[bean counter]

I don’t know when it became a “thing” to reveal to everyone that you didn’t try on your SIMs or didn’t even complete them all and yet you passed, but it has to stop. I get it, you’re excited that you passed and you should be because there are so many people out there working extremely hard on every single SIM, who have budgeted the time that the review courses suggest, and still haven’t passed. Think about that for a minute. What good are you doing by telling everyone that you “half-tried” (referencing a direct quote) and still passed? I wish part of the qualifications to this exam would be acting like a professional. It sure would weed out some people.

BEC - 84 *
AUD - 73, 76 *
REG - 70, 72
FAR - 09/08/16

[Missy]

Relax. Many people run out of time on exam day (I did more than once). This forum is about encouraging people struggling with the exams and to someone who ran out of time on SIMS and feels defeated those posts are helpful.

Because very honestly if posts on this message board were about professionalism, I am sure you wouldn't have used the phrase “half assed”.

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

[Moeshow]

I studied really hard and still didn't finish all the SIMs and passed. All because you didn't finish the SIMs does NOT mean you did not study as hard as the next individual. I love when people tell me they did not complete all the SIMs and still passed. It actually gave me encouragement and hope. Btw, I did not complete all the SIMs for FAR and passed but I studied really really really really hard. So hard I didn't get a haircut or shave for two months or go out on weekend nights.

I'm not speaking in terms of the individuals who said they half tried and still passed but still I don't mind them saying that. It gives people with the lack of time some encouragement, I think, it could be done.

But again, this is my perspective on things.

BEC 2/26/2016 81
FAR 05/2016

Purely Roger CPA Review, for now!

[bhunt815]

I also ran out of time on FAR and by the grace of God made an 84. I technically did finish the SIM's though. I may have plugged in a bunch of account names and dollar amounts in the last few minutes but I finished them.

But don't mistake someone's excitement over passing with bragging or boasting. On both REG and FAR I was certain I had failed and ended up passing. I high-fived everyone I knew for a couple days instead of coming on here to post about it, but if people choose to get their high-fives here then more power to them. It's a huge relief to know that you never have to study for FAR again.

FAR 04/11/2016 - 84
AUD 05/12/2016 - 79
BEC 07/06/2016 - 81
REG 08/29/2016

[Moeshow]

@bhunt815 your post gave me encouragement, no lie! I'm a slow test taker so the likely hood of me finishing the SIMs isn't very high, so posts like this don't make me feel as bad when I finish taking the exam. Btw, did you finish all the SIMs on the REG portion? And if you took the AUD portion did you finish the SIMs on there too? Those are my last two sections lol.

BEC 2/26/2016 81
FAR 05/2016

Purely Roger CPA Review, for now!

[bean counter]

I can definitely understand slower test takers, or even those who worked hard on it and still ran out of time. But do you really find encouragement from the posts that indicate they didn't TRY at all?? Maybe that's the key word that bothers me so much. I know so many people who are trying to pass this exam – some for years now. Surely you can agree that it is very disheartening to see someone pass while also indicating they didn't “try”.

BEC - 84 *
AUD - 73, 76 *
REG - 70, 72
FAR - 09/08/16

[bean counter]

In addition, I do come here for encouragement. The reason I find it hard to relax is because I'm a full time employee and mother of two children. I've been studying since last November with the hope of passing all of the parts before my first expires. Passed BEC & AUD but have since failed REG twice (70, 72) and just received a score of 70 on FAR. Perhaps my post came too soon after finding out my score and reading another post that irritated me too much. I apologize. It's just been a very difficult half a year.

BEC - 84 *
AUD - 73, 76 *
REG - 70, 72
FAR - 09/08/16

[Moeshow]

Oh, I said I'm not speaking in terms of those individuals but I can see how it can encourage someone who doesn't have a ton of time to study. Like, “if this guy passed maybe if i study I can too.” I'm just saying, people perceive things in different ways. All because you think it's discouraging doesn't mean everyone does. Plus, some people tend to downplay their study efforts too. Undergrad and grad school were filled with many “I barely studied and got an A.” People don't pass the CPA exam without putting in some serious study time. What you perceive as a lot of studying might not be considered a lot of studying to another person. I'm sure there are a couple outliners that didn't study too hard but that's why they're called outliners. Plus, everyone has their own methods of studying. Some don't study the SIMs, while others do. Each person is different.

BEC 2/26/2016 81
FAR 05/2016

Purely Roger CPA Review, for now!

[Trees202]

I think I'm the one who said “didn't try”. I said that in regards to one of the seven SIMS. I was running out of time and went into panic-mode and filled them in with whatever I could. I'm sorry that I offended you with my choice of words while typing on an forum, on my phone, on a train. Let me assure you that I “tried” very hard. This was my 3rd attempt at FAR and I put in tons of hours studying.

I'm very excited to have passed and I know I felt like crap after not finishing the SIMs and I want other people to know they shouldn't get discouraged if they ran into time issues.

[Moeshow]

@bean counter exactly my point with the @tree202 post. Believe me, I definitely was looking up threads of people who did not finish all the SIMS and passed. Everyone that takes the CPA definitely studies. Btw, congrats @tree202

BEC 2/26/2016 81
FAR 05/2016

Purely Roger CPA Review, for now!

[leglock]

if it makes anyone feel better, I have an acquaintance who didn't try when he was studying, and he recently scored in the 30's on reg.

[bean counter]

I'm very happy for you, @Trees202. I have no doubt I would be searching endlessly for those posts if I would have ran out of time too. I guess I was just more frustrated with myself for getting a failing score after feeling relatively good about the exam as a whole…which I have come to find out is not a good feeling to have. haha! This was my second shot at FAR, so back to the grind I go. I'm sorry for my ignorant rant earlier. 🙁

BEC - 84 *
AUD - 73, 76 *
REG - 70, 72
FAR - 09/08/16

[mtaylo24]

@bean counter, I can relate. Father of 1, busy RN wife, only Accountant where I work outside of my Director. I am 1-9 with these exams, and have seen just about every failing grade I could fear (52, 55, 60, 61, 61, 69, 71, 72, 74, hell my one pass was only a 78) and when I see that people didn't finish or didn't know a single question on the MCQs, and then wind up scoring over 80, It can be aggravating.

Its kind of a slap in the face for people like myself, who have to know every crevice of the exam of the exam just to scrape by with a 75. It does us no good to promote the fact that we can slack off and magically wind up with a 95 on FAR. With that being said, I want to congratulate all who passed this window (whether it was hard work or pure luck), and for those who failed, keep grinding!

AUD - 1st - 60 (12/12), 61 (2/13), 61 (8/13), 78! (11/15)
REG - 55 (2/16) 69 (5/16) Retake(8/16)
BEC - 71(5/16) Retake (9/16)
FAR - (8/16)

[bean counter]

@mtaylo24 – I have a friend who is in the same exact boat – I admire both of you for your determination!! I feel the exact same way – that I need to know every crevice. My brain feels like it's one fact nugget away from exploding some days. The exam has definitely made me question my worth as an accountant, and I have read others who feel the same way. Do you have any advice on study materials? I currently primarily use Wiley materials but supplement with Ninja. Thoughts on the best way to tackle another retake? Do I delete my current progress and start all the way over?

BEC - 84 *
AUD - 73, 76 *
REG - 70, 72
FAR - 09/08/16

[bhunt815]

@Moeshow, I have just finished all the exams (thank God) and I am now playing the licensing waiting game. Audit was the only section I had to take twice and even the retake gave me fits. I felt like I knew the material better than any other section and still struggled with the actual test. I actually finished in time to have a few minutes to review the SIM's on REG but I still felt like a total dummy. I had to read the instructions a few times before I even understood what the question was asking me to do. REG SIM's are just plain difficult.

FAR 04/11/2016 - 84
AUD 05/12/2016 - 79
BEC 07/06/2016 - 81
REG 08/29/2016

[jpowell31]

I get more frustrated actually when people tell some “I wouldn't focus on that” because they passed with a high score and didn't see something on their exam. every exam is different and it's hard not to disclose something you've seen on the exam just to shake someone up and say, okay buddy just because you got the exam that we all studied for doesn't mean you can't get thrown really unfair and obscure questions or questions that waste your time or questions you can't use the AL for. some people don't study or study inefficiently but when you put in the time and effort, know what it takes to pass and someone comments as if they've got the golden ticket it's kind of annoying.

[Author]

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