[MinSeokYi]

Hello, I am taking FAR again next window and wanting to get some feedback.

When I took my actual FAR examinations, I usually rock the multiple choice section (85-90ish). However, when I get to the sim section, I completely blank out. It’s like I’m remember a foreign language…

So, do you think it’s because I don’t know the material inside and out to answer these questions? (My time management is usually bad for this exam as well).

Also, any tips on how to keep focus and maintain “brainpower” for the whole test. (when I hit the 4th hour, I feel like my brain shut downs and turns back on for 10 min spans).

BEC: Passed
REG: Passed
FAR: Almost Past (lol)
AUD: I thought I passed with flying colors, but I wasn't close!

[Anonymous]

I have the same issue with energy. This past test, I was temped to hide a 5 Hour Energy in the ladies room. I decided that was gross and so went without. I just plain wear-out in that last hour.

For this next exam, do as many sims as you can get your hands on. Make sure you do each of them multiple times. In the last couple of weeks, keep doing them.

For the journal entries, write them out by hand. Then, write them out again. Keep doing that until you get them. Then, review them each day.

Also, make sure you take notes in a notebook and go over them. I'm talking read them through every single day. In the days leading up to the test, read them through twice, if you possibly can. This should get the information in your brain ready to retrieve at first sign of a difficult sim.

[pinkerton7384]

For maintaining brainpower, I suggest taking a break after the second set of MCQ's and/or just before the sims. Even if it's just for a few minutes to get a sip of water or breath of fresh air, it can reset your brain. Also, I pack a snack (banana, granola bar, slice of bread with peanut butter) and keep it in my locker so I can nosh on it halfway through. I know that if I get too hungry I totally lose focus.

BEC - 75
AUD - 88
REG - 85
FAR - 75

DONE!!!

[J]

Many people have different opinions on this, but the best way for me to prepare for simulations is to hardly prepare at all, if that makes sense. I think that a thorough understanding of the concepts and theory is much more effective at responding to actual simulations rather than doing 100 of them before the test with the hope that the simulations that show up on your exam are very similar to the ones that you practiced.

What do I mean by this? Let me start by stating that I did very few practice simulations for any of the four sections. BEC – nothing whatsoever; FAR, maybe 15 or 20; REG, maybe 20, and AUD, maybe 15 to 20 different simulations. Out of the simulations that I practiced, one of them really was spot on for an actual simulation in REG, and two of them were spot on for actual simulations in AUD. The other actual simulations were not anything for which I specifically prepared, but rather were doable for the most part because I knew the theory and could figure out what was being asked. That's part of being successful with the simulations as well… developing the ability to critically think and reason, sometimes in a restricted amount of time.

In my opinion (and this has been mentioned by others and is encouraged in the Yaeger review course as well) is to practice for simulations via multiple choice questions, because often simulations are just four or five (or more) multiple choice questions disguised as one big simulation. If you know the material and think of it that way, you can break down at least half of the simulations into questions that are very similar and solve each piece by piece. This is especially true for simulations that have the drop down menu and ask you to select one of the possible alternatives.

P.S. @AnnaNuthaCPA – Are you restricted from accessing 5-hour energy drinks at your Prometric location? I didn't have time for a break during BEC, but for FAR/REG/AUD, I've taken a nice long break after the MC questions, partially to enjoy a nice refreshing 5-hour energy!

[MinSeokYi]

@AnnaNuthaCPA. How is five hr energy? I only tried redbull… If I were to take my break(i.e. after 2nd or 3rd testlet) would it work right away?

Also, I completely agree with writing out all the journal entries. (My notes are filled with them).

@pinkerton7384. Well, I travel about 2 hrs to get to my test site and always fearful of stomach aches during my exam so I usually eat really light on exam dates. However, I might try out the whole snack in between breaks idea.

@InterFC1, I think I am the total opposite. I usually go over tons of practice sims, just so I can understand what is going on in the question. However, at times, i think I'm just remembering the formulas and basic content of the question, rather than fully grasping what the simulation is asking….When the last hr arrives, my ability to critically think and reason is just not existent. I guess, I really need a strategy to fully stay focus and energized for the whole duration of the exam.

BEC: Passed
REG: Passed
FAR: Almost Past (lol)
AUD: I thought I passed with flying colors, but I wasn't close!

[jsblamer]

I wouldn't waste anytime studying SIMS, that is just my opinion, you will have all the knowledge you need if you hit the MCQ's at length. All a simulation is, really, is a reformatted multiple choice question.

B -
A - passed
R - passed
F - passed

[Author]

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