[Anonymous]

I don’t think I’ve seen anyone on here who had a score of less than like 52. Do they assign scores of less than 50? Maybe they only do that if you leave the SIMs blank or something.

[SomeSomeCPA]

I remember the ‘8' story. That is wild, but I wasn't too far off, no pun intended. My first CPA exam, back in Nov 2015 was FAR. I listened to the Becker videos while playing on my phone for a month and didn't do more than 50 practice MCQs. I scored a 39. I took the entire test and filled out every Simulation.

FAR: 39,59,TBD
BEC: 74,79
AUD: 77
REG: September

[Anonymous]

I worked on FAR for 2 months solidly before getting a job and then my study time was cut in half. I knew I wasn't going to pass unless I got a really easy test. I took no practice tests but did do every MCQ and SIM in Roger, thinking that would be enough. It was my first CPA exam experience, as well. It seems like it would be pretty difficult to get a very low score but I guess it's not impossible for this exam, where they give no partial credit for MCQs like they do on other exams. That's why I'm glad the next version of the exam will have fewer MCQs.

I didn't realize this person's score of ‘8' was so infamous!! haha

[Missy]

When I got my 47 on AUD I definately had studied for a higher score. That day my boss decided to micromanage, said I'd never requested the day off (I had), told me to consider it an extended lunch break and be back by 2. My exam was at 12 and a half hour away and I didn't particularly care WHEN I got back but I was fuming. By the time I got to Prometric I was full on losing my mind and had an “eff that” attitude and think I finished the whole thing in just under 2 hours planning to tell my boss I DID pass either way. I think had i NOT been in that mindset I would have scored in the low 60's, had I taken all the time allowed maybe close to 70 but I am convinced I wouldn't have passed so I had this go big or go home attitude about failing LOL.

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

[Anonymous]

@mla I totally get it. Some bosses are ridiculously bad. My last long-term job (9 years), I had a boss who was a total micromanager. I had a vacation scheduled and she said “I need you here Friday.” I was supposed to fly out of Los Angeles on Friday. She said “Either you are here at work on Friday or just don't come back at all.” That was actually early in my employment, and while the next 7-8 years were OK, I never forgave her for that, amongst other things. She was the type of boss where if you didn't call her and tell her that you were in the hospital or so deathly ill that you coudln't move out of bed, she expected you in the office. If you had a flat tire, park the car on the side of the road and hail a cab and deal with your car later, and if it gets stolen or vandalized, that's your problem. When I told of my plans to work in accounting and become a CPA, the response was “When you're ready to quit and do that, give me 2 weeks notice please.” And….I did! I know I would not have been given days off or hours off to take the CPA exams. But anyway back to the subject at hand, your story is not atypical and if circumstances were right, you'd have passed that day. 2 hours to do this exam? Yeah, if you're a genius or know the stuff so well that you dont' even have to think about the questions. For FAR, I used 3 hours and 57 minutes. I would've needed an hour to do the SIM that I left blank. Judging from my score, I think that SIM was not one of the pre-tested ones.

[Author]

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