[jmm4hd]

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.

[jombe]

Skynet – jmm4hd seems to be a troll. 😉

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[Skynet]

Let me also add when I took first exam it was in 2008. I didn't pass.

Fast forward to 2013 was when I started studying again taking the exams again. I didn't get my first till 2014 but that was when I used a different review course which was Gleim. Then i passed all sections consecutively.

After such a long GAP, you have to take a lot of time to restudy everything thing you forgot as well a get up to date on all the changes.

[Missy]

The other thing you should know right off the bat is that the way this exam is scored is a tightly held secret and nobody knows.

So you're asking a group of professionals who can really only base their responses on their own personal experience if there is a correlation between IQ and whatever way the exam is scored which for all we know could be a bunch of AICPA folks with your name and a dartboard. It's THAT obscure.

Every question and sim has a predetermined value so you're basically asking does everybody have as good a chance on the high point questions and sims and the answer is if they studied properly, yes.

But regarding your internet warrior bravado and claiming someone is lying that they passed all 4 exams or that this site doesn't seem legit, remember that when you're studying and looking for an explanation to a question in your book to go it alone and not request support here. Kind of on your own now good luck with THAT.

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

[jmm4hd]

@ MLA ” Kind of on your own now good luck with THAT.” Or I could just create another account with another e-mail address…

To the person who said that is the dumbest thing you have ever heard. Why? I just went to the AICPA website and sampled 5 multiple choice questions and got a 60%. I haven't studied. What strategy do you propose? Just study and hope for the best. You're a joke.

[jmm4hd]

@Skynet, I am just making the point that lots of people claim things on the internet that they haven't actually accomplished to feel good about themselves and that this website is probably not immune to this. I mean I don't know. What kind of controls do they have in place? If there are ways to validate the accuracy of claims, I apologize. Not my intention to offend you. Unfortunately, some humans are not ethical. I'm sure the majority of the people on here are telling the truth.

[Skynet]

@jmm4hd – You do realize that there is a reason why it is called a sample as the actual exam questions are far more complicated and challenging. Until you take the actual exam itself, you have no idea what you are getting into. Those questions you see won't be on the exams nor will questions from the CPA review courses either. They are being changed constantly.

[jmm4hd]

@skynet That's fine. I figured that they seemed a little easy. But what about looking at a bunch of retired questions from recent past exams?

My objective is to assess what I am getting into now so that I can determine if I want to go through with it or not. Why spend 8 months studying very hard just to sit and find out I am not capable of passing? Why not find that out before devoting the 8 months and if I come to that conclusion, then I can use those 8 months more productively?

[jmm4hd]

@skynet: by the way, 8 months is just arbitrary. I am just illustrating my point.

[jmm4hd]

@skynet: So the CPA exam is lots harder than these questions and I can't get a feel for the exam difficulty by looking through these correct?

https://njcpa.org/become-a-cpa/cpa-exam/sample-questions/far

[Skynet]

Because no one really knows how long it will take because it is based on a certain number of factors.

You don't know yourself if you don't put in the effort and try.

You are looking for an easy answer here, but you won't find it as everyone here have to put in time and effort whether they like it or not.

[Anonymous]

@jmm4hd what you are getting into is going to be a lot of work. It's likely that you will fail at least one test as most do. You will have to dedicate a lot of time. Early mornings (5am) and late nights (midnight). You will have to put in 8-10 hour weekend study days. You will consume gallons of coffee and redbull. You will probably have many moments that you regret getting into this and feel completely helpless to the exam.

Once you are done you will be viewed as a highly qualified professional. You will have many opportunities for jobs. You will be able to demand more money. You will have a sense of accomplishment unlike any other.

In my opinion – if you are able to get through moderately challenging college courses – you are able to get through the CPA exam. If you have the motivation to put in countless hours of studying, skip plans with your friends/family, and accept failure (whether it be on a practice exam or actual exam), and still get back out there to try again…you will be able to do it. It sounds like you are looking for an excuse not to do this…that's fine if you are. I'm sure many others have been in that boat. But there is nothing that's going to prepare you. You will either pass or fail…the same as anyone else on this board.

[TommyTheCat]

@jmm4hd – you OK there buddy? You sure seem a bit on edge here.

It sure is comical that you ask for advice on an open forum thread and then jump on most folks that took the time to give you a thoughtful response.

Good luck to you in your studies, sounds like you are going to need it.

[Anonymous]

Hi JMM. A person does not have an IQ. You could take three different brands of IQ tests and receive three wildly different scores. A person obviously has an aggregate intelligence, but it's impossible to quantify with any precision. If you want to do well on the GMAT, you have to take a long prep course to get a systematic gist of the information and several practice tests to grind it in. It's no different for the CPA Exam as the CPA Exam is also a test of specific knowledge. Practice tests for the CPA Exam may be more difficult to find, so most people do a lot of practice questions. While some wiz kids may be able to get away with doing only 300 or so practice questions per CPA Exam section, for most people to become prepared a more realistic range is 500-1000 practice questions per section.

[Invidious]

“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…”

The problem with this is that you're not going to be capable of answering most of those questions without knowing the material. The CPA exam isn't an IQ test. It is a test on technical accounting/tax/finance/econ/business concepts and application. Having a high IQ isn't going to automatically manifest these things for you. You need to STUDY and KNOW the material, end of story. Stop wasting your time with this IQ nonsense and put in the work. If you are honest with yourself, you will know what you need to do to pass the exam. It sounds like you need to take a look in the mirror and be real with yourself. No one is going to do this for you.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone feel like Prometric is part of the scoring process? Like they are judging you and grading your behavior?

Because we are testing to become Certified Public Accountants, perhaps our appearance and behavior is taken into consideration in the grading process. It's very possible the security camera footage and idenification photos are sent to the State to determine if they want us to pass or not. In addition, my Prometric center mentioned there is audio recording as well so it all can be part of the scoring process (whether or not you disclose anything, etc.)

I think it is very possible. It wouldn't be a difficult thing to monitor…there can be an employee at the State level who sits there and monitors/reviews all the footage and audio and determines whether or not you're worthy.

There are est. 250,000 test takers per year according to AICPA.

250,000/240 days (1 year less 4 blackout months) = 1,042 test takers per day.

1,042 X 2 months (or 1 quarter) = 2,084.

So during the blackout month all they need to do is review 2,084 test takers, that can easily be done by a single employee…so it's not unrealistic.

[Author]

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