[mdrosenfeld]

Hi All, I just got back from taking FAR. Off the bat, I didn’t think it was too terrible…which terrifies me. I didn’t really notice the testlets getting much harder as I went on. I thought I did well on the first testlet, I knew most of the material and only was unsure of a few things, and when I got to the 2nd, I didn’t notice much of an increase in difficulty. The same thing happened with the third.

I did put in a TON of studying time for FAR so I’m thinking maybe that is what caused me to not notice much of an increase in difficulty on the testlets. Has anyone else had a similar experience and passed? I’m terrified because I think i did fairly well but the fact that I didn’t notice too much harder testlets.

Also, I know a lot of people are dumbfounded after the SIMs but there weren’t any that I was completely unsure how to do. I know I nailed the research question and at least got partial credit on each.

Any input would be appreciated, sorry if I’m rambling, just concerned.

[rgibson3rd]

Sounds like you nailed it. Stay positive and don't waste time worrying about it.

BEC (11/10) 77 (Bisk)
FAR 7/2 - 63 11/5 - 80 (Yeager - Fail, Becker - Pass)
Reg (08/11) - 78 (Yeager)
Aud - 11/29 - 78(Yeager)

[Anonymous]

I just came from taking FAR as well and the simulations were fair I thought. I though you could tell that the testlets were getting harder but not by a lot just a little bit more wordier.

[mdrosenfeld]

I didn't really notice much difference maybe a bit more wordy… Overall I didn't think it was terrible but this

Whole difficulty thing has gotten me worried lol. I just hope to God I passed.

[mdrosenfeld]

Has anyone else encountered a similar situation and passed?

[kaaCPA]

not for FAR, but for REG i didn't think the questions were getting harder and i got a 77. so, try not to worry about it!

waiting is seriously the hardest part of this whole ordeal. just try to forget about FAR and move onto the next test you are taking. that's my advice.

AUD | 85
REG | 77
FAR | 76
BEC | 83
========
ETH | 93
State Board Application pending!

[Yvonne570]

May be a system glitch – lol.

AUD - Passed:)
FAR - Passed:)
REG - Retake TBD
BEC - Missed by 3 points Retake TBD

[mdrosenfeld]

ugh, lol. I'm hoping that my preparation just caused me to not really realize that they were getting harder. starting to psyche myself out over it..

[Herbieherb]

In my audit exam I didn't notice a change. Got a 78. What I noticed a lot in my far exam was for alot of the calculation type questions, my first calculated answer wasn't even a choice! That freaked me out!

NEW YORK- DONE

[mandy8041]

I did notice with FAR that they were getting harder. I did horrible on the SIMS- all of the questions were things I never saw in Becker, but thats ok, passed with a 75.

Dont worry though because I got an 82 in REG and I did not think the questions got harder.

FAR- 75
REG- 82
BEC- 73, 79!! Its over. Am I dreaming?
AUD- 74, 74, 88

[jints]

I took FAR in August and I thought the SIMS were very labor intensive. Even with leaving two hours for them I ran out of time and did not complete one of the SIMS. Will be retaking FAR in late November. I wonder if the same material will be on my SIMS the second time around.

AUD – 76

REG – 68, 79

BEC – 79

FAR – 64

[jints]

Just a question here. I know that your MC can be bounce between medium and hard. But what about the SIMS. Do they vary based on what you do on MC?

[Mahina]

I didn't really notice the questions getting harder, just longer. Of course I had the problem to where if I knew how to solve the questions, I knew for sure (I think). If I didn't, I couldn't even really guess.

BEC - 85
FAR - 85
REG - 82
AUD - 68, 88

[RalphDoggy]

I just took FAR on the 1st and had about the same experience as you. I was really worried coming out of the test because it seemed like all of the testlets were the same difficulty. I did not think the sims were over the top either. I got two research questions and am 99% sure I answered both correctly. I guess we will just have to wait and see.

REG - Passed
BEC - Passed
FAR - Passed
AUD - Passed

[RedRage00]

I remember starting the first testlet and thinking to myself “Man, this is easy! I got this!”

Then, that 2nd testlet came around and brought me back down to reality! LOL!! I think I flagged the first 5 questions. I remember sitting there feeling defeated during that 2nd testlet…but I had to push on. The 3rd testlet dropped back down a little so I know I didn't do so well on the 2nd testlet.

The SIMS were tough. Nothing can prepare you for the SIMS so just learn the materal by doing MCQs.

All in all, I left there having no clue how I did. I couldn't even remember what I tested on like an hour later LOL It was a huge blur.

I got “Stronger” in both MCQs and SIMS compared to passing candidates.

No one knows how they grade these things. I'm pretty convinced they just grab scores out their butt considering I pretty much guessed my way on all 7 SIMS and got “Stronger”

Texas CPA
Licensed, March 2012

[hhiccd]

My experience with FAR was similar to yours. I didn't notice the tests getting harder but I did note they were wordier and frequently gave more information than was needed. The TBS were all familiar and two were so similar that I thought it must be a mistake. I finished with 1.5 hours to spare. Don't second guess yourself. If you felt comfortable with the material and think you did okay — you probably did!

BEC 11/2009 87
AUD 10/2010 75
REG 11/2010 73, 2/2011 80
FAR 02/2011 85
Licensed FL CPA as of 10/5/2011 Yay!!!

[Author]

Replies