[satyakatiwal]

Hi
I am just trying to gauge how those who passed FAR did in SIMs. Please tell what percentage of SIMs u did in FAR e.g. 3 SIMs
100% , 2 70% 3 50%.
I am following Blueprint for SIMs.it will
Be great help to me . Lentil , Ana and Anyvtver all please chime in.

[Bourne]

I only completed sims that I thought would be beneficial. For FAR, I probably did anywhere from 50-75 sims through Wiley

[aaronmo]

I completed every Becker sim.

[scattershot]

not Becker, but I did maybe 5 sims in Roger, total.

[ct516]

So… first time I took far, I did maybe one SIM and figured, eh… I should focus on the material and I'll figure out the SIMs. I received a 72… and the report said I did exceptional on multiple choice and poor on SIMs. So then for the second time I reviewed and I did ALL the SIMs. I passed with 76. Honestly the exam's SIMs were similar to the Becker ones. I would do them so you learn how to navigate and use your time wisely. Would rather do them and get those extra points to pass.

[Will]

I took FAR twice in Q3 and Q4 of 2017. I got a 74 and a 76.

Both times I finished 100% of all SIMs. That being said, I had less than 2 min. before the test ended on each occasion.

I took REG yesterday and was literally changing a final SIM with the last 30 seconds.

For REG (which I know you aren't asking about) I took my time VERY seriously. 45 min for each MCQ test. 15 min for each SIM. I'm not exactly sure about the format but there has been at least one gargantuan TBS on each exam I took and that was about 20 min of time. The research question was a breeze on all 3 occasions. In fact, and I hate to hi-jack your thread, I think more time should be allocated to memorizing your research questions (FASB codification and IRC for REG). Think about it… 1 TBS that is worth the same amount of points as the others (correct me if I'm wrong) and it's possible to finish in 3-5 minutes. In all honesty, if you really know your FASB/IRC you could nail most research questions within 3 minutes. Cutting time here allows you quite a few extra minutes on all the other portions.

And while I'm fresh out of an exam yesterday I will reiterate another important point: the stronger you are on MCQ, the quicker you (should) can get to the TBS. It's nearly impossible to cut time on TBS unless you're experienced in the field, practiced non-stop, or are a genius and this sort of exam is a joke for you. If you're the average person and have a degree, then TBS should be difficult and there isn't much you can do to speed through what you get. The MCQs can cut tons of time. There were some questions on REG that took less than 15 seconds — more than some. Even for FAR I remember crushing through the MCQs. My low scores in FAR are related to me not taking advanced accounting (ever) and being tested heavily on consolidations. Just got unlucky.

A final note about FAR and TBS — and forgive me if I'm ranting — spend more time than you need to on Gov't and NFP. NFP is one of the easier sections, especially compared to pensions, deferred tax, the 4 different statement of cash flows and detailed portions of S/H equity. I didn't see a single lease question once on either FAR exam. Not one. My point is, if you can spend more time on Gov't and NFP than you think is necessary you should be able to crush 12-20% of the exam. Sometimes spending tons of time on leases or any other topic that is supposed to be heavily tested won't net you a better score… or more time for SIMs.

[satyakatiwal]

Thanks @Will for your suggestions but can you remember FASB codes ?
Your suggestions noted.
@scatetshot , just 5 SIMs ? Incredible , your score is awesome.can you please elaborate how many SIMs you did 100% in exam ?
Thanks in advance

[Anonymous]

Do you mean in exam or in practice? i completed all Becker SIMS except for gov't and NFP, plus all (or substantially all) Skills Practices my last few days before the test. On my first FAR take I had to abandon one fairly simple (subject matter wise) SIM because it just was taking too long, but I completed them all. 2nd time, I completed all SIMS on the test. I know on 3 of them I was only partially correct, or at least can't be sure I did them competely correct.

[Will]

What was your question about the FASB codification? Sorry, I didn't understand.

If it's what I think you want, I suggest you spend quite a bit of time familiarizing yourself with FASB codifications so you can blow through the research question. Also, utilizing the codification for your SIMs is not possible if you're not that familiar with where things are.

[satyakatiwal]

@Anyatver thanks , you answered both . Initially I was asking for exam experience of SIm but got much more than that . Thanks to all contributors.
I see people are swearing by Blueprint but I believe it’s too vague, say cash flow analysis is a SIM topic and most of us know Cash flow, isn’t it ? but in exam
they give so many documents and that too in last testlet that I am not able to complete that.
Similarly I have seen in Q3 they gone with first SIM on a topic
Which was like left field, I knew
Few as Beckers keep reminding at the end of each topic hey btw out of USA people do like this .it was 1st question n I wasted too much time and wanted to call to Tim Gearty but Prometric had taken my phone.
So ultimately couldn’t finish all SIMs even though I know the topic hence I was curious how others are doing it . Also I am good in NFP n Govt unfortunately no SIM from these topics .
Anyatver , you are welcome to give any suggestions as I want to cross 75 this time.

[Lentilcounter]

@satya

“Initially I was asking for exam experience of SIm but got much more than that . Thanks to all contributors.
I see people are swearing by Blueprint but I believe it’s too vague, say cash flow analysis is a SIM topic and most of us know Cash flow, isn’t it ?”

I strongly disagree with your comment above. If you look at the FAR 2018 AICPA blueprints, you can see that there are about 5 topics being tested within cash flows. Two of those topics are at an “analysis” level while the rest is at a MCQ level. I'll elaborate on one the two objectives below.

“Detect, investigate and correct discrepancies while agreeing the statement of cash flows
amounts to supporting documentation.”

Anytime you see “supporting documentation” in an objective, that is dead giveaway that this could be a DRS simulation. This particular objective is asking you to perhaps take a partially completely cash flow statement or completed cash flow statement and make sure that it is correctly done based on supporting documents. In order to do this, you need to understand the three sections of a cash flow statement. You probably should know the difference between the direct and indirect methods in calculating operating activities. You will then take this knowledge to use the supporting documents and either fix the cash flow statement given, fill it in more completely, or just verify the numbers given.

As you are going through the blueprints, you need to dissect and figure out what they are asking from you. Breakdown each word individually and try to see what they are asking of you. I also suggest that you sign up for the AICPA webinar on blueprints and CPA exam strategy which I think is tomorrow.

I don't know if this thread really provides much value because some people pass these exams by doing 0 to 5 simulations in their practice and some do 100+. Everyone is different.

BEC = 72 (6/08/16)
FAR = ?
REG = ?
AUD = ?

[aaronmo]

I am not accusing anyone of lying, BUT…take what people say on line with a grain of salt. I think accountant “types” are more honest, and less BSy/ego driven…but still, people lie. Sometimes they may also be smarter than you…or learn a different way.

Do the sims. Word to the wise.

[satyakatiwal]

@Lentil , I am following your post very closely and can’t thank you enough.Seen how your score jumped after this discovery hence I am not disputing your thesis.
As I cannot connect with you as per forum rules may I request make one more long contribution?
As you explained or interpreted to other post about BS SIm , please interpret the Analysis of few more SIM Topics . It Seems you
Have understood the Blueprint Analysis better than me.
May I ask hiw many SIMs you practiced ?
Thanks in advance
Satya Kantiwal

[Anonymous]

@satyakatiwal-do you have Becker? if you go to the “potential FAR SIMS from AICPA blueprint” thread, in the first couple of pages, Ana matched the Becker SIMS to the blueprint objectives-once you start doing the SIMS, you can totally tell what they are getting at. More broadly, for the areas like cash and cash equivalents, statement of equity, balance sheet, income statement, leases, acquisitions, trade receivables, payables and accruals, inventory, PP&E, forget there must be a couple of others, that are “analysis” type activities-you have to know what it is, how to record the pertaining journal entry, how to adjust it if needed, how to detect discrepancies, how to prepare a statement. Just everything:) I know you didn't ask me specifically, but I did all of Becker SIMS, other than government and NFP related ones. Mind you my score is not in, so i can't prove this approach worked for me quite yet. But others have been successful.

https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/potential-far-simulation-topics-straight-from-the-aicpa/page/5/#post-1692019

[Lentilcounter]

I agree with what aaronmo said. One of the older philosophies on this forum was to just do tons of MCQ and not waste time with SIMs. It has worked for some people but I think the vast majority benefit from doing SIMs. Also, the test is 50% SIMs now. Do SIMs and do as many as is necessary for you to learn what you need to learn. Use the AICPA blueprints as guidance so that you are doing SIMs on topics that will actually be tested.

How many SIMs did I do? I did so many that I lost track. I hated SIMs at first and then I started enjoying them.

BEC = 72 (6/08/16)
FAR = ?
REG = ?
AUD = ?

[satyakatiwal]

@anyatver big thank you. Yes I have Becker n going to do all SIMs now.
@lentil , thank you , will focus on SIMs now.last time couldn’t do as many SIMs as I wanted to as time was the key. Thanks again.

[Author]

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