[Anonymous]

I took REG on Saturday and I was shocked by how bad the simulations were. I did not know it was possible to get 6 DRS on one exam. And these were DRS with 5 to 8 exhibits to review.

I also got a Research question in the form of a simulation… There were 10 questions which required you to use the Authoritative literature to find the answers so it was like I was doing 10 different research questions.

I definitely did not have enough time to finish.

I’m still recovering from this experience… It was just awful.

All I can do now is remain positive.

[CPAgal]

I hear you. I was just complaining in the REG Exam experience thread. I hated this exam as well and hate AICPA, Roger, and anyone else who I can blame for this brutal exam.

[mosaic]

I took it Sunday morning and had the exact same experience — except I had 1m:55s left. The research question that required looking up all the answers was rough, but it did at least afford an out to someone that somehow had memorized that particular subject matter. I sure hadn't, but I know that person is out there somewhere.

As brutal as it was, I felt it was the least tricky of the exams I've taken. Some of the MCQs that tried to be clever with phaseout amounts were annoying, but even those at least had a path to an obvious “right” answer. I came out of AUD and BEC thinking “what the heck was that? Were there any right answers?!” At least on REG I felt each question had a definitive response.

Not to say I loved it. I was experiencing calculation burn-out by the end and the DRS wouldn't stop with the calculations and sub-calculations. If the AICPA's focus is going to tilt more to DRS tasks, perhaps they should consider removing 1 sim from each exam.

I just hope I passed.

[Nebz]

Don't panic too much…everyone else had to take the same exam so it'll scale accordingly.

I passed REG with an 83 a year ago when I had 6 DRS sims and left 3 sims blank due to running out of time.

Anything can happen. Try not to think about it too much until you get your score.

Best of luck.

[Anonymous]

This is indeed my biggest gripe with the exam: making it harder for no real reason by not giving you enough time. No CPA in real life reviews ten documents and issues a report in 20 minutes. No CPA answers every question from memory in 1 minute 30 seconds. It's all a scam to extort fees from desperate candidates.

[Defo]

calvinus- For some other perspective: The level of difficulty of the CPA exam questions aren't really on par with real world accounting problems. The exam does a good job testing fundamentals, and I think the time crunch supports the validity of the results more than it takes away from it. The test is hard because of the amount of topics, but it really just covers the basics. Another hour would probably help some of candidates who are stumbling their way through the exam, but it doesn't seem unfair to me to hold everyone to a level of mastery that requires quick answers.

[Superdude3000]

Agreed Defo. If you study enough you can manage the time restraint. Hell I've argued that part of what their ‘testing' is actually time management and ability to keep a level head in times of high stress. The exam is difficult because only some should hold the title. @calvinus, with respect, once you pass you'll be happy that the exam is as difficult as it is. It adds value to the certification.

[b]

@bobby I had the exact same sim you did as well. It definitely cut into my time having to look up all 10 answers in the AL. What appeared as a quick and seemingly easy question ended up costing me time on the back end.

[Author]

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