[jeff]

We have a lot of “I took __ today threads” so to consolidate, here is the official thread.

Please – Not even a hint of exam disclosure per AICPA rules.

Links to other Exam Experience Threads:

AUD

BEC

REG

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

[mtaylo24]

@Oldercandidate, Just now seeing your post. I appreciate the support! Nothing else can be done at this point, just hoping for the best!

AUD - 1st - 60 (12/12), 61 (2/13), 61 (8/13), 78! (11/15)
REG - 55 (2/16) 69 (5/16) Retake(8/16)
BEC - 71(5/16) Retake (9/16)
FAR - (8/16)

[itsj0nathan]

@spaztic Sounds exactly like my exam

BEC- 71, 7/02/16
AUD- 67
FAR- 08/27/16
REG- 10/15/16

[Jj]

I think people confused DRS with sims that have source docs. DRS have the drop down with an option to click the correct adjustment.

[Cruzer]

@Beantown23 yes agreed. I originally stated I had 5 DRS when I really had 1 that wasn't all that difficult since I was able to find with the AL. This exam format definately is testing higher order skill set and is more real life than the prior exam. I think the aicpa will curve this exam quite heavily to get to a 45% pass rate. Makes sense why I have been hearing people say take the hardest exam in Q2 because the examiners have no idea how people will do against a brand new format that is unfamiliar to everyone taking the exam.

[SWANG]

Today's experience at a new testing center (Prometric moved locations to a corporate type office) which was very different from normal. I am pretty sure everyone signed up today was taking the CPA exam. I have never seen the waiting room full of only CPA candidates. I do not think they were anticipating so many CPA candidates that were taking breaks within minutes of each other due to the new format. Check-in time was late by about 20-30 minutes with a line of about 9 people waiting! That translated to a lot of people waiting in line to get checked in after the breaks especially as the individual checking people in also answered the phones too.

[floradm]

Took FAR today (second attempt) and the last section I need to pass. I thought the test was more difficult than my first attempt and the SIMS were definitely more confusing. I didn't even understand the directions for the first one. Like people are saying, some of the SIMS have too many documents to go through for the amount of time given. The research was okay, but it took me a few minutes to figure out how to get to the right sections, I am thinking something changed here in the software or how the search is now setup.

I was really scared about time, so I made sure and didn't go back for any problems, just made decision and moved on, taking the allotted break with 2 hours left. I did like having a short break to get something to eat, drink and use the restroom and I think it does help you get through the second half of the test with a little more focus. Overall, I have no idea how I did and not sure how I could have prepared better (short of using different study materials). I used Rogers and Ninja for both attempts, so if I don't pass I am going to have to try a different program, as several questions pertained to topics neither review program covered. I guess we wait for August.

[barnold]

@Morgan So yeah I had pretty much the exact same experience as you've described.. in every way.

Good luck to ya

BEC - 69, 77, 83
AUD - 63, 68, 70, 79
REG - 69, 63, 70
FAR - 60

[mtaylo24]

@Morgan Used both Gleim and Ninja and was still thrown off by “creative” questions. I don't think the review programs are up to date at all. I had an inventory rec sim in q4 16 and again this quarter, still no sign of it in any review program.

AUD - 1st - 60 (12/12), 61 (2/13), 61 (8/13), 78! (11/15)
REG - 55 (2/16) 69 (5/16) Retake(8/16)
BEC - 71(5/16) Retake (9/16)
FAR - (8/16)

[Me!]

I took FAR yesterday. My research question was the exact same one from last quarter, what are the odds! It was so specific on an off topic. Just crazy! It sounds like most of us sitting for FAR had some of the same type of SIMS. “Creative” questions, I agree with that and I agree that the review programs are not really current with what is on the exams. So frustrating! I still hope we all get 75's (at least a 75).

[Mscfisher]

@mtaylo I'm praying for you also. The fact that you haven't given up keeps me going. I didn't finished the last teslet so I'm not hopeful at all. I think i will keep studying except by August my reg score expires. I just keep thinking about how i missed it by one point last time. One measly point and this nightmare continues.

[jweeks21]

Took my first ever CPA exam yesterday (FAR) and boy, was it intense. I didn't think the test on its face was extremely difficult, specifically the MCQs, but doing the SIMS in that amount of time with the documents they present is just a breeding ground for panic and dumb mistakes and having your brain twist in thirty different directions when it needs to focus. Had this test been 30 minutes longer and on paper, I think I would have walked out of the testing center more optimistically. Like everyone has also said, I'm hoping for a big curve, otherwise there's no way that I passed. Good luck to everyone on this long break before finding out our scores. On to REG for July!

[mtaylo24]

@mscfisher That's crappy. I gave FAR my all in Q1 also, but didn't hit leases and pensions enough and wasn't ready for those sims. Have you checked with your state board regarding getting an extension for your Reg exam? I want to start brushing up on my auditing, but it may be a waste of time because there is still a slight chance they may extend my credit.

AUD - 1st - 60 (12/12), 61 (2/13), 61 (8/13), 78! (11/15)
REG - 55 (2/16) 69 (5/16) Retake(8/16)
BEC - 71(5/16) Retake (9/16)
FAR - (8/16)

[Wannafree]

@Amor how did it go ? couldn't find any updates from you.Hope u did better than me.

[Anonymous]

Took far the other day, first exam ive taken. Got through the first mcq testlet in under 30 min. Felt pretty good about it. 2nd testlet didnt seem harder- as in i had about the same number i was unsure on but it definately took longer to get through @45 min.

1st sim testlet was a beast, the 2 hardest ones. Spent over an hour on them.
Next 6 werent bad but time consuming. I finished with a couple minutes left but wasnt able to spend as much time on each sim as i wanted.

Overall I felt rushed, didnt see very many govt questions at all. Had one sim that I had never seen a question like it( not the whole sim, but 1 part of it). Gonna be a long few months.

[Anonymous]

@Wannafree, thanks for looking out for me. I don't think my test yesterday for FAR went well (mostly guesses, especially with SIMs). I was extremely discouraged. The test was brutal. Looking back, I took and passed FAR exactly 3 years ago (5/31/14). I am mad. If I passed my test yesterday, it would only be because of the grace from Above. If not, then…well, it's too late now to quit. I swear, I'll hit my book a littler harder than the way I did to score a 78 3 years ago.

I am always good at answering AL research tasks. But yesterday, I didn't get any luck at all. I wasted 5-15 minutes of my time figuring to populate FAR items, instead of AUD that keeps popping up. I didn't realize there are 3 tabs on the upper right of the SIM screen. I was panicking like crazy. I still couldn't figure out even after the test where and how to find the AL research question for all the government funds and rules (eliminating profits for enterprise fund, etc.).

[Author]

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