[SamCPA]

I do not know if I am doing something wrong while studying or if I am not well prepared but I feel like once I reach the simulations for FAR and REG, I have such hard questions that I basically have to guess on all of them. I give myself plenty of time on the exam and I use the AL for help. I have consistently scored stronger in the multiple choice sections but I have ended up failing a few of the exams due to doing so poorly on the sims. I spend a lot of time studying. I use both Becker and Wiley and I go through every practice sim and make sure I understand it. I don’t know what else to do to be able to pass. I am getting scores very close to 75 but I need that extra push to pass. I want to know what else I can do to get more practice. I feel like the review sims are much easier than what I see on the test. I feel very discouraged because I keep having to retake it and I think this time around I will get more manageable sims and pass and they just seem harder than the last time. I would really appreciate any advice on those of you who performed really well on the sims and what your strategies are for preparing for it.

[scoop]

Honestly, I use Becker too and I hardly bother looking at the practice sims. I think the key is not letting them get in your head. It's the SAME material, AND you get to check your work by looking up the AL. You just can't get intimidated by them. In my experience, if you have the knowledge base to get through the MC questions, you can get through the sims as well.

Once you get to the sims section, take a deep breath, don't freak out and just start going to work. I tend to skip around and start getting “into it” with a question I'm more comfortable with first. Just don't waste too much time on any one sim, and come back to it if you get stuck. Definitely take the time to work through a question if you feel comfortable and can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but don't sit there and spin your wheels for too long. Save the one you have absolutely no clue on for the end and hope for the best. I also leave the research questions for the end as well.

The key is to make sure you have PLENTY of time left over, and that you use the Authoritative Literature as much as possible.

[SamCPA]

Thanks for the advice. I think I had such a bad experience with far, which was my first exam, that I do get intimidated when I reach the sims. I do feel comfortable with the concepts but my sims have been so difficult this past few times that I am starting to think passing is unattainable.

[Author]

Replies