CPA Exam Rants: April/May 2009 Window

01. Apr, 2009 668 Comments

rantstaprilmay09

This is a discussion post for anyone sitting for the CPA Exam in the April/May 2009 window. A follow-up post for score predictions will run early May.

You can read rants from previous testing windows here.

Good luck everyone (especially those working through tax season)

668 Responses to “CPA Exam Rants: April/May 2009 Window”

  1. JP 08. Jun, 2009 at 7:38 pm

    Took FAR on 4/1 (first thing in the morning) still no score, I know how you feel WTF!

  2. JP 08. Jun, 2009 at 7:54 pm

    Yes, but I think the question is why? The first wave includes scores up through the 7th of the month, and scores are released about a week after that. The second wave has a testing window that ends on the last day of the month. Why aren’t scores released a week later from that date? Why is it two weeks from the end of the testing window?

    EXACTLY MY POINT

  3. Jeff - another71.com 08. Jun, 2009 at 7:56 pm

    “It is what it is”…it’s frustrating, for sure.

  4. anonymous 09. Jun, 2009 at 7:52 am

    Waiting for scores is stressful. Also, I was wondering since some scores from the early part of the testing window which could have been wave 1 are held and subsequently released with the wave 2 scores, like the person still waiting from 4/1/09…sorry :( …do you have a greater chance of getting more off the wall stuff, i.e., weird sims in wave 1? All wave 2 scores are released the month following the end of the wave 2, so none of those exams score are held for 2 1/2 months…just wondering…

  5. Frustrated 09. Jun, 2009 at 2:31 pm

    Took FAR on 04/06 and still don’t have my score! ARRRR!!!

  6. To Frustrated: 09. Jun, 2009 at 8:28 pm

    oh man, that must be rough! I’m waiting on a BEC score. Took FAR 5/1/09 and received score 5/20/09. I guess I was lucky :) Good luck to you and hang in there! That’s not right!

  7. SN 09. Jun, 2009 at 10:57 pm

    Question – I’m sitting for the exam in Virginia and I just got my score report for FAR in the mail (my first part, which was graded in the first scoring wave)…but I didn’t get a performance report along with it. Why?

    I passed FAR and I was under the impression that everyone got a diagnostic/performance report regardless of whether they passed or failed each section. The only partial “answer” I could find was on the Uniform CPA Exam site and it said that some state boards choose to issue candidates’ performance reports separate from the actual score reports.

    Does anyone from Virginia know what the deal is here? Should I be expecting a performance report anytime soon or am I just getting my hopes up?

  8. melissa 10. Jun, 2009 at 6:57 am

    any prediction for score release?

  9. CPA2009 10. Jun, 2009 at 7:23 am

    To SN,

    Does anyone from Virginia know what the deal is here? Should I be expecting a performance report anytime soon or am I just getting my hopes up?

    The answer is – in VA if you passed you won’t get a Diagnostic/performance report. I have passed three and only got score letters. From reading this site, it seems only CA will issue performance report no matter pass or not.

  10. anonymous 10. Jun, 2009 at 7:36 am

    I’m in Virginia, too. Our state doesn’t give you a diagnostic report unless you have a failing score, so not getting a diagnostic report is a good thing :) Although, I am curious about my recent test, oh well, on to another section.

  11. melissa 10. Jun, 2009 at 8:16 am

    I took BEC on 05/29 found 1 testlet vey difficult

  12. kdb 10. Jun, 2009 at 2:46 pm

    I’m sitting for BEC, using Becker, any words of wisdom??

  13. rob wiseman 10. Jun, 2009 at 2:47 pm

    what’s the deal with the ethics part I see people posting about? Is it required in NY?

  14. Anonymous 10. Jun, 2009 at 7:38 pm

    With Becker and BEC I wouldn’t skimp on the last two chapters they are a big chunk of the exam. The technology questions on BEC are pretty random just do the questions Becker has and you will get a good feel for what they will be like. When I reviewed I went through and did all the supplemental questions and I felt like I was well prepared for the exam.

  15. Snuggy 10. Jun, 2009 at 8:11 pm

    Regarding studying for BEC with Becker… I suggest starting with the last two chapters since they are the biggest chunk of the exam. Also, Becker does not cover XBRL so you should find a way to learn more about that on your own.

  16. Liz 10. Jun, 2009 at 8:14 pm

    Is there anyone who haven’t received score report form 1st Wave? I took my exam early April and I was able to check my advisory score online, but I haven’t gotten my report yet.

  17. C_Slater 10. Jun, 2009 at 8:34 pm

    I am reviewing with Becker and I feel that I did well on the audit exam. I am now reviewing for financial and I get the feeling that it is more difficult. I am having some trouble with certain topics during the review. Does anyone have any study advise for FARE and the Becker review for the section. Thanks.

  18. SN 10. Jun, 2009 at 10:06 pm

    CPA2009 and anonymous,

    Thanks for answering my question so quickly. Before I saw your posts, I tried calling both the VA BOA office and NASBA this morning and no one could give me a straight answer. Frustrating? Yes. Surprising? Sadly, no.

    THANK YOU another71.com haha!

  19. kdb 11. Jun, 2009 at 5:46 am

    I took FAR first with Becker, studying was very time consuming, I did all the questions and made sure I understood the simulations. Wathing the class while taking notes helped me, I just paused it when I needed a little more time to understand a topic. Becker gives you so many simulations, just do all of them, and you will get atleast one you have worked on, maybe both…

  20. kdb 11. Jun, 2009 at 5:47 am

    What is XBRL?

  21. Aaron 11. Jun, 2009 at 5:49 am

    XBLR is the new way the SEC is requiring the submission of reports, its a way to “tag” data.

  22. C_Slater 11. Jun, 2009 at 2:46 pm

    Thanks kdb….what did you score on FARE?

  23. Anonymous 12. Jun, 2009 at 8:03 am

    So I am studying for both BEC and AUD and only have two- three weeks to knock down both… I am not in school or working can it be done… I say yes but is there anyone who has done it?

  24. IL CPA Candidate 12. Jun, 2009 at 8:25 am

    In January, I spent 2 weeks on REG (scored an 87) and 2 weeks on FARE (scored an 83). And, AUD and BEC are easier exams, so I think it can be done if you aren’t working and have 8 hours to put into it each day. After that I started working and took BEC with a half-effort thinking I would breeze through it, only to get a 74.

    BEC is passable for sure. AUD is the one I just recently took two weeks ago and I am waiting for the results any day now. AUD was pretty easy though. I hope this helps!

    Oh and FYI – I am in IL and I haven’t received any performance report, only my passing or failing score. It makes it difficult on a retake because I don’t know where I was weak and where I was strong.

  25. Anonymous 12. Jun, 2009 at 1:28 pm

    Thank you so much IL Candidate for this response… I am in IL as well!! :) Bec and AUD will be my first two exams I am attempting at… I am using Becker any assistance on how to really digest the information effectively? What was your study plan for reg and far… how did you do such an awesome job?!

  26. IL CPA Candidate 12. Jun, 2009 at 2:42 pm

    I used the Becker stuff as well. Last summer, I took the Becker class that was offered at my University, but I was qualified to sit until the following January. So, I used the textbooks with all the highlighting that Becker has you do in the books. I spent one day on each chapter. I would wake up in the morning and read through the chapter for that day. This would take about 3 hours. Then, I would take a 1-2 hour nap, wake up and start the Becker problems for that chapter. I found this method to work like a charm, and I kept my stress level down with the napping. Also, it is a true test how much information you are retaining when there is a break between reading the chapter and doing the questions. Becker was sufficient for REG and FAR, but it could have been better for BEC. I don’t know my AUD score yet, but I think the Becker materials lined up pretty well with that one. The biggest thing that Becker does is make is so you can structure your studying (1 chapter per day), so that you can study very efficiently. Best of luck to you, and I hope you do well!

  27. IL CPA Candidate 12. Jun, 2009 at 2:47 pm

    OH and I forgot a key part of my study plan…do a chapter a day. Then, use a full day after you read through the whole book to do the 2 final exams that Becker offers (one in the morning, one in the evening). It will give you a great idea where your weak spots are, for additional and final review before the exam.

  28. Anonymous 12. Jun, 2009 at 3:45 pm

    Thank you so much IL candidate! I do hope that all works well. You are not the first to tell me though that BECKER doesn’t give enough information on BEC, I know they have given with the updates on thier website an addition addenum which I will be reviewing and someone also mentioned the lack of XBRL information which I will be looking form more info on that as well.

    Thank you!

  29. brandon 12. Jun, 2009 at 8:28 pm

    i found the becker materials to be very good for BEC. i’ll find out what i scored here in a couple days on that exam but there weren’t any surprises when i took that test a couple of weeks ago.

  30. Anonymous 12. Jun, 2009 at 8:51 pm

    I also thought Becker covered pretty much everything BEC had on it. The only area I thought was weird was technology, but I think a lot of those questions are very strange and are not covered by any review course

  31. Anonymous 12. Jun, 2009 at 8:56 pm

    Anyone studying for FAR with 2008 Becker software should know that chapter 3 is outdated and does not cover FAS 141R. Becker’s website does not have an update for this, so I would recommend learning that topic somehow.

  32. Jeff - another71.com 12. Jun, 2009 at 9:06 pm

    re: learning FAS 141(R)

    http://www.another71.com/fas-141.html

  33. Brad 13. Jun, 2009 at 6:52 am

    I used Becker exclusively for BEC. I went to all the lectures, did the required HW questions and probably only 30% of the supplemental questions. I also reviewed each chapter the week before the exam and made use of the final exams and simulated exams in the Becker software. I passed with an 87, so I personally think Becker covered the BEC material pretty well. There were maybe 2-3 questions on the exam that came as a total surprise to me.

    Just make sure you stick to your own plan. Everyone has a different way of learning and only you really know your strengths and weaknesses. Don’t worry about the details of what everyone else is doing. Tailor your study plan around how you learn ~ and try not to freak out on exam day ~ and you’ll do fine.

  34. Anonymous 13. Jun, 2009 at 7:17 am

    I did, unfortunately, have a bit of a surprise on my BEC exam after studying with Becker… hopefully those questions were pre-test questions.

  35. TX CPA Candidate 15. Jun, 2009 at 8:43 am

    took AUD on 4/6 & REG on 5/28 still no score on either!

  36. Erin (MA) 15. Jun, 2009 at 11:00 am

    Hi, I found out that I passed my last part of the exam a few weeks ago. However, I am confused as to the next step. I received my scores from NASBA in May and expected to get something from the MA Board of Accountancy indicating the next steps, but I haven’t received anything. I called the Board and was told that they don’t send me anything. Does anyone have any insight as to what I am to do next?

  37. Anonymous 15. Jun, 2009 at 12:43 pm

    Thanks Brad for the encouragement! :)

  38. melissa 15. Jun, 2009 at 4:32 pm

    I can not wait BEC anymore – NY

  39. melissa 15. Jun, 2009 at 6:19 pm

    anybody received BEC????????

  40. Sarah 15. Jun, 2009 at 7:00 pm

    BEC scores for OH were released today!

  41. melissa 15. Jun, 2009 at 7:17 pm

    audit and bec 74, I am ready to give up

  42. melissa 15. Jun, 2009 at 7:58 pm

    anybody got 74 on bec

  43. Jeff - another71.com 15. Jun, 2009 at 8:06 pm

    Melissa…I’ve been there (74) twice.

    My recommendation: get the Yaeger cram and get back in there.

    With my 2nd 74, I left nothing to chance and got the REG HomeStudy, however…92.

    -Jeff

  44. Waiting-CO 15. Jun, 2009 at 9:12 pm

    Took AUD 4/3, REG 5/13…Still haven’t waiting for my scores
    What’s going on with CO

  45. Klowe 16. Jun, 2009 at 9:15 am

    I took BEC on 5/29 and got my results (via the nasba site) today….

  46. Anonymous 16. Jun, 2009 at 11:20 am

    Has anyone used the Gleim CPA Review system? Successfully?

  47. Steve 16. Jun, 2009 at 5:19 pm

    I have used Gleim for all exams so far. I passed AUD the first time with a 78. I finally passed BEC on the third attempt with a 75. I previously scored a 68 & 69 on BEC. I scored a 68 on FAR the first attempt and I am waiting for the results for my 2nd attempt. The first time I took FAR about 80% of the MC was calculations. This time I only had about 30% calculations and thought the test was much easier this time. So, I don’t know what to think about FAR yet. But, I plan to take REG in August.

  48. C_Slater 16. Jun, 2009 at 8:13 pm

    Is there anybody out there that used Becker review and found several of the homework problems for the financial section insane? It seems like almost all of the questions are at the highest degree of difficulty. Is the exam just the same in difficulty?

  49. 75% of a CPA 16. Jun, 2009 at 11:19 pm

    Waiting for REG score in Texas… last one!! Has anyone received Texas REG score?

  50. kdb 17. Jun, 2009 at 6:53 am

    I used Becker for FAR, homework was very difficult, in my opinion they were harder and longer questions than the average question on the Exam. There are so many simulations to do, but both of mine on the exam were covered in Becker and I only passed with a 76 so I know it helped!! Good Luck!

  51. Anonymous 17. Jun, 2009 at 9:51 am

    Thanks Steve! I failed AUD, REG and BEC (once each) and was getting somewhat discouraged about the Gleim system. Was there anything in particular that you found doing helped you pass BEC the 3rd time?

  52. anonymous 17. Jun, 2009 at 3:56 pm

    got my california REG score today….73. (previously got a 72, 69…now 73). am i not meant to be a CPA?

  53. C_Slater 17. Jun, 2009 at 4:19 pm

    Thanks kdb. What was the average percentage of questions were answering correctly towards the end of the review?

  54. Anonymous 17. Jun, 2009 at 5:46 pm

    No I would not give up many people will fail each section multiple times before passing, its a hard test!

  55. Brad 17. Jun, 2009 at 10:17 pm

    I agree about the Becker FAR questions… very difficult. I had a very difficult time with the two final exams included with the software, to the point where I was almost distraught after so many hours studying. But I ended up passing comfortably ~ the real test was much easier than the Becker tests and questions (in my opinion).

  56. Frustrated 18. Jun, 2009 at 8:00 am

    I just found out I failed Reg with a 74 (that was the third attempt and it is my last part!) I was thinking about trying the Yaeger Cram CDs. Does anyone have any thoughts/experience with those compared to becker? I tried to access the site to preview a sample one and it does not seem to be working. Any insight would be helfule.

  57. TX CPA Candidate 18. Jun, 2009 at 8:59 am

    75% of a CPA: I just got REG score today in TX..i took it on 5/28 –> 74!.. can’t believe it.. I’m thinking of requesting a score review..

    –> has anyone got their score changed from 74 to 75 using the re-score process?

    Please advise.. this was my last section!!

    BTW.. I took AUD on 4/6 and still no score!

  58. Anonymous 18. Jun, 2009 at 9:20 am

    I am taking AUD on July 1st and BEC on July 17. When would I potentially recieve my socres?

  59. TX CPA Candidate 18. Jun, 2009 at 9:28 am

    my answer based on personal experience is that Jeff is pretty accurate in this predictions +/- few days.. however sometimes you just never know! ;-)

  60. Anonymous 18. Jun, 2009 at 11:00 am

    Hey Frustrated- I got a 74 on FAR my first try and I asked for a rescore.. they did not change it. They told me that it is less than 1% chance that they do change it. Its a waste of money, I wouldn’t do it again.

  61. Anonymous 18. Jun, 2009 at 11:01 am

    The last post was for TX CPA Candidate.. sorry about that

  62. TXwannaB 18. Jun, 2009 at 8:17 pm

    I too just got a 74 on BEC in Texas. I walked out of there feeling better than I did after the 2 sections that i passed (AUD, REG) last year and I got a 74! I felt a little shakey in financial management, but not 56 worth! guess I need to go back and study my ROI more. I am using Becker and after the test I came home and searched their info for XBRL, and I found it on page 29 (of 92) in their update down loads… I only got to page 25 before I almost slipped into a coma. Better luck next time, I think I can be ready to retake next month.

  63. TXwannaB 18. Jun, 2009 at 8:22 pm

    Frustrated, I passed REG with an 80 last year and I used Becker. I found the Final Review simulations to be helpful.

  64. TX CPA Candidate 19. Jun, 2009 at 8:09 am

    Tough break TXwannaB… I used Becker for BEC as well and I felt it was quite sufficient.. you just have to master the hw questions & work ALL the supplementals!

    You’ll beat it next time!

  65. Jeff - another71.com 21. Jun, 2009 at 11:43 am

    test

  66. cpahopeful09 21. Jun, 2009 at 7:32 pm

    Took FAR for the first time with Becker review and got a 74. Any suggestions on how much time I will need before I take it again? Also, should I stay with Becker or try something new?

  67. brandon 22. Jun, 2009 at 2:17 pm

    Got my first exam with a simulation coming up, when using the simulation software and are filling in journal entries, if you don’t use a row for the journal entry do you have to fill it in with “No entry required” or does leaving it blank equate to the same thing? Every little time saver helps! Thanks!

  68. koko 03. Jul, 2009 at 11:15 pm

    Hi Kankur, I have the same question as yours. I scheduled my BEC exam next week but don't feel like I am fully prepared. My NTS for BEC will be expired in 12 days. I really want to apply for a new NTS this month so that I still can take this exam in this test window. Should I wait after the NTS expired or can I get a new NTS NOW?
    If I don't show up for the exam, am I allowed to get the new NTS and take BEC in the same test window? I am planning to take it at the end of August. Thank you very much for your help!

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