smrichard
offlineMember
For some reason I was thinking the Ethics test would be easy. It's open book, right? I've read a few posts out there that it's difficult. Anybody want to share their experience?
Also, after I take BEC in October, can I take my Ethics test since I'll only be waiting on one score?
CalCPASoon
offlineMember
Is CA, the ethics exam actually comes from the CalCPA accounting society instead of the AICPA. I just got mine and started taking it last weekend, its definately not as easy as I thought it would be. Its not hard, especially compared to the CPA exam, but I wouldnt call it easy either. The questions are very long, and there are lots of small details that could change the answer one way or another. And you dont just have to know the AICPA professoinal code either, it also covers the PCAOB and state ethics codes as well, and when answering the MCQ you have to know which code to apply. I would say the exam is more "time consuming" than "hard" because you have to go back to the book alot and look up answers. I tried just reading the book the whole way through, but it was way to tedious, so i just skimmed it and starting taking the test and looking up all the answers in the book to make sure I had it right.
WhyMe23
offlineMember
So does anybody know if the text is fine to order to look up the answers for the exam or if the CD is a lot easier to use? It seems like an exam where you can just read the question and look up the answers from what I have heard. Just wondering what is the easier way to get this over with asap.
CalCPASoon
offlineMember
@Acct
The ethics exam is required for licensure, most people take it after they pass the CPA exam, but in some states you can take it anytime within 2 yrs of licensure. I didn't have anything to study for while I was waiting on my last score, so I ordered the ethics exam and started taking it.
I didnt have an option of CD or text, so I just got the text. I think the CD might be better if you can control+F things to find them easier, but I also liked highlighting the answers in the book, so i dont know...
Allyson
offlineModerator
Some states have their own. Look for discounts too. My state required the AICPA course. I was scared to death of anything put out by the AICPA but don't worry. It's not CPA exam-hard.
It was open book. The questions went in order of the book. You can order the CD or the book. The CD may have ability to look up answers with keyword search. I got the book so I could look up all the questions and highlight the answers. Just fill out the scantron and go to the website and enter it in. It took a few hours. Not nearly the 8 or so they say it does.
You have to get 90%, I think, to pass. It also doesn't tell you which ones you get wrong.
Allyson
offlineModerator
AICPA's course is 40 questions. You can try it online 3 times. After that, it needs to be a paper-based exam. It's not too bad. Lots of people do it while watching TV.
WhyMe23
offlineMember
So is the exam not timed then? I assume if you look up each answer it might be time consuming so you can take as much time as you want. Does not sound too challenging, for Illinois we have to order the AICPA comprehensive course http://www.cpa2biz.com/AST/Main/CPA2BIZ_Primary/Ethics/PRDOVR~PC-732302/PC-732302.jsp which looks kind of expensive. From what I'm hearing the CD is easier to look up answers but the text works just fine. I guess I will be ordering the text since I have a Mac and the CD only runs on windows.
Allyson
offlineModerator
I answered all the questions (they're in the back of the book) before I went to the website to enter them in. It took 5 minutes but I would imagine it times out after some point.
Snausages
offlineMember
@Allyson: thanks! I will probably get the book too. I am a textbook type of guy. I can mark it up, make notes, highlight, etc. If the questions are also in the back, I can solve them first, and input them into the computer. I expect the Ethics section to be fairly straightforward, but if there is something difficult or something I should know of caution, please let me know!
kandisjoy
offlineMember
lol Allyson I answered that question on another thread :) So hard to find stuff in here during score release time (aka busy season).
My derby name is Wendy Wrathcomes (like "when the wrath comes"). SusanStudies thought of it for me. Most people just call me Wrath.
Haze & Allyson - All kinds of <3 to you both!!
On a side note, does anyone know if the questions are all in the back of the book for the California ethics exam? I always thought that getting the online version would be better, but if that's the case I think I'd rather have the book...
Snausages
offlineMember
@kandisjoy: congratulations on finishing. i have been watching you too, but silently. there are just a few more people that i have been rooting for to pass. isn't it an awesome feeling to see people finish this journey! when i saw your signature, i was like "oh wow, there's another super happy person!". gotta love it.
Snausages
offlineMember
@kandisjoy: yes, because I was looking at the pattern of some of your scores. it seems like you had some big leaps in scoring, as did i on FAR. let me tell you, when i watch some of the people on this site, i feel like a stalker a little bit, but my intentions are good (i think?). i see some people post their scores and i think to myself "man, i really truly positively wish this person gets that one last passing score, please please please please". seriously. and when i see a couple of you guys who conquer it, i get a little misty-eyed. i don't have too many people to share this joy with (most of the people i know are pretty cold about stuff and take things for granted). i wish i had more people to celebrate, party and jump up and down with a bit like the rest of you all. how awesome would that be! i wouldn't know. i passed the CFA, ASA, FRM and other tough certifications to along with my academics and career path, and now the CPA (i just passed FAR, my last part). i want to scream and really get giddy with folks, but man, most people i know are so stiff. so when people i have been following like you and few others pass and go nuts, i absolutely smile from ear to ear. here's to us! and here's to all those who will take these tests, kick it's butt no matter what, and eventually jump up and down with us!!
kandisjoy
offlineMember
Aw that made me all warm and tingly! Too sweet! We are all dancing and jumping with you. I promise.
I did, LITERALLY, dance at work today whenever I was walking around and nobody could see me. :o) You should dance too! You're amazing, great job on all of your certifications.
CalCPASoon
offlineMember
@kandis-Congrats!!!
The CA ethics exam is only available as a textbook, and the test questions are just printed on regular paper and they come with the book. There is a scantron type page that you can bubble your answers in before going online and entering them in for grading. I made a copy of the answers sheet so i didn't have to keep flipping pages back and forth.
kandisjoy
offlineMember
@CalCPASoon - Thanks for the congrats! As for the ethics exam, I think that you are mistaken, or perhaps I misunderstood about it only being available as a textbook. I bought the online version and received a pdf of the text. I'm really glad that I bought the online version, since I was able to use the Find function in Adobe to search for terms to help me find the answers. Just an FYI. :) I finished my ethics exam yesterday.
dianepage
offlineMember
@snausages
Tell me about the CFA; I'm thinking it's comparable in beastliness to CPA? What is exam format, etc. I got halfway through an MBA program in Finance many years ago, so I think it would be do-able, but I'd love to hear your thoughts. P.S what do you do for a living and how does the CFA apply?
I guess I'm just one of those continual learners (or masochists), I've been thinking about getting an MPA or the CFA designation.
Thanks!
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