[VDP]

First, a little background…I took BEC back in May 2016 and failed with a 59. Took BEC again in January 2017 and failed with a 71. (Thanks to Jeff and the Ten Point Combo for the 12 point boost!) I have attempted FAR but did not pass it either.

Now I’m wondering if I should take BEC in Q2 while the information is still relatively fresh and the possibility exists that the exam scorers may be slightly more lenient when scoring BEC in Q2 due to all the changes.

Obviously I would complete the entire review for BEC again and not just my lowest-scored sections. I would upset with myself if I tried to half-ass it and ended up with a lower score.

Has anyone had experience taking a revamped section of the exam in the first quarter it’s been offered?

Other thoughts? Pros or cons that I haven’t considered?

I appreciate your input.

[Missy]

My .02, I've seen a few revamps to the exams since 2010 and none have made a drastic change to the pass rates. The AICPA is very calculated and knows before a new release exactly which questions most people will get right and most people will get wrong and presents the exam accordingly.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[VDP]

I decided that I'm going to save my BEC retake for later and spend Q2 studying for FAR so that I can take it in early July. After that I'll figure out which section to focus on next.

[Ken]

I never heard of lenient scoring before from the AICPA. They gave us fair warning for a reason…so I doubt they'll have any mercy on us just b/c it's slightly different.

However, I always wondered if our own personal exam scores are dependent on the rest of the exam scores from whatever Quarter you sat for the exam. In other words, is each Quarter's exam scores taken from BEC graded on a curve. So hypotheticall speaking, if everyone fails BEC in Q2 with the new format, do they actually fail everyone, or do they curve it accordingly so that around 45% to 55% pass to keep with historical averages?

[Superdude3000]

There's no way they'll fail everyone. AICPA has reported to Rogers and Becker that they do not expect a sharp drop off in pass rates. Everybody will do worse but plenty of people will still pass. People are taking the changes way to seriously.

[shawn in VA]

VSP

The AICPA has no reason to be lenient since they want to maintain a “prestige” of the license which to me is complete garbage way of reasoning. A person who puts the time and effort in should get a 75. Let the over achievers get the 90+ scores.

BTW the exam will have SIMS in q2 which I am sure will be a nightmare.

Best of luck, I am taking BEC on March 10 as I got a lovely 74 last time.

[Trele6]

If you think the AICPA will be lenient this quarter on grades you haven't been paying attention. Nothing the AICPA does or puts out promotes these tests as being easier, or becoming easier. Not the message they are trying to send and passing rates support that. BEC currently has the highest passing rate of the four tests. They are making this section harder I assume to bring it in line with the other passing rates. I'd fully expect to see Q2 BEC scores closer to 50% than 54% they currently are.

Also, the overall format change to lessen the reliance on memorisation will hurt many and force people to study differently.

First go at the CPA! Only using Becker
Reg / Nov 2015 - 87
Far / Apr 2016 - 79
Bec / May 2016 - 80
Aud / Aug 2016

[Claudia408]

they could put a physics problem in the exam, it won't matter. pass rates will be consistent and stay close to what they are today.

BEC - 75 (3x)
AUD - 78 (3x)
REG - 67, 66, Aug 1
FAR - 54, Sept 8

[tbradey3]

Would it be better to go ahead and retake BEC when the new quarter opens or take another one. BEC would be fresh on my mind so I could take it towards the end of April.

[Ryan – Just Another Dollar]

I have to admit I laughed a bit when I read this thread title. For one, it's not like some poindexter with a red marker is grading these things, it's a computer-graded exam. Second, they're holding all scores for the quarter so they can balance the scoring metrics (AKA point values of each question) to adjust the pass rate to their desired %. I imagine the pass rate for BEC in Q2 '17 will be about 56% (the average of the past 5 years).

B - 88 (2/16)
A - 84 (4/16)
R - 73 (6/16), 82(7/16)
F - 67 (1/16), 84(4/16)

Ethics - 93

Roger course & Ninja MCQ - HiYa!

[Author]

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