[SIMSLAYER]

I have seen postings in the past where people have mistakenly exited out of an exam, spent too much time on the MCs and didn’t leave enough time to for the SIMs, blanked-out on anwsers they should have known, etc. But I think I discovered a new way to goof up the FAR exam after hours, days, weeks of vigorous studying. I went into the exam (my first section) thinking no matter what I will not leave anything blank in the SIMs. I will budget my time appropriately in the MCs, and then give my best shot at each SIM. But no matter what, I will absolutely not leave anything blank in the SIMs.

I left the exam site with pride feeling that I at least acomplished what I set out to do. I put in the study time prior to exam day, I managed my time and did my best for each MC testlet, and I did my best on the SIMs. But most of all, I finished and did not leave anything blank in the SIMs (or so I thought). With the SIMs, I felt that I got both research questions correct and at least partial credit on the rest. Because this is my first section and I have not yet experienced getting a passing score, I knew that I could not really gauge how I did. But my gut feeling was good, and I felt that I at least gave myself a chance at passing FAR. I was so completely exhausted and glad the exam was over. I had a beer, or 2, or 3 and the rest of the evening was a wash.

It wasn’t until the next day when I was reflecting on my experience that my heart sank and I got a lump in my throat. I only did 5 of 7 SIMs. I was going over each SIM in my head and reflecting on how I approached each one, when I realized that I can only count 5. I have no idea of what the other 2 even looked like, what topic they were on, if they looked tough or manageable. Nothing. Not a clue.

I have no idea how I let this happen and why I didn’t realize at the time. All I can chalk it up to is that I had to go to the bathroom, I was majorly hungry and mentally exhausted. I skipped around when completeling the SIMs and somehow kept skipping the same 2 so that I never even saw them. I even exited out of the exam with about a minute left just to get the satisfaction of leaving on my terms, rather than having the exam cut me off. So in the end, I did the one thing I said I wouldn’t do. I left blanks SIMs. Now I’m in the category of needing a miracle to pass (like 1 of the 2 was pretest, etc). Anyways, just needed to vent while anticipating FAR round 2.

FAR- 81
AUD- 93
BEC- 79
REG-

[Marivy22]

Lets think that those 2 were pre-test.

Good Luck!!!

Done 😉
Class of 2012!!!!
Lots of prayers and hard work....

[SIMSLAYER]

Thanks for the positive energy. Good luck to you as well!

FAR- 81
AUD- 93
BEC- 79
REG-

[SIMSLAYER]

Thank you to everyone who sent encouraging words and thoughts my way. I found out today that I did indeed pass FAR with an 81. I was astonished at the score to be honest after weeks of tormenting myself. It's not that I felt I was unprepared for the exam and ended up getting completely lucky. It's just that I thought I really shot myself in the foot after an otherwise solid performance by omiting those 2 SIMs. The luck factor must have stemmed from one of those 2 SIMs being pretest.

Anyways, audit is next. For the SIMs I think I will write 1 through 7 on my scatch paper and mark each one off as I go. Then recheck each one once, then again, and then again…

Good luck to everyone.

@Keeptrying, you are almost there. Stay strong!!

FAR- 81
AUD- 93
BEC- 79
REG-

[Author]

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