[the LAST Coffee]

How would you feel if the CPA Examination was implemented like the BAR examinations?

Basically everyone would be taking the same test on the same day.

Why do I ask? I feel like I got jipped when given an impossible (REG) SIMS to solve while my coworkers and friends passed the REG (albeit, in the 77-80s). However, it is unfair to compare my score to their as they obviously had a different test. I am curious if they would still receive the same scores had they taken the test I took.

Please share your opinion and before you attack me, I want to say I am not trying to change or argue for changes to the current exam set up but rather like to hear thoughts about it. Thanks!

FAR 84 (AUG '15)
BEC 83 (AUG '15)
AUD 79 (OCT '15)
REG 71, 78! (NOV '15, FEB '16)

[northernlights]

I like it the way it is. I can study at my own pace for the most part, and take the exam when I feel more ready, barring NTS expiration's.

FAR: 55, 52, 66
REG: 84*
AUD: 54, 70, 73, 72, 79!!!
BEC: 75*

*expired

[Missy]

According to the AICPA the value of each question is predetermined by using pre-test questions on prior exams.

So if sim #3 was worth 5 points toward your score, it was worth 5 points towards everyone's score in that testing window. Cannot be changed up or down in value based on how many people in that testing window got it right or wrong. In other words they stack the deck against you before the window starts, not as a result of how people who took the same test did.

The CPA was a two day test, back in the day (and you had to wait 6 months for your score, you'd all lose your minds)

It wouldn't be fair for it to all be at once now, because unlike the JD which is taught toward the goal of passing the BAR, an accounting degree is rarely if ever focused on passing that exam so it really is 90% self taught.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[mhueycpa]

I would feel like crap because there would probably be a much higher number of CPAs and thus the lowering of the value of the credential, just as there is a glutton of Attorneys in the U.S.

THE 300 CLUB WILL DO JUST FINE!

[Hammer]

EXACTLY what @mhueycpa said. 100% frickin nailed it.

FAR - 70, 81
AUD - 83
BEC - 77
REG - 70, 78

Licensed in Ohio.

Now what the hell do I do?

[mitchmatch]

My REG exam, the sims were absolutely a killer, i mean i couldnt answer anything, i didnt know what i was looking at. The only one i knew was the research. Point is that i must have killed it on the mcqs, so if you are like me and your struggling with the sims, make sure to do many more mcqs to the point that you ace that and your sims will count let. I know it sounds like a stretched but i didnt really study the sims, and it worked.

FAR-76 First attempt.
AUD-79 First attempt.
REG-79 First attempt.
BEC-79 First attempt.

Done!

BECKERS

[Anonymous]

I would be pretty upset considering attorney's are a dime a dozen and their struggling to find jobs 🙂 plus, they can only sit 2x a year and if u thought waiting 1 month for your score was bad you would hate the wait for the bar results.

[Skynet]

The barkeep would be really tired of all CPA Candidates complaining about the 71 score : )

[Gatorbates]

I took it for the first time back in 2002, when it was only given twice a year. Once in November, once in May. In only 2 locations in the state (Florida). Two 4 hour exams on day 1, separated by a 1 hour lunch break. Two 4 hour exams on day 2, separated by a 1 hour lunch break. About 800-1,000 candidates all taking it at the same time in the same huge room.

You. Do. Not. Want. Any. Part. Of. That.

Trust me. Try studying for all 4 sections at the same time.

Licensed Florida CPA:
B: 71, 73, 79
A: 83
R: 78 (expired), 77
F: 74, 74, 80

It's finally freaking over.

[Skynet]

CPA Candidates picking up women at the BAR would be a little awkward with many Cheesy pickup lines.

“Hey Baby, you show me your Assets and I'll show you my Bottom Line.” *SLAP*

[EuroAddict]

You only feel you got jipped b/c you didn't know it 🙂

My $.02.

-----------------------------
BEC - 77, 03/2015 (first try)
FAR - 79, 05/2015 (second try)
REG - 83, 12/2015 (first try)
AUD - 84, 03/2015 (first try)

I got 99 problems but the CPA ain't one.

[Anonymous]

@the LAST Coffee, I am from Philippines and the CPA exam there is like what you stated. Everyone take the exam at the same time, we get the same questions and the level of difficulty is a mixed of moderate, hard and very hard. Questions are very tricky. This is based on my own experience. I took the CPA exam in the Philippines last 2010 and pass it. They release the list of the CPA passers in just 2 weeks which is not bad waiting period. Now that I am here in US, I need to take the CPA exam again to get my license.

[monikernc]

i want to know why attorneys get licensed to practice with no experience requirement yet we have to have a year in most cases after passing 4 exams + ethics + 150 hours of education.
i need a judge to rule on that one.

FAR 7/25/15 76!
AUD 10/30/15 93
BEC 2/27/16 82
REG 5/23/16 88!
Ninja Book and MCQ and the forum - all the way!!!
and a little thing i like to call, time and effort!
if you want things to change, you have to do something different

[TheHoundThatRides]

I'm 2 for 2 with BEC and FAR. I feel like the curve worked in my favor both times. I got enough right to pass, but enough questions wrong to keep the test from getting TOO difficult. So right now I LOVE the format. I might feel differently when I get around to REG.

BEC - 78 (August 2015)
FAR - 80 (November 2015)
AUD - 73, 67. (Ok I gotta confess I was even more lazy this time around)
REG - August 27th, 2016

[Author]

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