Becker only prep you well for multiple choice, for the sim, you are on your own. You need to understand the material really well in order to do well on Sim.
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rubie145
offlineMemberLMAO.....omg Im so tired of hearing that any review program sucks!!!! It is a well known fact that they can only prepare yo so much for the SIMS hence why its important to understand the material!!! Im tired of all this whining I keep seeing anything worth having you have to work hard for and some will fail along the way pick yourself back up, brush your shoulders off and KEEP GOING!!! Don't blame the review!! Blame yourself suck up our tears and figure out what you can do next time to pass!!! I have failed two exams that I feel I studied hard for.....obviously not hard enough becuase I failed so I cried but Im over it and back on my grind to study so I can pass and get this whole process over!!! FYI Becker doesn't suck ( me personally I didnt like it because the teacher reads from the book) but the material is great its the ways you apply it!!! Im not trying to be mean to you but really Becker would be top recommended it it sucked so lets stop jumping on another 71 complaining about becker and get a book cracked open to study for next open window!!!!
REG 10/01/2011- failed retake hopefully May 2012
AUD 11/30/2011- failed retake 1/9/2012
BEC 2/25/2012 -
FAR-TBDPosted 5 months ago # -
mla1169
offlineMemberCPAGIRL, you will have to share what program exactly DOES prepare a candidate for the SIMS. I think you're looking for the magic bean.
Honestly I passed FAR on my first try, using nothing but cpareviewforfree.com. Its not the BEST prep material ever but I worked like nothing you've ever seen. My point is with anything you get out what you put in.
FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75
If I can do this, YOU can do this! Hang in there :)Posted 5 months ago # -
yankeeaccountant
offlineMemberFirst thing is that although I have used Becker, (Passed BEC with it), it isn't my first choice. But I would be hard pressed to say broad negative comments about it since, many,many people have passed using it. I may give my opinion ---from my own personal use, but I would stay away from comments beyond that. There is no right or wrong answer on which review choice to use, it changes with each person and with each separate exam. Even then when you make your choice, it is the manner in which you utilize your time, your review software, etc. which plays the biggest part in passing the exams.
I am a bit disappointed.
What is disappointing me is that we are not fostering an environment to which someone is free (or at least has the feeling) that she/he is free to (with respect of others) express their feelings during the exam process. Example: My son comes home from school and complains about his teacher giving a pop quiz, or maybe complains about something one of his friends said--I get that, been there, done that --I let him get it off his chest, and then help him digest and move on. But if I were to walk in the door tell my hubby or kids something that annoyed me about the CPA exam--I would be met with blank stares, they have no experience to lean on, they couldn't possibly help me digest and move on. They haven't been there, nope they haven't done that. I would hope that I could come to the forum and spout off to people who are walking down the same path. Even still, that path is different for all of us. Some people have incredible support networks, some don't have much in terms of support, some people don't have any. I would hope that somewhere in the varied group of people that we are, there are some people who can relate, empathize, or be a sounding board.
The OP didn't state if she failed or passed. I have no idea. I have no idea if she has a supportive boyfriend, husband, or family---I don't know who she is on the "other side" of the post. I don't know if she has circumstances outside of the exam that have her feeling hopeless, or perhaps her job is threatened pending the CPA exam. I try to think about that when I read a post -- its giving a poster the benefit of the doubt. As long as the poster isn't being disrespectful, I am going to give them the benefit of the doubt. Because, I would hope they would do the same for me.
I would agree with her regarding the sims, except that I would apply that the sentiment is that there isn't a "good" sim review out there, save the most recently released sims---it is hard to prepare for the sims.
According to the dictionary a forum is, "a public meeting place for open discussion" that is the beauty of A71. It is open discussion. I am not saying we always have to agree, but we should feel free to participate.
Posted 5 months ago # -
mla1169
offlineMemberWhat was said in response to the OP that is not fostering an environment in which someone is free to express their opinion?
Heres the thing about a public forum, it is not the place to go if you will only accept one "type" of feedback. If the only thing a person wants is rainbows and ponies, a public message board is probably not the best place for them.
I've done a LOT of tough things in my life, the CPA exam is only one of them. I will assure anyone younger and not quite as experienced as I am that people who are willing to tell you what you DON'T want to hear are probably the very people who are helping you to get to your goal.
People who only tell you what you think you want to hear are the ones who ultimately hold you back.
FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75
If I can do this, YOU can do this! Hang in there :)Posted 5 months ago # -
yankeeaccountant
offlineMember@mla1169
I understand what you are saying about a public forum, but it seems like I have seen more posts lately focusing on derrogative comments. All I am saying is that there is a way to dispense comments so that we continue and nurture an environment in which to do so. None of the comments except for yours was helpful.
Posted 5 months ago # -
Jeff - another71.com
offlineadminWhat (I think) Yankee is saying is that people should be able to write their opinion without being mocked/ridiculed.
I agree (unless someone is obviously trolling, then it's ok to have some fun with them).
If someone drops $3k on a product - they certainly have the right to sing its praises or to vent about it.
Posted 5 months ago # -
kandisjoy
offlineMemberUnfortunately, nothing can really prepare you for the sims. I used Wiley, CPAexcel, Roger, ExamMatrix.... none of them prepared me for the sims. CPAexcel was the best out of them, but really, the sims are a toss-up and you just get what you get and do the best with it. The best advice I can give you is to use the research tabs extensively to find answers for ALL of your sims if you don't know the answers to them. That's how I turned my "weaker" in sims to a "stronger."
FAR: 71, 77
BEC: 70, 82
AUD: 62, 78
REG: 71, 68, 85
CA Licensed 11/2011Posted 5 months ago # -
rubie145
offlineMemberI can understand what you are saying....all I'm saying is the sooner you can stop blaming the review course and jump back on the band wagon the sooner you can get finished with this beast!! Im not one to sugar coat anything hundred of thousands fail this every window but what sets you aside is pushing forward. So im just encouraging her IF she did fail to keep pressing on....to much time spent feeling sorry for ourselves takes away from time spent better preparing ourselves!!
REG 10/01/2011- failed retake hopefully May 2012
AUD 11/30/2011- failed retake 1/9/2012
BEC 2/25/2012 -
FAR-TBDPosted 5 months ago # -
CPA-Go
offlineMemberWhat make me upset are actually the expiring score(s) and the curve policy.
How fair is it, if I am likely competing with the tax experts in Q4 season, which requires me to get higher passing score;
and if someone took the test during busy tax season, and they'd likely pass the REG easier cause the curve will likely go up.
How fair is it if someone got 79 in AUD, got bump down to 74 because the passing rate is 85.And why the score should expire after 18 months... Do they realize that the 'slower' work season is likey only 1 or max 2 quarters in a year. If the reason is to keep up to date with their current rules/ regulations, how about someone who had passed the CPA 10-20 years ago and still can keep their scores with less knowledge than what it takes to pass these tests right now.
I just wish they reflect the real passing score and they don't make the score expired (cause I also worked hard to get my passing score, just like those ppl who were fortunate enough to have time to study within 18 months)
... well at least that's my opinion."There's an inverse relationship between happiness and likelihood to pass the exam..."Posted 5 months ago # -
jenuno01
offlineMember@CPA-Go that's what makes this test worth having... only the mentally fittest survive the process... you have to be up for the challenge... the CPA will be one of the biggest accomplishments in my life and something for which I always take pride in.
FAR - Done | AUD - Done | BEC - Done | REG - ?Posted 5 months ago # -
CPAMan
offlineMemberThe Sims this year have gotten harder and they count more too. So, review courses need time to get used to this new format. I'm sure with time, this will improve.
I do agree with the OP that the Sims on these exams are extremely difficult and they're so difficult that no MCQ can help prepare you well for them. MCQs are cut and dry questions on the material. The Sims take it to the next step. I would suggest that you dust off your college textbooks and start practicing TONS of problems.
While we all find the Sims very difficult, it seems to me that people are doing rather well on them because since it's hard for us to do well on them, then that means they're not curved as much as we'd like them to be. The better people do on them, the less they're curved. So, while we think the Sims are tough as heck, we are in the minority here. Our fellow test takers are kicking butt on them!! But don't worry, I'll kick butt on them next time. ;)
FAR: 52, 66, 73, 61, 89
AUD: 47, 87
BEC: 80
REG: 64, 74, 84
DONE!!!!Posted 5 months ago # -
CPAMan
offlineMember"How fair is it, if I am likely competing with the tax experts in Q4 season, which requires me to get higher passing score;
and if someone took the test during busy tax season, and they'd likely pass the REG easier cause the curve will likely go up.
How fair is it if someone got 79 in AUD, got bump down to 74 because the passing rate is 85."I guess that means I'm going to pass REG next quarter! ;)
FAR: 52, 66, 73, 61, 89
AUD: 47, 87
BEC: 80
REG: 64, 74, 84
DONE!!!!Posted 5 months ago # -
round1
offlineMemberTo the comment about Q4: I've passed all my exams in Q3 and Q4. Didn't pass REG on the first try in Q1 (the supposedly easy quarter). Go figure! So it's very doable (even if might be "unfair" due to some sort of curving/higher passing threshold). And I'm not talking about the 75 mark (it's a relative measure of translating actual scores into the "75 scale").
I don't think ANY course can adequately prepare you for or guarantee that you'll do well on SIMs. I didn't even check the SIMs for AUD (thought it was a vaste of time) and never completed any of the final Becker exams. I was right about AUD - got only FAR's topics on the AUD sims. That was a huge shock, considering that AUD was my 1st exam! After the test I went home and checked the Becker version of AUD sims: they were totally different, nothing about FAR topics!
There are tons of factors that can affect your score (indirectly though): the number of candidates in each quarter, their level of preparedness, the difficulty level of the SIMs you'll get, etc. I've seen easy SIMs in one testing window, and very difficult SIMs in another one (for the same REG exam). It's such a draw of luck sometimes...All DONE!!!
Freedom is a beautiful word :-)Posted 5 months ago # -
CPA-Go
offlineMemberHm...generally speaking, from 'group' study's observations at least, Q2 and Q3 are the ones that have higher passing rates. Not really for Q4 nor Q1.
Part of the reasons, Q1 is likely an adaptive test; people just don't know what to expect from NASBA/AICPA 2012. Plus some tax experts are still around over the holiday season to take the exam(s) on the first couple weeks of January.
But I totally agree it's all depending on our preparations; but I just personally think those facts I mentioned above are part of my luck."There's an inverse relationship between happiness and likelihood to pass the exam..."Posted 5 months ago # -
CPAMan
offlineMemberI still don't understand how there's more of a curve on Q1 and Q2. The passing rate is always approximately 45-47%. If more people are indeed taking the exam in Q3 and 4, then they have to pass and fail more people. So, it evens out. So why exactly is the curve on the beginning of the year better? Is it because people aren't studying much due to tax season?
FAR: 52, 66, 73, 61, 89
AUD: 47, 87
BEC: 80
REG: 64, 74, 84
DONE!!!!Posted 5 months ago # -
round1
offlineMember"I still don't understand how there's more of a curve on Q1 and Q2. The passing rate is always approximately 45-47%. If more people are indeed taking the exam in Q3 and 4, then they have to pass and fail more people." - I think the OP was referring to the "quality of test takers" in Q1: presumably, the well prepared tax people are very busy during this quarter, thus there is a "somehow lower passing threshold" for the actual passing grade, providing that the passing percentage rate always hovers around those 44-47%.
Idk, if it makes sense, but this is how I see it: in some quarters people may answer correctly only 65% of the test, but on the "75 points' scale" they are assigned that 75 grade. In other testing windows the passing threshold might be, let's say, 70% = converted to the same 75 grade.And I think that Q3-Q4 have the highest number of test-takers, meaning exactly what you said: "then they have to pass and fail more people." So, 20K taking the test in Q3 means that approx. 9K persons will receive the passing grade. But if most of those 9K would be "tax people", then the chance of passing for somebody less experienced in tax matters goes down. Nobody can actually measure the "quality" of test-takers in each quarter, so I'll say it's still a matter of luck (sometimes) and... thorough preparation.
All DONE!!!
Freedom is a beautiful word :-)Posted 5 months ago # -
CPA-Go
offlineMemberYes, that's exactly right to Round1. :)
@ CPAMan, be careful thinking Q1 will be the easy one, remember the tax experts are still around cramming for 2 weeks, taking advantage of this holiday season.
But I guess if you'll take at the end of Feb, likely their scores are up by that time and you're not competing against them anymore ;)
Good luck to all of us!!"There's an inverse relationship between happiness and likelihood to pass the exam..."Posted 5 months ago # -
CPA-Go
offlineMemberWell, If you're referring to me, sorry about that.
I thought this is just an informal forum. So, I typed, posted, and didn't recheck my grammar, pronouns, subject/verb agreement, nor sentence construction. I'm not lucky enough to be born in an english speaking country nor have a lot of exposure, esp. if compared to someone brilliant like you. ;)"There's an inverse relationship between happiness and likelihood to pass the exam..."Posted 5 months ago # -
katiekanton
offlineMember@CPA-Go "The OP" is short for "the original poster", in other words, the person who started the thread.
I actually love the subject of the thread and plan to use it wherever possible in daily conversation. It somehow seems classier than just saying something sucks. I just figured it was Goodluck2everyone trying to continue his thread via a nom de plume (nom de cyber?) to throw us off.
AUD - 88 - using Bisk, and btw, Bob Monette ROCKS
FAR - 90
REG - 85
BEC -
Ethics - 100Posted 5 months ago # -
CPAMan
offlineMember@CPA-Go- Don't worry. I do not believe that any quarter is easier than the other. Even though I took FAR and AUD in Q2 and passed them, I think it was just luck! It wasn't because I studied well or anything. It was all luck!!! The reason I feel that way is because I'm studying A LOT more for REG and can't even get a measly 75. So, I've been very unlucky with REG.
FAR: 52, 66, 73, 61, 89
AUD: 47, 87
BEC: 80
REG: 64, 74, 84
DONE!!!!Posted 5 months ago #
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