[ttd]

This may be another obvious question for many of you, but – how do the CPA Review Courses know which subjects/questions to focus on? I think I heard that discussing the questions after taking the exam is absolutely prohibited. So how does Wiley, Becker, etc. know what questions are likely to come up on the CPA Exam? Is it mostly based on AICPA sample test questions that get released?

I’m not ever sure why I care, but I guess I’m personally curious.

[Peanut]

I know with Becker they have been teaching for 30 odd years, so I guess just with time. They also have the AICPA outline of what is tested, and they also purchase questions directly from the AICPA. I think it's directly from the CPA? Anyone confirm?

AUD 81 (X4) Previous scores 59, 72, 72
REG 80 (X3) Previous scores 59, 60
FAR 75 (X2) Previous score 67
BEC 79 (X2) Previous score 58

[jeff]

Many review courses use the same source for their questions – they license them from the AICPA.

This is why if you buy Review Course A and Review Course B, you'll see some similar questions.

[pshustler]

Jeff – do u think they have people on their staff go and take it?

Have you ever taken an exam after you had passed all of them just to freshen up on topics?

BEC - 86
AUD - 94
REG - 88
FAR - 89

[ttd]

In case anyone else is interested, I found this from another post within this forum (posting by Jeff):

Licensed question – “It means that the questions in the books (from my understanding, anyway) are full of PAST questions from the CPA Exam. You can only publish them/use them for your product if you pay to license them from the AICPA. The AICPA-released questions aren't the licensed ones…”

Thanks Jeff for the clarification!

[Anonymous]

Don't they also take a look at the CPA CSO's available on the AICPA's website? I would think they would cover stuff that is to be expected on the CPA listed in the CSO's.

[Author]

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