[ThunderFan0]

So I suggested this in the comments box in the survey at the end of the exam(I don’t think the powers that be listen though).

I said that they should include a survey question that lists the CPA exam review materials and allows the candidate to check off the review material they used in prep for the exam.

Then they would be able to produce an accurate account of what the pass rates are for the various study materials. I am sure that I am not the only one that has noticed that every review program has an 85%+ pass rate…but somehow the pass rates from AICPA/NASBA are in the 40%’s.

Does anyone else think that this would be a good idea? It seems like it would be an easy thing to integrate and would be very useful to people looking for what review program to use. I know there would probably be a strong push against it by the review programs though.

FAR - 74, 76
BEC - 77(expires 5/24/12)
REG 71, 72, 78
AUD - 69, 72, Retake 5/23/12...78!! FINISHED!!

[Texas27]

I have actually thought about this before. I think it would be a great idea so they could track which review programs work for most students.

In the comment box, I always complain about how ridiculous it is that we can't use an actual calculator and how it is a huge waste of time to count zeros. Maybe one day they will actually listen to the suggestions but I highly doubt they will!

BEC - Feb 2012: 80
AUD - Feb 2012: 84
FAR - Apr 2012: 78
REG - May 2012: 90

Thanks Becker!

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure if they would ever want to collect data about review courses. If they said “X review course had an 85% pass rate” then everyone would go out and buy that review course. What if that review course is very lecture intensive and a candidate didn't learn by watching lectures but by reading then they would have wasted their money. The argument could be made that if a candidate bought the review course on the AICPA's “implied” recommendation and they failed, then the AICPA could be liable for that candidates testing fees and the review course fees. Besides there could be the potential for allegations of bribes, kickbacks and some pretty underhanded dealing. It is probably better for candidates to do their own research, taking into consideration their learning style and budget, and chose a review course without any kind of input from the examiners. Most of review courses say they have an X% pass rate but I don't see how they can back up that claim using nothing more than their sales figures and comments from people who have passed and let them know it. This is all purely speculation on my part as to why they don't ask that particular question. Just my .02 worth.

[nextstopCPA]

Kricket made some great points. I would tend to think that they would care less on what CPA review course a candidate used. It is of no benefit to them to collect such information.

FAR Passed
REG Passed
AUD Passed
BEC Passed

All aboard, this train's leaving. Next stop, TBD!

[Anonymous]

the option to use a regular physical calculator-YES!

the review program thing-NO!

[Happy]

At first I thought this is a great idea. If it is indeed a good idea, I'm sure we could flood Nasba with phone calls and tweets until they consider it.

However, I was thinking about it, and I realized that it would cause big problems! If they would add this question, say everyone finds out that Course A has a 90% rate, B has a 80% rate, and C has a 70% rate. Everyone will go buy A. (although price is a factor, I would imagine it's worth it to borrow/splurge if there's a good chance that it will save you months and months of retakes)

Suddenly, all (or most) candidates will score very high on the exam! Nasba will be forced to make/grade the exam tougher to enforce the 45% passing rate that they desire.

So basically, the exam will get harder for everyone, because everyone will be more prepared. The poor fellow who doesn't get Course A will definitely flunk, and all middle ground people will have to work their tails off to pass the new harder exam.

I say, leave it as is! Most people agree that Beckers probably has the highest passing rates, and yet because it's so expensive, and the stats are not out there, many people buy cheaper programs – only to jump on board after failing a few exams with a low end review course. Then again, the Beckers results (winning all Elijah Watts Sells awards last year…) are somewhat skewed by the fact that all the high GPA people who were snatched up by big firms are using it since their firm provided it. Doesn't necessarily mean it's the best, just that the best happen to be using it…….

REG- 2/12 - 90 | AUD- 4/12 - 94 | BEC- 5/12- 85 | FAR- 8/12 - 82
DONE!!! I used Becker Self Study & Ninja Notes/Audio

[Anonymous]

I disagree.

I've heard people gripe that the AICPA is in the pockets of the review courses, and adding this will definitely make the AICPA look like it is in cahoots with the review courses.

I recommend that this not be implemented.

[mena je twa]

I always skipped the comments Box. In all my attempts i never ever filled any of it. After a gruelling exam, i am surprised people have time to fill in the garbage box.

Licensed CPA, Texas - 2012

[makinthemagic]

They won't release the review course info to the regular public. It would be a de facto endorsement of the most successful review(s). That would raise issues of independence and integrity. They want to keep us guessing.

Bec 4/11/11 91
Aud 7/11/11 75
Reg 8/31/11 80
Far 5/24/11 86
Ethics - 98
California Licensed CPA
Illinois Registered CPA

[Anonymous]

My exams all asked what study programs I used. No, I didn't take the AICPA practice test. Yes, I did use cpareviewforfree.com and Wiley.

[shutterbug]

They should instead add comma separators to the calculator!

FAR 73 78
BEC 73 82
AUD 65 83

[zerohedge]

A physical calculator or at least adding commas on the onscreen calculator would help immensely. I can't even really practice using the onscreen calculator at home because my laptop was designed after 1999 and does not have a number pad.

Everyone should write in the comments about the calculators.

Reg - 2/24/12 passed
BEC - 4/3/12 passed
FAR - round 2 7/1/12 passed
AUD - round 2 11/01/12

Using Becker, wiley, and NINJA.

[Anonymous]

I think that this plan may backfire.

The current pass rate is about 40% per exam. The AICPA likes this low pass rate because it shows the difficulty of the exam and it probably increase their bottom line since people often have to take the exam multiple times.

If they released the data about the most successful program there would probably be some controversy about independence. More so, people would flock towards the programs with higher success rates, which in turn could lead to more people doing better. If more people passed during each window, it could be perceived that the exam was easier. The net result would be that the AICPA would have to put more difficult questions on the exam to return the pass rate to the magical 40% rate.

That being said, I am pretty sure you can pass with any review program. While some are higher quality than others, it really depends on the candidates.

My thought why Becker is perceived as the best is because the Big 4 and all of the other mid-large size firms endorse the program. Those companies get some of the more competitive CPA candidates, which in turn equates to a higher pass rate from the program.

BTW, I work in Corp Finance and am using Yaegar (so i don't have a bias towards Becker) – I have no complaints.

Also, all of the programs that tout an 85% pass rate are slightly misleading. That means 85% of people that follow the program will pass eventually; not neccesarily on the first time aroung.

[Anonymous]

If we can't have an actual calculator, can the onscreen calculator be reprogrammed to INCLUDE COMMAS for the thousandth, millionth place, etc. just a few lousy commas would be nice so you don't waste time counting zeros. My 10 key at work has commas….please AICPA, I ain't hating I'm just askin'

[Author]

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