[Anonymous]

Seriously, Is it just me or is this whole exam process utterly ridiculous? I took my first ever exam section of FAR a couple days ago and after the experience I am thinking to myself just how stupid this is. I’m not saying I’m quitting or anything like that, but these accounting boards want us to sit in a chair for 4 hours and try to answer 97 total questions that take me almost 4 hours just to read and understand the question & figure out how to solve it let alone begin actually calculating the question to get the answer. On top of that, they word the questions so poorly that it just adds to the confusion. On top of that, the answer choices are all trying to trick you because they’re all the calculations someone would make if they solved the question the simplest way possible. Why can’t they just reduce the amount of questions or split the test up into more sizable chunks so I can actually understand the ins and outs of the accounting concepts NASBA is testing us on? No, instead I have to make up all of these stupid little mnemonics and abbreviations in my head just in case I have 1 or 2 questions on it during the real exam. About 75% of the formulas and concepts I memorized weren’t even tested. I instead was tested on a lot of questions that weren’t familiar to me and didn’t have time to truly write out and attempt to make t-accounts for anyway. I only have like 2-3 minutes max to solve the hard MCQ’s anyways. I’ll I’m saying is if NASBA is going to test us on stuff that takes more than 2-3 minutes to solve then don’t give us so many questions in the first place because maybe then I would feel good about myself. Is it really that hard to make it a 75 question test and make it 5 Sims instead? What’s the point of so many questions, when no one has enough time to truly understand and figure out the answer without having to guess so much?

Do you want to take a break during your 4 hour exam the screen asks me? Of course I want to take a break, but if I do then any chance I did have to score a 75 is even more unlikely to happen. It’s like someone dangling a nice hot fresh piece of pizza in front of me and asking me if I want to have a snack. If I did have any urge to use the washroom during those 4 hours I was just going to do it right there at my desk. I have way too much time, money, and energy invested in this to take any chances. This is how ridiculous this whole CPA exam experience is.

[Herbieherb]

Imagine having to pay for accounting school after you graduate like Drs. And lawyers must do. They could impose more fees. Exam could be harder with only 4 testing days in the whole year like the old days. MBA can't do what a CPA can.

NEW YORK- DONE

[porschify]

I would disagree that the AICPA makes tons of money from not passing more than half of the candidates that take the exam. Although the AICPA does receive money from the testing fees, part of the overall fee also goes to Prometric, and NASBA for test administration and score reporting. Im not sure who would receive the $95 application fee, I would like to think it would go to the either the state board or NASBA, but dont know for sure. The AICPA also has staff that write questions, do statistical analysis on test results, and manual graders for some of the SIMS that they would have to pay.

REG- 81
BEC- 72,76
AUD- 67,88
FAR- 78

Done!

[Anonymous]

Funny. At the Prometric test center I go to, I have socialized with the security guard at the lobby a few times. We have had some interesting conversations. I even told him that I was there to take the CPA exam. And then he replied, “The CPA Exam!!! You know I see the same people countless times retaking that test. They just want to make money. All people do is keep taking that test over and over!”

[Tootsie]

@CPAMan, lol.

FAR - 76
AUD - 88!!! DONE!!!!!!!!
BEC - 76
REG - 77

never, never, never give up

[Anonymous]

NASBA's 2011 Annual Report shows the fee breakdown:

AICPA $95.00 per section

NASBA $18.00 per section

Prometric $19.10 per test hour, plus $5.95 per section

Plus state board fees and other BS Prometric fees and it adds up pretty quickly.

[Herbieherb]

I bet there is no uniform security guard exam. I wouldn't trade places with him

NEW YORK- DONE

[KasiaS]

I'm in agreement with Mini's point of view. There is a good reason for keeping the exam somewhat tough and that application process the way it is. It weeds out the candidates that aren't fully committed to the CPA or just not suited for it.

I can completely understand the need to vent. I sure have had my share of vents, tears, doubts, and profanity-laced rants (not on A71), but at the end of the day, when the dust settles, it's all worth it. It may not seem this way now (been there) but believe me, the pride you feel when you get that last passing score and when you get the certificate in your hands, it makes every lost hour of sleep and socializing worth that piece of paper.

I just got registered in my state last week and believe me, I was elated when I added “CPA” after my name in my work signature line.

On another note, just be happy this is a 4 part computerized exam rather than the old 2-day paper and pencil marathon. It could be worse. Hang in there and keep checking back on A71. You'll always find encouragement and motivation here. It definitely helped me get through some dark times in my journey.

FAR 88 (07/15/11)
BEC 83 (08/31/11)
AUD 81 (10/15/11)
REG 83 (11/26/11)

Used NIU Correspondence CPA Review

[Tootsie]

@KasiaS, well-said. Like your positivism. I really wanted to quit after I saw my score last Friday night. I am still in the game though. I won't give up.

FAR - 76
AUD - 88!!! DONE!!!!!!!!
BEC - 76
REG - 77

never, never, never give up

[Veronica75]

You're a rockstar Kasia! Those scores! and in less than 5 months! 🙂

You're right, it will all be worth it in the end. I just want the end to be, like now. Like, a year ago! haha

FAR - 79 (2x)
AUD - 81 (expired), 77!
REG - 74! omg (3x) 87!!!!!!! I'm done! OMG!
BEC - 81 (4x)

[Anonymous]

#1. Tests are not stupid. It's not like anyone is forcing us to take it. At least not in my case.

#2. I would prefer the exam to be on paper.lol..I'm serious.. 🙂

Oh Kasia…I've missed u <3

[Anonymous]

@CPATerminator- I disagree with #1. I'm practically forced to take this exam because it's nearly impossible to get a half-decent Accounting job with a livable salary without that CPA certification. If it were really up to me, I wouldn't even consider taking these tests. It's either I take this test and pass or I live with my parents for the rest of my life…

[Minimorty]

@CPAMan – Nobody said you had to be an accountant. Perhaps that Security Guard job would be an option. You are choosing to take this test, there is no way around that.

[Anonymous]

@Minimorty- I chose to be an accountant because it's the one thing I'm good at and I actually enjoy working with numbers. But if there were a way I can be a successful accountant without having to take an exam, I'd do it.

[mla1169]

CPAMan there are plenty of successful accountants without CPA or any other designation. However it usually is earned over a long period of time.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[ledgermaven]

My motivation for taking the exams is partly money, and more opening the door to meaningful work. I am in mid life and not looking to do big 4 accounting work, but to make decent money and have something interesting to do. The CPA degree seems to open those doors…

[Author]

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