[Anonymous]

My test is on Saturday and I haven’t practiced SIMS a whole lot. I just skimmed through the Becker SIMS and the lengthy questions seem overwhelming and at this point, I am not sure if I should spend a lot of time on them. Question is, would I rather pound on MCQ’s from now until exam day or spend time on SIMS?

[REGTaker]

My test is on Saturday too. I worked a lot of the Ninja SIMS, but I really think knowing what constitutes other income, special deductions, etc are the way to go. Study your notes and know the lists of items and where they would go on returns. Know how the different company structures treat capital gains/losses/distributions/liquidations. Know what is deductible and what isn't for individuals/corporations. Know what flows through to individuals. Understand AMT. And be sure to utilize the IRC/AL for every question, not just the research one and I think you'll do fine. I'm spending the next two days focusing on concepts and noting differences/lists of items. My brain can't comprehend anymore of those long questions. Good luck to both of us!

[REGTaker]

My test is on Saturday too. I worked a lot of the Ninja SIMS, but I really think knowing what constitutes other income, special deductions, etc are the way to go. Study your notes and know the lists of items and where they would go on returns. Know how the different company structures treat capital gains/losses/distributions/liquidations. Know what is deductible and what isn't for individuals/corporations. Know what flows through to individuals. Understand AMT. And be sure to utilize the IRC/AL for every question, not just the research one and I think you'll do fine. I'm spending the next two days focusing on concepts and noting differences/lists of items. My brain can't comprehend anymore of those long questions. Good luck to both of us!

[liz18lsu]

Before I took (and passed) REG, I would have agreed that everything you just said would be important to know. How wrong I was! I felt like they forgot there was supposed to be any tax on the exam!

AUD - 88
REG - 86
BEC - 74, 1/2015
FAR - 2/2015

[liz18lsu]

Before I took (and passed) REG, I would have agreed that everything you just said would be important to know. How wrong I was! I felt like they forgot there was supposed to be any tax on the exam!

AUD - 88
REG - 86
BEC - 74, 1/2015
FAR - 2/2015

[hneagle1]

I would say focus on the MCQ. Putting too much effort into the SIMS might overwhelm you if you are taking the exam on Saturday. I would, however, focus time on browsing around the authoritative literature….there is a ton of helpful helpful things in their that helped me on my last exam!

FAR - 82 (8/30/14)
AUD - 95 (10/7/14)
REG - 82 (11/7/14)
BEC - 85 (11/26/14) - PEACE OUT!
Roger CPA, WTB, Becker, and Ninja Notes (with added prayer, tears, and hope!)

[hneagle1]

I would say focus on the MCQ. Putting too much effort into the SIMS might overwhelm you if you are taking the exam on Saturday. I would, however, focus time on browsing around the authoritative literature….there is a ton of helpful helpful things in their that helped me on my last exam!

FAR - 82 (8/30/14)
AUD - 95 (10/7/14)
REG - 82 (11/7/14)
BEC - 85 (11/26/14) - PEACE OUT!
Roger CPA, WTB, Becker, and Ninja Notes (with added prayer, tears, and hope!)

[REGTaker]

I just took a sample test from the AICPA's website. There are 5 MCQ and 4 SIMS. They are a good representation of what you will probably see on the exam.

https://www.aicpa.org/BecomeACPA/CPAExam/Pages/CPAExam.aspx

[REGTaker]

I just took a sample test from the AICPA's website. There are 5 MCQ and 4 SIMS. They are a good representation of what you will probably see on the exam.

https://www.aicpa.org/BecomeACPA/CPAExam/Pages/CPAExam.aspx

[Anonymous]

MCQ

[Anonymous]

MCQ

[Anonymous]

Thanks guys. MCQs it is. @regtaker – thanks for the link. I will try these out.

[Anonymous]

Thanks guys. MCQs it is. @regtaker – thanks for the link. I will try these out.

[Anonymous]

Thanks guys. MCQs it is. @regtaker – thanks for the link. I will try these out.

[Anonymous]

Thanks guys. MCQs it is. @regtaker – thanks for the link. I will try these out.

[Anonymous]

I focused on the MCQ and eventually got sick of it and switched to just rereading my chapters (I used Gleim). I tried my best to learn the differences between the different types of tax returns and their due dates/extensions since I was pretty strong in business law and was having trouble with a few tax return types. I didn't bother memorizing an actual tax return form though; instead, I just focused on the key aspects of each. I figured that the simulations could be just about anything and that if I focus on the basics in the areas I was weak that I'll have a better shot at getting most of a simulation question correct. I passed, so it worked for me in this instance.

[Author]

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