[Last Chance CPA]

I strongly believe I keep failing REG because of SIMs.

Questions:

-How do you allocate your time between the 6 SIMs?

-How much time do you devote to the research question before you realize you can’t find it?

-How do you move between the SIMs?

I know these are silly questions, but I think some suggestions may trigger some positive force within me to get past REG!

FAR - 76
AUD - 75
BEC - 75
REG - 76

Now I need some experience!!! And some networking...

[s2sylvir]

Do you use the AL for all SIMs?

I spent less than 1 hour on MCQ, so the rest went to SIMs.

For each question, I went to the AL, read what to do, and followed the instructions.

Don't try to second guess the AL and don't think too much about whether the AL agrees to what Becker or whatever told you. If it told you to reach into your ass, you reach into your ass, because that's definitely the right answer.

Do the research question last perhaps?

BEC - PASS (79)
AUD - PASS (63, 71, 74, 74, 83)
REG - PASS (88)
FAR - PASS (58, 89)

Becker for all + FAR 10 Point Combo

[Tux]

These are great questions – not silly at all

I allowed about 1 hr and 15 min for SIMS.

I did not research each SIM. That gets time consuming. In fact, I was almost done with the exam, and was very unsure about the rules that needed to be applied for a particular SIM. I decided to research the rules for that one, and couldn't find it to save my life. I had to go off my best memory. It's very risky to rely on researching each answer.

I'd say that for the research question, if you haven't found it on first try in about 4-5 minutes, move on and come back to it.

How do I move within the SIMS? For my first 3 exams, I answered them in order. Just start with the first one, then go to the second one.

But, with REG, I had read on this forum that someone got 2 research SIMS and they were confused about what that meant – was it a good sign, or a bad sign, etc.

So, when I got to SIMS, I was curious to see how many research SIMS I had – Turns out I also had 2.

So, I answered those first, just to get them out of the way, cuz if you can find them right away, it frees up a lot of time for the other SIMS.

However, it's also not a bad strategy to save research for last because either you find it or you don't.

And, I would guess that since research is only a 3 part answer, that it's worth less points than other SIMS, but that's just my own theory.

FAR - 86 - 2/27/14
AUD - 75 - 5/29/14
BEC - 80 - 8/31/14
REG - 89 - 2/27/15
Praise Jesus! I'm done!!

Study resources:
Becker
Wiley test bank

[san4596]

Sims were my strong point on REG, but I am in tax so that helps a lot too. I always did a quick overview of what the sims were, and did the one I felt were easy first. I would do the AL first and save the hardest for last. Regarding time, I tend to allow 45 minutes per testlet on average, and would not leave less than 1hr 15 min for the sims.

CPA EXAM: DONE!!!!
Ethics Course: Passed
Application Mailed: 3/16/15
Professional Conduct Exam: 97
Certification Date: 4/2/15!!!

[s2sylvir]

Well, as you can see Tux and I approached it from completely different methods. Everyone definitely has their own preferences.

I am also in tax, so finding information in the AL isn't hard, so depending on the AL may not be the best strategy for you? I don't know. But it's definitely a method that works, just as memorizing and not using the AL is a method that works.

All I know is that, by the time I get to the SIMs, I had a super huge headache. If studying for REG doesn't burn you out, taking the actual exam definitely did. By the time I was on my third testlet, I was ready to fall over and die.

I personally did not have any brain cells left to do the SIMs, which is why I recommended depending on the AL. The answers are there, it may just not be easy to find if you're not used to the IRC. It's like reading the newspaper — it's all in English but for some reason it might as well be in a foreign language.

Anyway, good luck! You are going to pass (this is coming from someone that failed AUD 4 times so yes, I know you will pass!)

BEC - PASS (79)
AUD - PASS (63, 71, 74, 74, 83)
REG - PASS (88)
FAR - PASS (58, 89)

Becker for all + FAR 10 Point Combo

[justgivemea75]

I don't know if I passed REG or not, but so far, I haven't failed an exam. My idea is that for everything, be it MC or SIMs, do what you know first. You don't need to get 75% of the test right to pass, but you'll kick yourself if you waste too much time on 1 question and end up rushing through others you would have gotten had you saved enough time to do the calculation. Usually, for the MC, I go in order quickly knocking out the ones I know or putting a guess for ones that are just conceptual, make notes on my board for ones that I can answer but will be time consuming (usually these are computational ones), and then do save difficult ones for however long is left for that testlet.

Same thing for SIMs. I first attempt the research question and if I can't find it in the initial search (usually I waste no more than 5-10 mins) or the related terms that come to mind, I then knock out the SIMs I know I can rock and lock in those points. Then, I go to the hard ones, give them my best shot using the literature, and finally, spend the rest of the time putting in a good guess for the research (assuming I couldn't find it).

FAR - 84
AUD - 76 (phew)
BEC - 88
REG - 77

DONE!

[Last Chance CPA]

Thanks all. And yes, everyone's game plan/experience seems to be unique. I personally could not find any time to utilize the AL. I had trouble with the research question this last time around, let alone the other SIMs. I don't think I will depend on the AL for the other SIMSs.

For round 4, I have bought a flip chart to write out all my notes and post them on the wall…I want to visualize what I am doing wrong!!!

Last Chance CPA….sigh.

FAR - 76
AUD - 75
BEC - 75
REG - 76

Now I need some experience!!! And some networking...

[Liss, Master of Coin]

Unfortunately I was right. I didn't pass REG.

Each time I scored ‘weaker' on SIMs, so I know that's my problem area. My new problem is I've memorized the NINJA REG SIMs.

I've tried the WTB REG SIMs but I hate their format.

I can force myself to just deal with WTB. But I'm wondering if there are any other options.

Who else has a test bank that others here liked for REG SIMs?

Or is there anyway I can buy AICPA released REG SIMs myself?

I'm getting desperate. Only 3 windows left till I lose my FAR pass.

CPA (MA, Non-Reporting)

The difference in winning & losing is most often, not quitting - Walt Disney

B - 33, 71, 79!
A - 32, 61, 70, 83!
R - 33, 58, 73, 69, 81!
F - 47, 78! 🙂
After 3 long years, I'm finally DONE!
I could not have done it without NINJA MCQs.

Used: Roger for his Videos, WTB, and NINJA Audio, Notes and Test Bank.

[juuustin]

I had about 1 hour and 45 minutes for the SIMS on REG and used about 90 minutes. If you can't find the research question in five minutes, move on! When I hear people say they spent 30 minutes on the research question I just shake my head. That is 1/6th of the exam devoted to something that can't be worth more than 5%.

For the others, listen to s2sylvir. Read the AL and don't second guess. You can't try and find everything in the IRC about a particular topic, but smart searching will yield some pretty good results!

MD Candidate: 10/1/14

FAR - 87 (11/23/14)
REG - 87 (1/30/15)
BEC - 89 (4/19/15)
AUD - 98 (5/30/15)

Ethics - 100

Experience - In Progress!

[Tux]

To – liss_ will_be_a_CA_CPA –

I have not used these, myself, but …

it looks like Gleim has a simulations-only software for $100 per section.

Bisk might have one too.

FAR - 86 - 2/27/14
AUD - 75 - 5/29/14
BEC - 80 - 8/31/14
REG - 89 - 2/27/15
Praise Jesus! I'm done!!

Study resources:
Becker
Wiley test bank

[Lostinamerica]

I took Reg in January and got a dreaded 74. It was my first exam of any. I scored stronger on everything but… Sims… I must have done a fabulous flop on the Sims. I was pretty certain I had passed too. All I could think was if I had answered one more correct or half knew one of those Sims I clearly did not. Like others I had two research questions but thought I got those or if I didn't… just got that right. Uggggggghhhh. Been sick about it since 2/4.

I'm retaking 4/1 but like the OP would like to have a good resource for practice Sims. I've been studying and feel as if I am ready to take the exam now for MCQ but still need prep for Sims.

B Passed
A Passed
R Passed
F 8/31/2016

[Liss, Master of Coin]

Thanks @juuustin and @Tux,

I’ll look into Gleim.

I definitely spent too much time on at least 1 of the research topics.

What do people do if they can’t find the research topic(s) in 5 minutes? Just leave it (them) blank? Can you still pass? I had 2 research topics in each of my REG exams; that’s 10% of the grade if I leave them both blank. (Assuming that neither are pre-test).

I did try to use the AL for the other SIMS, but I couldn’t find anything to help. I know that is due to my inexperience with the IRC (I only need it for the exams as I don’t need the IRC for work).

I’m really good at finding the right answer for NINJA Research SIMS, but I am starting to think it has more to do with the fact it’s a condensed version of the IRC and not the full IRC; thus is giving me a false sense of security.

I looked online to try to find access to the full IRC. I found this link with Cornell University.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26

Has anyone here every tried using it? Is it the full IRC?

CPA (MA, Non-Reporting)

The difference in winning & losing is most often, not quitting - Walt Disney

B - 33, 71, 79!
A - 32, 61, 70, 83!
R - 33, 58, 73, 69, 81!
F - 47, 78! 🙂
After 3 long years, I'm finally DONE!
I could not have done it without NINJA MCQs.

Used: Roger for his Videos, WTB, and NINJA Audio, Notes and Test Bank.

[Tux]

Even if the Cornell link is not the full version, go ahead and practice with the most full version that you can find.

Maybe you can go to the local library to practice for a while, if they have the full version.

Yes, a condensed version of the IRC is not much help for practicing – like the one in Wiley test bank is not helpful at all.

On the exam, if you can't find the research question, don't leave it blank.

Just enter something – anything that may be somewhat relevant.

At least put “IRC” in the first box and put “a” in the last box.

Find something to put in the middle box.

FAR - 86 - 2/27/14
AUD - 75 - 5/29/14
BEC - 80 - 8/31/14
REG - 89 - 2/27/15
Praise Jesus! I'm done!!

Study resources:
Becker
Wiley test bank

[Liss, Master of Coin]

Thanks @Tux.

I just noticed your scores. Congrats on being done!!!

CPA (MA, Non-Reporting)

The difference in winning & losing is most often, not quitting - Walt Disney

B - 33, 71, 79!
A - 32, 61, 70, 83!
R - 33, 58, 73, 69, 81!
F - 47, 78! 🙂
After 3 long years, I'm finally DONE!
I could not have done it without NINJA MCQs.

Used: Roger for his Videos, WTB, and NINJA Audio, Notes and Test Bank.

[juuustin]

I realize that nobody other than the AICPA actually knows how much each question is worth, but I don't think there is an icecube's chance in hell that the research questions are weighted as 10% of the exam. Ever. One or two, pre-test or not. The Becker instructor who did the recently released SIMS lecture advised that you think about each blank space as a point, and not the whole question. A complex, multi-part SIM is going to be worth way more than a research question, else many more people would pass by doing well on the MCQ, acing the research question, and scraping by on the other SIMS.

Just my $.02 though.

MD Candidate: 10/1/14

FAR - 87 (11/23/14)
REG - 87 (1/30/15)
BEC - 89 (4/19/15)
AUD - 98 (5/30/15)

Ethics - 100

Experience - In Progress!

[Anonymous]

I got a 74 on REG in Q4'14 due to the SIMS. I got a 79 in Q1'15.

I used only becker. I go 2 research sims on the exam I passed. I made sude to leave AT LEAST 75 minutes for the sims. I quickly go through all the sims to get an understanding of each conceptually. I tackled the easiest concepts first and saved the research for last. I left both my research sims blank and I passed.

If you KNOW the material like you should, there is no need to navigate the AL for the sims.

[Author]

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