[AndrewE]

I just received my first failing grade for AUD, I got a 70. I felt that I did very poorly with the MCQ on test day but did well with the sims. I know my most deficient areas are Becker A1 (Audit Reports and Opinions) and A4 (Audit Evidence).

I’m honestly not sure what to do right now. I talked to my buddy who passed all 4 tests first try, but there was only so much input he could give me seeing as he ended up on the other side of the tests.

Can someone give me some guidance please and thank you?

BEC – 10/1/16 : 77
AUD – 12/4/16 : 70
REG – TBD
FAR – TBD

[AndrewE]

@garydegiovanni I shouldnt start from scratch though right? Pound MCQs from both Becker and Ninja. I don't think I could sit through the whole process again of lectures. It took me 5 weeks to get through all of Becker and took 3 weeks alone to review

[Missy]

First attempt was 5 weeks about 25 hours a week, bombed, with a 47. Second attempt also 5 weeks 25hours a week, got a 71. Third go about 30 days, and 120 ish hours total.

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

[AndrewE]

@mla11692 I did about 20-25 hours a week for 5 1/2 weeks of studying and 3 weeks off review. I have a pretty good memory. I just need to get over the hump

[Vee_1984]

@AndrewE I had a very similar experience. I thought I did well enough to pass and found out I got a 63. It was gut wrenching. I'm also using Becker and spent well over 120 hours studying in 8 weeks.

I work full-time and have 2 kids so it's difficult to get enough study time in. Maybe I didn't give myself enough time to review, I'm not really sure.

Right now I just can't find the drive to get back into it. I'm so burnt out, the only thing that was keeping me going was the feeling I passed. Being so far off the mark after spending so much time, watching my co-workers and classmates pass on the first try. It's demoralizing.

I've been thinking about it all weekend and I just don't know what to do.

[mitchvols]

I hated Audit, when I finally passed it, I took detailed notes of everything that I had missed and didn't totally understand. Then I reread those notes, that helped me more than anything that I did. For example, when I was failing, I knew what inherent, control, and detection risk were, but I didn't truly understand how an event would change any of them.

[AndrewE]

@Mitch more detailed notes on exactly what I know that I struggle with, sounds like a good idea. Isn't there an email they are supposed to send that says what I was stronger or weaker in cause I still didn't get it yet.

[AndrewE]

@vee_1984 I don't have the same circumstances as yourself with kids and such, but I can totally relate with the feeling of being burnt out I have my days as well where I just want to give up.

I remind myself everyday that being on the other side of this is going to be more than worth it. We've got to keep on keepin' on and make it to the finish line. The hardest part is starting the journey, we both have done that. Now we just have to finish whether its strong or just barely hanging on in the end.

[Vee_1984]

@andrewe I'm trying so hard to remember why I started this journey a decade ago when I decided to go for the 150 hours instead of just a Bachelor's degree. They tell you how hard this test is, they show you the passing rates, but somehow you just think you're exempt.

Right now I'm trying to focus on my Audit retake and not think about the other two exams. One thing at a time and hopefully we'll get there.

[AndrewE]

@vee_1984 I just look at it as, I passed one exam I'm perfectly capable of doing it again 3 more times.

[Mike J]

I feel the bulk of the Audit MCQ involve being able to narrow down answer choices. They often try to get you to choose something that is an internal control test when they want a $ubstantive test.

This is especially true for sampling. If it tests a procedure or an error rate, chances are great it involves internal controls. If it tests a figure, it is $ubstantive.

Also think logically, if we have a high tolerance threshold that means we can absorb more mistakes, which means we don't need to test as many balances and accounts, which means the sample size will decrease, which means we want less evidence.

I would also go through your Audit textbook and sketch out the steps of each of the major cycles. Read them a few times and see how they mirror one another–eg what are the critical documents, who produces them, where do they go and who must watch for them?

Lastly, know learn the reports. They are boilerplate and they correlate to specific situations. So, know what specific phrases must be in there. Also, know what responsibility the parties involved have to the engagements, the reports belong to.

I hope that helps.

[Author]

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