[Anonymous]

I have taken REG once without studying. Did comparable on the SIMs, perhaps I got lucky on the exam. During my studying some of the Wiley SIMs seem to be insane. Some of them could be completed, if that was the only SIMs, but when you have 4 or 5 that have to be completed.

[J]

They're realistic or not realistic, depending on your perspective.

They're realistic in the sense of the variability and relative randomness of the topics covered; a consistent theme with REG simulations seems to focus not so much on the difficulty but rather the relative importance of the topics tested in the simulations (with respect to what is generally covered in review courses). I didn't feel as if my REG simulations were extremely difficult but I left the testing center feeling deflated because they were topics that made me react like, “Why in the world would that be a simulation?!?”…

They're not realistic in the sense that many of them seem to be longer and more in-depth or drawn out than actual simulations on the exam. For example, say you feel really comfortable with itemized deductions (Schedule A). An actual simulation on the exam might take you 5-10 minutes to complete, whereas a Wiley simulation might take you 15-20 minutes.

With that said, I did have one simulation on the exam that seemed to be an exact replica of one of the simulations in the Wiley book (and I didn't go through them all), with the exception of the fact that it was shorter.

[MCLKT]

Thanks for that response InterFC.

It sounds like REG could actually be a lot like FAR when comparing Wiley to the test.

For FAR on test day they may only ask for you to complete steps 1-3 on a concept. But Wiley will ask steps 1-6.

Wiley doesn't have many sims that require you to go to numerous tabs for info. I wish they did because that is good practice for test day.

Also, I would say practicing the sims has been extremely helpful for me. The first time I took FAR (didn't practice very many sims) I was taken aback. I read through all of the sims and thought, what the heck are they even asking for? But, for AUD and my FAR retake I looked forward to sims as a sure fire way to get some points. Especially since they give partial credit for anything other than blanks.

A:[73]97 F:[74]85 R:86 B:[74]82
*NINJA 10 Pt. COMBO & Yaeger*

[J]

@MCLKT – Yes, exactly right in terms of comparing FAR & REG and the length of the Wiley simulations versus the simulations on the actual exam. In my opinion, simulations are more difficult in terms of preparation for the actual material (again because of what actually gets tested in terms on concepts) but easier when compared to what you might find on a “difficult” multiple choice question. I hope that makes sense; I think I'm confusing myself now…

Anyway, I might have lucked out but between FAR and REG, I believe that I only had one simulation where I had to jump around with multiple tabs (with the exception of the research question, of course).

[Anonymous]

@MCLKT and InterFC: I think the SIMs are very difficult to prepare for as there are some many possibilities especially regarding FAR. With REG about the only topic is taxation, which can vary, but not like FAR.

SIMs is where the ‘luck of the draw’ comes into play in my opinion. One would assume a more difficult SIMs is worth more points than an easier SIM. I spoke with Phil Yaeger on the phone a few weeks ago and he told me two things to consider when working the SIMs.

1. If you have a SIM with an unreal amount of information and answers boxes save it for last. It’s most likely a pre-test question designed to waste the test taker’s time. He said there is no rule that a pre-test question has to become an actual test question.

2. The AICPA doesn’t expect candidates to get the entire simulation correct. Some of the longer SIMs getting about 50% correct is about all you need. Just focus on getting as many points as possible.

[MCLKT]

I'm following your thought process exactly. (Maybe we just think alike?) I remember reading one of your posts about the choices on MCQ's. And was just nodding my head in agreement.

The way they are worded and the choices combined with the lack of information or a requirement to assume, they get pretty difficult or rather, frustrating. Even if you know the concept, it's hard to tell what they are looking for. I sit there thinking, “well if ‘this' then A is the answer, but if ‘that' then B is the answer”. I could explain the rules to the AICPA, I just can't answer their dang MCQ! I wonder if they give partial points for choosing a correct answer, even if it's not the BEST answer? That would be awesome.

With the sims, the concepts don't get any more difficult (maybe obscure), but you get a chance to “show your work”. Wiley just requires you to show more work than the AICPA usually requires.

A:[73]97 F:[74]85 R:86 B:[74]82
*NINJA 10 Pt. COMBO & Yaeger*

[Anonymous]

@MCLKT: It would not surprise me if there is ‘partial points' on some of the MCQ, but I could be wrong. If there are two answer that are very close it seems to me that candidate would deserve some type of credit as opposed to the candidate that wasn't even in the ball park. Phil said that the scoring process is very well guarded and secured and the specifics are only known by a select group of AICPA individuals.

[Author]

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