[FightingK]

Got another 74 this morning.. Before checking score, I already well prepared “my mind” to accept failure again..I know 74s means I didn’t study enough no matter what. Saw some people pass with higher score, like 90+. I am so wondering how hard they study and how smart they are. haha.

I use Becker in the beginning and NINJA MCQ later. I wrote notes too. Since I took four times, I can memorize all the sims(all sims is “weaker” for four times). I even got the same sims on my exam. But the question is I still don’t know the correct answers. The text book only tells me the concept, but the exam applies many examples/cases. Could you share some tips to me? I guess I already memorized most of material instead of fully understanding based on my score history..

Thank you all!!

BEC 75-12/13 (Becker)
AUD 73,72,74,74,88-02/15 (Becker+WileyNotes)
REG 66,78-04/15 (Becker+WileyNotes+NinjaNotes&MCQ)
FAR 65,80-06/15 (Becker+WileyNotes+NinjaNotes&MCQ)

[Gabe]

Audit is tricky…I am an auditor and it took me 2 times to pass it. What really helped me was posting in the AUD study group on anything I was having an issue with or didn't understand. You have probably memorized a lot of the answers. So instead of automatically blowing through MCQs, don't just choose the “right” answer, but be able to explain why the other 3 choices are wrong. If you can't do that- ask for help in the forum.

You can do this.

CPA, CFE
CISA- Experience will be completed by August 2016

[Anonymous]

Well, I just passed AUD with a 92 and that took pounding out 2,500 MCQ. 800 of those were during the initial study sessions and 1,700 during the two week final review. I committed to 25 hours a week of study time, true study time and not half study and half screwing around on here or FaceBook, and I took 6 weeks including final review. I also did over 150 practice SIMS. I'm not that smart, I graduated with a GPA of barely 2.2. What's worked for me on these exams is just hammering the content away. I had trouble with AUD remembering what was included in an engagement letter and management rep letter so I sat down and wrote by hand real letters. During the exam I was able to close my eyes and remember the different sections I'd written out.

Do you know what areas you are weaker on? Not necessarily the score report but topics that you pray don't show up on exam day?

[nicole2035]

You need to break down the question and concept in your own words. What i do when i get something wrong is i copy and paste it into my notes (i use OneNote), then i highlight or bold key points in the question. Explain in my notes what each point means and what the question is asking for

Then take the concept answer and break it down, if there's a word you don't understand in the context, look it up. Review materials sometimes explain in jargon to us, so the point of notes is to write it all down in your understanding. I promise once you see the question again it'll make more sense no matter what wording the question is in. You have to trust yourself, I think you've lost trust in yourself so you've began relying on memory of what your textbook says, when in reality you can logically think this stuff out.

[MydnightDarkfyre]

I see you are weaker on Sims. Are you utilizing the Authoritative Literature during your exam? Without disclosing, I think I can say I found the answer to 3 of my Sims WORD FOR WORD out of the AL. If you are not familiar with using the authoritative literature, I would start there. Might be the extra point you need.

FAR: 82 (Becker) 07/09/2014
AUD: 80 (Becker) 10/01/2014
BEC: 76 (Becker) 11/26/2014
REG: 82 (Becker) 02/16/2015

GA Licensed CPA 8/7/2015

CISA: 564 (PASSED) 6/11/2016 - Certification pending

[Anonymous]

I missed the part where you're weaker on SIMS. Are you practicing SIMS? That could be a place to start too. I mentioned on a different thread I find practicing SIMS valuable and am surprised at the number of posters who say don't practice them as if you know the concepts you'll do fine on the SIMS. While that is true practicing them also increases your knowledge base and efficiency using the AL.

With the SIMS do you find yourself struggling with all of them or is it the FAR concepts?

[funtiks]

read my post

https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/aud-is-such-a-joke

FAR - 76*, 73, 85
BEC - 69, 72, 78*, 80
AUD - 72, 71, 90
REG - 71, 74, 85

AFTER 3 YEARS I'M DONE!!!

[Anonymous]

Put 200 hours into it and you will pass.

[FightingK]

Thank you all for your reply.. Really appreciated!!!!! I read your post faster than I reply, because English is my second language 🙂

@Gabe :Thank you for your suggestions. Yes, since I know doing as much as MCQs is golden rule, I think I memorized lots of answers and just tried to finish as mush as I can. Sometimes I didn't check the explanation for other wrong answers if I got the right answer.

@cpatobe15: Wow..I am shame that I didn't spend that much effort like you. Thank you for your sharing. No way to pass without studying hard. For my weaker part, actually I wasn't so sure.. I read through Becker text book many times and I thought I understand the concept. The score report said I got weaker every time is “Understanding the Entity”. Therefore, I think my weaker part is “risk” related topic. IR, CR….etc?

@captobe15 and MydnightDarkfyre: Ya…I didn't practice SIMS much…I thought if I am good at concepts, I would be fine on SIMS.. That's why I always review the text book and my notes(end up memorizing.. ). For AL, not much SIMS I can use AL (or just I don't know I can use.. XD). Only 1 question each time I can use AL (report format or opinion). Most time my questions are cases/issues with many blank column for me to select the answer. Increase, decrease, no effect, procedures.. Some FAR questions I feel they are basic. But because I failed, I started to think: did I answer it in correct way? If the answer is to write Dr.$XXX, should I put $0 on Cr side on the same line? (Maybe my JE was wrong too. It's possible..) Now, I kind of knowing the types of SIMS, but don't know how to prepare. For practicing SIMS, what material you study and recommend?

@Nicole2035: Yes, I rely on memorizing textbook. I tried not to lose point which can be memorized..Thank you for sharing. I will keep doing writing notes!!

@funtiks: I read your post before posting here and got an idea right after reading your experience: I will keep applying for the exam and wish I could get a lucky one too 😛

@cbones1979: Yes, no doubt:)

BEC 75-12/13 (Becker)
AUD 73,72,74,74,88-02/15 (Becker+WileyNotes)
REG 66,78-04/15 (Becker+WileyNotes+NinjaNotes&MCQ)
FAR 65,80-06/15 (Becker+WileyNotes+NinjaNotes&MCQ)

[CanIpassYou Aud]

@FightingK, I was in your situation once. I failed three times before passed Audit with 90. I actually switched to Roger CPA review after the 3rd fails. I found Roger provided a bigger audit picture rather than focusing on tiny details in Becker book. I used the regular course and cram course. I think regular course is very good and I received the huge discount since I qualified for the fresh start program. Keep it up!!! you will pass this soon.

FAR-Passed
BEC-Passed
REG-Passed
AUD-Passed
Materials: Becker+Ninja Notes/Ninja MCQ/Ninja Flashcards
Click my name to view my LinkedIn account.

[FightingK]

@”CanIPassYouAud”, Thank you for your sharing. I will check out Roger 🙂

BEC 75-12/13 (Becker)
AUD 73,72,74,74,88-02/15 (Becker+WileyNotes)
REG 66,78-04/15 (Becker+WileyNotes+NinjaNotes&MCQ)
FAR 65,80-06/15 (Becker+WileyNotes+NinjaNotes&MCQ)

[lovesweetcoco]

I failed AUD once and retook it last month ,still waiting for the result(Nov.24 will release). The first time I used Becker I got 71. So this time I borrowed Roger from my friend. I have been used Becker since beginning and I passed FAR® one time. But for AUD I personally feel Roger is much better than Becker. More easily to understand and follow, more relevant to exam questions. Anyway I have to wait for my result to come out first. Fingers crossed!

Reg- 08/30/2013 86
Far- 11/30/2013 80
Aud- 08/30/2014 71 Retake Oct.30 85
Bec- 11/26/2014

[Martin]

You should try Roger CPA, I heard he is the best when it comes to Audit. The only problem I see with his review course is that his test data bank is too easy compare to Wiley test bank. I will get the Ninja MC as soon as Im done with Roger.

Through God all things can happen!

“You never fail until you stop trying.”
― Albert Einstein
When I was young, I used to admire intelligent people;as I grow older, I admire kind people.
“Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.”

FAR= 72-84
Audit= 73-82
BEC= 74-75
Reg=77

[Author]

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