[UAcpa]

I just finished taking Reg a few hours back. I am certainly glad it is over. I really put myself through it studying knowing the pass rates were low and what most of those who have taken it in 2011 have said on various forums.

My Thoughts

Well I am definitely going to begin by saying that this is definitely the worst job I have seen Becker do thus far. Over the course of my 72 MCQ I had several questions that Becker completely neglected to cover. I studied this information about as thoroughly as anyone could have. Also, I was a little shocked at the number of MCQ on the test that involved information that Becker didn’t devote a whole lot of time too or decided to put in the ancillary material (which I read but didn’t cover as thoroughly as everything else).

On the whole I thought the first test-let was very easy. I only flagged two or three problems. However, the second test-let was just a whole different ball game. Stuff that I knew backwards and forwards and was nailing on cpaforfree.com and in the Becker HW and quizzes just threw me completely off. This is of course information that I drilled since I was anticipating it being on the exam. Some of the questions involved things I had never seen before and were just confusing as far as the wording. Third test-let went much better, but I think it may have had to do with how poorly I did on the last test-let.

Moving on the to the SIMS. They weren’t as bad as I thought they would be after all I had heard on here. I had two that were fairly straight forward and from stuff I knew extremely well. My research was very doable.

I did have one that was from information I had never heard of before. I haven’t seen it in Becker nor had I ever come across in undergrad or as a Masters student. I had every reason to believe that it was a pre-test sampler thingy that they do. I had another that Becker should have covered better. Way too important of a topic to only devote what they did to it. I was able to work my way through part of it. I am hoping that I get some points for it, maybe around 50%.

Then I had one on a topic Becker devotes little to nothing too. I also thought I read a release at the beginning of this year that the AICPA would no longer be testing this information due to its relevance. I was a little disgruntled when that was the first one that popped up. I also knew enough on this one to work some stuff out and hopefully get some partial credit. We will see. All in all if I didn’t botch the second test-let too badly and was able to get some points on two of the SIMS that I wasn’t prepared for I think I will come out on the right side of 75. I guess I just have to wait now and try to take another one before this window closes.

I don’t know if anyone has dealt with this recently, but I also had some serious lag and freeze issues when I did the SIMS. My computer would freeze or lag when I was working on the calculator and I got to the point where I wanted to punch the screen since I was tired and it was screwing up my calculations. I also had about a 30 second lag time each time I switched between the SIMS. Really agitating and I think unfair. Glad I had plenty of time or I may have thrown the computer at the check in guy. I honestly don’t understand why they don’t allow people to bring a hand held calculator. The Prometric guy told me that the CPA exam is one of the only exams that they have at the center that doesn’t allow calculators. I guess that is a rule that is put in place by the AICPA. He said Prometric has some pretty strict rules on the use of calculators, so they can’t be used improperly, so he doesn’t really understand the reasoning behind it.

Anyway those were my thoughts. Sorry for being so long winded, but I thought this may give people an idea of what they are in for with Reg. I am hoping I passed. I think I should be pretty close as long as that second test-let didn’t hurt me too badly.

[Zizoty]

What was the ratio between tax and law questions that you see in your exam? All your TBS questions are from tax or both?

thanks

AUD - 83 Feb11
REG - 75 May11
BEC - 73 July11 84 Oct11
FAR - 63 Aug11 76 Feb12 I'M DONE!!!!!

[Anonymous]

I took my REG 2 days ago and had the same experience. The simulations completely threw me off. Each tab was on something that Becker didn't cover in detail. 85% of my MCQ were calculation problems and very time consuming. I had 1 hr 15 mins going into simulations and finished 6 mins before cause I had no idea how to even approach a simulations. Completely blanked out. So i just guessed. This was my last exam and it was the worst experience ever!

[UAcpa]

I actually ended up having around 1 hour and 35 minutes for the Sims. My first test-let was so easy that I finished it in about 15-20 minutes even after going through it a second time. The second test-let took nearly 35-37 and the third took around 20-22 minutes. I did come across a question in the second test-let that I am 100% certain was an error. It was a calculation on the very first problem of the second test-let that was incredibly easy. The correct answer however was not an option. I actually spent nearly 3-4 minutes on this one. I knew what it pertained to better than any of the information I think I studied on the entire exam. I am just hoping 2 solid test-lets and a little above average will beat out a horrible test-let in the end.

Given that I had so much time for the TBS. I actually attempted to research the one that I was certain wasn't going to count. I didn't know whether they would give you any type of bonus or extra points if you actually got a portion of it correct. It was to no avail. I still have my old corporate tax book and it had nothing about this in it. Nothing from Becker, Yaeger, Wiley or anything I have searched on google have anything regarding the topic ever.

To answer the question above. I wouldn't ignore anything. I had actually heard from forums and people that the test would comprised of tax more so than anything else. I personally decided to devote plenty of time to business law. I am glad I did because there was more than I had anticipated. I am also lucky to be in a Masters business law class right now.

[SusanStudies]

Sorry to hear that it was tough. I take it you would not recommend Becker for REG.

There is so much material in REG, I don't know how to even begin studying for it or how a review course could cover everything completely.

Maybe you did better than you think. 🙂

AUD: 07/11/11 - Passed
BEC: 08/27/11 - Passed
FAR: 01/17/12 - Passed
REG: 04/30/12; Re-take 7/16/12 - Passed

FINISHED!!!!!!!!

[UAcpa]

@Susan Studies Honestly given the circumstances. I made a 74 on one of my audit exams in which I knew 1 maybe two of the Sims and didn't do two of them and totally butchered the other three. My performance on the MC on audit was probably better, but my performance on the Regulation Sims relative to that 74 in audit are just not comparable. So I am feeling alright about it.

[gomdolyi79]

REG SIM completely threw me off when I took them 1st QTR 2011. However, I guess I was able to pass because I think I did well on the MC? I remember spending about 1 1/2 hrs for the simulation as well.

As far as the study material, I listen to the Becker 2011 lectures once, did all the HW questions, Supp questions, and simulations (3 times for Tax sections only).

I downloaded Gleim Ethics and professional responsibility from Online and read them 3 times (about 14 pages, nice summary of Circular 230, etc, which really helped me answering MCs on the exam).

I also borrowed Wiley 2011 from the library and did all the Tax questions twice and the release questions from 2006-2010 once. I recommend doing the Wiley questions because more in detail and better explanations for the answers.

Lastly, I read the Ninja Notes on the day of the exam and I must say it was worth it.

BEC 2010 Q3 91
FAR 2010 Q4 88
REG 2011 Q1 90
AUD 2011 Q2 93

[HazeEastwood]

UAcpa, exact same experience as you with REG. First testlet blew thru it. 2nd 1 either the question was very strangely worded or they had little differences that I was unsure about. 3rd test went better, easier than the 2nd but harder than the first. The SIMS were a bit confusiing too. They usually are simply because we are now trying to apply this information in a way we are not use to. They were tough, even ones that were more str8 forward had little twist that threw me. REG is so unfair!

FAR-81
BEC-84
AUD-91
REG-89

[32CPA]

@gomdolyi79… where can I get a download of Gleim's Ethics and Prof Responsibilities that you speak of? I went to their website and don't see it.

BEC - Pass 10/2010
FAR - Pass 10/2010
AUD - Pass 11/2010
REG - Pass 05/2011

[gomdolyi79]

32CPA,

Click CPA, and Select TRY CPA GLEIM ONLINE

Next, Select TRY CPA GLEIM ONLINE-REGULATION for Free

Next, you will need to creat log in ID & Password.

The free trial online chapter is the Ethics and Professional responsibilities.

You can download and print the Knowledge transfer online.

You can also do the 2 sets of MCs, true/ false questions, and 1 simulation.

Let me know if you need anything else.

PS: Good luck on your test.

Created with Compare Ninja

BEC 2010 Q3 91
FAR 2010 Q4 88
REG 2011 Q1 90
AUD 2011 Q2 93

[32CPA]

Got it now! Thanks a lot for your help!!!!!!

BEC - Pass 10/2010
FAR - Pass 10/2010
AUD - Pass 11/2010
REG - Pass 05/2011

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