[rana_cali]

It seems there have been a few discouraged posts today, so one more won’t hurt I guess.

I have been at this for 3 years now and I really don’t know if it’s time to throw in the towel or not. I think I’m scoring pretty well on MCQ but am having bigtime trouble with SIMs. I just don’t know how to fix this problem because I always get these crazy sims that u can’t even study for!

I took FAR and BEC lately and scored a 70 on both after running out of time. I finished maybe 2 or 3 sims in FAR and that’s it. Same with BEC…I only had time to write one of the writing parts! That really sucks because I’m great at BSing my way through these things and I can write pretty well.

I just came back from an AUD exam this morning and feel so discouraged. I’ve gotten exams where u can search through the AL and find the answer, but this exam had maybe one SIM where I could find some vague answers…that’s all. I don’t think that I’m not studying enough because I’m not finding too much difficulty with the MCQ sections…I just don’t know how to improve in the SIMs. Is anyone else going through this?

As for materials, I started out using Becker and was consistently scoring in the 60s. I added WTB, ninja notes, and Ninja Audio, and now I score between a 70 and 73 on most exams. I read the book, take my own summarized notes, and work the WTB twice. I’m pretty sure that my IQ is not the problem, because I don’t think that everyone who passes this thing has a higher IQ than me (no offense to anyone).

This is getting really, really frustrating and super expensive. I’m taking these exams at an international location, so it costs me double for every exam..so we’re talking almost $600 per exam.

I’d be grateful for some advice as to how to add those 2-5 extra points (preferably on SIMs)…or maybe I need someone to tell me that it’s time to throw in the towel! FYI, I don’t tell ANYONE when I have an exam, not even my parents. I don’t want any questions about when results will come out or whether I passed or not. I know people care and bla bla bla, but it just adds too much pressure and hurts that I’m always failing.

Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated 🙂

AUD: 84
FAR: 75
BEC: 78
REG: 75

DONE-ZO!!!!!!!!

REG: Used Becker 2014 book, NINJA MCQ, Ninja notes, ninja audio
_______________________________
CFE since Oct. 2013.

[Gatorgirl1231]

I wouldn't throw in the towel.

My friend and I have started this journey together, we took college classes together, we are taking the CPA exam together. She is a bad test taker, so far she has taken Audit and Reg three times and has not passed, but she is not giving up. I hope you aren't either.

How many hours a week are you studying? Do you have the updated material? When you are practicing questions do you review why you got something wrong?

Florida Candidate

AUD: 77
REG: 86
FAR: TBD
BEC: 79 (Expired)

[sstephenson]

I understand your frustration. I have gotten so many 74's this past year that it physically hurts!! I advise that you treat each one differently on how you study and tackle one test at a time. If you fail that section, start over completely with studying that section. You will be amazed at home much more you retain your second time studying the same material. For AUD, it is mainly memorization. TONS and TONS of MCQ. Don't neglect the SIMS but really focus on MCQ's. For the other sections, rewrite your notes or the rewrite the Ninja notes. Listen to Ninja audio or some other audio on your commutes to work or any activity. When practicing, if you don't understand something, figure out why…don't just go to the next problem. BEC, REG, and FAR have a lot more problems so take your time to understand them. Also, I would get updated materials. Especially for BEC and REG.

REG - 75
BEC - 76
AUD - 76
FAR - 84, DONE 11/9/14!

[rana_cali]

Thanks for the encouragement Gatorgirl.

Yes, I do have the updated material. I have the new Wiley books that I sometimes read from, but they're super boring. I don't see any surprises on the exams (except BEC but that's normal) so I think I'm okay.

As for wrong answers, I write down most of the questions that I get wrong (unless they're common sense) and make them into notes that I read over and over again.

What could I be doing wrong?

AUD: 84
FAR: 75
BEC: 78
REG: 75

DONE-ZO!!!!!!!!

REG: Used Becker 2014 book, NINJA MCQ, Ninja notes, ninja audio
_______________________________
CFE since Oct. 2013.

[rana_cali]

Thanks stephenson.

I really have been doing everything u mentioned. But listening to Jeff while I commute to work and re-writing his and my notes haven't helped me with sims 🙁 Those problems are just out of this world. I mean some are okay, but….UGHHHH!

AUD: 84
FAR: 75
BEC: 78
REG: 75

DONE-ZO!!!!!!!!

REG: Used Becker 2014 book, NINJA MCQ, Ninja notes, ninja audio
_______________________________
CFE since Oct. 2013.

[Kimboroni]

It sounds like it may be an exam day time management issue. You understand the concepts for the MCQs but maybe are letting yourself get hung up on a few questions, which doesn't leave enough time for SIMs. On FAR, I budgeted my time at 45 minutes for each MCQ testlet, which left me with 1:45 for SIMs. That meant doing a few of the MCQs quickly, but that's okay. I felt like I got a lot of points there already. You're not going for perfection, just a 75. If you take all of the time you need for that 60% of the test (proportion of score), then you won't have enough time for the other 40% of the test.

AUD 84 (1/9/14-Wiley books/TB + free materials)
FAR 83 (5/21/14-the above + NINJA 10 Pt Combo Lite)
REG 84 (7/9/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC/Notes)
BEC 76 (10/5/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC)

Disclaimer: My ninja avatar is not meant to imply that I have any affiliation with this site other than being a forum member. That's a pic of a T-shirt that my daughter gave me for my birthday. 🙂

[payfields]

Please don't take this the wrong way…. But i don't see how you can run out of time unless you are taking way too much time on multiple choice questions.

Like you said, you feel pretty confident on multiple choice questions, so maybe speed that up a good bit and leave yourself a lot more time on the sims.

I just took REG in about an hour and 45 minutes and passed. This isn't to say I'm super smart or something, because i assure you i am not. I am just very impatient, and if i know it i know it, answer it and move on, if i don't, take an extra few seconds and eliminate what i can and take an educated guess.

I had plenty of time to actually use the research modules on the sims. One of my sims was asking me to list out some information, that i never studied not would i have ever been able to guess so I searched in the authoritative literature and literally found the exact answer it was asking for in a matter of minutes. Another was about specific dates, found in literature in minutes.

I did the Becker intensive class in Atlanta, studied ZERO sims, about 70% of the multiple choice questions, and rewrote most of ninja notes one time. Like i said, I'm not particularly intelligent. It just may be a time to change your strategy on the exam to make sure you have plenty of time left over.

The multiple choice questions by module in becker are great for me. I bought CPA excel and it just didn't fit my style, so gave up on that and did becker. I've got 3 (FAR, REG, AUD) down using this approach and passed all on the first try. (AUD did take me almost all of the time, but still have about 25 minutes left after checking and re-checking sims, so i left. Hoping I can pass BEC in July.

Once again, please don't take this offensively, I wasn't trying to sound like i was downing you or anything just offering my opinion.

[Gatorgirl1231]

I can honestly say with the SIMS i have had for both Audit and Regulation I was also blown away by the difficulty.

I think the only reason I passed was the multiple choice questions. Some of the SIMS i had i couldn't even answer but somehow I passed.

Time management is key, I usually take about about an hour or so on the multiple choice questions, leaving my self plenty of time for the SIMS.

Florida Candidate

AUD: 77
REG: 86
FAR: TBD
BEC: 79 (Expired)

[nigercpa]

From what you wrote, it is obvious you spend so much time on the McQ and leave very little time for the simulation. From your score report, do you have stronger or weaker on the McQ? My first attempt with far, I left just 45mins for the sim and I was only able to complete 3 sims with so much pressure. I ended up with a high 60 and a comparable on McQ and weaker on sim. That was my first attempt writing the cpa and the only one I failed. Once I figured that I need to leave enough time for my sim, I have passed all exams and will write reg in July. Bottom line is you seem to know the material but get stuck with some silly questions on the McQ. Make sure you don't waste time on questions you don't know. Some of them might be pretest. For far and aud make sure you leave at least 90 mins at the minimum for the simulation. With that you can get a whole lot done and not be under pressure. I left 2hrs for my aud sim and 90mins for my far sim and ended up with an 84 and 83. I don't waste time on difficult questions on McQ, I guess using the elimination method. My BEC was even more of educated guesses and I ended up having a stronger on McQ n weaker on Wc. So to sum it up, manage your time while writing the exam. It's extremely important. Pls don't be discouraged.

Far - Passed 83
Aud - Passed 84
Bec - Passed 77
Reg- Passed 77

[Anonymous]

Try the NINJA MCQ, they have adaptive learning after you do enough of them to show you your weak points. Focus on those sections. I don't have first hand experience that this will help but after 3 years, I can't imagine one more thing would hurt to try. Buy one section and see how it goes.

Also, how long are you studying for? I failed my first two exams that I studied for about 6 weeks for, kind of slowly probably 2-3 hours on average for 4-5 days per week. My last exam which was the first one I passed I studied 4-5 hours per day for 5-6 days per week and then 20-30 hours in the 3 days before the exam and I passed with an 89 (AUD). I am thinking I spread out the studying too much with the others and although it was more stressful and I had to be more disciplined, I think I retained more by doing it in less time.

Just try different studying techniques until you find what works for you. It sounds like what you're doing isn't working, so try something else. Don't just keep studying the same way or you'll never figure out what will work.

I also agree with what everyone else is saying too and making sure you leave yourself enough time for SIMS. I go through the MCQ and answer the ones I know and flag the ones I don't. Then I go back and eliminate answers I know are NOT correct on the ones that are flagged. I maybe leave three or four that I look at a third time but I try not to waste too much time before moving on. If you don't leave enough time to at least attempt all the SIMS, the chances of passing decrease significantly. You can't pass on the MCQ alone, excpet for maybe the BEC one.

[rana_cali]

Thanks a lot everyone!

@nigercpa: As for the score report, I have been getting comparable on some MCQs subjects and stronger on others and like 1 or 2 subjects that are weaker…but it's comparable overall.

@payfields: I agree that my time management sucks…I do strive for perfection on the MCQs so that's something I”ll work on. Part of it is because I don't understand how this exam is graded so I feel that every MCQ I get wrong is like 2 or 3 points off and that freaks me out. Also, my last BEC was extremely long and wordy and was very heavy on calculations, so that took time.

But seriously, I feel like there are multiple answers that could be correct for SIMS…there are just too many choices. I just pick one but their subjects are pretty lame and ridiculous to say the least!

@dberndt: I studied around 5 weeks for BEC with a couple of hours after work each night and like 6-8 on weekends. My schedule was more rigorous for AUD because I did it in 3-4 weeks so I was studying around 5 hours on work nights and 8-9 on weekends. It was exhausting but after coming out of the exam, I don't think I could have done more to prepare.

Anyway, thanks again for your inputs. You guys are the best!

AUD: 84
FAR: 75
BEC: 78
REG: 75

DONE-ZO!!!!!!!!

REG: Used Becker 2014 book, NINJA MCQ, Ninja notes, ninja audio
_______________________________
CFE since Oct. 2013.

[nolifecpa]

are you putting in enough study time and not half assing? if so, then its time to switch review material. i used becker twice (self study and in class) and could not pass. for me putting in the time wasn't an issue. you will be surprised how much things click when presented a different way

WTB has some pretty good sims you can practice. REG sims were a nightmare for me but i thought the gleim book had some good comparable practice sims

i've used becker, yaeger, gleim, and rogers

REG-65,71,74,73,70,74,79
BEC-60's,60's,69,71,76*,78
FAR-67,66,65,79
AUD-54,60's,65,83*,69,80
*expired

DONE

[rana_cali]

@ Nolifecpa…I really admire ur dedication to stick with it. Great job!!

To be honest, I think I was half-assing at first, but the last few times when I got 70s both times and a 73 in AUD I really studied my butt off…that's why it hurt so much.

I have practiced a few sims here and there but never felt like they were representative of what was on the exam, so I kinda stopped wasting my time on them.

AUD: 84
FAR: 75
BEC: 78
REG: 75

DONE-ZO!!!!!!!!

REG: Used Becker 2014 book, NINJA MCQ, Ninja notes, ninja audio
_______________________________
CFE since Oct. 2013.

[nolifecpa]

i would have never passed if i never studied sims. i used to hear some say “don't study sims because you will never get a similar one on the exam”. that's true but the practice sims are another study tool and it brings your understanding of the topic to a whole new level. i've also heard “if you know the concepts and mcq really really really well then you can do any sim”. i can scored high on consolidation mcq but give me parent and sub financials and tell me to consolidate them and i wouldn't have a clue where to start

some can get away with not studying sims but i coundn't, i think we just figured out your problem

REG-65,71,74,73,70,74,79
BEC-60's,60's,69,71,76*,78
FAR-67,66,65,79
AUD-54,60's,65,83*,69,80
*expired

DONE

[Anonymous]

Pick two sections and work on them in rotation until you pass one…then add another section to the mix.

Purchase the NINJA notes and make sure you have a solid base understanding of every topic in those notes. They are in there for a reason. I am not saying to neglect topics not in the notes because all sections are important and should be reviewed.. I am saying to make sure your base is strong. (I added extra blank pages into the notes and had mine spiral bound at Kinkos with a protective cover to keep them organized.)

Secondly, as you go through the MCQs write your fact nuggets in the white space/margins of the notes. Then read and reread these notes every day before starting the next topic. This will help you keep these facts fresh. Rewrite the notes AND your fact nuggets as often as possible. Carry the notes and/or flash cards (download to your phone) with you everywhere you go and hit them everytime you have a few minutes. Fall asleep with the NINJA audio in your ears.

Note your weak spots and lock them down. MCQs until you can't do any more…then do more MCQs!

Have faith in yourself. If you can get a 70, you can get a 75!!! Be confident and walk in that testing center like you own it!!

Eat right, exercise when you can and get enough sleep.

You CAN do this. Never give up!!

Good luck!

[katerina2665]

from my own experience, i struggled with FAR sims so much, i thought i would never be able to do them, i failed FAR twice, with the report saying my MCQs all were comp. or better and SIMS not good. I use Becker, and my friend gave me her Wiley book (2011) which actually had way more SIMS than Becker. Although you said you used Wiley and Becker? Honestly, Becker sims were quite useless for me when i was taking FAR. REG – whole another story.

Time management, as was already mentioned here, is also the key. Many people (me included) fail just because there is not enough time left for SIMS and you start to hurry and get nervous which could also affect the results. My first time, i had like 55 minutes left and i managed to finish only 3 SIMS out of 7.

Though i have also no idea how the exam is graded, just looking at the numbers, since in FAR and AUD there are 90 MCQs and 7 SIMS, and the score goes 60/40. it means you can probably get around 10 MCQs totally knowingly wrong and still pass. Thats what i did, i compensated super hard questions around 2-3 per testlet with which i struggled over few minutes, just let them go, and managed to get a little over 1 1/2 hours for my SIMS. The time saved actually allowed me to have few minutes of bathroom break, to shake it all off, and then come back and to give time to each simulation AND use AL. Sometimes people are too focused on MCQs on the exam itself, its way better to get one-two multiple choices wrong, than one-two simulations. That was my tactic and it definitely helped me. I barely made it though 🙂

[Author]

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