[Anonymous]

Thought maybe we could brainstorm some about why it is that SIMs are such killers, and from that figure out effective ways to combat them, since it seems like SIMs are the primary cause of failing these exams.

Of course the SIMs come in 2 types – task-based and research. Research is 100% unlike the MCQs, but it’s also just one of them.

So what about the task-based SIMs? What makes them so un-do-able?

Is it a mental thing – the fact that these are bad for others and account for so much of the grade (it’s like 40% isn’t it?)? Is it the calculations involved, because you don’t have multiple choices for the numbers? Is it the journal entries? The fact that you have more choices (like, for a journal entry, you might have 6 account names instead of 4)?

I’m hoping that we can get some dialogue between people that absolutely rock the SIMs and people that bomb them, so that we can see what makes the one succeed and the other struggle, and maybe come up with some useful strategies for SIMs.

[peetree]

I truly believe the sims are killers for some people because 1) the way some review courses teach material and 2) TEST ANXIETY

1) Memorization and mnemonics are great tools that can help you pass the exam but the task-based simulations really test your comprehension and working knowledge of the topics covered. If all you did was memorize formulas and “I CAN HAZ CPA” mnemonics, then of course once you get to a sim that tries to throw a curve ball or throw in multiple concepts, you'll struggle. If you can understand the material without mnemonics, then you will be fine on the sims.

2) You get to the sims, “and no answers are in front of you, and that clock is ticking down, and the person next to me keeps farting, and i'm so hot that I want to take my sweater off but the testing center people won't let me take my sweater off but I want to take my sweater off” It is the last part of the exam and its the part where most of us are exhausted. It is so easy to become overwhelmed at this point. I've learned that if I just stop doing anything and close my eyes for just ONE minute, it helps calm down my brain so I can attack the sims with an appropriate thought process, and heartbeat :p. In reality the one minute you lose isn't going to make or break your exam but the feeling of calm you gain might.

FAR 02/21/13 - 95
REG 07/02/13 - 87
AUD 08/02/13 - 94
BEC 08/30/13 - 85
Ethics Exam - 90

Illinois candidate awaiting his license

Used Becker Self Study | Ninja Audio | Becker Flash Cards | Ninja Notes | Wiley Test Bank

[smp73]

I think a lot of what makes the SIMS brutal is mental. You just made your way through three testlets and are pretty much exhausted, probably questioning yourself on one or a few of the MC questions you flagged and are a bit frazzled. Then you get hit upside the head with a SIM that looks ridiculous, or has a million blanks to fill in and your mind goes nutzo. Then you go “Oh shit I cant answer this question” when in reality you probably can.

I think somehow hitting your own refresh button helps. Take a break, leave the room for even a minute or two, close your eyes for a minute, deep breathes something to calm yourself down. This helped me tremendously. I did not take a break before the sims on one of my REG attempts…will I ever know if that is the reason I failed no but I do believe it contributed to it. I was so mentally exhausted that I could not process what the questions were asking.

Of course there is the do you actually know the material versus the have you just memorized crap issue. Assuming you have the comprehension part down I think it comes down to mental exhaustion and somehow finding how to push through it and rock out on the sims.

Just my two cents!

NYS CPA License # 113563
CIA: Done as of 2/15/14

Training for a half marathon post studying!

[Zaq]

I hate Sims because you can't play the elimination game anymore. With MCQ's, you can find the right answer, or identify 3 wrong answers. And even if you have no idea what the answer is, you have a 25% chance of getting it right anyway.

But with Sims… if you're not sure then you're 100% wrong. Especially when you have to compute your own dollar amounts? Oh boy.

Plus the majority of the time we spend studying is essentially 95% MCQ's and probably 5% Sims.

FAR: 50, 76!
REG: 74... (ouch baby, very ouch), 76!
AUD: 65, 91!?
BEC: 80! Aaaand doneskies!

May 2012 to August 2013. Can't believe it's over.

[Anonymous]

Well this is the is the last section of a 4 hour test, so by the time you reach this section you are 2-3 hours in and exhausted. Lack of time management , lack of preparation, and just not knowing what to expect for first timers could all be potential issues.

The first take for me was horrible, my sims were from “left field” on topics not covered in great detail in my CPA review course. I didn't leave much more than 75 minutes to do all the sims and I only had one research question. Time ran out and I guessed on almost all the sims. I ended up with 74, no thanks to those horrid sims.

The second take for me was a better experience, Sims weren't so hard, but still took time. I received a 73, but for the sims I was comparable to those just passing.

This time, Sims EXTREMELY easy. So easy to the point you re-read the questions because you think you've missed an important detail, or two or three. – no grade yet….waiting…..

So I wonder…. Was I just really that unprepared the first time around that I thought the sims were horrid or were they really that bad?

[Author]

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