[NoName]

Hi all

I am using Wiley MCQ to study (in addition to listening to the awesome Ninja audios when I commute).

I had a cumulative score of around 75% cold turkey (no book reading and only reading the explanations other prior MCQ i had answered). I think this was the highest of any of my sections. This is after doing over 2K MCQ questions (the entire Wiley set).

I have now pushed my MCQ score above 90% and feel I have a good understanding of each question including the wrong answers.

Am I overly confident for this exam? Maybe this seems so easy since it is the only test without quantitative calculations.

I am now trying to read the book and create outlines and put more depth to my understanding (to help with simulations etc)

[Recked]

The devil is in the details for audit, specifically the subjective nature of some of the questions.
It sounds like you have a really solid grasp. Just make sure you rule out 2 answers, and then select the best of the remaining 2 if you get stuck on a subjective question.
Trending +90% is pretty solid.
Have you checked out the AICPA sample exams for some SIM practice?

[chandler]

@Recked is right. I don't think you're underestimating the exam, and it sounds like you're ready/have a good understanding of it. Just pay attention to the details. On AUD, there's questions you'll see that look exceedingly similar to other topics you've seen, but vary by one or two key words. I rushed through AUD on exam day (90 mins) which probably contributed to scoring lower on it compared to the other exams. I think taking my time, and looking a little closer would have made a big difference for me.

[NoName]

Thanks for the encouragement. I took audit years ago and scored an 80 (after studying for about 18 days with Becker). I purposely held it for last place but I still always respect the CPA exam (never ever underestimate it!).

I know there are different opinions about doing the practice simulations. Personally, I have never believed in it.

I feel that if you master the MCQ then you have to at least understand the concepts and why answers are wrong or right.

Instead of practicing the SIMS I create a lot of outlines to compare/contrast similar topics. It has worked so far.

Don't get me wrong, I tried a few of the sims but I don't obsess over it. I think the sims should be practiced merely to get familiar with the format.

[NoName]

Chandler

I saw you lurking around the forum before. Those are definitely very impressive scores!

[chandler]

I agree with you Phil. I didn't do any SIMs on FAR or AUD, and probably less than 10 on BEC. I believe that if you understand WHY the multiple choice questions are correct, that you should have no problem applying them to the sims. If you are going to look at any SIMS, do the AICPA practice test ones though, they're the closest to the real thing for sure.

[Kimberly]

I felt similarly to you when studying Audit with Wiley, with similar numbers, but in my case it was the SIMS that tripped me up. I had not studied or reviewed FAR before taking Audit the first time. That certainly would have been helpful. It looks like you just came off a very successful pass of FAR, so I'm thinking you will be in better place to do the SIMS than I was at the time. If you are doing well on the MCQs in practice, you should do fine on them on the test. And if you understand the concepts, you'll do fine on the SIMS. I think you'll do more than fine.
Best of luck!

[rsr]

Phil, if you don't mind could you elaborate little on “I create a lot of outlines to compare/contrast similar topics.” I am currently studying for AUD and I'm having a hard time tying it together sometimes. From experience, I know If I make my own notes (essentially re-write the book) from the book I learn and retain better than simply listening to lectures or reading the book the text. I am very dependent on my own notes and or outlines, but I can't find a way with this. The topic is broad throughout the whole book, and I don't think it is efficient to re-read the chapter over again if I am getting 50-60% on MCQ's.

Trying my best to stick to a style that works best for me and I end up rewriting the text onto my notes which becomes very time costly. Of course, I'm learning/retaining a lot more while drilling MCQ's but then I'm scoring 50/60% on each chapter. Using Rogers and Wiley but haven't got to Wiley questions, figured I finish Rogers and rework to pick up my %. Any advice will be so helpful I would really appreciate some feedback. Thanks in advance.

[dukenuke]

Are you able to isolate the areas that you are getting 50-60% on or is that average across the board? If you have problem areas it might be more efficient to focus on improving those sections instead of writing all of the material. I would probably tag on Ninja for fresh questions and for the analytics. As you work questions it helps you really see where you are deficient compared to the blueprint.

[rsr]

Dukenuke, thanks for the advice. I'm not sure exactly which but I can isolate areas that I need to work on to better tie the bigger picture with AUD (going back to all of the incorrect answers and working on those chapters). I want to ask, since you mentioned comparison to the blueprint. How should one go about comparing what you've learned to the blueprint? Is it just as simple as being able to answer every question on the AICPA blueprint to ensure the material is well embedded? I know it seems like a lot of work, but is it efficient? or is there a better to utilizing them blueprints to enhance learning and improving scores?

[dukenuke]

One of the things I really like about Ninja is the progress report that shows your weighted average scores broken out by section compared to the AICPA blueprints. I feel the information is valuable in isolating problem areas and I focus on bringing all of the sections to around 80% or higher. If I’m really struggling on one section I might spend more time reading, writing, and watching the lectures on those topics.

[Author]

Replies