[Nbmorty]

Is it really necessary to take the mock exams? There are 3 separate mock exams for far in Becker‘s software.
I have finished my studies and now i am reviewing the material all over again and i am doing good so far, by redoing all mcqs, skill practicing and sims for all modules (avg 85-90 on mcq and sims)..
Do i really need to do the mocks?
As i have noticed the majority of you guys get a lower score on the mock exam than on actual!
And i had failed FAR before and I saw the questions they are easier than Becker‘s, seems like Becker just collected to hardest ones and assigned them to the module or unit where they belong.
So why should i take them? To get more worries? And even if i scored 90 on mocks what it has to do with actual?! (i know i will score less than 75 on at least one of the 3 which will make me more anxious) i am already on edge with all the stress, i quit my job as an auditor to study full time
i was working for the biggest regional firm (after big 4) in my region, also i have tremendous costs as i have to pay twice the price to nasba for each exam (to test as an international) plus travel hotel miscellaneous etc, all that with respect to my salary which was less in a month than the minimum wage for A WEEK for unskilled labor in New York for example.

So if you think its worth taking the mocks please state your reasons, keep in mind that i have enough time to finish reviewing and do the mocks.

But isn’t just rereading the notes better than taking an exam that wouldn’t give u anything except stress?

[JustMe]

I think the mock exams helped me with AUD and BEC just for extra practice but I didn't take them for FAR. I think it would have helped me with FAR had I taken them but what helped me the most was going back over my notes and doing MCQ's over and over again. But if you feel like you find yourself memorizing the MCQ's because you keep seeing them over and over, then I think it may help to find a source with extra questions, just so you don't memorize. If you are doing both MCQ's and SIMS in each chapter, then both of those together are what you're going to see in the mocks. So, you're kind of doing them already. The ONLY thing good about the mocks is that they give you a real life simulation of what the exam will be like, time-crunching nervous tension and all. If you have test anxiety like I do, it can actually help because the more you experience that kind of anxiety, the easier it seems to get (at least for me, that's what it does).

[Maverick]

In my opinion mock exams are a complete waste of time. Read the book and do the MCQs and if you have trouble with a certain topic then do the simulations. If you know the content then you can react and survive any simulation they throw at you. I think spending time doing mock exams on topics that probably won't be on the exam will just hurt your confidence.

[jenpen]

I took a couple mocks for my first exam, but found them useless and didn't take any after that. I found them to be a complete waste of time. In fact, I didn't even practice SIMs anymore after that first exam. I found there was no point in trying to study for them when you never knew what you would get on the exam. What worked best for me was hitting MCQs as much as possible, and then I would do the AICPA practice questions a day or two before the exam. Those helped prepare me more for the feel of the exam and made me feel more confident. I found that if I was comfortable with the material and the MCQs, then that was the best prepared I could be for the SIMs.

AUD - 56 - 68 - 61 - 9/8/16
REG - 75
FAR - 7/15/16
BEC - TBD

Wiley CPAexcel and NINJA 10 Point Combo

[Lindsey_p87]

I'm not using Becker, but I haven't done a single mock exam going into the 3 I have passed. Personally, I don't want my confidence shaken right before my exam, and usually you will score worse on the mocks than the actual tests. I will second what Jennifer said about the AICPA practice exams being very helpful. I have done those for each of the exams I have taken and found them all helpful. They are short, so don't take all day, but still give you a very accurate look at exam day.

FAR - PASSED 11/14
AUD - TBD
BEC - TBD
REG - First take 2/16

[A_Rish]

I found them to be useful. Not necessarily in the sense of learning the material (you should already know it by then), but just getting comfortable with sitting for 3-4 hours, doing the two random MCQ testlets, doing the random SIM testlets, etc. I found it helpful and a confidence builder. of course, if you're pressed for time, I'd say skip it. Just do the AICPA practice exam and then continue to review weak areas.

[NoName]

If you practice the MCQ under semi stressful conditions I feel it's just as good as taking a practice exam. In my opinion practicing the SIMs is unnecessary beyond gaining an understanding of the format. No sim topic will catch you off guard if you master the topics of the exam which can be done through MCQ and reading the book/lecture notes.

In order to somewhat mimic testing conditions I always try to hold myself to around 1.5 minutes per question. The added benefit is that you can also get through more questions in this manner (I was usually doing around 75-100 questions a day).

[Nbmorty]

Thanks all for the replies, i would do the first 2 of them, definitely not going to attempt the hardest third one.
I have read an article on going concern.com about the recent drop in candidate numbers and how the aicpa attempting a money grab with 2020 (continues testing without windows anymore ) they want more people to try..
So i doubt they would come up with an exam straight out from hell, but as always with this unpleasant journey you never know.

[Recked]

Highly recommend the AICPA sample exams, only 10 mcqs and maybe 6 SIMs.
Mock exams from a review provider… up to you. I did them for FAR, but none of the other exams.
I didn't find them useful. If you score poorly it messes your head up, and sitting for 60+ questions before being able to review your answers is not an efficient way to learn.
If you have your timing down already, just stick with doing MCQs and continuing to learn.
–
But definitely don't skip the AICPA samples. You will thank me.

[Matt]

Mock exams were VITAL for me! I am a terrible test taker (my wife eyerolls at this, since I passed the CPA exam) but really, I am a bad test taker.

The mock exam created the test “pressure” and was really helpful with managing my time.

[irishA]

I didn't think the mock exams were very helpful. If you're worried about running out of time, or being able to stay focused for the entire 4 hours then I'd say do them; otherwise just practice the MCQs. I did one for my first exam because I was worried about timing and finished with over 1/2 the time left, didn't do any for the other 3 sections.

[Author]

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