[Anonymous]

Hi All,

I took audit a month ago, and failed due to the SIMS. I did all the ones in Becker, but felt completely blindsided when I was in the exam. Is there a better prep that I could use for the SIMS? Also, in general, should I include the NINJA Audio and/or notes in my study plan in addition to the Becker? I felt the same on BEC, in regards to topics being tested which I had never seen before. I’m taking both again these next two windows, and really just want to pass. I’m truly putting in the time and effort, but managing to fail by points. I have never been a good test taker (bad test anxiety), but I have honestly never failed anything before this exam, and it’s truly discouraging.

I just want to be sure im fully prepared to pass these next two coming up (audit = try #2 and BEC = try #3). I read a lot about people in the same situation as myself, and would really like to hear what you have done to pass. Any tips would be extremely helpful. I’m not blaming Becker, beause I feel it is good for most things, but I do believe there is a major gap (especially for BEC). Thanks!

-Pullingmyhairout24/7

[Anonymous]

In my honest opinion, Audit is Becker's weak point. If you can stomach the dry, boring text, then Wiley's book is a great resource for the Audit exam, but many people have a hard time with it due to the dull nature of their books. However, if you think you can handle it, a read through cover-to-cover would probably do wonders.

NINJA Audio and notes can be added, too, but are (at least last I knew) considered a supplement rather than a solo curriculum, so not sure if they'd be enough to supplement for Audit or not. Some of the other NINJA tools are more stand-alone – Blitz is videos which cover a bit more than the audio, so could be better as a supplement to Becker. The books are new since the time that I took the exams, so I can't speak to them. There's also the NINJA MCQs that I've heard good things about, but again, they came out after my exam time.

I would suggest a supplementary test bank, whether NINJA MCQs or Wiley test bank or another. I used the Wiley book and test bank and thought the combo prepared me very well for Audit – doesn't mean Wiley's the only one that can, but I think a supplement to Becker would be good, especially for Audit.

[koolkat]

@dam8 – I completely understand what you are saying and have “been there, done that”! I am retaking AUD and BEC because REG and FAR took me so long to pass. Actually, I passed AUD (2x) and BEC (4x) with Becker, but switched products because I just did not feel as if Becker was the right fit for me. I switched to Yaeger, which has teachers that walk you through the Wiley book and how to do the problems. It worked a little better for me, but I had begun to burn out, got a new job, etc which caused me to fail a few more times. Nevertheless, I found a system that worked. I prayed, then I watched Yaeger videos, took notes, read thru my notes to really understand the concepts (added NINJA notes) and completed endless MCQs (and all SIMs) until I was sick and tired of being sick and tired of doing them. I passed REG in Oct and FAR in Nov, both with a 75! I have attempted to use this system again with AUD and take my test on tomorrow, so hope it works again. You can do it! I know that you are tired and it seems like with everything you put in, it should be enough to pass, especially when you are so close. Here's the thing, this test is not just a test of knowledge, but a test of determination and will. Stay focused, study even harder (meaning, don't just gloss over something you don't know, REALLY try to figure it out, no matter how bad it hurts to understand) and DON'T GIVE UP! I wish you the best! 🙂

2002-2003 (when it was 2 Day Test):
AUD - 69, 80, 81
LAW - 73, 73, 73
TAX- 71, 72, 67*
FAR- 66, 63, 57*
(*on 3rd try, just tried to pass AUD & LAW while getting above 50 on these;didn't work)

2012-Present:
AUD - 73, 76 (expired 01/31/14), 70 (UGH)!, 86 (4/4/15 - praise God)!!
BEC- 55, 69, 69, 78 (expired 10/31/14), 5/26/15...76!!!! AND I'M FINALLY DONE!!!
FAR- 71, 71, 70, sat 11/24/14 - 75 PASSED!
REG- 65, 67, 71, 66, sat 10/4/14; 75 PASSED!

[Anonymous]

@koolkat – Thank you so much, I really appreciate it. Always good to hear others experiences. This exam is just so unpredictable, as well as expensive. Congrats on REG and FAR!!! Thats awesome, and best of luck to you tomorrow on Audit!

@Lilla – Thanks for the feedback! Yes, I was thinking of supplementing the NINJA with Becker. Seems like that's what a lot of people do who are in a similiar situation as myself.

[Anonymous]

Take the sample test on the AICPA website. My sims were very similar to the ones on there. If u can do the sims on their sample test, you should be ok

[mla1169]

I had a SIM on my 3rd aud attempt that was out of nowhere-so much in fact that I still remember what it was about three years later. I used Wiley and when I went home the subject of the question was mentioned in one sentence of the appendix.

Still passed with an 84.

Dont forget you can use the AL for every SIM not just the research question. If you're GOOD with using the AL supposedly you can find anything at all. For this particular SIM, I couldn't find direction in the AL but I am sure it was there. I must have chosen the wrong keyword(s).

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

@mla1169 – I'm willing to bet you and I had the exact same one lol. Because that was my experience and the same with Becker. I used the research tool, but the information provided in the SIM seemed too vague for what the questions asked were, so it wasn't much help.

[Author]

Replies