[Anonymous]

Hello,

The grading on these exams is funky!

I took FAR in October 2011 (been out of college forever) and scored an 80. I always second-guess myself and I ended up changing a few answers which, by the way, were correct in the first place! For the MCQs, I was Comparable on three sections and Stronger on two. For the simulations, I was Comparable. But let me just say that I completely bombed both research questions and left one simulation blank. Also, one simulation was questionable. Let me stress one thing to everyone – DO NOT SKIP the ancillary reading. I had exactly five questions on the actual exam that were covered in Becker’s ancillary material. I can’t stress enough that you need to read everything that comes your way!

I took AUD in February and scored an 81. I felt pretty confident with the MCQs, but the simulations were completely foreign to me. I finished them all, but I guessed on three of them. For the MCQs, I was Stronger on four, Comparable on one, and Weaker on one (strange, because I don’t remember any questions from that content area). For the simulations, I was Weaker (already knew that). By the way, every MCQ was covered in Becker and I saw similar questions on the actual exam.

I will be taking BEC in May and I am very worried. I don’t like writing, hence the reason I work in Governmental Accounting. I will be starting Chapter 5 of Becker 2011 this weekend, along with the Wiley test bank which expires in May. I am doing great on the MCQs so far, but that really doesn’t mean anything. Any advice?

I am glad I found this forum. It has been very supportive…

Denise

[oneFREAKINGpoint]

For BEC just read examples of the memos in Becker to get an idea for formatting and style.

Um…I'm a bit confused… How did you know you were “comparable/stronger/etc.” when you received passing scores??

[mgoloubenko]

It's a state by state thing.

FAR 4/9/12- PASSED
BEC 7/13/12- PASSED
AUD 8/16/12- Ughhh 71, Rematch: 90!!!
REG-12/6/12 PASSED

USC MAcc- Fight on!

They say good things come to those who wait, but only those things that are left by those who hustle.

[oneFREAKINGpoint]

So…in some states I can get a passing score AND a breakdown of my performance? *mind is blown*

[mgoloubenko]

I believe so!

FAR 4/9/12- PASSED
BEC 7/13/12- PASSED
AUD 8/16/12- Ughhh 71, Rematch: 90!!!
REG-12/6/12 PASSED

USC MAcc- Fight on!

They say good things come to those who wait, but only those things that are left by those who hustle.

[mla1169]

onefreaking, its true. I'm in MA and if you pass you get no feedback at all.

Catlover, the written portion of BEC is supposed to almost be a “gimme”. Make sure your memo mentions any keywords used in the simulation, proper spelling and punctuation, and like onefreaking said, study other memos for format. Remember you've passed two already you can certanly do a hat trick!

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[oneFREAKINGpoint]

@mla Yeah, I'm in MA too…it would have been nice to know…oh well. I don't care as long as it says “PASSED” next to my score. 🙂

On another note, this debunks a theory I've been fearing. A friend had speculated that if you do terribly in one section or on certain basic questions they auto-fail you, even if you nail every other area on the exam, based on her friend of a friend's all “stronger/comparable” and one “weaker” results report. Since catlover passed AUD even though she had a “weaker” section, this clearly isn't the case. Goes to show you can't trust the grapevine!

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone for your posts!

I am in California so when I get my score online at the Board of Accountancy I also get a “Score Report.” I was really shocked that I passed FAR considering I truly bombed the SIMS. AUD too… the SIMS were brutal and I was not prepared for them at all!

Do you think Becker and Wiley test bank are enough for BEC? I think my PIN expires mid-May for the test bank, so I am not sure what to do. I still have REG after this. Can you get an extension or do you have to purchase the test bank again?

[Author]

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