[scootter]

So I took REG today, and I have to say, I’m still in shock over the experience. The multiple choice questions were challenging but manageable. However, the SIMS were from another planet. In fact, the first SIM, which sent me into panic mode originally, was on a topic I had really not studied at all, although I had done thousands of questions, read the books, etc. etc. (In fact this topic gets all of two sentences in the Wiley book, and none in the Gleim book). Anyway, it was all down hill from there, with one weird, out of left field topic after another. Even the research question seemed much harder than normal. The whole research interface, in fact, seemed different and harder to use in finding the correct topics through searches (Have they changed that recently?). I studied my butt off, and have had success so far in this CPA journey, where, after getting a 74 on my first test (BEC), I scored 83 BEC, 97 AUD, and 93 FAR. I could have studied another six months using the same materials I used to pass all the other exams ( primarily Wiley and Gleim stuff), and not had much success solving these SIMS. In fact, four hours after the exam, with all my study materials and the internet at my disposal, most of the topics, and the answers that would have been needed on these SIMS, still elude me. I surely do not expect to pass this exam, I’m sure there wasn’t even one SIM that I did well on, and one I’m sure I will get virtually no points on, and unfortunately I only have time for one more test before my BEC score drops off. But I am just lost as to how to proceed at this point. I mean no amount of studying would have prepared me for this. It’s just crazy.

[J]

Relax… I felt absolutely awful after the REG simulations to the point that I convinced myself that I had failed. I remember walking out of Prometric completely depressed because I had thought that the exam was so easy but screwed up the simulations, going to the gym… and doing five sets before realizing that I was too depressed to even work out, so I left. I ended up with a 90.

I haven't taken AUD yet but out of the three that I have completed, REG is the one that can make you feel defeated when that really isn't the case at all.

[Jennifer241]

Also, that off the wall simulation could have been a “non-graded” one.

AUD - Jan 9,13 Pass
REG - Aug 30,13 Pass
BEC - Oct 26,13 Pass
FAR - Dec 4,13 Pass

Licensed CPA in the state of Oregon

[Anonymous]

@scootter I felt the same. SIMS were awful. After reading the first one twice I had no idea where to even begin and so I skipped it and went on the to the AL – which I found for FAR in less than 2 minutes – I couldn't find this one and so I finally gave up and saved it for last. Two of my SIMS were major topics in Becker but not covered in a way that was even close to how they tested it. The others were out in left field. One of them could have been a SIMS question for FAR. I went back to the AL and finally found the answer – only to have my screen go dead before I could input it. I don't think I passed. My thoughts going into all of these exams from the beginning were – all I have to do is study. Study my butt off – put the time in and I'll pass. I spent 7 months on FAR (working full time and two kids). I spent 5 months on REG. I'll pay my dues but seriously give me a test that I actually studied for. All I do now is check my countdown app twice a day, study for AUD, and wait. It's painful.

Thanks InterFC1 – hoping your right.

[J]

@CPA_Driven… out of the six simulations, I breezed through the first three (90 to 100% correct) and hit a roadblock on the last three. On the fourth… it was a relatively easy concept that I completely misinterpreted and couldn't find anything in the authoritative literature that helped me. I know for a fact that I did not get ANYTHING correct on that one. I am pretty sure that either the fifth or sixth simulation was the pretest, but they were concepts that were covered very briefly with no emphasis in Wiley… I was able to use AL to help me with the sixth, but I would estimate that I got anywhere from 50 to 70% of the possible points on those two.

Anyway, I was sure that I screwed up on the simulations but ended up with a rating of “stronger” in the score report for sims (in Maryland, you get them if you pass as well). I've come to the conclusion that basically everyone struggles with at least a couple of simulations in REG so as long as you don't screw up all of them, you're probably in better shape than you think.

[ksettles]

@InterFC1…thanks for that boost of confidence. I took Reg yesterday and I felt I did really well on MC but then when I got to the sims, I was amazed that a couple of the sims were on something I have never studied before using Becker and Wiley. And when I got home, I tried to find the information online and could not find anything on these topics at all. I did walk out of FAR feeling like I failed and I passed it with an 85…and ALL I wanted was a 75 and I wasn't expecting much more. So I know that the way we feel walking out of that test center doesn't necessarily correlate with the score we receive.

FAR - 4/11/13 -- 85!!!! Thank you God!!
AUD - 4/24/13 -- 98 Wow! Praise God!
REG - 5/10/13 -- 89...yay!!!
BEC - 5/25/13 -- 87!!! Done! On to the ethics exam!

[smp73]

I agree with the others here who said that most people struggle on the sims. I took REG in April less than two days after my father died…needless to say I did not have a clear head. I was able to find the research question right off the bat but beyond that the other 5 were not what I would call easy. There was some significant guessing. I left having absolutely no idea how I did, but had a feeling if I failed it would have been the sims. I passed. The time before that I thought I bombed the sims and did well on the MC…I failed with a 74. My score report showed stronger on the sims and weaker on the MC.

You really never know. That crazy hard one could have been pre-test. You probably did better than you think and are just being hard on yourself. I know I did that.

Best of luck!

NYS CPA License # 113563
CIA: Done as of 2/15/14

Training for a half marathon post studying!

[scootter]

It's just so frustrating, you can study so much, emphasizing what are the obvious major subjects, and then they throw these weird curve balls that just kill you. It seems so arbitrary. I must have studied various aspects of property transfers for maybe 20-25 hours alone, because it was a particularly difficult topic for me, and I might have had one single mcq on it. I just have to laugh.

[Author]

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