[CC]

Took BEC today for the 3rd time (74,74, the first two attempts) and I have to say that this was by far the hardest version I have taken of any test to date. Anyone else feel the same with a Q4 attempt? hope the CPA gods rule in my favor on score release, I can’t handle the thought of taking this thing again. Best of luck to anyone who dares brave it this quarter, onto AUD.

[Anonymous]

It was a nasty b*tch in Q3 as well. Those SIMs were absolutely horrendous and I don't think I even got half credit on any of them. I'm still kicking myself for not starting with BEC in 2016 and getting it out of the way before March 2017 before SIMs were put onto the exam.

Great signature line @Caleb – on a similar note, I like the old adage, “Never ASSUME – because when you do, you make an ASS out of U and ME!”

[shawn in VA]

CALEB-

your past is similar to mine. 2-74's back to back on BEC then finally a pass in Q3 with 81. The 2-74's were under the old version. Oddly, my pass version felt the easiest despite the SIMS. The reasons are the SIMS were very fair and similar to the ones on the AICPA website AND the MCQs had little COSO and IT (contrary to what ppl are saying on this board). WC were very fair.

Best of luck.

[CC]

@shawninva the second time I took BEC the exam was completely fair and I felt confident that the score would be passing, only to be surprised by yet another 74. This time it was different, the exam seemed twice as hard as the last attempt. It was strange, I prepped harder than both of my previous attempts and felt about 1/3 as confident as I did in the past.

[PNS2CLT]

I heavily suspect the actual number of COSO and IT questions is fewer than what's reported. For many, the COSO and IT questions are unfamiliar and thus it seems like they formulated the majority of the MCQ when in reality, they were “fairly” represented (but forums like this give life to the myth).

No different than driving some place new — my commute to my previous, longtime job was 35-45 minutes, through a part of town I grew up and am familiar with. The commute to my current job is 35-45 minutes, through a part of town I rarely visited. And even after 3 years, the 35-45 minute commute seems longer than my old 35-45 minute commute.

[CC]

@PNS2CLT original post stated that the test as a whole was harder than previous attempts. I didn't say any topic was more or less concentrated than another. Overall difficulty was higher, not sure how else to explain it.

[Anonymous]

Take it one day and fail. Take it the next day and pass. It's a complete roll of the dice. Prepare as well as you can and hope that the gods are smiling on you when you do take it.

[Superdude3000]

I really don't agree with the ‘get lucky on exam day theme' unless you're borderline 75. If you study hard enough it shouldn't matter what exam you get, you'll know enough to pass

[Author]

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