[jjm1181]

So glad I’ve been studying those major topics for the exam because they did me no good. Had a lot of minuta questions about topics barely referenced during studying. I have the Becker 2012 materials and there’s no ancilary materials so I made sure I went over all the topics others said hurt them. I swear I had a FAR question.

First testlet was medium…blindly guessed on about 4 topics. Had a few questions that I was kicking myself for not knowing the answer. And then came the second testlest…WHAM! I guess this means I did well on the first testlet. I struggled through this one too. Another few questions that just came out of this world. Including one topic that I thought wasn’t even testable, but no, let’s hit you with back-to-back MCQs on that one. The third testlet was easier which clearly told the test takers realized they weren’t dealing with the guy from the first testlet. They were dealing with the guy who did okay on the first testlet and then my true colors came out in the third. I would say there were about 3 – 4 blind guesses due to topics that Becker said “Hey, we don’t feel it’s important so we won’t even mention it. Thanks for your money”.

The sims were hard. Nailed the research. Got another one 80% – 90% correct and then it was all down hill from there. That’s when GuessFest really took off. I have had some good luck with the research tab in the past with finding answers but not this time. Couldn’t find a damn thing. I was able to find the topic, but it sure didn’t speak any sort of language I could understand. Instead, it just listed some random facts and then threw the rest of the important information I needed into another IRC section under an obscure heading with hieroglyphics mixed with words (not literally but that’s what each section looked like under pressure). I eventually began using simple math to complete the cells. I know from experience that 1 + 2 doesn’t equal 3 on the CPA exam. It usually equals 980.760-niner with a remainder of 7. Also my A.D.D. kicked in and I had some issues concentrating. Yay. Thanks Mom and Dad.

I know have a headache. My brain literally hurts. I wan’t a beer to follow 4 consecutive shots of tequila, but I can’t because my wife’s pregnant and that’s just rubbing salt in the wound for her. I’m a nice guy I guess.

I am 100% positively absolutely undeniablely sure that I failed (and no one can convince me otherwise). So now I will take the night off, read some more of MockingJay and tomorrow I will continue studying so that I can be ready to slay this stupid test. And when I do, I will take a picture of my middle finger with a polaroid and send it to the test makers to let them know how I really feel cause that survey at the end just wasn’t enough. 🙂

B 79
A 75
R 78
F 85

[simai]

@jjm1181

Not to make light of the situation but….your description of the sims were hilarious! Almost choked on my coffee at the 1+2 doesn't equal 3 comment. I so hope you pass.

Passed AUD, BEC & FAR. Lost credit for AUD & BEC once. Finally finished with REG as dessert. 15 times was the charm.

AUD: 86
FAR: 81
BEC: 80
REG: 76

[Anonymous]

@Poohjure- I felt the same way. My first MCQ was like, huh, what? I don't think I did all that great on them. A lot of the MCQs I did know, but there were still a whole mess that I narrowed down to 2 choices and was stuck on which one to pick. The Sims, on the other hand, were not too shabby. I think I nailed 4 of the 6. My results should be very interesting because a lot of my answers on the MCQs, I was about 80% sure of, but never 100% positive. So, really, my score could anything and I can't even begin to predict what it will be. But knowing my luck with REG, I have a slight hunch that I will be retaking this exam next window.

[jjm1181]

I was pretty ramped up earlier…feeling a little more calm now. That CPA math is so true though. The other thing that pisses me off is that they give you a sim on a topic they know you couldn't have prepared for. So they give you the authoritative literature to test your ability to react, research and manage under pressure. I get that. BUT some of the topics I got today were just ridiculous and ones that I'll never use again. Welcome to CPA exams I guess.

Also, I remember my first question today and I beleive that was the one that I thought “Hey, this would be perfect for a FAR exam.” I'm betting we all had the same question 🙂

I also had a moment tonight where I couldn't remember the 6th sim and slowly began freaking out that I may have not completed it. Took me a while but I remembered it. It was that same feeling I get when I have temporarily lost my wallet and I'm checking my car, my laundry hamper and seat cushions freaking out because of the consequences.

I'm starting to have a little hope that there is some crazy hope that I passed. But let me remind you…I was literally guessing on some of the MCQS AND I was literally just adding numbers that were not meant to be added on the sims.

As far as Mockingjay…I just took down 2 more chapters and I'm not sure where this is headed…people have told me it was a good series…the first book was good, second was okay and so far all of you have set me up to anticipate and hate the ending of the 3rd. 🙂

P.S. – I've also realized the reason that the AICPA doesn't want us candidates discussing the exam is because we would all figure out how incredibly unfair and distorted the exam really is.

B 79
A 75
R 78
F 85

[Anonymous]

@jjm – The SIMs were out of this world, huh? I think the Wiley books do a good job on the MCs, hitting really hard on the tiny details. I've just decided I'm going to start and finish Bossypants before score release day…might cheer me up a bit in case I have to jump back into REG.

[jjm1181]

I think there were two specifically that just were way off in left field. The part that pissed me off was that one of the topics that I knew was worded and displayed in such a way that I couldn't figure out what they were asking for. It could've been interpreted two different ways. That one took me time because half way through I realized I should complete it a different way and had to restart. Oh well.

While waiting for scores I am going to keep listening to my lectures and start diving into the topics I knew I should have learned. I'm also going to hit up those subjects that I glossed over in prep for the rematch in early April.

B 79
A 75
R 78
F 85

[katiekanton]

jjm, I had basically the same experience you did.

AUD - 88
FAR - 90
REG - 85
BEC - 88

[jjm1181]

As soon as I saw that I knew it didn't stand a chance. Sorry to hear about your test day. I feel like I wasted so much time studying the major topics and they barely asked me crap about them. Do you think BISK did a good job of preparing you? (not that anyone could really be totally prepared for REG)

B 79
A 75
R 78
F 85

[katiekanton]

As soon as you saw what? [confused]

AUD - 88
FAR - 90
REG - 85
BEC - 88

[jjm1181]

haha…your post that was deleted…I knew it wouldn't last. I don't remember any specifics other than the topic of the question. Still mad about one that I could've and should've nailed, but couldn't get any help using the research tab. I left it jumbled. I'm hoping for some major partial credit.

B 79
A 75
R 78
F 85

[katiekanton]

Then you didn't get the same sim. The names of the parties involved were really memorable and it was one you would THINK would be in the auth lit so you would have spent 15 mins trying to find it, to realize there wasn't enough detail to help you with it, and then you would have given up. So if you don't recognize the names you definitely didn't get it.

I don't know if it prepared me well or not. That was part of my problem, I was walking in with some chapters not covered. The smart thing to do probably was to postpone but I didn't. I don't think the things I didn't know were in my material, though.

The more sections I sit for the greater mystery this thing becomes.

AUD - 88
FAR - 90
REG - 85
BEC - 88

[jjm1181]

I forgot that you said that you weren't completely done studying. At least you had a good excuse for not knowing some of the material. 🙂 Besides spending the money on the exam, it was probably a good experience to see what was actually tested. It opened up my eyes to topics I need to learn the 2nd time through. You can get me at @yahoo.com if you need any study strategies. I agree with the mystery. It's also a lot of luck on the testlests and the sims you get. If I had gotten a few sims that I could've used with the research tab, I think I would have been fine.

B 79
A 75
R 78
F 85

[katiekanton]

Luck is a HUGE part of it, and I really feel like I got lucky. I don't think they asked me questions about the things they COULD have asked me about and I wouldn't have known. I had two really difficult sims, but if one was pretest, the other three were semi-easy and I got the Research.

But I really can't spend the money on taking sections more than once. I'm not working so I can get this done. That's why my study method is way overkill. Only I don't feel like it was overkill for this section.

By the way, I bet you pass.

AUD - 88
FAR - 90
REG - 85
BEC - 88

[jenuno01]

@jjm, really hoping you passed so you can be done with this nightmare man! I'll keep my fingers crossed!

@Katie – I'll bet my house you passed REG 😉

Class of 2012

[Anonymous]

I took REG on Friday and I'm freaked out. REG is horrible, and even though I studied a lot…I still don't feel good about my exam. Like you, I wasn't tested on major topics either, or any tax…but lot of b-law/ethics. Plus it seemed like my testlets never got harder:( You have a good chance of passing….ugh I hope we all pass.

Can't imagine:( GL

[yankeeaccountant]

@jjm1181

“It usually equals 980.760-niner with a remainder of 7” LOL!!!! Totally true. Sounds like you have relaxed a bit on your exam experience. I hope you get good news on March 7th. Kudos to you for being such a nice guy to your wife and avoiding the beer and the tequila shots!

When I took REG ( IMO REG does suck!) in early February, it didn't seem all that different to the last time I took it. I think it is really hard to be objective about the whole thing. And I agree with @katiekanton, I do believe some luck is a part of the process I know that isn't the most popular thing to say, and I am not discounting studying at all, but sometimes the selection of topics are ones that you know inside and out, or the very least topics you aren't set on aren't tested heavily(that in and of itself is a miracle!!!).

BTW, I also like ” GuessFest”. Also, when is the baby due? Is this your first? Congrats to you and your wife.

[Author]

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