[Freyer002]

So after taking FAR on the 1st of July I told myself after the test that I failed, but wasn’t going to check my score until AUG 12th after I took AUD. Couldn’t fight the temptation and saw I failed with a 66. The crazy thing is I did stronger in 3 MCQ sections, comparable in 1 and weaker in 1. Overall for the MCQ I did “Stronger”, but for the SIMs, simply “Weaker”. This is my first test and I spent like 40+ hrs a week studying and felt good about the MCQ but the SIMs, I had a breakdown.

I felt like I was legit having a panic attack or something. Kept saying to myself just breathe and relax, read the questions… Has anyone else had a similar situation? I would say that I must know the material if I did “Stronger” overall in the MCQ, just need to figure out how to stay relaxed in the SIMs. Any advice would be great especially because AUD is around the corner and don’t want to freak out again. For the FAR SIMs I left myself 1hr and 15min. Maybe more time too?

Thanks!!!!

FAR 66 (07/01/13), 75! (10/01/13)
AUD 64 (08/12/13), 80! (11/23/13)
BEC 84! (05/22/14)
REG 77! (08/28/14)
DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Failure is only the opportunity to more intelligently begin again"

[kevlee]

My best advice to you is understand how all of the JEs from each topic work from things such as pensions, DTL, DTA, nonmontary exchanges, bonds, etc… The first 2 times I took my test i was always stronger on MCQ for all topics and weaker on sims. I would say that sims is based on the luck of the draw but you need to understand everything as well as you can. MCQ is mostly focused on theory and calculations but see if you are able to complete perfect JEs on the MCQ that you are working on, this will help your understanding of the material a lot more.

Good luck on your next retake! 3 was my magic number.

[futureCPA12]

@freyer Your story sounds exactly like mine. I'm not exactly sure how I got 10 pts more than you, but I certainly bombed the sims and found a way to pass. Keep your head up!

[wizards8507]

I sound like a broken record saying this, but get comfortable with the authoritative literature. If you know how to look something up, the sims should be a gift.

NY CPA

[vlc1982]

If you feel like your problem is simply test anxiety, Dr. Marc Schoen has an audio download ($30) on his website called “Test Performance Hypnosis” that might help you. I actually purchased this and listen to it occasionally. I haven't taken an exam since purchasing it, so I can't say for sure how effective it will be. But there are two audio files, one to listen to right before you study, and one to listen to before you go to sleep. The one you listen to before you study seems to help me focus better while studying.

I heard about these through a Yaeger webcast about students with test anxiety, so it's not just some weirdo I found online. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post links in here, so you can just Google if you're interested.

FAR 66, 80
AUD 86
REG 76
BEC 74, 77 - DONE!!

Yaeger, Ninja MCQ for BEC
TX Candidate

[Anonymous]

It sounds like anxiety is more the issue than the topic(s) covered. So I would suggest studying relaxation techniques to help you be able to stay calm and composed while taking the exam. I haven't struggled with test anxiety, so I don't have any specific tips for you, but I've had friends who do, and I know how crippling it can be. Realize, though, that you knew/know the information, so there is no reason to fear the SIMs!

[Freyer002]

Thanks for all of the advice. @Kevlee, sharing your personal experience with FAR is much appreciated. I will certainly focus a lot more on the JEs and stuff that could be on the SIMs. That is obviously where I messed up since I did overall, stronger on the MCQ in my score report.

@Vlc and Elizabeth, I agree that this sounds like test anxiety, but the weird thing is I don't think iv'e ever really had problems with test anxiety in the past. Maybe a little on the SATs, but that was years ago. I just need to try and keep calm and remind myself that I know this material, I just need to enter it in this computer screen and move on lol. I think I put a great deal of pressure on myself to try and get this done on the first try. I guess a 50% pass rate is nothing to laugh at. But Im gonna move on from it. I had my day of sorrow yesterday and am now focusing for the next few days on AUD for Monday. I feel better about this one and have a game plan so hopefully this is my first passing test. Thanks again for all of the comments, best of luck to you all on this journey!

FAR 66 (07/01/13), 75! (10/01/13)
AUD 64 (08/12/13), 80! (11/23/13)
BEC 84! (05/22/14)
REG 77! (08/28/14)
DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Failure is only the opportunity to more intelligently begin again"

[nolifecpa]

are you studying the sims in your review material? not just going through the motions but acutally studying them inside and out? it was always easier for me to do mcq because there are 4 choices and 1 of them is correct, but put parent and sub financials in front of me and tell me to consolidate them and my mind goes blank.

use the sims as another study tool. you're not doing sims to just learn how the format is, you're also twisting and bending the concepts and learning

i found this out while stuggling with REG. kept scoring stronger on mcq and weaker on sims

REG-65,71,74,73,70,74,79
BEC-60's,60's,69,71,76*,78
FAR-67,66,65,79
AUD-54,60's,65,83*,69,80
*expired

DONE

[Freyer002]

@Nolifecpa, I will admit that I didn't really review the SIMs when doing my FAR review. I use becker and took the 2 practice exams and took those sims as my review… Those SIMS were way too easy though. I will try and be more persistent with the sims I do throughout the chapters for when I redo FAR. I also plan on giving myself more time for the sims, maybe an hr and a half or an hr and 45min would be helpful.

I have to ask you, how have you managed to stay persistent after not passing many times? (please don't take that as a rude question) I have seen others who don't pass the 1st or 2nd try and I wonder how they just get back up… or if it is just that easy for them. I will keep doing this and have said to myself that if it takes a while then so be it. Technically I can't get my official letters until after 2 years working at my firm and I don't start until the end of NOV so that kind of helps me with justifying taking some time, but I do realize once I knock these tests out raises and promotions will come my way quicker.

FAR 66 (07/01/13), 75! (10/01/13)
AUD 64 (08/12/13), 80! (11/23/13)
BEC 84! (05/22/14)
REG 77! (08/28/14)
DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Failure is only the opportunity to more intelligently begin again"

[Anonymous]

@Freyer002 With an average 50% pass rate, then think of it as FAR was your fail, and AUD will be your pass to keep your rate up! But like you say, you know the answer, just have to get it onto the screen. You might try taking a break right before the SIMs to calm down and get your mind back in order…something like a chocolate bar on break is always a good idea. 😉 I haven't taken breaks myself, but it might be helpful to re-focus before the SIMs. But definitely just focus on AUD for now. 🙂 I'm taking AUD Wednesday, so really hoping that next week is a good week for AUD!

[Freyer002]

@Elizabeth, Thanks! I might consider taking a break depending on how I am feeling/how much time I actually end up leaving myself for the SIMs. I'll keep studying for the next few days and hope for the best. Best of luck to you on the 14th!!

FAR 66 (07/01/13), 75! (10/01/13)
AUD 64 (08/12/13), 80! (11/23/13)
BEC 84! (05/22/14)
REG 77! (08/28/14)
DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Failure is only the opportunity to more intelligently begin again"

[nolifecpa]

@Freyer002

no offense taken. the way i manage to keep going is simple…i'm tooooo damn stubborn, i refuse to let the AICPA beat me. i also look into anything motivational (quotes, vids, stories)

this journey has not been easy at all, i've had my moments of frustration, anger, depression, etc. but i'm in too deep now to give up. i don't care if i have to take exams for the rest of my life…i'm going to get my CPA or die trying!

but this exam has also taught me alot about challenges and has changed my outlook on things

REG-65,71,74,73,70,74,79
BEC-60's,60's,69,71,76*,78
FAR-67,66,65,79
AUD-54,60's,65,83*,69,80
*expired

DONE

[memmy29]

The single thing that I improved upon that got me over the “pass” hump for FAR was J/Es. In my opinion, aside from knowing the basic rules for the major topics covered for FAR, knowing how to do J/Es forwards and backwards will get you through it. Good luck!

AUD-84, REG-75, BEC-84, FAR-77

Licensed CPA

CIA Exam
Part 1 - Passed
Part 2 - Passed
Part 3 - Passed

[memmy29]

Also- the authoritative literature saved my a** for AUD and REG…but did absolutely nothing for me on FAR. Just FYI.

AUD-84, REG-75, BEC-84, FAR-77

Licensed CPA

CIA Exam
Part 1 - Passed
Part 2 - Passed
Part 3 - Passed

[Freyer002]

@Nolifecpa, I hear that! This may be my first exam, but I have wanted to be an accountant since I was in middle school (total loser I know lol) so getting the CPA for me is just that final hump. I'll start working in audit in November and however long it takes me to get the CPA I just see it as many opportunities ahead. Who knows where I will be working in 10years, but I do know i'll be making some good money with my CPA! Thanks for the inspiration, Im getting back to reviewing AUD now and plan on this being my first pass!

@Memmy thanks for the tips on JE for FAR. That will certainly be something I look into. I plan on using the AL for AUD too! I reworked all of the research sims in becker today to get a feel of where everything is.

FAR 66 (07/01/13), 75! (10/01/13)
AUD 64 (08/12/13), 80! (11/23/13)
BEC 84! (05/22/14)
REG 77! (08/28/14)
DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Failure is only the opportunity to more intelligently begin again"

[Path To CPA]

@Freyer002

Please listen to memmy29. I followed her advice and mastered JEs like if my life depended on knowing them. As you can see in my signature, I finally had my breakthrough with FAR sims. If you know JEs well you will do well on sims because chances are you'll have at least 3 to 5 JEs on your sims testlet. Rewrite each and every JE, chapter per chapter if you have time to do so. I did and finally passed FAR.

@memny29,

It's really nice to see you around still helping A71 members. I'm doing the same and hope to help many CPA candidates. It's an incredible feeling to be done and have my life back. A big smile is slowly returning to my face and my pride is just priceless : ) I still can't believe I'm done and I have yet to convince myself that the nightmare is over. “I can see clearly now, the rain is gone”.

REG: 68, 75
AUD: 80
BEC: 77
FAR: 24, 67, 69, 72, 80 Thank you Lord!!!!

Finally Done! Perseverance is the key to success

NYS Licensed CPA - 2013

[Author]

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