[Last Chance CPA]

Got out of REG today, and I am certain now that the CPA exam really isn’t a test of intelligence or accounting knowledge. It is instead a test of how much you can cram and remember is a short period of time, and also how lucky you get on exam day with the MCQs/SIMs.

I know I am not an Elijah Watts Sells kind of guy, and accounting doesn’t come naturally to me, but these exams are not a measure of how I would practice as a CPA. Note: I am older and am not an accountant. I am looking to change careers or merge the CPA with my IT/business consulting experience.

I feel like I know law/tax at this point, but having taken this exam once again, I don’t feel like I passed. I understand that there has to be some sort of testable measure, but there has to be a better way to test accountants.

Maybe it is a perfectly valid exam, and I am just not cut out….sigh.

FAR - 76
AUD - 75
BEC - 75
REG - 76

Now I need some experience!!! And some networking...

[Last Chance CPA]

Woah woah Kricket. Relax! I just started the thread because I was feeling down on myself after REG attempt #4. Ha! If I pass REG, I will have those 3 letters just like everyone else, and then I will feel great about myself.

Also, I think it is a great topic IMHO….

FAR - 76
AUD - 75
BEC - 75
REG - 76

Now I need some experience!!! And some networking...

[ScarletKnightCPA]

Intelligence obviously is a factor for the CPA exam. It is probably not the only or even main factor. Grit, determination and passion probably plays a larger role. Intelligence helps in retaining, recalling, and applying the information in different situations but hard work is necessary no matter how smart you are.

Far: 76 (Wiley Test Bank)
Aud: 77 (Wiley Test Bank)
Reg: 61, 76 (Wiley book, Wiley Test Bank)
Bec: 86 (Wiley Test Bank)

MBA in progress

[Anonymous]

It's a test of competence.

I'm surprised no one said that yet. Competence is doing whatever it takes to get a job done whether it take intelligence, memorizing useless garbage, or spending a bunch of money on review materials.

Get ‘er done!

[Anonymous]

Everybody is smart in their own way. Some people are really good test takers which may give them an advantage over others. Some people struggle with taking tests but it doesn't mean they aren't intelligent. Everyone's brain functions differently. In the end, intelligence is a pretty broad term.

[Lillian]

@CFOnotCPA I was thinking more along the lines of perseverance, but I totally agree with you. It is definitely a test of competence and an individuals' willingness or drive to get ‘er done, as you say.

On my way to a CPA

[ScarletKnightCPA]

I'd be interested to see if there was any study every done relating cpa score to IQ/GPA/GMAT/SAT/ETC. I haven't been able to find one yet :).

Far: 76 (Wiley Test Bank)
Aud: 77 (Wiley Test Bank)
Reg: 61, 76 (Wiley book, Wiley Test Bank)
Bec: 86 (Wiley Test Bank)

MBA in progress

[Anonymous]

It is an achievement very few can say they accomplished.

I know more now then before. I can still regurgitate the basics on nearly all the concepts I “memorized” lol.

[Last Chance CPA]

Consensus – It IS an exam of intelligence, perseverance, hard work, solid study habits, memorization, and a solid understanding of accounting, tax, audit, and business…

@cbones1979 – Your study hours are close to mine!

FAR - 76
AUD - 75
BEC - 75
REG - 76

Now I need some experience!!! And some networking...

[Anonymous]

@last chance

Then you will be done soon. Keep it up.

[quittingcpa2013]

It's a test of whether you can pass the test or not.. what category does this fall under?

There are lots of people that work in one of the four tested sections, everyday, for 8-10 hours per day, 40-50 hours per week, and still have trouble passing the section.

The exam is not practical for the workforce (IMO) and your education doesn't really prepare you for it (well mine didn't anyway b/c during my undergrad, my accounting professors were students working on finishing their masters)… and now the school is trying gain Tier 1 status by spending tons of money on building aesthetically pleasing new buildings, renovations on existing buildings, and overall making it really feel more like a university. Literally a year after I graduated with undergrad the school started to look better. I don't want to go into more detail because I don't want to defame any good reputation the school has accrued. I finished most of my Master's through online courses because I was already working 40 hours a week and was in no mood to listen to a heavy accented person try and explain something to me. And I like learning on my own. GPA undergrad: 3.5; GPA Master 3.8 Anyhow, I feel I got duped.

If you look at the students tested vs. the students who passed on a school by school basis, it seems very clear that the school you attend plays a critical role in whether you pass or not. But I'm still trying to figure out if the students who attend the schools with higher pass rates passed because they had the intellect to get into the school in the first place or if the school has better curriculum and professors. It's probably a combination of both and other factors but whatever.

TLDR: It's a test of whether you can pass the test or not

[Author]

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