[Anonymous]

Here’s my experience for anyone who cares to hear about it. Unfortunately, the battle didn’t go to well! 1st testlet went well and only marked 4 for review. 2nd testlet was noticeably more difficult immediately (so I guess I did well on the 1st). Everything was wordy with quite a few calculations that took a lot of time. I knew the material for those calculation questions but I was really starting to get mentally fatigued. I found myself reading and re-reading questions…I started to lose my focus. 3rd testlet didn’t seem as hard as the 2nd but I still had marked quite a few questions that I was unsure of. At this point I decided it was a good idea to take a quick bathroom break and try to wake up my mind. The test center was very warm and I was literally starting to get dizzy. I splashed some cold water on my arms and neck, went back in there ready for the sims with an hour and 20 minutes left. I peeked at all the sims and about passed out!

It was my worst nightmare come to life…I felt as if someone was playing a practical joke on me. One research tab with an insane situation (it was literally a 4 sentence paragraph explaining what I’m supposed to be searching for), 2 tabs of journal entries that involved some major calculations, 2 tabs of creating financial statements with very lengthy trial balances! The other 2 tabs were calculation/fill in the numeric answer type questions looking for 3-4 answers on each. Needless to say…I did not complete them all!! I completed 2 of the tabs with some confidence, 1 completely unsure of myself, tried my best on the research question…left the other 3 blank! Yes…blank. The computer shut off on me and I tucked my tail between my legs and left.

Note to self…I need 2 hours on the sims! Seriously though, even if I had 2 hours I don’t know that those questions could have been answered in the timeframe. I’ve done very well with the Becker self-study, did EVERY question in the software for FAR (homework, supplemental) took progress tests and final exam simulation, did questions on cpareviewforfree, but nothing prepared me for the amount of information that those sims required in the timeframe I had.

Ugh…here’s to a week break then back to the grind of re-studying FAR!

[pacific1]

@cpamama – I feel your pain with taking FAR today! I learned some important things as well, one is just because it is a new item doesn't mean it won't be tested much…try about 8-10 questions on the one topic, I was not prepared for that. Another is I need to figure out how to practice the SIMS, I swear half the time I have no clue what they are actually asking and I spend forever figuring that out. I am so sorry you didn't finish the exam, that is hard when that happens but you just never know, maybe the ones you didn't get to were the pre-test ones, I will keep my fingers crossed for you.

I am going to be doing the same as you though, I am going to take today and tomorrow off and then right back to studying FAR and I am 99% sure I will be taking that one again in January!

[mandy8041]

cpamama- I will share my far experience with you to make you feel better. I walked in not knowing at all what to expect (first exam ever, early 2011). I felt like the first testlet was a joke. I questioned about 2 of my answers. Moved on and could very clearly tell the questions were harder. Still felt pretty confident about my answers though. I probably got about 5 I wasn't 100% on. The third testlet still seemed harder than the first but not as hard as the second and I sped through those flagging 4 or so. As I started the Sims, I had 2 hrs left and felt confident about doing well the MC's. After that, the test was pretty much over. I spent the whole 2 hours working on the sims and I was calculating the percentage I got correct. I figured I got the research question and one other sim 100%. The rest I felt like I may have gotten partial credit on but I was not confident at all that I even got the partial credit because I was that unsure. Finished exam with no time left and wanted to cry. Still passed though. My score report showed stronger on 3 topics, comparable on 2 and overall comparable on MC's. I was weaker on Sims.

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

[stevie14]

I had the exact same feeling with FAR Monday. My sims were brutal and I guessed on 2 and didnt finish one. MCQ I felt were doable but here is to hoping we all passed!!!!!

AUD 76
REG 83
BEC 77
FAR Nov 11

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the sympathy…I'm feeling a little better today. It was my first time sitting since 1999! I tell you what though…I truly believe it is nice to have the old test booklet in front of you to circle, underline, etc. Oh well…no use in complaining because this is how it's done. At least now I know how to better manage my time! I need to let go…but it hurts that I could have answered those sims if I hadn't reviewed my mcq's! There's always next time…and the time after that, and the time after that…lol.

[Author]

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