[GWS CPA]

Now, each of the 4 sections of the new CPA exam has 4 hours of testing time.

BENCHMARKS

Here are the suggested “time remaining” benchmarks at the end of each testlet:
The format is hrs:mins.
Start – 4:00 (4 hours 00 minutes)
End/1 – 3:15, End/2 – 2:30, End/3 – 2:00, End/4 – 1:00, End/5 – 0:00

End/1: End of Testlet 1 (MCQs)
End/2: End of Testlet 2 (MCQs)
End/3: End of Testlet 3 (TBSs); this is the point where candidates can take a 15-minute break without worrying about the clock running
End/4: End of Testlet 4 (TBSs)
End/5: End of Testlet 5 [TBSs (or WCs for BEC)]; the end of the test

The suggested times include reviewing MCQs, TBSs, and WCs (especially flagged or troubled or difficult ones); careful reviewing can maximize the test score.

Candidates can finish the earlier testlets faster (especially MCQs) so that they can have more time on later testlets (especially the now-harder TBSs). This “fast first, slow last” strategy is encouraged; candidates can get ahead of these benchmarks (recommended – up to 30 minutes ahead, not too far).
Alternatively (mostly not recommended, though), candidates can finish the earlier testlets slower than the time suggested (e.g. End/3 – 1:45) but they may need to pick up the pace on later testlets. This “slow first, fast last” strategy is generally not recommended.

The average time of all MCQs per section by using these suggested benchmarks is:
AUD: 1 min 15 secs; BEC: 1 min 27 secs; FAR: 1 min 21 secs; REG: 1 min 11 secs

Candidates can variate the time per MCQ, especially on the skill level assessed per MCQ.
Generally, R&U (Remembering and Understanding) MCQs can be finished in less than average.
Generally, Application MCQs are longer (more words, bunch of numbers, calculations required, longer answer choices, etc.) than R&U MCQs, so Application MCQs may be finished in greater than average; candidates can finish the Application MCQs in less or greater than average, as long as they stay on track (or get ahead) of the suggested benchmarks.

Candidates use their higher-level cognitive skills on TBSs. This kind of brainpower takes them longer to complete the TBSs than in the old version.
In the old version, candidates took, on average, 10-20 minutes on each TBSs and WCs.
In the new version, TBSs are more important than before, so they take about 15-30 minutes (depending on the type of TBSs); they now weighted (scored) at 50% (35% for BEC’s TBSs).

The suggested time to complete each type of TBSs is:
Regular TBS: about 15 mins; Enhanced (Longer) TBS: 25-30 mins; DRS: 25-30 mins; Research TBS: up to 15 mins; WC: 15-20 mins

Candidates are encouraged (but are not required) to increase the time for the now-harder TBSs by completing the MCQs faster. This is the “fast first, slow last” strategy.
– For example, candidates can do the MCQs at an average of 1 minute. Different sections have different numbers of MCQs now.
AUD: 18 mins; BEC: 28 mins; FAR: 24 mins; REG: 14 mins
Candidates can use these excess minutes to allocate more time to the now-harder TBSs (and WCs for BEC).

Candidates can, and are advised, to put the suggested benchmarks in one of the noteboards. They also can, and also are advised, to put the times that they submit each testlet for tracking time and planning for the next testlet(s).

Candidates can use up all 4 hours to complete all testlets to finish the test. They can finish earlier in the final testlet (Testlet 5) but they have to use the excess time to review and to accumulate more points (especially WCs) in the final testlet until the time runs out. Once the time runs out, the software auto-submits the testlet (and the whole test) and saves all the answers.

TIPS for Improving Test Taking Speed (and Accuracy for Correctness of MCQs, TBSs, and WCs)

Candidates can improve (or maintain if they are fast already) their test taking speed (and accuracy) by:
– Gaining and understanding more knowledge in the accounting courses and the CPA exam review through learning concepts, taking notes, doing questions, and quality studying & reviewing.
– Practicing questions (MCQs, and also TBSs & WCs) in the CPA exam review. Candidates do enough (or all the) questions and getting them correct. They must understand (not just memorize) these questions; this can improve the efficiency (and effectiveness) that candidates tackle the questions and utilizing Analysis and Evaluation in TBSs more wisely. Practicing on research and writing is as important as practicing questions.
– Getting valuable advices from CPAs, CPA (exam) candidates, CPA exam passers, professors, study groups, forums (including A71), CPA exam reviews, AICPA, NASBA, CPA exam info websites, and other accounting members & professionals.
– Getting familiar with the format and functionality of the CPA exam by going through tutorials and sample tests.
– Being good test takers, and getting good or excellent (or perfect) scores every time during their college days (and beyond).
– Liking accounting as their favorite subject, and getting good or excellent at accounting courses.
– Gaining more knowledge through work experience and/or teaching (or tutoring), especially most recently.
– Getting out and graduating from college most recently (within 6-12 months preferred) while the accounting concepts are still fresh.

TECHNICALLY, END OF THE TOPIC

^ The bottom info is optional, so you don’t have to read if you don’t want to. ^

“DANGER” BENCHMARKS

This is DEFINITELY NOT recommended.
It will be used as a LAST RESORT if candidates are in this dire testing situation.

Here are the “danger” benchmarks:
End/1 – 3:00, End/2 – 2:00, End/3 – 1:30, End/4 – 0:45
End/5 does not show since candidates can run up all the time remaining in the final testlet (Testlet 5).

Candidates can panic when they are getting behind of the suggested benchmarks (mentioned in this topic before).

When the time remaining reaches any of these “danger” benchmarks (or when less than 5 minutes are left in the final testlet and candidates do not yet fill in most of the answers), it is better for candidates, immediately and quickly, to make best guesses (first instincts) and to fill in answers in all MCQs, all (some may be left blank only if instructed) boxes in TBSs, and all blue lines in DRSs; then leaving them and moving on to the next testlet immediately (unless they are in the final testlet). They may have to do this again in subsequent testlets.

END

Best of Luck for the CPA candidates taking the new version, beginning on April 1, 2017.

[sacpa]

@GWS CPA Thanks for the benchmarks for the testlets.

I assume the 3rd testlet will have regular TBS since time limit is 30 minutes & the 4th & 5th testlet will have enhanced TBS with time limit of 1 hour each. Is that right?

Winners don't quit. Quitters don't win.

FAR - < than 75, 10/2013, 2/2015
BEC - < than 75, 10/2013
AUD - < than 75, 8/2015, 1/2016

~ Winners fail until they succeed. Losers quit when they fail. - Robert Kiyosaki
~ I survived because the fire inside burned brighter than the fire around me.
~ Something will grow from all you are going through. And it will be YOU.
~ Right now you may not be where you intend to be, but it's where you need to be in order to get where you want to go.

[PNS2CLT]

@seapac – maybe my experience was unique but I took FAR yesterday and while my third testlet had only two sims, they took longer to complete than the other six combined. Rushed through & submitted… lost some easy points.

[Recked]

Speaking of time benchmarks, I cam across this article today.
https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/new-cpa-exam-very-well-received-with-more-changes-to-come?utm_campaign=daily-oct%2031%202017&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&eid=785c40f8af65e19d5efa6367fbc93fd7

Of note – Decker pointed out that other tweaks in the new exam have paid off in higher completion rates. He cited the fact that, previously, between 7 and 12 percent of candidates wouldn’t finish the Financial Accounting and Regulation, or FAR, section of the exam, so they lowered the number of simulations in the section from nine to eight, and saw non-complete rates drop.

So the completion rates increased after the SIM change from 9 to 8, but… if you don't finish it appears you are not alone.
Volume in 16 and 17 was 280k and 250k respectively, so if ~10% were not finishing. Small proportion, but still a big chunk of people.

Memento Mori - Kingston NY CPA & EA (SUNY Albany 2002)

FAR-93 11/9/17 (10wks, 250 hrs, Roger 1800+ MCQs, Gleim TB 600+MCQs, SIMs)
AUD-88 12/7/17 (3 wks, 85 hrs, Roger 1000 MCQs no SIMs hail mary)
REG-96 1/18/18 (6 wks, 110 hrs, 1400 MCQs, no SIMs)
BEC-91 2/16/18 (4wks, 90 hrs, 1240 MCQs)

[Author]

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