[jrfowler1]

I have failed audit 7 times since 2009 (70,65,56,74,74,68,69). I have used Wiley, CPA Ninja, CPA excel and Becker. I am consistently comparable or stronger in my multiple choice questions. My downfall is simulations. As a tax guy, I know nothing about audit procedures besides what I see in these books. When I use auditors for advice, they tell me how things really go in the field and not the textbook version.

Please for the love of God can someone please give me some advice on what program to use so I can finally pass Audit. I feel that I have probably memorized all of the simulations on the practice tests I’ve taken over the past 4+ years. It always seems that the simulations on the real test is nothing like I’ve ever seen or studied either.

My only saving grace is that I have until February 2013 before I start losing parts (FAR & REG) again. I have passed BEC & REG twice and FAR once.

Started the journey in January 2009...
AUDIT - 70, 65, 56, 74, 74, 69, 68, 90. DONE!!!!
BEC - 73, 80, 81 DONE!!!!
FIN - 69, 73, 77 DONE!!!!
REG - 73, 85, 80 DONE!!!!

[MrsB]

You are really awesome for trying so much! Keep it up! You are in striking distance so you can do it! How well do you know the authoritative literature? Have you been using it to help on non research sims?

F 80
A 86
B October
R November

[jrfowler1]

I have used the research, but apparently I'm not doing a good job at it. I've used the same methods of studying for my other sections, and I have succeeded rather easily, but Audit is my kryptonite. My main problem is when they ask you to do actual audit procedures. I don't know what i'm doing because I do taxes, not audits.

Started the journey in January 2009...
AUDIT - 70, 65, 56, 74, 74, 69, 68, 90. DONE!!!!
BEC - 73, 80, 81 DONE!!!!
FIN - 69, 73, 77 DONE!!!!
REG - 73, 85, 80 DONE!!!!

[Vick]

Authoritative lit does come in handy on some sims so you should know your way around those. However, you might get some sims that are so off the charts that it might not help at all. I guess its abt learning concepts and doing tons of multiple choice does help in learning those concepts. Having a good grasp of jnl entries is also positive.

B 05/25/2012 - 80
A 08/26/2012 - 97
R feb 13 - 63
F 05/30/2013 - 93

[jomarie]

Don't give up!!! Audit was my beast too!! I'm a tax girl and don't really do much with Audit. I just kept practicing MCQs and read and reread the NINJA notes. Now that Jeff has the NINJA audio out, listen to that as well.

Started sitting in May 2002, on and off. But since 2008 I've been nonstop and my scores are....
AUD - 39, 48, 56, 65, 68, 73, 76!!! (Finally passed in Oct 2011!!!) Becker, NINJA, & Wiley
REG - 75 (Lost Credit) 72, 68, 73, 75 (Passed again in Aug 2011) Becker, NINJA, & Wiley
FAR - 65, 68, 75 (Lost Credit) 68, 73, 73, 80 (Passed again in May 2012) Roger, NINJA, & Wiley
BEC - 65, 68, 71, 72, 72, 71, 76 (Lost Credit)- 70, 76!!!! I AM DONE!!! - Roger, NINJA, & Wiley
After 10 long years of studying, I AM DONE!!!! Finally a Licensed CPA in the State of New York!!

[greeneyesCPA]

You must use the research tab to answer SIMS!!!!!!!!!

FAR Passed
BEC Passed
AUD Passed
REG Passed

[jeff]

For REG? Do you really have time for researching answers? If so, you're a faster exam taker than me 🙂

AUD - 79
BEC - 80
FAR - 76
REG - 92

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS)
NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE | Another71

[greeneyesCPA]

Something else you may consider doing in addition to the standard expectation of repeatedly doing MCQ is, discuss audit procedure topics with someone. Verbalizing these topics may help you organize your thoughts and remember the information better.

FAR Passed
BEC Passed
AUD Passed
REG Passed

[Minimorty]

He was talking about AUD. Plenty of time to research sims in AUD, although I did leave REG with an hour remaining so I probably could have researched those too. If you are properly prepared, you shouldn't have to use the research function except for the actual research sim.

To the OP, just keep taking the exam until you pass. Eventually, everyone passes.

[greeneyesCPA]

@ Jeff, I was referring to the audit exam. Research tab really helped me out in Audit.

FAR Passed
BEC Passed
AUD Passed
REG Passed

[Rebecca_AZ]

I'm a tax gal as well and I could not pass audit until I got Jeff's NINJA Audios! I swear listening to them helped me remember so much that I didn't get before.

I passed in 2012!

BEC - PASSED - I'M DONE!!!
AUD - PASSED (finally!!)
REG - PASSED (Twice - lost credit first time)
FAR - PASSED!

[Anonymous]

I second Greeneyes on this…use the research tab as much as possible! I used the research function like it was going out of style on my auditing exam. It's there for a reason. Why not use it if you have the time? I think the research function would have been useless for my FAR sims so I didn't even bother.

I never took an auditing class in college and I didn't have any audit experience and passed on my first try so it doesn't matter what your background is. Study and pass it.

Be strong on your MCQs so you can get through them quickly that way you'll have plenty of time once you get to the sims.

You know the saying…eight times a charm. If they don't say that, they should. Good luck!

[jeff]

Apparently I illiterates.

Ah yes. I also left AUD with a lot of time to spare. REG? Not so much.

AUD - 79
BEC - 80
FAR - 76
REG - 92

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS)
NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE | Another71

[Anonymous]

I'm in tax too and have not been able to get out of the 60's in AUD. I've reviewed the materials multiple times and feel I understand every freaking detail already. At this point, I could write an audit textbook in my sleep. The actual exams feel very easy and I always walk away thinking I'll get a score in the 90's.

I have no idea where to go from here. This is silly testing so heavily on a field I will never partake in.

[jrfowler1]

I took my 7th retake on the 19th. I feel very positive about it by taking the advice on here by doing more MCQs and effiiciently using the research for the simulations. I changed my whole study routine, and I had my Big 4 friend help explain items that I needed work on! I'll let y'all know if it worked on November 5th. Here's to hoping the 8th time will finally be the charm…

Started the journey in January 2009...
AUDIT - 70, 65, 56, 74, 74, 69, 68, 90. DONE!!!!
BEC - 73, 80, 81 DONE!!!!
FIN - 69, 73, 77 DONE!!!!
REG - 73, 85, 80 DONE!!!!

[heathbar09]

Wow. Earob, you sound exactly like me. Tax guy. I am sick of audit. I have taken the test as many times as the other 3.

REG 79

BEC 82

FAR 70, 75

AUD 57, 61, 61, 4th try October 26th!!!

Hope you did well fowler!

[Author]

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