[aj2013]

I guess this isn’t a question, and I’m not necessarily looking for feedback, but here goes.

I’ve been told by many people that the ethics exam is super easy, “It’s open book,” “You can just search the literature,” etc. However, please trust me when I say this: DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THIS EXAM.

It is not easy. Not every answer is straight-forward.

On my first attempt, I thoroughly researched each and every one of the first 20 or so questions. Which took a couple hours. After that, I got bored and stopped thoroughly researching. The questions seemed common-sense enough, so I quickly made my way through the last 30 questions. I ended up with a 74%, when you need an 80%.

I was frustrated, of course, but I knew it was my own fault. I thought, “If I had just thoroughly researched the whole test, I surely would have passed.”

So I paid my retake fee (shocker, I know), waited the 30-day blackout period (yes, that’s a thing), and tried my way again.

I decided to take my time, no matter how many evenings/weekends I had to put in. I did the first 20 questions after work one evening – taking my time, thoroughly researching. A few weeks later (oops – give me a break, I’m planning my wedding), I started up again. This past Sunday, I was determined to finish and gave myself the whole day to work. After another 3-4 hours of researching EVERY QUESTION (even when there were 2 in a row with the same questions and answers, just different names), I timidly pressed the “Submit” button.

I FAILED AGAIN. I got a 78%, missing the pass by 1 question.

On Monday, I paid my fee for the re-take and found out the second black-out period was 90 days. Which, are you kidding me?

Anyways, I emailed my state’s DSPS (I’m so sure this lady is sick of me). After re-reading the statutes to highlight the info that had come up on the exam (so I could study for the next one – never thought I’d have to study for the CPA ethic exam, of all things), I found out that I can request a review of my exam, where someone from the examining board speaks with me (for no more than an hour) and tells me what I got wrong on my exam and why. I thought it couldn’t hurt, especially because I was so sure I was coming up with all the right answers. My friendly neighbor DSPS lady forwarded my request on to someone with the board. He responded to me saying that they found a question that was “potentially misleading,” so they gave me credit for the question, and I PASSED!

Takeaways from this long, long, long story:

1) Do not take this exam lightly.

2) Research every question THOROUGHLY. Try to find exact wording when possible.

3) If you fail, try to ask your DSPS (I’m not sure on each state’s rules/policies, just WI) if you can request a review of your exam. It can either help you find out your mistakes – or possibly, the board’s poor test-writing skills.

Hope your ethics exam goes more smoothly than mine! 🙂

B - 80
A - 80
R - 71, 59, 74, 80 FINALLY!
F - 77

Used Kaplan for FAR, BEC, AUD, and the first 2 REG attempts. I started using NINJA about 2 weeks before my 3rd REG attempt. I believe it's why I was so close to passing and why I passed the 4th time. USE IT FROM THE BEGINNING.

[If I can, u can too!]

Wow, I guess I should be thankful for VA Ethics. I think we can retake as many times as we need to. I've taken it twice, got 84% on both occasions after being half way through module 2 (5 modules in total). Our passing rate is 90%.

Licensed CPA since Apr 16
Order in sequence of passing
FAR-71,71,79
BEC-80
REG-72,77
AUD-56,72,72,72,80! Thank you, thank you, thank you Lord!
FAR/BEC/AUD: Becker & Yaeger lectures (Wiley & Ninja MCQs). REG: Becker lectures (Ninja MCQs).

[aj2013]

Do you have to pay a fee every time?

B - 80
A - 80
R - 71, 59, 74, 80 FINALLY!
F - 77

Used Kaplan for FAR, BEC, AUD, and the first 2 REG attempts. I started using NINJA about 2 weeks before my 3rd REG attempt. I believe it's why I was so close to passing and why I passed the 4th time. USE IT FROM THE BEGINNING.

[Sandia]

NO!! in VA you can take 3 times. If you fail 3 times, you must pay again.

I got 84 in my first time too … I took lightly… well, I got 100% second time 🙂

FAR - 77 x2 Wiley book & no test bank
AUD - 83 x3 NINJA Test bank 3 time
REG - 80 x1 NINJA Test bank
BEC - 78 X2 NINJA Test bank ..done!!promesa cumplida mama -que llege al cielo 🙂
Ethic 100% Licensed VA CPA

[If I can, u can too!]

oh wow, i didn't know i had to pay if i fail it 3 times. am so grateful i passed on the 3rd try with 91%!
a HUGE relief over here. ^___________^

Licensed CPA since Apr 16
Order in sequence of passing
FAR-71,71,79
BEC-80
REG-72,77
AUD-56,72,72,72,80! Thank you, thank you, thank you Lord!
FAR/BEC/AUD: Becker & Yaeger lectures (Wiley & Ninja MCQs). REG: Becker lectures (Ninja MCQs).

[aj2013]

I guess no matter which state it is, everyone should 1) know the rules, and 2) take the exam seriously.

B - 80
A - 80
R - 71, 59, 74, 80 FINALLY!
F - 77

Used Kaplan for FAR, BEC, AUD, and the first 2 REG attempts. I started using NINJA about 2 weeks before my 3rd REG attempt. I believe it's why I was so close to passing and why I passed the 4th time. USE IT FROM THE BEGINNING.

[Thrawn]

I didn't think it was difficult, I just printed off the lit and looked up the answers which were pretty clearly in the lit (and they tell you what lit is possibly on the test).

But yeah, I would hope you take you ethical responsibilities seriously.

BEC 87 Feb 14
REG 84 Apr 14
FAR 82 Nov 14
AUD 86 Feb 15

[acamp]

Maybe thats the loophole. Fail. Request a review. Nobody wants to actually discuss this test with a candidate and wallah, pass!

Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[Author]

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