- This topic has 59 replies, 23 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 5 months ago by smoothiezguy.
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June 5, 2017 at 9:55 am #1565347jmm4hdParticipant
Do you think you need a high IQ to pass the new 2017 CPA? AICPA talks about testing higher level thinking. I have checked the forum and people say you don’t need a high iq to pass the older version, but does this still apply to the new format. I should also note that I have a 4.0 and am half way through an MBA from a state school. Is this any indication that I am capable of passing the new CPA exam? Thanks for your time.
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June 5, 2017 at 12:40 pm #1565488AnonymousInactive
Jmm4hd-
I like your idea and fully support you reaching out to CPAs in real life. Why don't you collect the data and report back your findings to us? The empirical data you collect will give you the answer you are looking for. Please report back to us and educate us on this amazing correlations between iq and the CPA exam! Next!!
June 5, 2017 at 12:44 pm #1565493jmm4hdParticipant“Please report back to us and educate us on this amazing correlations between iq and the CPA exam!” I think you just identified my PhD dissertation topic. I'm going to win a Nobel Prize!
June 5, 2017 at 12:45 pm #1565497AnonymousInactiveJmm4hd-
I am honored-
June 5, 2017 at 12:50 pm #1565505AnonymousInactiveI wouldn't say so. And, having taken both versions of the exam, I would not say that the new version is much different from the old except in terms of format (multiple SIM testlets, whereas the SIMs used to all be in one testlet). Some people have said that they got loaded down with 4-5 DRS SIMs but that doesn't seem to be the norm. And I'd almost bet that anyone who got 4 or 5 DRS probably didn't get penalized as much for wrong answers.
You have to have a good memory if you're gonna pass them in a short amount of time. You have to have a basic understanding of a lot of topics. If you've studied accounting and business, which everyone here has, then you're qualified to take the tests and by rights, should be able to pass them. Or, you should have enough knowledge to pass them, especially after completing a review course. But, lots of people flunk them for one reason or another and the main one is that they forgot things learned long ago. Which is why I said in my first sentence that you need a good memory if you're gonna pass them easily.
Yes, some of the questions are very advanced-level (the SIMs, in particular) but usually there are not many of those. The rest, I'd say anyone with an average IQ who has studied for the exam, can get correct.
And, you can't be nervous when you take the tests because it will totally de-rail you. There's no reason to be nervous though. The worst you can do is flunk, and you have an infinite number of chances to take that failed exam again with no penalty (except the fees that must be paid to take it.)
Put the time in, and *eventually* you will pass. It may have taken the person sitting next to you at Prometric 4 weeks to prep and pass a section. But, it may take you 9-12 months. Don't compare yourself to them.
Intelligence is certainly a help. Some people know things without ever being taught or never studying them, they just inherently know it from living day to day or by some supernatural forces.
Again…don't compare yourself to them.June 5, 2017 at 12:55 pm #1565509jmm4hdParticipantI'm just scared that 2 years are going to go by and I can't pass the tests and now I have wasted another 2 years, you know… This guy has been at it for over 2 years and he just passed REG and that's all. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REuirRgCvmE That is a pretty bad ROT if you ask me. I want to play this smart if I am dumb if that makes sense. I also don't know my IQ, nor do I want to. I think unless you are confident your IQ is high, to know you have a low IQ will injure you in the long run. I am just guessing I have a low/average, or average IQ. I could have a high/average IQ as well. It kind of boils down to this: I struggled on the GMAT and wasted a lot of time and I don't want to make the same mistake if I decide to go the CPA route.
June 5, 2017 at 12:57 pm #1565512WannafreeParticipant@jam4hd ,I don't think people lie ,Folks here know lot of thing about others even to the extent when which section credit is expiring of someone else.People attach here score to their signatures just to let others know where they stand in this journey.We share the exam day experiences too.I don't know why someone would lie as this is not a dating site.
Now coming to your main question about IQ and CPA I would say “Big NO”.
Let me explain why I said “Big No” ,take the case of Regulation section where some rules are there for claiming a deduction.You have to read and know the rules to apply that deduction and solve the problem regardless of your IQ level.
Similarly take the case of AUD , you have to read and know the Auditing standards to pass AUD exam and that the way you have to remember the content of AUD and intelligent people would hate to do that,rote memorization.
But two things you will definitely need patience and hard work.BTW I consider myself very intelligent but it has not helped so far in CPA exam.June 5, 2017 at 1:09 pm #1565517MissyParticipantIt took me exactly 12 mos from the day I took my first exam to the day I took my last exam. I would say I fall in the average range for intelligence (nothing award worthy) and the average range for the length of time it took me (sure some do all in 2 mos, and some take 4 years).
I think even if it had taken me 3, 4 or 5 years to pass I would have kept at it. I think the ROT is worthwhile either way, since I didn't have an alternate plan/way to increase my earnings so substantially in less time. Even if I had changed my entire career path it would have taken at least 3 years so the 1 year I invested was a bonus to me because I was committed no matter what.
I also think the people with the most determination are the ones who succeed regardless of their iq. Its the people who are wishy washy “maybe this isn't for me, maybe I'll go back to school, maybe I'll pursue a different certification” who seem to have the worst time of it and the people who want to own this no matter WHAT sacrifices they have to make (Yes I was studying right there at the table during Thanksgiving dinner, no shame in my game) that get it donw.
Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR ManagerJune 5, 2017 at 3:37 pm #1565578arsenal227Participantjmm4hd –
You expect an objective answer to your subjective question and then whine when you receive varying responses. Note the first three words in your question, “Do you think…” – when you follow-up with a CPA, might I suggest not asking for an opinion????
June 5, 2017 at 4:10 pm #1565581AnonymousInactive^^^Exactly! this has been a nice post to distract us, average intelligence folks from studying for the exam.
June 5, 2017 at 4:55 pm #1565610AnonymousInactiveIt's pretty clear, based on your question and responses, that you think you have low intelligence. If you want to blame all your failures in life on that, my guess is that your issue is more based on motivation/focus/desire etc. Think about it this way: Does having a high IQ help you in school? Do people with avg or low IQs ever do well in school? Do people with high IQs ever do poorly in school?
The answer is yes to all of the above. My OPINION on this is that the only thing CPAs have in common is that they all studied their butts off for the exam.
June 5, 2017 at 4:56 pm #1565611jmm4hdParticipantSo someone I spoke with figured out a solution to my problem. To clarify, I am at a fork in the road. One route is to finish the MBA which I am half way through and not get as great rewards as I would if I became CPA. The other is to take 6 more accounting classes, and then sit and hopefully pass. The risk is that I can't pass and just wasted time going to school in vain.
The solution is… are you ready… Take mock exams, look at and evaluate the questions myself and determine if I am capable of answering these types of questions. Surprised nobody thought of this, especially since you all claim to be CPAs. Just saying…
June 5, 2017 at 5:00 pm #1565616jombeParticipantjmm4hd – that's like the dumbest thing I've ever heard in my life.
FAR - 94 (10/4/15), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ
AUD - 99 (1/19/16), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ
REG - 96 (4/19/16), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ
BEC - 91 (7/19/16), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ581 days of listening to lectures, reading texts & 10,000+ MCQs...
June 5, 2017 at 5:02 pm #1565619SkynetParticipantHaving an MBA does not mean you are prepared for the CPA exams.
As most members here have already said. It takes a lot of study time with their CPA review course and perseverance to pass the exams.
There are lots of extremely intelligent people on the forum yet have to take the exams multiple times. They only pass by studying their butts of and not letting failure stop them.
June 5, 2017 at 5:06 pm #1565620AnonymousInactiveIn terms of people lying on here. Maybe you are right…but who cares? Do you really think everyone should have to post their actual scores on Ultimately each person has to sleep at night. I personally, don't care if people on a message board know my scores. I put them to to keep myself accountable. I'm sure others do too. Everyone is here for a different reason. If you don't like or understand that, you may find it better to look elsewhere.
My recommendation to you is to stop worrying about other things and focus on studying.
June 5, 2017 at 5:10 pm #1565622SkynetParticipantAlso, I would like to add is that all the members on this forum are professionals and follow the code of professional conduct.
So i find it very insulting to say that the scores they posted are not legit. The scores posted by them whether pass or fail is a reflection of who they are and their accomplishments.
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