[JakeO]

So, just got my first score ever back and it was a 68 for AUD. I do not feel bad about this because I know I did not put in the time I needed, I was just happy to see a score in the high 60’s. But now I face that inevitable time where I am going to be retaking auditing in July. I think my weakest area was actually the MCQ’s, and I only did about 30% of the ones given to me in CPAExcel. So, obviously, I would like to get through all of the MCQ’s at least once, maybe twice.

So, does anyone out there have any tips or study strategies for restudying a section? How long should the restudy be? This is the time where a lot of us our thinking about how to approach a failed test, so any suggestions or tips are helpful!!

AUD-Failed (Waiting for Score)
BEC-PASSED (First try)
REG-Failed (Retake February 2013)
FAR-Failed (Retake January 2013)

[jcw1503]

I cannot help you out too much…I also used CPA Excel for auditing..just found out I passed with a 75, however I should have done better, but anyways…I am restudying FAR which I failed after taking it at the end of April. I am using the Ninja Notes and Audio…For a restudy I find the Ninja Notes very helpful. He has condensed the infrmation into a smaller amount of material to study. I will start multiple choice after I finish rewriting the ninja notes. Then right before the test I will rewrite the ninja notes again. If you don't have that much money, ninja notes aren't that expensive. I bought all 4 parts for $134. Not bad for 4 parts and from the looks of it you have all tests remaining, so I would look into it. I wish I could be more help, but FAR was my first test ever and thus my first restudying I have to do. Good Luck.

FAR - Attempt 1-(70)...Attempt 2 (Passed Baby)-Praise the Lord-Couldn't have done it without him.
AUD- Attempt 1-Passed!!!!!!!!! )-Praise the Lord-Couldn't have done it without him.
REG-Attempt 1-(73)...Attempt 2 (Passed Baby)-Praise the Lord-Couldn't have done it without him.
BEC-Attempt 1-(71)...Attempt 2 (Passed Baby)-Praise the Lord-Couldn't have done it without him.

****What is one Golden Rule for Passing the Exam? 1) Read the question properly. and 2) Leave yourself enough time to answer all of the....
****Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They makes mistakes, but they don't quit.
****Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.

[Anonymous]

I passed AUD with CPAExcel+Ninja Notes. I would suggest you:

1. Do all MCQs at least 2 times (I did them like 7-8 times, but that's just me)

2. Practice the Research Sims

3. Get the Ninja Notes and read them at least 2-3 times

4. Know the Audit Risk formula cold-CPAReviewForFree has an excellent SIM on it

5. Read (skim) the book multiple times (I'm not smart by nature, so I read everything like 7-10 times)lol

6. Get the SIMS from CPAReviewForFree ($10) and work them 2-3 times, especially for final review

7. Leave at least 2.5 hrs for the SIMS on exam day and use the literature like crazy

CPAExcel did an excellent job in preparing me for the MCQs as I got them done in less than an hour. Focus, focus, focus, especially with the SIMS..Good luck!

[JakeO]

Yeah, I finished the test in under 2 hours. I was pretty confident with 4 out of the 7 sims and knew enough to get some partial credit on the last 3. I really think it was the MCQ's which hurt me. I breezed through the first, “easier” testlest in about 15 minutes but the second one was rough, and the third wasn't much better.

AUD-Failed (Waiting for Score)
BEC-PASSED (First try)
REG-Failed (Retake February 2013)
FAR-Failed (Retake January 2013)

[missjones513]

I got my first score of 64 on REG so I feel your pain :(. Next time I need to do the mcq's in my Wiley book at least twice, do all of the sims in the book. and leave at least a week before my test to do the mcq's in the test bank. I don't know what I was thinking only giving myself the weekend before to do the test bank.

Rookie mistake 🙂

REG - 5/29/12 (64), 10/1/12 (74), 5/20/13 (75, expires 12/31/14)
FAR - 8/14/12 (64), 8/5/14 (75)
BEC - 11/19/12 (70), 2/25/13 (72), 11/21/13 (73), 1/21/14 (73), 8/30/14 (72), 11/24/14 (75)
AUD - 4/22/13 (65), 10/12/13 (79)

I'm done!!!

Ethics - Pass

[JakeO]

I feel ya MissJones, this being my first test I was more anxious just to take one and see what it was like than actually passing. I ended up only going through the lectures, while taking notes, and then studying a couple hundred MCQ's sporadically before the last 2 weeks of the test. But now I definitely feel much more dedicated and I understand better how I study and learn so hopefully the retake in July will prove successful.

AUD-Failed (Waiting for Score)
BEC-PASSED (First try)
REG-Failed (Retake February 2013)
FAR-Failed (Retake January 2013)

[nolifecpa]

Don't expect the same test next time, its different everytime. Study again as if you're studying it for the first time

And most importantly don't give up!

REG-65,71,74,73,70,74,79
BEC-60's,60's,69,71,76*,78
FAR-67,66,65,79
AUD-54,60's,65,83*,69,80
*expired

DONE

[Anonymous]

I think each of us needs to do what works for us – and the ultimate outcome should be that we know the material going into the testing facility. If you go through the MCQs 10 times and still don't know the underlying concepts, you'll likely fail. Do what it takes to KNOW the material (e.g. the concepts – not how to memorize) and you WILL pass.

[Anonymous]

Read read read and work MCQs/SIMs until you puke. I barely passed Audit (75), so I'm not an expert, but I really think reading the chapters twice and working the MCQs 3-4x helped. Know all the reports!! Good Luck!!

[Mrs 300]

You got some great advice here!

I just want to warn you a little that there is a huge difference between a 68 and a 75. I'm not saying that a 68 is a poor or bad score, but I think that people don't realize that and they go chasing after the 10, 15, 7 points that they came short. I knew twice the info between my 65 and 74 on FAR and between my 71 and 76 on AUD.

I wish someone told me this earlier. I had to learn and fail on my own.

So I guess my advice would be to study like you got a 30. That's what I'm going to do the next go 'round.

REG - 80 (Becker only)
BEC - 76 (Becker only)
AUD - 71, 76 (Becker only)
FAR - 65, 74, 81! (Becker, Wiley Test Bank, Ninja notes & Audio)

CPA Class of 2012 🙂

[Anonymous]

I agree with Mrs 300. Start studying all over again. And then rinse and repeat. Do MC's until you throw up, clean it up and do more MC's. The same with SIMS. I usually allow 3 weeks for a final review. As someone on this forum has said before, you are not looking for seven more points(or whatever will make a 75) you are looking for 75 points.

I think the best thing I have done thus far in studying for these exams and especially AUD is buying a voice recorder. For AUD I recorded ALL of the opinions, reviews, compilations, formulas,.lists, anything and listen to it over and over and over. This way, you can always make the most of your study time. Some folks at work think I am actually listening to music all day at work. Little do they know!!!

Hope this helps!

AUD-62,78

BEC-68,66,71,75

REG-55,64,68,78

FAR-8/11/12

[JakeO]

Thanks for all the great advice. I definitely need to restudy everything but I don't think spending hours going through the lectures again will be very efficient. I took pretty complete notes the first time through so I will just focus on those and Ninja notes plus read my books on the chapters covering opinions and the different types of services.

AUD-Failed (Waiting for Score)
BEC-PASSED (First try)
REG-Failed (Retake February 2013)
FAR-Failed (Retake January 2013)

[Tootsie]

@candothis, a voice recorder is a great idea. I found out that my husband has one packed away and I am using it now! It is really helping.

I just bought the AUD Ninja notes and am about to get the BEC Ninja notes for free. I've heard great things about the Ninja notes and after skimming through them, I am recommending them as well. They are easy to read and highlight the major points. I have about 4 weeks of studying for AUD. Hope I pass this third time around!

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

never, never, never give up

[Mrs 300]

@CPATerminator, congrats on passing BEC! I didn't hear the good word and I couldn't bring myself to sift through the tabs of the score release tabs. Besides, at one point I was laughing out loud at work and not getting anything done!

I love your tips. I am going to try and do the MCQs more than twice for FAR. Not sure if I can do them 7-8 times, but it has seemed to work for you. Do you really think I can use the SIMS for FAR? FAR SIMS are usually heavy calcs (they have been for me) and journal entries and not something I can use the literature for?? Maybe I'm all wrong.

WTF where have I been? You changed your signature too! Not selling kids for food anymore?

REG - 80 (Becker only)
BEC - 76 (Becker only)
AUD - 71, 76 (Becker only)
FAR - 65, 74, 81! (Becker, Wiley Test Bank, Ninja notes & Audio)

CPA Class of 2012 🙂

[Author]

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