[Anonymous]

For those who have used the Wiley Test Bank and/or study guides…..

1) Are the Wiley Test Bank questions/simulations (either from the website or books) representative of questions asked on the CPA exam?

2) Is performance on the Wiley Test Bank questions indicative of performance on actual exam questions? (ie. If I do well on the Test Bank questions, should I do well on the actual exam questions?)

3) Do the Wiley questions adequately prepare you for the actual exam questions?

[Anonymous]

I am wondering the same thing…I'm currently using Becker and was considering supplementing it with the WTB…not sure how beneficial it is?!

[Opaman]

Yes they do!

Absolute must. You should spend 80% of your time doing Wiley MCQs and SIMs. All I used for REG, BEC, and AUD was Ninja Notes and Wiley MCQs. For FAR, i used Yaeger Review.

Passed on all 1st tries.

FAR - 78 (07/09/12)
REG - 84 (11/27/12)
BEC - 86 (02/26/13)
AUD - 87 (05/29/13)

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your input Opaman.

Im currently studying for AUD using only the Wiley books and I've been getting a large majority of the questions correct.

Considering what you said, and assuming that I can manage the same amount correct when my Test Bank code finally arrives, I should be good to go for my sitting at the end of July.

Anyone else have an opinion similar to, or different from Opaman's?

[Opaman]

By saying Wiley MCQs I mean the Wiley Test Bank. I only used the Wiley book Q's for FAR and BEC and found them helpful as well. However, I think the Wiley book questions are easier than the Wiley Test Bank.

In saying all this, the actual exam is much more similar to the Wiley Test Bank in my opinion.

FAR - 78 (07/09/12)
REG - 84 (11/27/12)
BEC - 86 (02/26/13)
AUD - 87 (05/29/13)

[Anonymous]

Are the FAR simulations from the testbank or the book better for the exam? Some of the book ones tend to take 30 minutes (highly annoying), while the testbank ones are often a cakewalk.

I fully expect the response to be both, but I'm really hoping it isn't because 30 minute sims seem highly unlikely on the actual exam.

[jeff]

1. Yes – they are licensed from the entity that makes the exam –

The AICPA.

2. No – a 75% on the TB is not a “75”. With psychometrics and all of that stuff – it's not the same.

Rule of thumb – score in the 70s on a set of 20 topic-specific questions and move on to your next-weakest area (when doing a final review of the material, anyway)

3. Yes – don't be surprised if you find the exam day questions “easier” than what you practiced with on the TB.

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS) | Another71 | NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE

[Anonymous]

Good input Jeff! Appreciated!

[Anonymous]

I've taken 1 exam and my score on it (81) happened to exactly equal my average in WTB (Wiley Test Bank). However, I am *not* saying that you'll get the exact same – like Jeff said, 75 on WTB does not necessarily mean 75 on the real thing!

However, I would say that they're an accurate representation for preparation. I haven't used any other test banks to compare, but I have been very pleased with Wiley's. I used them for the RTRP exam, too, and they were accurate with that as well – in general, I would say that Wiley does a good job with their products, especially their test banks!

@dmurph – The one exam I've taken, I used WTB, NINJA Audio (which I would highly recommend – great for utilizing drive time to learn!), and the Wiley books. I felt well-prepared and did OK…so I'd say that you're in good shape using a similar method!

[ljrpr]

I haven't taken an exam yet, but during my AUD prep, I find the mcqs in the Wiley book slightly more difficult than the test bank. Ive been getting 82% on the test bank and about 70-73% on the books. Has this happened to anyone?

AUD-83
FAR-4/12/14
REG-5/30/14
BEC-TBA

[Anonymous]

I actually did quite a bit better on the exam than i did doing the Wiley TB questions. I think i was in the low to mid 60s when doing FAR and I got a 77 on the test, and similar for REG. I think they definitely help.

[Anonymous]

@ljrpr and anyone that can compare Wiley book and Wiley test bank….The questions are different entirely or is there overlap in the questions?

Are the questions entirely different?

If you had only enough time to do the Wiley book or Wiley test bank, which would you use in preparation for exam.

I'm taking BEC 7/2 and AUD 8/13.

[ljrpr]

`@ clbrown23 I find that the mcqs in the Wiley Book go into more detail. For example there was a question on which is the system used to file registration statements, periodic reports, and other forms to the SEC, the answer is EDGAR by the way.

If i had to choose between the two, I prefer the test bank because of the way the mcqs are presented and they compare little bit to the AICPA released questions in my opinion. The only thing i like better in the books are the explanations are more in depth than the test bank.

AUD-83
FAR-4/12/14
REG-5/30/14
BEC-TBA

[Anonymous]

If I had to choose between the MCQs in the book and the test bank, I'd go with the test bank since it better simulates your actual testing environement (reading the problems on the screen, using a computer-based calculator, having a clock running, etc) and it also gives you instant feedback (I always do practice sessions so I know as soon as I click it whether or not I'm right, rather than waiting till I finish the whole set of MCQs…and with a real book, I glance at the other answers unintentionally if I check after each one!). I also, personally, like that the questions are shuffled together using the test bank, whereas in the book, you exhaust one topic, and then forget about it entirely by the time you get through the next one!

However, these are mostly learning preference things. Go with the one that makes you feel most comfortable. 🙂 I actually never looked at a single question in the book, because I knew the computerized test bank was my better learning environment.

But…the test bank in *no* way makes up for reading the book. If it's read the book or use the test bank, read the book, without a doubt.

[mbbransc]

I've scored in the low-to-mid 80s in the Wiley TB Exams for REG and AUD and have failed REG 2x and AUD 3x. I did pass BEC and FAR both on the first try though using the same material.

I'm now giving ExamMatrix TB a try.

------------
FAR - PASSED
BEC - PASSED
AUD - PASSED
REG - 74
<sigh>

[Anonymous]

@mbbransc Wow passed FAR and BEC on your first try. What methods / ways did you use to prepare for FAR and BEC?

[Author]

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