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Hi all – I just passed my final CPA exam here in CA and now am ready to take the dreaded Ethics Exam. I had read that now CA has three separate 50 question tests to make life more difficult for us. Looking over the materials that they give us, I see that each chapter has a set of questions and answers at the end – are these similar to the questions that are on the actual exam? I do not want to open the actual exam yet since I hear that it needs to be completed in one sitting, am I correct there? Has anyone taken this recently and can offer their experience and tips? It would be much appreciated!

FAR: 76 (04/11/14)
REG: 82 (07/09/14)
AUD: 76 (10/01/14)
BEC: 85 (11/26/14)

[Anonymous]

I just took and passed the CA Ethics Exam this past weekend. While you can't save, exit and return to the test, I was able to leave the test overnight and return to it in the morning to finish it up. I just left the website up and the laptop on and let it go into sleep mode. I copied and pasted all the questions into a word doc and answered both sets of questions, just in case anything happened. I spent about 8-10 hours actually taking the test, as I thoroughly researched each question before answering. I did not study at all before taking the test, although if I had to do it all over again, I would study chapter 4 intensely. Good luck!

[HACPA786]

Hi everyone,

Could someone please offer some advice on passing the NEW CA ethics exam? The questions now change with every try, so what is the best approach to tackle this exam?

Also, do the questions start to repeat at some point? I'm only on my 2nd try and have not seen any repeat questions.

THANK YOU!

[Anonymous]

Even through reading the study materials is like taking sandpaper to your eyes, it needs to be done. I would suggest reviewing at all of the question and answer portion of the materials, along with the chapter tests.

In taking the test, have the study materials open so you can search for topics. If the test mentions the SEC, GAO or that a member is in California, look through those sections for the answer.

The questions are supposed to change, but it randomly takes the questions from a finite pool so it is possible to get a repeat.

I spend about 12 hours studying, then spent four hours taking the test. Failed with an 80%. Next day I tried again. I verified every answer, even the ones that I was sure were right, and spent five and a half hours doing it but passed with a 94%.

[LetThisBeOverSoon]

My question is: where did you people see that the exam had changed as far as a new set of questions each time?? I just submitted the exam and got an 86%, went to retake it, and noticed the questions were totally different. The CALCPA website itself states “All self-study and PETH exam questions are random. Meaning, exam questions are issued in a random order each time the test is taken.” So how the heck is anyone supposed to read that and understand the questions CHANGE, not just appear in a different order?

OK, rant over.

AUD - 73, 83 (expired), 77
REG - 77
FAR - 72, 74, 70, 78
BEC - 72, 66, 74, 76

[sailingby]

I'm not sure that CalCPA officially announced it, but getting a new set of questions each time you take the exam was already in effect at least as early as November 2014. I encountered it myself when I failed my first try at it. I spent hours on both attempts. I don't have any advice beyond reading carefully and taking your time with the exam. I also printed out the material and used both the hard copy and the soft copy, but that was personal preference.

You do not need to take the exam in one sitting. You can open it up, copy the questions into Word, and then press “cancel” towards the bottom of the screen. When you log into the exam again, the same set of questions will still be there.

FAR - 91 ✓
AUD - 95 ✓
REG - 86 ✓
BEC - 95 ✓

CA ethics exam - 84, 94 ✓

[HACPA786]

Has anyone else tried the above (hitting cancel and logging back in later to get the same exam q's)?

I just emailed CALCPA and they said you have to complete the exam in one sitting.

Can anyone confim this?

[HACPA786]

Bump

[StephAV]

Yes, you can log in and out and the questions are still the same. The answers that you may have input, will not be saved. I would print it out and take notes and mark your answers on the printed version, then when you are done login and enter them. Once you submit your answers and do not get 90% or higher you get a new set of questions.

FAR - 7/13 - 72, 11/13- 74, 2/14- 82!!! Best score ever (for me)!!!
BEC - 1/14 - 75!!! Perfect score! First Pass! YAY!!!
AUD - 8/14 - 80!!!
REG - 5/14 - 72, 10/14 - 66, 1/15 - 78 - DONE FOREVER!!!
I did 5 of the UNA and CPAExcel classes to earn units.

[HACPA786]

Thanks StephAV 🙂 Much appreciated!

[Author]

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