[Miserylovescompany]

It is not my style to trash a product in a forum. However, I may be able to save some of you a bit of time with this product review.My Becker subscription had expired. I needed a review package with good SIMS for FAR. I called CPAEXCEL several times and after great amount of deliberation and comparison, I bought their FAR course.

The material is well presented, however the SIMS have a lot of bugs. In the last three weeks, I completed 24% of the course and I became increasingly frustrated with the SIM cells. My objective was to get enough practice to shave of the precious seconds on the SIMS. Instead, I found that I was always getting timed out.

When I called customer service, I was told that they were aware of all the problems with the SIMS and they were planning to come out with an update in November. Had I been told about this earlier, I would never have bought it. I have decided to return the review materials.I cannot wait till November and lose the next exam cycle.

If any of you have any other suggestions besides Becker and Wiley Test Bank, I am all ears.

AUD: Passed
REG: Passed
BEC: Passed
FAR: Passed

[tough_kitty]

Co10101 – it's not just you. I think it's a waste of time even though it's a good idea to try a few but some people might find them useful so I don't want to mislead anyone. Just something to consider.

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[Anonymous]

@tough kitty – agreed! If anything it does help to become familiar with the format and to get your timing down. And I take back what I said, they can be useful because they often force you to draw on several different concepts and apply them all in one problem. Just not something I put near as much emphasis on.

[Anonymous]

@tough kitty – agreed! If anything it does help to become familiar with the format and to get your timing down. And I take back what I said, they can be useful because they often force you to draw on several different concepts and apply them all in one problem. Just not something I put near as much emphasis on.

[tough_kitty]

Well, some might be useful but some are way too easy.

I got the AICPA released sims – one of them had a few different scenarios which listed various medical expenses and you were supposed to enter the $ amount for those which were deductible! I mean, seriously?!? That's how easy it used to be!!! But not anymore! Now it's like 100 times harder!

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[tough_kitty]

Well, some might be useful but some are way too easy.

I got the AICPA released sims – one of them had a few different scenarios which listed various medical expenses and you were supposed to enter the $ amount for those which were deductible! I mean, seriously?!? That's how easy it used to be!!! But not anymore! Now it's like 100 times harder!

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[tough_kitty]

I guess the point we are trying to make – if you are pressed for time, it makes more sense to concentrate on memorizing the theory as opposed to practicing 10 sims on random topics which may be completely different from what you get on the exam.

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[tough_kitty]

I guess the point we are trying to make – if you are pressed for time, it makes more sense to concentrate on memorizing the theory as opposed to practicing 10 sims on random topics which may be completely different from what you get on the exam.

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[evesocal]

I used Becker for all four parts and passed them. With FAR, I was concerned about the huge volume of material and found Becker kind of difficult to read so I supplemented with CPA Excel.

I agree with you that CPAExcel software is far inferior to Becker – not only the SIMs but the research tool part of it. However the CPAExcel MCQs were helpful to me. They were easier to read and understand.

I also agree with the others that practicing SIMs is of limited value because there is no chance you'll get the same SIM on the exam as any practice SIM. You have to understand the material and CPAExcel absolutely helped me with that. Maybe practice one or two SIMs just to be familiar with the format of SIMs, but that's the only benefit.

B: 75
R: 80
A: 77
F: 81
Ethics: 84, 92 and done!
Licensed in California

[evesocal]

I used Becker for all four parts and passed them. With FAR, I was concerned about the huge volume of material and found Becker kind of difficult to read so I supplemented with CPA Excel.

I agree with you that CPAExcel software is far inferior to Becker – not only the SIMs but the research tool part of it. However the CPAExcel MCQs were helpful to me. They were easier to read and understand.

I also agree with the others that practicing SIMs is of limited value because there is no chance you'll get the same SIM on the exam as any practice SIM. You have to understand the material and CPAExcel absolutely helped me with that. Maybe practice one or two SIMs just to be familiar with the format of SIMs, but that's the only benefit.

B: 75
R: 80
A: 77
F: 81
Ethics: 84, 92 and done!
Licensed in California

[Anonymous]

the time limit on cpaexcel sims is unrealistically short, you're expected to do a question in about 5 min that normally takes at least 10 min to complete.

[Anonymous]

the time limit on cpaexcel sims is unrealistically short, you're expected to do a question in about 5 min that normally takes at least 10 min to complete.

[Tncincy]

why don't you try the wiley test bank or exam matrix for extra questions. It can be frustrating to expect on thing only to get sidetracked with another. There is a solution somewhere though…..good luck.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Tncincy]

why don't you try the wiley test bank or exam matrix for extra questions. It can be frustrating to expect on thing only to get sidetracked with another. There is a solution somewhere though…..good luck.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[jw_83]

I use Gleim and they have 20 simulation testlets with 5 or 6 simulations in each testlet for FAR, REG, and AUD. I have done every single one of them. I think it helps solidify the concepts. There are only 2 drawbacks that I can think of. First you can only attempt each testlet 3 times. I usually only do them once so this hasn't really been a problem for me. Second, is that on the Gleim calculator, it uses commas (ie 100,000), which I like. Howver, on the actual exam, the calculator has no commas (100000). A bit nitpicky, but I complain about this during the survey after every test. You can buy just the simulation wizard, but I don't know how much it is. I wouldn't think too much when you can buy everything for a section for under $300. Hope this helps and good luck.

REG - 64, 72, 81!
FAR - 77
AUD - 79
BEC - 72, 79! And Done!

[jw_83]

I use Gleim and they have 20 simulation testlets with 5 or 6 simulations in each testlet for FAR, REG, and AUD. I have done every single one of them. I think it helps solidify the concepts. There are only 2 drawbacks that I can think of. First you can only attempt each testlet 3 times. I usually only do them once so this hasn't really been a problem for me. Second, is that on the Gleim calculator, it uses commas (ie 100,000), which I like. Howver, on the actual exam, the calculator has no commas (100000). A bit nitpicky, but I complain about this during the survey after every test. You can buy just the simulation wizard, but I don't know how much it is. I wouldn't think too much when you can buy everything for a section for under $300. Hope this helps and good luck.

REG - 64, 72, 81!
FAR - 77
AUD - 79
BEC - 72, 79! And Done!

[Author]

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