[Keely]

I know I should post this in the exam experience thread, but I just want everyone to read this. REG is a completely different beast than AUD or BEC. I flew through both of those exams in under and hour and a half, and when I left, I felt pretty good (or neutral, at least) and ended up with high scores. Today, during the REG exam, I started crying. Like, silently sobbing.

The MCQs were fine. There were a few I didn’t know within each testlet, but could narrow it down to two choices pretty much every time. So I have a 50-50 shot at those. The SIMs. Ha. What can I say except they ate me alive. Every SIM I had was a calculation. Even the research SIM took me over 30 minutes to find. At first, I gave up on it and almost left it blank, but thankfully I found it before I decided to throw in the towel. I had 3 SIMs on the same topic. I swear by Becker, but I will say this topic was sparsely covered in Becker. There are a lot of MCQ practice questions on it, but the book/lecture offer little guidance. The very last SIM I barely knew what they were asking me and I seriously almost just walked out. I am really glad I read this board the past few days because someone (Mini, maybe) gave someone else some good advice. They said to not let the exam emotionally beat you. So I gathered myself and attempted the calculations instead of just putting in random numbers. I do think I at least got a few correct on that one.

Basically, I just want to let everyone know that the exam is certainly doable. There was nothing on it that was out of left field. But you better just know how to do everything like the back of your hand, because you might end up with half your test on one specific topic. Here’s hoping.

BEC: (4/2012) 88
AUD: (5/2012) 91
REG: (8/2012) 82
FAR: (1/2013) 78 🙂

VA CPA #42010

[Shay]

@Keely…I agree SIM are just huge MCQ grouped together. I am good at MCQ and not so good when it comes to SIM. I guess I need more practice with MCQ… Was it farely divided between Tax and BLAW. I am re-reading R3!

[Keely]

Oh, yes it is definitely covered. It's in there. I'm not trying to be doomsday person, I am just surprised it made up half of my test. I guess it just wasn't my day. I scraped my toes on the way in and had blood all over my sandal as I walked in. I should've known! And yes, the test is about half and half. At least, mine was.

I consider myself quite smart and a decent test taker. And I studied a lot, so I was surprised how difficult I found the test to be. I guess that just goes to show, you never know about the exam. The wait sucks more than anything now. 🙁

BEC: (4/2012) 88
AUD: (5/2012) 91
REG: (8/2012) 82
FAR: (1/2013) 78 🙂

VA CPA #42010

[Shay]

for your SIMS, did you have to fill-out tax forms or just plan blank fields?

[Keely]

Mine were all blank fields, but I don't think it's unheard of to have a tax form SIM.

BEC: (4/2012) 88
AUD: (5/2012) 91
REG: (8/2012) 82
FAR: (1/2013) 78 🙂

VA CPA #42010

[Shay]

Thanks

[Keely]

Update: I PASSED!!!!! I was quite shocked. Wow, I am so effing glad I don't have to see that material again. I am SO glad I read Mini's post about not letting the exam beat you, because I was so, SO close to walking out and giving up after 45 minutes searching for the research SIM, and another SIM that I just arbitrarily put down numbers because I didn't have a clue what they were asking. I regrouped and held it together just long enough to FINALLY find the research question and at least take an educated guess at what the other SIM was asking and I changed about five or six of the answers and I know that put me over the top.

I know my score is lower because I didn't do as well in the MCQs as I did previously. BEC and AUD MCQs were a breeze and I finished all 72 in less than 45 minutes each time. REG was definitely more time consuming and I was unsure on several of them, because I just hadn't studied enough. I mean, I studied FOREVER, but I was so burned out it just wasn't quality study time for the last several weeks. I guess I didn't do nearly as poorly in the SIMs as I thought, but I also know there is a massive curve, so maybe I did, but WHO CARES, I passed! Hope you guys who were waiting did too! Thanks again for the encouragement. 🙂

BEC: (4/2012) 88
AUD: (5/2012) 91
REG: (8/2012) 82
FAR: (1/2013) 78 🙂

VA CPA #42010

[Minimorty]

Congrats, Keely!

[kobebryant168]

I'm soooo jealous of you keely!

HELP me out over here!

[Shay]

Congrats to Keely!! I remember when you posted this, and you didn't sound happy. I got worried, b/c for BEC you said its piece of cake and it was. I'm so happy for you.

I wanted to ask you to which should I do next. AUD and FAR?

I want to wrap these exams next window. I like computation problem, b/c they help me understand concepts quickly. Like REG, but unlike BEC. I don't like reading and reading….

I have planned to AUD in first wk of OCT and take FAR last day of window. Good idea?

I feel like I would be pushing myself for AUD and start FAR, but then I might not pass AUD, so I be stuck. I also agree with you on Becker is the best. I don't have school or job. So I do full time.

Oh one thing, I got 85 on REG!

I got 85

[jokami]

Wooooohoooo @Keely…. Now go drink some Margaritas and celebrate.

B - 62, 70, 72, 79!!!
A - 68, 81
R - 70, 82
F - 84

"The limit to your abilities is where you place them" - Fortune Cookies

[Anonymous]

It's inexplicable….I received an 84 this time and a 66 last and I can't say it was any different in my knowledge.

I swear it's based on how you do against the class….I know everyone says it isn't but it is!

CPAPending

[ftommy]

i guess i must say i have had the same experience and some of my friends do it, it really takes a lot of emotionally and mental effort to be able to pass the exam as it does demand a lot from your memory and learning, i guess it helps to be able to stay calm and focused no matter what as time is also a challenge in these exams. i do hope thati got a few tips ahead of time maybe i was better prepared if idid.

[Red315]

Congrats Keely!!!

Jeanne Aparicio

B - 75 (11/2011, First Attempt)
A - 88 (2/2012, First Attempt)
R - 89 (5/2012, First Attempt)
F - 79 (8/31/2012 First Attempt)

I AM DONE!!!!!! BECKER IS AWESOME!!!!

Licensed Florida CPA 09/2012

[Author]

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