[mjl194]

I took FAR, BEC, and REG under the old format but AUD under the new format.

Which format do you like better? What are your pros and cons for the changes?

I think I personally like the new format better.

Pros:
1. I like having less MQCs.
2. I really like the 15 minute break.
3. SIMs better resemble what you could actually encounter in the real world, comparatively speaking.

Cons:
1. You can’t strategically pick the order to complete SIMs.
2. You have to wait a year, in CPA exam time, to get your results (although that’s a temporary issue, not that it’s not a HUGE, unfair issue for people with limited time left).

Sorry if this has already been done but I haven’t found a topic that isn’t test specific that compares the two. I feel like this post may help others that have taken some parts with the old format and will be taking some under the new format.

[Holly]

I kinda like the new format, as well. I like that there are fewer MCQ just for the mental change, the 15 minute break is amazing, and I think some of the sims are smaller (not as many fields, etc) to make up for the DRS and added sims, which makes it feel like less of a blow each time you go to the next. I'm saying all of this not knowing any of my scores and I might not test well with this new format.

BEC - 79
REG - 85
AUD - 5/27/16

[Anthony]

Old exam. 60% MCQ gave a lot of people a small glimmer of hope of passing even if you bombed the sims. That ain't happening this time.

[Anonymous]

I'm really not a fan of breaking up the SIMs into multiple testlets. It's probably a psychological thing and I'm psyching myself out, but by the time I've submitted the first SIM testlet, I'm so mentally drained. It's like just the act of submitting testlets and flipping back and forth between questions is exhausting. I didn't feel this way when there were only 3 testlets total, but now that there are 5, I get so discouraged when I see I'm only on Testlet 3 of 5 or something. It feels like forever to get to those final questions.

[Meg267]

I like the new format of the exam for the most part. I like having less MCQ and more simulations. I think the 15 minute break was a nice addition as well. Helped me to clear my head a little bit and come back refreshed. The biggest con for me is the fact that not all the sims are in one testlet, so you can't pick and choose which ones to spend more time on. I ended up allotting myself a certain amount of time per testlet/sim and went from there.

Personally, I think I might do better with the different exam structure. When I failed AUD, I was comparable in sims but weaker in MCQ.

[shawn in VA]

I have to agree with Anthony on this one. In the old format you had chance of a pass even if you messed up on SIMS…thats not happening now.

I have maybe just been unlucky but my SIMS have been awfully difficult in the past.

The only PRO i see is the 15 minute break and less MCQs but with the SIMS being more difficult and more of them that cancels it out.

[Author]

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