[jeff]

I’d like to hear some feedback on TBS time management strategy…what is working for you time-management-wise on the TBS?

Please follow the exam disclosure rules, obviously.

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS) | Another71 | NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE

[M123]

Crossing fingers until August. For Aud – the format was two MCQ testlets of 36 each and 2 TBS followed by 15 min break and two testlets of 3 TBS (I think the link below is suspect showing 9 TBS).

I took the clue that that was about the “midpoint” of the exam and I tried to allocate about 2 hours just to TBS.

My approach is to review the questions, quickly identify easiest to hardest, then do a rough cut on each for the first 10 minutes each, starting with easiest. I write down the parts that I have trouble with on my plastic notecard – I don't burn cycles on questions when others have not been answered yet. For instance, if I have trouble with question 2 line 2, I will write 2-2 under “review”. I don't know of any other way to flag individual questions within TBS like MCQ. Then burn through the review items for up to 5 minutes per TBS. Then for the ones that might result in more points, I spend more time.

I only took 5 min of the 15 min break but it was highly appreciated.

[CPA788]

I'm surprised more people aren't chiming in here. Took REG last week and 2 hours for TBS was not enough. I didn't feel like I could have flown through MCQs any faster. What's really hard about TBS's now is not knowing what's in T4 and T5 and how to manage time. I put myself in a tough spot by spending too much time in T3 and T4 and scrambled in T5. I could have used at least another 15 mins. AT LEAST.

I've taken REG so many times, I usually finish right on time. Extra time to dabble in the AL for any lingering uncertainties. No way on the new format. Every TBS is overly involved – at least mine were.

BEC - 74, 77
FAR - 72, 71 (retake 7/29)
REG - 69
AUD - Q4 '16

CA Candidate

[Author]

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