[aj_501]

So I failed BEC yesterday…probably in the dumbest way possible. As soon as I entered the launch code, I started writing out all of the formulas I could remember on the scratch sheet of paper. This was during the 5 min “Welcome/Launch Code” section. I always do this as they give you 10 mins (first section + the 5 min confidentiality section) to basically just read three paragraphs. I like to write out everything I can remember during this time because it is all fresh on my mind and doesn’t count against my test time.
So anyway..in the past I guess I’ve never let the timer run down to zero (because it alerts you to hurry & hit next around 30 second mark) but this time I took too much time and found out the hard way what happens when you let the timer run down to Zero…
“Hello! Thank you for testing with Prometric. Your test is now over. Please see attendant.” etc.
I was shocked to say the least… obviously the testing center couldn’t do anything about it so I tried not to freak out on them. But does anyone think I could do anything about this?
I’ve thought about emailing Prometric to see if they would refund my attempt & let me take it for free in October (vs. a retake this quarter because this was my only day off until Q3 ends). Any other suggestions? Appreciate any advice/comforting words haha

[Anonymous]

Ouch, that really stinks! I am so sorry this happened…It would be worth it to talk to NASBA but I doubt anything can be done… 🙁

[Excel14]

Think I read somewhere on here where that happened to another person. I'm with the person above, in that I doubt there's much you can do except live and learn. That definitely does suck, however. Sorry to hear about that happening to you.

BEC (2/28/16) ----- 78
FAR (09/10/16)-----
AUD
REG

CIA, CGAP, CFE

[CPAcandidate3]

I believe they used to not even have a timer and then added it because some were timing out. I never really understood the need to write down as much info as you can. I mean if you know it then why won't you know it an hour later? It's a pretty sucky thing to happen but there probably isn't much you can do about it. Did the staff not mention the time limit? They always mention it to me before my test

[jeff]

It happened to one other person who emailed me in a panic … probably 5 years ago.

Unless something has changed – you can't take it again until October. 🙁

[Excel14]

Happened to someone more recently too. I remember reading something about it a couple of weeks or so ago. That would really tick me off, but I guess you have to watch out for those types of things!! Ouch, painful lesson to learn the hard way though.

BEC (2/28/16) ----- 78
FAR (09/10/16)-----
AUD
REG

CIA, CGAP, CFE

[BBHYX]

I don't think there is anything you can do except take it next quarter. It is technically your fault for letting the timer run down. With that said, it's still very unfortunate 🙁 I also remember reading someone else posting a similar experience a few weeks ago.

[shawn in VA]

WHy cannot he not take in prior to SEPT 10 ? I had a situation on Aug 11 where Prometric did not accept my driver license because it was cut in half and taped. I had no ill intention , it broke in half after 8 years and I taped it. They sent me on my way and I WAS UPSET but nothing I can do. I went to DMV to get a new license and took the exam 11 days later. I did have to pay again though BUT i tested in same window.

WHy cannot he do the same? By the way I agree with whoever said what is the point of writing all the stuff down on a sheet prior to start of exam. If you remembered as of let's say 1PM at exam time your going to remember it within the next 4 hours unless you have some really horrible short term memory problems

[TX LECPA]

Wow! I did the very same thing when I would sit down for any of the tests. I just felt better if I sat down and wrote it all out for my reference. For me, it was a feeling of “I don't have to remember it anymore if I write it down I know I will have it right here” kind of a feeling. I never let the timer get that close but it never dawned on me that it would result in a test that cannot be taken from that point on.

I would hope you could contact NASBA about taking it again in this window. Maybe have to pay for another test but that would be worth not having to wait til next window. You probably saved someone who is reading this too, if that makes you feel any better. I'm so sorry that happened to you.

FAR - 64,71,64,71,75!!!!
REG - 64,63,65,68, July
BEC - 69,74, July
AUD - 53, June 8th

[CPAcandidate3]

@shawn in VA

Did you not bring a second ID?

[tskits75]

I always bring a drivers license and a passport out of fear of the just in case, but I have never once been asked for a second form of ID but always bring it.

AUD - 92
BEC - 79
REG - August
FAR - TBD

[shawn in VA]

CPA Candidate 3-

I did after that incident. I brought my passport and Driver License. I have no one to blame but myself but I think this is taking it too far. I did not write on the ID, my name tied to the NTS. It broke in half years ago b/c it was in my back pocket one day and I sat on it.

BTW VA issues some really cheap material for their DL's. Make in China type

I had to wait in line to get a new license the day of the test and pay $32 on top of a new exam fee. The only good thing that came out of it was I got 11 extra days to study and I was not ready initially so maybe it all worked out. I felt good leaving the exam that day.

[ultrarunner]

I saw a person at the prometric a while ago. She went in but out in 5 mins. or so. I didn't know what happened to her. Anyway, I went in to take a test. I noticed that a staff at the prometric was telling people not to spend too much time reading the instruction. So I assumed that was what happened to the other person. Sorry to hear that and hope you feel better.

FAR 72,67,79 (Roger+Wiley test bank)11/15
AUD 80 (Roger)10/15
BEC 80 (Roger)4/16
REG 63,78 (Roger+Ninja MCQs)5/16

[Anonymous]

Roger mentioned in one of his videos the very same story about somebody else who did the same thing. Well, everything happens for a reason. You lost $200 dollars or so, but once you're a CPA, $200 will just be chump change. Heck, I just lost $200 this month because my NTS expired and I did not have time to take REG, which I'd paid for. Probably best not to write down all the formulas though. Or, write them down after the welcome screens once the clock has started.

I talked to someone once who was in and out of Prometric in about 30 minutes. He walked out after the first testlet. I think he eventually passed, but that was just not his day for testing.

[Anonymous]

Woah! I feel bad for you. On the other hand, what a great way for the AICPA to recognize that 200ish revenue. They must have made a ton of money from expired NTS and silly mistakes like this.

[Anonymous]

Let it never be said that the AICPA isn't fond of tripping people up and throwing unexpected curveballs – and not just on the exam questions. I'll bet they have dynamite holiday parties at the Waldorf Astoria every December – the tab is probably $250-300K for the evening….which we all pay for.

[Author]

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