So I just started my CPA journey and found out I failed AUD with a 61.I feel so bad. I am currently studying for REG. Any suggestions so that I do not lose my motivation 🙁
Just remember that ~90% of all test takers do no pass all sections on their first try, but ~80% pass if they keep taking them. The odds are on your side.
nq88 – I'm with you. I took my first section AUD on 10/1/11 and just got my score, 54… No worries. It's a good wake-up call. I only put in around 40 hours. Now I know that's not going to work. Take this as a learning expereince and move on. I plan re-study it over December and take it in early Jan.
I am using Becker. For REG I started writing notes on the explanation of MCQ but I am pretty sure that SIMS is what really kills me. I walked out of AUD feeling good about MCQ but very bad about SIMS. I completely blanked out. Now I feel I have to know every single thing.
Thank you everyone.. 🙂 It was just really disappointing because I felt like I put in my best shot.
@nq88, don't give up, you will nail it next time, i do know how you feel, i took aud first and got a 74, i mean, one point and I would have gotten it 🙁 but here i go again, taking it at the end of nov. GOOD LUCK AND DON'T GIVE UP. 🙂
nq88 – I didn't have much problems with MCQ either, but the SIMS are just crazy 'cause I think some questions are quiet subjective to me. Maybe next time you might want to finish MCQ as fast as possible and leave enough time for the SIMS. When you have enough time for SIMs, you can spend much time research back and forth. Believe it or not, I corrected my research question the last minute of the exam. I also used reasearch tab to answer one entire question! I would say get familiar with the content of the reasearch tab, and you will have a good idea which one SIM question you can utilize the research to help you. Please don't give up. Just take a week or two off and you will come back with a revenge!!!
Thank you CPA-Convertible. I am studying for REG right now and I am definitely going to practice as many SIMS and MCQ as I can. Thanks for the advice of getting familiar with the research tab. I definitely think that will help! 🙂
As someone whose first fail was also Audit, stick with it. I hate Audit and it's the last one I need to pass, but not passing should drive you to keep pushing! You decided to take this test because you want to be a CPA… keep that in mind when you don't pass and I guarantee you it will carry you forward. If you let it, it will bring you down! Just keep fightin' the good fight!
How many times do you plan on going through all of the multiple choice questions?? I am using Becker as well, and for the two exams I have taken I prepared by completing every question atleast twice and taking notes on all of the topics I was uncomfortable with. If you have enough time, I would def recommend going through the homework a second time or third time. I also thought that taking the progress tests/quizzes once or twice every week helped me to retain the information for the earlier sections, especially for Reg because by the time you get to R7, it is difficult to remember back all the way to R1. Good luck on your next exam!!!
@ AbbeyL- I am planning on doing the MCQ twice. And I am taking notes on the explanations on the ones I get wrong and those that I luckily got right.
Since you are also using Becker..where the SIMS helpful to you or any suggestions on how to study for the REG SIMS? I am thinking of using additional material such as the NINJA notes or maybe Wiley. But not sure yet.
It sounds like you are on the right track!! Honestly for the Reg Sims (or any Sims for that matter), the only suggestion I would have would be to practice the examples in Becker and as mentioned earlier, practice using the research tab. I think it would be an excellent idea to supplement Becker with some additional materials. For Reg, I checked out the Wiley books from the public library and used them to go over some of the topics that I was uncomfortable with. I purchased and printed out the NINJA notes for BEC and used them to prepare a final outline of all the material by writing in my own explanations/definitions. I found them to be extremely helpful in summarizing the info, not to mention that they are also affordable. I did my summary with the NINJA notes about 1.5-2 weeks before my exam date.
I'm not sure if you have a smartphone or not, but Wiley and CPA Excel offer flashcard and test bank apps for each section of the exam. I purchased the Wiley MCQ app for audit and I feel that it has helped me to squeeze in extra mcq practice without having to carry around a book or my laptop. When I start prepping for FAR on Nov. 20th, I plan on completing the Becker MCQs 2xs, purchasing Jeff's NINJA notes, and also purchasing one of the apps. Have a great Sunday!
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