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Flyers 09
offlineMemberI am studying using the Becker CPA review (job provided). I ended up getting a 74 the first time I took FARS and passed BEC. When I received my scores in the mail it showed I struggled with simulations. Part of this I believe was from poor writing but I think most of it was because I was not prepared for the simulations. Does anyone else feel that the Becker simulations are far too easy. I am through R4 in Regulation and the simulations have been an absolute joke. I can do them with my eyes closed. Any tips/comments?Posted 2 years ago # -
JylCo
offlineMemberI found the Becker Final Review product to be helpful. But, after taking REG twice, I can honestly say I don't think anything can prepare you for the sims. They are just so far out there. There were parts of one sim that I couldn't even figure out what they wanted me to put in the little table. It was crazy! But, I'm happy to say I passed with a 77 the second time after getting the Final Review.
Good luck!!!
Posted 2 years ago # -
ktsullivan
offlineMemberI am also studing for REG right now with Becker (also just finished R4!), and I feel the same way! The simulations have been easy. Some people have told me that the similations in Becker are sometimes actually harder than the exam, and some people say the exam's are harder. So, I think it just depends what exam you end up with.
Someone on the forums recommended a Wiley book that they used, which has hundreds more MCQ's, and more similations. I checked it out and its only $80 (per exam review), so I am definitely going to buy that. Compared to Becker prices, that is so cheap for all of that. Also, I can skim the book to see what details Becker may have left out, or maybe just reading it a different way might make something stick that didn't before. Maybe that will make you feel more comfortable too!
This is the website the person gave (I think it was Shel)
http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/Section/id-321115.html
If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.Posted 2 years ago # -
ktsullivan
offlineMemberClub, you must use twitter a lot!
Thanks for the tips!
Ahh I was hoping not to open the FAR book until at least February haha, I want to take that one last but with plenty of room to spare before 18 months is up. I know people say to take it first, but I'd rather get the rest out of the way to be totally focused on that one. Its the topic I know the least (should've taken advanced accounting.. I feel like the intermediate classes will only be helpful for the first part of the book).
If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.Posted 2 years ago # -
therb
offlineMemberCan anyone confirm the style of simulations for REG? I just took FAR in August and got a 74, which was entirely due to the simulations. The new format is to have a different simulation on each tab instead of one big simulation and each tab refers to it. I am wondering if this is the case currently with REG. I got a 74 on REG too the first time and I am retaking it in 2 weeks so I want to know what to expect!
BEC 75 - REG 74, 88 - FAR 74,89 - AUD 92
DONE FOREVERPosted 2 years ago # -
BrandonPF
offlineMemberMy suggestion is do not even do the Becker sims. I opened them, quickly read the prompt and then looked at the answers to make sure I understood the material. Its a waste of time because a simulation can come from any topic. You would be much better prepared mastering the multiple choice because if you know all the material for the MCQ's, you should be able to answer any question in the simulation. Worked for me anyways...
Posted 2 years ago # -
ohiocpa
offlineMemberI had the new format with the Reg simulations. 4-5 tabs per simulation with different topics (read totally random off the wall questions). My suggestion would be to work on your weak areas since it always seem that I had sims in my weak areas. Damn Murphy's Law! I agree with Brandon about just studying the multiple choice...However, do not just be able to recognize the correct answer but know how to actually solve it. :) Good Luck!
Posted 2 years ago # -
Marcus
offlineMemberHey Flyers... I am with you in the 74 Club. My recent post also relates to this topic.
Hey yall... I am about to take FAR for the second time. I got a 74 using Becker the first time. I was so close the first time and should feel confident going into this one but for some reason I am not. I did great on the MC but the sims killed me. Any advice for preparing for the simulations, because Becker was great for the MC just not the simulations.
MY QUESTION > I know it is no secret that the CPA examiners like to test current / hot topics on the CPA. I was wondering what hot topics are out there for this next window that you think may be tested. I am not asking anyone to predict exact questions... just possible hot topics in the industry at this point.
THANKS.
Posted 2 years ago # -
kristyhana
offlineMemberThe becker review did nothing for the sims in REG for me. They were impossible! Yes, definitely know your depreciable property types, 1231, 1245, 1250, etc. That's what threw me for a loop. I tried to look it all up in the research tab but it was so confusing I just wasted a whole bunch of time and ended up not finishing the last SIM, which I thought had to be shorter than the first SIM but it wasn't.... GRRR. But all that being said, I still passed, just be strong on your MC and do your written comm and research tabs first.
Posted 2 years ago # -
CPAWannaBe
offlineMemberTherb,
That was my experience on REG in August. Each tab was independent of each other. It totally threw me off because I was expecting sims like the ones in Becker or Wiley. I totally agree with BrandonPF and KristyHana. Still don't have my score yet. I probably did so bad, they thought it was some kind of joke.
REG - 75 (expired, retake July 2011)
FAR - 69, 64, 67 <-Becker, 80 <-Yaeger
AUD - 82 ETHICS - 100
BEC - 72 (retake May 2011)Posted 2 years ago # -
therb
offlineMemberCPAWannaBe,
Knowing that the simulations have changed to this new format, would you advise saving even more time for them that previously? For example, I had saved myself an hour to do both sims for FAR when I took it in August, but I needed AT LEAST an additional 30 mins to have done them. There is so much reading material on each new tab that it takes forever to even get started. Currently they recommend saving 25-30 mins per simualation for REG, but do you (or anyone else) think that needs to be more like 35-45 mins per sim? I absolutely refuse to score another 74 again!!
BEC 75 - REG 74, 88 - FAR 74,89 - AUD 92
DONE FOREVERPosted 2 years ago # -
kristyhana
offlineMemberI definitely suggest leaving as much time as possible to do the sims in REG. I had over an hour and I still didn't finish. Both of mine were REALLY long, had so many tabs and were so difficult that I spent a lot of time trying to research in the research search to figure it out.
Posted 2 years ago # -
CPAWannaBe
offlineMemberTherb,
Yes, save as much time as possible for the sims. I was on my first testlet when I realized I was already getting behind schedule. I rushed through the next two testlets because I knew I needed time for the simulations. The sim directions were vague and I kept reworking the problems, trying to figure out if that is what they were asking. I could have used another hour!
REG - 75 (expired, retake July 2011)
FAR - 69, 64, 67 <-Becker, 80 <-Yaeger
AUD - 82 ETHICS - 100
BEC - 72 (retake May 2011)Posted 2 years ago #
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