[Brian]

I’m curious if anyone else has had a similar experience. I’ve had an error on two of my CPA exams.

I took REG under the old format and on one of the simulations I had an excel sheet that was supposed to have a drop down box to indicate if the item was supposed to be included or excluded for each transaction, except that there wasn’t any drop down option. It only let me type a number in. I ended up passing so I wasn’t too upset.

However, while taking my FAR exam, which is the last one I need to pass I had another problem with the simulations. When I clicked for the supporting document the computer wigged out and not all the documentation was there. I know it sounds crazy, but I emailed NASBA about it and got a free retake so something was awry. I got a 73 and its so frustrating, because I would’ve known how to solve the problem otherwise.

Has this happened to anyone else?

[Ivy]

I had exact the same experience as you in FAR exam . I doubted myself for a while, but I spent a lot time try to find those relevant source documents.

I think it might be a glitch which can be random or accidentally caused, quite a few possible reasons. Like playing online video games. Or might be like some have discussed here, should leave it blank?!

[Ana]

SAME THING HAPPENED TO ME! I reported it at the end of the test but nothing came of it. I don't know how I didn't pass and now I'm thinking this may have had something to do with it.

[Ivy]

I reported it after test as well, really regret it.. It was one of those luck for me.

[Anonymous]

I guess I may have the problem on my FAR today.

[Ana]

@ivy why do you regret reporting it?

[Ana]

This is the response I got this morning:

In reference to the FAR examination, did you contact candidate care at NASBA? If not, it is too late to address the issue. This is discussed in the Uniform CPA Examination Handbook (on the CBA website):

“…In rare instances, candidates have experienced computer malfunctions during testing. When such situations occur, NASBA has established a process to investigate these occurrences. You will need to contact NASBA’s Candidate Care Unit at candidatecare@nasba.org. After NASBA completes its investigation, you will receive a response from NASBA’s Candidate Care Unit or from the CBA. A variety of solutions may be offered, including the possibility to retest. When determining whether a retest will be offered, one criterion that must be met is that you reported the problem at the testing center, and Prometric testing center staff filed a report of the incident. When reporting the incident, you must provide a detailed description of the problem(s) encountered and how it had a material impact on your ability to test. Because all retest decisions must be made before scores are released, petitions for a retest must be filed with NASBA’s Candidate Care Unit well in advance of the score release date, and not more than 10 days after testing.”

[Ivy]

@Ana

I reported the second day after the test, per the produce on “Confirmation of Attendance” we got after the test.

As of reporting to the staff in the testing center, How long will that take to explain and to document the details there? If do that, better be ready for retake. Same as failed. Why bother.

As of investigating, there is no content with the digital mark, or there is, need a code specialist to see it, comes down to cost vs benefit.

Next time I will just leave it blank and save the time for other SIMs, instead of wasted a lot time and got all fussed up during the exam. might be a good strategy now I think about it.

[ipadminihalf]

I don't think you had an error on the REG exam. When I took it last year, the simulations had no drop down boxes, only fill in by typing the number in the box.

REG - 2/19/16 - 77!
BEC - 4/16/16 - 79!!
AUD - 6/04/16 - 84!!!
FAR - 8/31/16

[Author]

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