[lam2848]

Hello everyone! I just took Becker’s FAR mock exam #1. Overall I got a 70% (which is way lower than I wanted). I got a 73 on the mcq and a 68 on the SIMS. I found myself forgetting a lot of the little things. I feel like my score is a little too close for comfort and I probably won’t pass the actual exam unless I study more. Does anyone have any advice on how to move forward after taking a mock exam? Or what topics to focus on?

[Anonymous]

Couple questions:
1. Is this your first exam?
2. How long until you actual exam?

I'm working on FAR now, so I can't say what worked for me, but I did pass the other 3. In my experience, if you are over a 70, you are in a great place. Depending on how much time you have until your exam I would do the following:

– review your exam and understand everything you got wrong. If there is an area you got numerous questions wrong, go back and review everything about that topic. Make it something you consider a strength.

– review for a couple days and continue to do questions.

– take the 2nd practice exam a couple days before your exam and continue to “learn” about the areas you are struggling with

– practice the Becker SIMs. In my opinion, these will help you more with MCQs than MCQs will help you with Sims. It's next to impossible to guess on SIMs and succeed. MCQs allow you to narrow it down to 2 and “guess” while SIMS test your true understanding of the topic. If you don't know the topic, learn it!

– my advice to anyone this “FAR” along (sorry bad joke!) is to take a couple topcis and learn them! If you can take 5-10 modules that you struggle with and make them areas you pray to get questions on, you will be fine. You clearly have a good handle on the info already, become a master in 5-10 more areas and you will put yourself in a great place to pass this exam!

[lam2848]

@cpathethird Thanks for the advice! My exam isn't until December 4th, but I just started a tax associate position so I don't have much time during the week to study anymore. I'm going to take your advice and work on the stuff I'm not good at. After looking back at my mock exam I made a lot of silly mistakes (mostly due to not reading the entire question). Hopefully on the second mock exam I can score higher!

[Anonymous]

I totally understand the work hours and not having enough time, but tust me when I say this – find time! You are so close, and are on the right track to pass! I've been promoted 3 times in 5 years and have next to no time. Stay at the office late, or come in early. The longer you work (assuming you are good at your job) the less time you will have. I have so little time, that I literally only work, study and sleep. Tough it out now, because it will only get worse! I am saying this out of experience! If I could go back I would have spent every second of my life studying to avoid the situation I'm in now. Get your exam done and then work will be a breeze lol! If you get FAR done you will be in great shape!

Also, a 70 3 weeks before test date is really good! Keep working hard and you will be fine! Id say take your second mock exam a week or so before you actual exam. Sit down and take it like an actual exam. No internet, no drinks, no phone, no breaks unless the test allows etc. This will give you a better handle on time which is a KEY part to the exam!

[lam2848]

Thanks cpathethird! That makes me feel a lot better! I think I'm mentally preparing myself for failure because I don't want to be disappointed when I get my actual score. I'm definitely going to make more time to study! I've felt studied-out the last few days so I haven't been on top of my game but I'm determined to push through! This is my first exam and I definitely want to get FAR done before busy season!

[Anonymous]

Yeah you will definitely have days where you burn out a little bit! What I've done is after a long weekend of studying, I might take Monday off to watch the football game (big football fan here!). Take a week night off here or there to get some actual sleep and clear your mind, see a movie etc. Working/Studying for 3+ weeks straight is exhausting! I think if you focus your anxiety about failing toward “over preparing” (if that's even possible on the cpa exam!) you will do fine!

[Author]

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