[Keely]

Maybe that’s a dumb question, but I am really struggling to grasp the material. I’m using Becker, and I feel like they are assuming I’m supposed to know this stuff already. Perform XYZ substantive procedure, but they never really explained what a substantive procedure even was! I’m exaggerating a little, but it’s frustrating because it seems very subjective. I was doing fairly well with the material until I got to A4–transaction cycles, vouching, tracing, etc. I got a 63% on the MCQs first time around (I did them right after watching the lecture). Now I’m reading and taking notes and will attempt them again in the next few days, but that just kind of killed my confidence.

I see so many people with crazy high scores on AUD. Are the questions easier than Becker’s? Do these people have experience with auditing? I consider myself to be smart and dedicated, but this stuff just sucks. Any advice or encouragement would be helpful. Thanks 🙂

BEC: (4/2012) 88
AUD: (5/2012) 91
REG: (8/2012) 82
FAR: (1/2013) 78 🙂

VA CPA #42010

[Anonymous]

Not all accountants are auditors and that's why it can be frustrating.

I learned more doing the MCQ's. Keep plugging away at it and you'll do fine.

[Anonymous]

Yay, keely! We're taking the test on the same day and in the same boat. No audit experience _at all_. :o/ but I actually know people with no auditing experience who have passed the test, so it is possible. They only used Becker and studied enough time to watch all the lectures, work all the homework, leave two weeks for review–you know, the required amounts–and they passed.

[Anonymous]

I have no auditing experience, no public experience at all in fact and I obviously found auditing to be very challenging since it took me five attempts to pass, lol!

Learn the theory behind it. Read all the answer explanations for the right answers and the wrong answers for each question you work and understand why the answer is right or wrong. There is so much info in these explanations that is not in the study materials and after you read these explanations over and over it finally starts to sink in.

I found the ninja notes and ninja audio to be very helpful for audit.

[Anonymous]

This can be hard for anyone with or without auditing experience. This section is very tricky because of the way they word the questions. Just get used to the tricky questions by doing lots of practice questions. I passed AUD with an 87 and have no auditing experience. It can be done!

[Anonymous]

with the bit of experience i've had in audit, the AUD portion which i'm taking 5/31 seems a lot easier to study for and do well. just terminology and concepts aren't as abstract as when i did not have any real world experience. for example, perm files, analytical procedures, materiality, the reports, service organizations, tests of controls, substantive procedures, all that stuff meant very little to me even though i had taken two levels of Auditing courses. After gaining some experience it does come together and flow a lot better because I can actually picture these things in a real world setting. But its definitely doable and no one should be intimidated by it…just put in the time like any other section and overkill the MQs. I know when I get to REG my head will be spinning!

[Anonymous]

No auditing experience whatsoever; took one audit class and learned nothing.

That being said, AUD is my highest score (86, on the second try).

Everyone is different, but in my opinion AUD is the easiest to study. However, the way it's tested is wicked.

It requires the highest level of concentration out of the four exams and very good analytical thinking…which you develop after 3,000 MCQs 😀

[Anonymous]

That's a good question actually. I had zero audit experience and never took an auditing class. I passed on first try. I was also worried about the fact that I had never taken a class but I'm using Roger and he says he teaches under the assumption that you don't have any prior knowledge. I think you'll be fine with Becker and Wiley. Keep plugging away mcq's.

I wish I could trade you for your BEC score! 🙂

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Hey, I'm in the same boat here too. My undergrad auditing class grade was very terrible so I feel like this is the most challenging part of the test for me. I'm banking on preparing myself as much as I can before I take the test. I just finished the first lecture on Becker and judging from my MCQ results, I'm going to have to prepare a little bit more harder for this course than FAR.

[Lizzerz79]

I have no audit experience. Took two audit classes in college though. I agree with bnrhilton. Read all the answers in study mode for explanations. I learned a lot that way. I used Becker & cpareviewforfree for questions. I did the Becker stuff twice (till answers were right) and most of the cpareviewforfree.

AUD 4/1/12 98
FAR 5/30/12 96
BEC 7/1/12 92
REG 8/18/12 94

[LittleMoe]

No audit or public experience at all and my audit classes were 4 years ago. I studied my butt off and passed on the first try. Don't get discouraged!! It seemed like everything fell together for me in the last week I studied in doing my final review. I didn't feel confident at all in the material until then. Hang in there!!

AUD 4/12/12 79
FAR 5/29/12 76
REG 8/2/12 82
BEC 8/30/12 72 Retake 10/18/12 76!!! DONE!!!!
ExamMatrix, Wiley Books, NINJA notes and audio
LICENSED ALABAMA CPA 11/30/12

[Keely]

Thanks, guys. Glad to know it's doable. A lot of people say AUD is the ‘easiest test' or the ‘most fun to study for.' I think they are crazy…! Haha. I am reviewing A4 and hoping it will fall into place soon.

BEC: (4/2012) 88
AUD: (5/2012) 91
REG: (8/2012) 82
FAR: (1/2013) 78 🙂

VA CPA #42010

[Author]

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