[Anonymous]

Hello all,

I have seen several posts which tell testers to use the authoritative research tool to help on SIMS but it has been my experience both on the practice exams and the actual exam that the necessary authoritative literature has been blocked out.

For example, let’s say that you have a SIM on AMT trying to get you to distinguish between Adjustments and Preferences. You will not be able to go to the authoritative literature to help you distinguish between the two and which items belong in which designation.

As I have been going through the SIM exercises in CPAExcel I have not been able to use the authoitative literature for any help what so ever (except the obvious research question) as the topics which would help have been omitted.

For those indicating that they could use the authoritative literature on the SIMS, how did it help?

[sarah210]

When I took REG this last time, nothing was blocked out. I mean, if it was I didn't notice it. I used the Auth Lit heavily when I was working on the SIMs. It doesn't go down to the level of detail needed by everything, but it at least gives you a general idea if you are not sure on something.

REG- 53, 91
BEC- 88
FAR- 62, 85
AUD- 85

Ethics- 93

[sarah210]

For example (this is not something I actually saw on the test, just an example), if the question is something about medical deductions, the auth lit can help you find out if you take a medical deduction, but won't spell out the details like “cosmetic surgery is non-deductible.”

REG- 53, 91
BEC- 88
FAR- 62, 85
AUD- 85

Ethics- 93

[Anonymous]

Interesting….on my CPAExcel I've noticed that the help I needed was blocked out. I also remember looking for something on the previous REG disaster/debacle/disgrace/test and couldn't find it. Kind of odd.

[jalban1324]

I am not sure about things being blocked on the actual exam, but I am pretty sure your review software has to be stripped down due to size limits (like Becker). Practice the full IRC here:

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

Also the REG exam has another body called TS (STATEMENTS ON STANDARDS FOR TAX SERVICES)

https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/difference-between-irc-vs-ts-in-research-sims-1

To answer your main question, for me the research tab helped a bit for REG to look up some rules, but helped a lot in AUD.

A (05/23/12) 92
R (07/02/12) 77
F (08/29/12) 69 Retake 2/27/13 80
B (10/22/12) 79

[littlenumberrobot]

Take the practice exam on the AICPA website, that is most close to what you will be seeing on test day.

CA CPA - All because of the journey listed below
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FAR - 53('10), 8/25/12 79 PASSED!
REG - 66('11), 69('12), 12/06/12 77 PASSED!!
BEC - 58('10), 74('12), 01/05/13 77 PASSED!!!
AUD - 43('11), 66('12), 69('13), 74('13) 7/29/13 85 PASSED!!!!!

(Combinations of Roger, Yaeger, Wiley Book, Wiley TB, & NINJA Notes)

Ethics 90%

[Author]

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