[Skynet]

You can hit those multiple choices over and over again until you get sick, but ultimately working the SIMS themselves will decide whether you actually know the materials and know how to perform the calculations or know the journal entries. I’m currently working FAR right now and due the amount materials for FAR, the mcq’s provided the foundation to understanding the materials. Working each sim one by one however, showed me what my weaknesses were whether they were Journal Entries, knowing how to perform the calculations, or comprehending the materials.

Note – I have done this for REG and AUD, especially the last 2-3 weeks before the exams, and they have helped tremendously. I am using Gleim and mostly been studying the SIMS 2-3 weeks before the exams. Hopefully, FAR will be the last section this July.

[Claudia408]

@skynet – great audit score! i totally agree with you! i took audit and thought the SIMS were fair and although i struggled a little i thought i did well enough to pass – i obviously didn't! i got like 4 FAR SIMs and 2 about internal controls/transaction cycles that pertain to what is the Audit procedure used to detect misstatement and what is the Internal control that could prevent or detect misstatement in the future? this is my weakness – Any tips/suggestions how to get it down? I have CPAexcel and 10point combo.

BEC - 75 (3x)
AUD - 78 (3x)
REG - 67, 66, Aug 1
FAR - 54, Sept 8

[Skynet]

Claudia408 – For AUD, the bulk of my study effort was focusing on the Internal Controls for the Accounting Cycles and the Assertions for the Accounting Cycles. I also spent a lot of time studying the SIMS that were Accounting Cycles related. I knew that was where a lot of tough questions were coming from, and it was also one of my weak areas.

[Claudia408]

having the same weak areas, how did it finally click for you?

BEC - 75 (3x)
AUD - 78 (3x)
REG - 67, 66, Aug 1
FAR - 54, Sept 8

[Skynet]

It was repetition. I also read the explanations over and over again and study the assertions that was provided in Gleim for each accounting cycle. The audio they provided helped to as i listened to them over and over.

[Tncincy]

@skynet, my test is 7/30 so is it too late for sims? I have ninja and wiley should I just use those to do sims?

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Skynet]

tcincy – You have two weeks. Get started on them. I have FAR on the 30th and have mostly been working the FAR sims since last week. I do 2-3 a day and study them.

[TaxGod]

I tried to practice a FAR sim to see what it was like…. Never again. Great study method if you dont get easily frustrated lol. If you do stay FAR FAR away. Not practicing FAR sims was the reason my FAR grade come out lower than AUD.

AUD: 02/28/15 - 89
FAR: 05/29/15 - 80
BEC: 08/03/15 - 81
REG: 08/27/15 - 76

[jbarwick]

I thought FAR sims were great for understanding. I went through them twice with Becker to gauge my understanding. I think Cash Flows Statements and other little quirks were nice.

Journey Started - January 2015
FAR - 4/2015 - Passed
AUD - 7/2015 - Passed
BEC - 8/2015 - Passed
REG - 11/12/2015 - Passed

[Anonymous]

I'll be honest, I did the complete opposite.

I did MC for the majority of my study time. Mostly 24-30 question progress tests. I reviewed sims here and there and went through them at least once in Becker, but ultimately relied upon the AL and IRC on test day.

I scored stronger in Sims for REG and FAR and comparable for AUD. The way I look at it, Sims are pretty much MC served in a different format. The difference is, you're able to look up the answer using the resources they give you during the simulations. In many instances, I was able to find the answer word for word in the AL. For me, mastering the MC was more important.

Everyone is different, but that's my take on it.

[Skynet]

One thing I will say though is the the mcq's may not ask questions on some lesser known topics. The SIMs sometime will contain those lesser and obscure topics that was not often asked on the mcq's. It's a great way to touch up on them as you may never know what will be asked on the actual exam. I actually got surprised when one of the SIMS in Gleim asked about Troubled Debt Restructuring which i did not see a lot of. It will be one area that I will go back and take a closer look at.

[Zuly]

@Skynet How did you incorporate studying for the SIMS in your studies for the last 2-3 weeks. Did you work a few a day while also doing MCQs or only did SIMS during that time? I'm wondering how to go about it when I start studying for REG. Thanks.

FAR - (11/01/14) 71 (02/07/15) 79
AUD - (04/30/15) 86
BEC - (07/21/15) 73 (10/01/15) 75
REG - (11/30/15) 55 (05/19/16) 74

[Claudia408]

How helpful is the AL in Audit SIMs for things other than looking up a specific section number or the wording in audit letters? I don't think it woulda helped much in transaction cycles or in FAR type SIMs, or am I mistaken?

BEC - 75 (3x)
AUD - 78 (3x)
REG - 67, 66, Aug 1
FAR - 54, Sept 8

[Skynet]

Zumo76 – By the last 2 to 3 weeks, I have already gone through at least half of the Sims from my regular studies. I just didn't do as much mcq's and focused on finishing up the rest of the SIMs and studying the ones I did. This actually helped reinforced what I had learned from my regular studies but also help me get a good feel of how the FAR sims will be like on the actual exam.

[Skynet]

Claudia408 – Some AUD sims you can find word for word on the actual exam.

[Master the CPA exam]

Hey thanks for the tip. I am currently taking a FAR retake. I started studying july 1st, I am also studying full time. Do you think I will be prepared for Aug 7. I just finished the first section framework and will be moving on to Financial statement accounts tomorrow.

FAR - May 2015 - 69
BEC - TBD
REG - TBD
AUD - TBD

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