't do all of them. I have a few years of audit experience, but the SIMs I've come across haven't mirrored what I've seen in real life. That being said, It seems like most of the SIMs in the study material relate to audits of larger companies or issuers. My firm specialized in small/mid sized non-profits and townships. The audit programs didn't change much from one audit to the next, and we relied on mostly substantive tests and did very little tests of controls. I plan to do much more when I start my review, but I feel like Jeff is correct when he said if you know the concepts, you should be good on SIMs.

[Anonymous]

Admittedly, I didn't practice SIMS for my first attempt at AUD. I, honestly, tried two from the previously tested information the AICPA releases, but that's it. This time, in my attempt to give it my absolute best, I'm trying to work at least 5 a week. It doesn't sound like much, but it's my minimum.

I'm trying to focus on truly grasping and understanding the material/concepts and I hope that's enough to pass.

I'm tired of operating in fear and mediocrity. It's time to try. It's time to do. It's time to go.

[Scared-cpa]

I agree that practicing the sims doesn't teach you any new concepts. However, it can teach you how to APPLY those concepts in a manner different from multiple choice questions. I didn't practice sims with my first FAR take and did about 20 or 30 total for my second FAR take.

[Meg267]

I did maybe 5-10 simulations before I took AUD and I scored comparable on the simulations. Personally, I think the simulations are a little easier as I learn better by applying the knowledge and doing it myself. I think I'll actually do better on the new exam as MCQ and sims are weighted the same and there is less MCQ.

[jivexturk3y]

Just want to let everyone know that I took AUD just now at it is every bit as brutal as everyone makes it out to be. Good luck to everyone and I hope you did better than me. Going to cry now.

[Anthony]

@jivexturk3y How bad were the sims? Seems like the new format is nothing but killer sims.

[jivexturk3y]

Obviously I can't disclose too much but I'll say what I can. McQ's were not bad at all. Yeah there were some wtf's here and there but you nothing can't figure out if you know your stuff. SIMs though, just unbelievably mind-blowing hard. I could have studied for another 3 months and not have come across those materials. I was so foreign to what they were asking, I was able to literally find it in the AL and still couldn't figure it out.

Sad part is now I have to wait 4 and a half months just to find out I failed AUD for the 5th time. This is my last exam and I'm seriously losing motivation at this point. Yeah I can try to extend for one more period with my state board but just getting slayed over and over again, I just don't know if I have anything left in the tank anymore.

Heavily considering buying Gleim since everybody claims it is harder than the actually exam. Nothing seems to work for me with AUD. Currently using old Rogers Book, Notes from expired Becker, and Ninja McQ. Really thought I had it this time and now I'm just devastated.

[IwannabeaCPA2017]

Is Ninja MCQ up to date for the new exam? Man I just can't wait until 4/15 so I can open those books back. I can technically start but I just can't commit and feel so tired after work every day.

@jive, I'm at it for my 4th time too. This exam sucks cuz I actually did well in school got a 4.0 and always questions how am I not getting the 75!

[jivexturk3y]

Damn that 74 must have been brutal, I can't imagine what that must feel like. My last score was a 72 and I thought for sure I'd have it this time.

[Anonymous]

^^you very well might have it in the bag this time. Don't count yourself out.

Hopefully, the AICPA is really placing some time and consideration into the proper calibration of what a passing score would be with the new exam. For our sake, I pray they're doing something which would make this long break make sense.

I'm tired of operating in fear and mediocrity. It's time to try. It's time to do. It's time to go.

[Author]

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