[nvm5223]

Took BEC earlier today. First time taking BEC so I have no real comparisons between the old and new exam format. The only thing I can tell you guys is to definitely know your IT. I feel the consensus with the old exam was the IT and Goverance approach and it hasn’t changed.

The simulations weren’t bad. 4 in total. 2 were somewhat difficult and 2 were doable. Definitely know cost accounting and finance.

GENERAL TIP: You’re going to see some questions that you haven’t even remotely seen in your life. Just breathe, relax, and look at the actual answers they provide you and choose the one that actually makes sense. Believe it or not, compared to the questions in Becker, the questions and answers they actually provide you on the test is less difficult than do on then bexker. Usually, one answer will just stick out.

[Nutcracker2016]

@nate miller Thank you so much for sharing your experience. It sounds to be you passed. Best of luck for your results.

[nvm5223]

No problem buddy. The second MC testlet definitely got harder. Like I mentioned, the sims weren't bad. The only section of the exam I took was FAR last quarter and I can definitely say the sims on that exam were like 5x harder than the sims I got yesterday on BEC.

If I had to guess the new sims on the BEC aren't going to be bad due to it being recently implemented.

But yeah definitely study up on IT, cost acctg, COSO.

[Anonymous]

Thank you nvm5223 for this information!! I take BEC on 4/18/17. I'm so nervous! It will be my first exam!

[fblessed777]

@nvm5223, Thanks for sharing your experience. Did you find any calculations in MCQ testlets? How about written communication experience…general focus areas?

Thanks again,

[Anonymous]

I took the sample test on the AICPA website yesterday. When I got to the TBS area, there was a finance question. It had a resource tab, which included all the formulas I needed to answer the question (debt to equity, quick ratio, Return on Equity). I didn't know the formulas would be provided on these. Did the actual exam have a resource tabs providing equations for a particular question?

[nvm5223]

Yeah there was a good amount of calculations. I don't think I can go into more detail than that. I use Becker and the calculation questions I encountered on the exam I was definitely prepared for. Becker, and probably most review packages, prepare you well for the calculations (as long as you do the homework and memorize and write them down).

And yeah the written communication wasnt bad. I talked about the same topic for 2 out of the 3. Just make sure you save enough time for them so you can actually have the correct format and buzz words so you can collect the points. I gave myself around an hour and 5 minutes for the 3 topics and I used all the time for it. I would recommend just setting up the intro, body, and conclusion for all three of them (template style) and just cleaning it up by filling in the actual information. Getting the actual set up for all three of them will help you relax and keep organized.

[nvm5223]

@chasinCPA yeah I got a simulation that had a resource tab for a good amount of the calculations. I don't think that's giving away information as the AICPA has it on their sample test.

I definitely think you should still prepare for the exam as if they weren't provided on a simulation (and it might not be for all the exams). You might need some of those formulas for the multiple choice questions.

Also, are you using Becker?

[Anonymous]

Thank you nvm5223! Yes, I'm using Becker and recently purchased Ninja Notes. I still plan to memorize and know the calculations, but thinking of getting so many wrong on a simulation question freaks me out. It threw me off when I saw the tab on the AICPA sample exam on their website.

[k93]

Does anyone know how many pretest questions the new BEC exam has?

[Anonymous]

Per the Becker website, the number of pretest questions is expected to stay the same for all the exams. For BEC, that means about 12 MCQ and 1 WC. I would venture to guess that one SIM would be pretest as well.

[emackCPA]

@nvm5223 can you tell us how your stimulations were? Were they 2 in a testlet & 2 in another or 2 & 3? I know the AICPA says 2 & 2 but Becker says 2 & 3. I know everyone tests are different but curious on yours.

Thanks!

[emackCPA]

nevermind it's been a long day. I see it was 2&2 lol

[marimia22]

thanks for share

FAR 05/24/16 73 07/27/2016
reg 07.07.2016

[Anonymous]

Are the WC topics related to BEC areas? Have you experienced any other topics? I have seen WC memos related to pensions as the following:

A recent statistical analysis by the human resources department of XYZ, Inc., has revealed that the average age of its employees is over 40. Management is concerned about the potential impact of this fact on the company's pension plan. The human resources manager wants a defined benefit plan that awards employees retirement compensation based on the highest 10 years' earnings, excluding bonuses. As CFO, prepare a memo to the management team explaining the advantages and risks associated with the proposed pension plan and what alternatives might be available.

[nvm5223]

@chasinCPA good luck tomorrow! Let me know how it goes!

[Author]

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