It's crazy how much flexibility the AICPA have with the exams

  • Creator
    Topic
  • #185778
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I was perusing the AICPA website a few weeks ago when I decided to read the content and skill specification outline (CSO) that all the review courses are based off of when I noticed something that was never mentioned in Becker.

    In Becker they said percentage split is 60/40 mc and sims for FAR, REG and AUD and 85/15 for BEC. But if you look closely at the CSO guideline they actually say the MC is between 50-60% which means the sims can be up to half of your score! The mc in BEC can be worth 80-90% so the writing is anywhere from 10-20%.

    I assume the review courses didnt think is important but it just shows how much flexibility the AICPA have in the exam. You really cant bank on just mc or sims cause you never know how much its gonna be worth. It never hurts to have a good understanding of what the structure of the exams are and this seemed worthy of attention.

    Here’s the link to the page:

    https://www.aicpa.org/BecomeACPA/CPAExam/ExaminationContent/Pages/default.aspx

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 16 total)
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  • #556355
    JamesBJames
    Participant

    Dang, I didn't realize there was flexibility in the MCQ / simulation weights.

    I guess one thing to take away from this is to allocate slightly more time to the sims if they're worth anywhere from 40-50% of your final score.

    FAR: May 1st, 2014 - 91
    AUD: May 29th, 2014 - 97!
    BEC: July 16th, 2014 - 91
    REG: August 29th, 2014 - 88

    Licensed December 2015

    Feel free to add me on LinkedIn by clicking my username!

    #556358
    JamesBJames
    Participant

    Dang, I didn't realize there was flexibility in the MCQ / simulation weights.

    I guess one thing to take away from this is to allocate slightly more time to the sims if they're worth anywhere from 40-50% of your final score.

    FAR: May 1st, 2014 - 91
    AUD: May 29th, 2014 - 97!
    BEC: July 16th, 2014 - 91
    REG: August 29th, 2014 - 88

    Licensed December 2015

    Feel free to add me on LinkedIn by clicking my username!

    #556357
    MrsBing
    Member

    I'm hoping my BEC writing portion is worth 10% 🙂

    Becker, Wiley Test Bank, and Ninja 10 Point Combo!

    FAR: 89
    REG: 87
    AUD: 92
    BEC: 75
    Ethics: 90

    Licensed Arizona CPA

    #556360
    MrsBing
    Member

    I'm hoping my BEC writing portion is worth 10% 🙂

    Becker, Wiley Test Bank, and Ninja 10 Point Combo!

    FAR: 89
    REG: 87
    AUD: 92
    BEC: 75
    Ethics: 90

    Licensed Arizona CPA

    #556359
    nicole2035
    Member

    maybe bc as you go through one testlet, the next can become harder if you perform well? so i guess the reviewers would have to look at if some of those questions that could have advanced you to a hard testlet were a fluke or vice versa. then have them result more to the SIMS to assess a candidates ability

    #556362
    nicole2035
    Member

    maybe bc as you go through one testlet, the next can become harder if you perform well? so i guess the reviewers would have to look at if some of those questions that could have advanced you to a hard testlet were a fluke or vice versa. then have them result more to the SIMS to assess a candidates ability

    #556361
    mla1169
    Participant

    I don't see that as flexibility for the AICPA, I see it as Becker taking some liberties with the published AICPA information.

    FAR- 77
    AUD -49, 71, 84
    REG -56,75!
    BEC -75

    Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

    #556364
    mla1169
    Participant

    I don't see that as flexibility for the AICPA, I see it as Becker taking some liberties with the published AICPA information.

    FAR- 77
    AUD -49, 71, 84
    REG -56,75!
    BEC -75

    Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

    #556363
    Study Monk
    Member

    My guess is the weighting is really close to 60%/40% and the AICPA is giving themselves breathing room to avoid liability issues and unforeseen self created restrictions. If you had the power to write the rules would you limit yourself to give the test takers piece of mind? AICPA has a monopoly after all. If the weighting was truly different it would be common knowledge on this site and among test takers. This is the first time I have heard of this.

    I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

    "Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

    #556366
    Study Monk
    Member

    My guess is the weighting is really close to 60%/40% and the AICPA is giving themselves breathing room to avoid liability issues and unforeseen self created restrictions. If you had the power to write the rules would you limit yourself to give the test takers piece of mind? AICPA has a monopoly after all. If the weighting was truly different it would be common knowledge on this site and among test takers. This is the first time I have heard of this.

    I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

    "Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

    #556365
    Kimboroni
    Member

    A little CYA– that makes sense!

    AUD 84 (1/9/14-Wiley books/TB + free materials)
    FAR 83 (5/21/14-the above + NINJA 10 Pt Combo Lite)
    REG 84 (7/9/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC/Notes)
    BEC 76 (10/5/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC)

    Disclaimer: My ninja avatar is not meant to imply that I have any affiliation with this site other than being a forum member. That's a pic of a T-shirt that my daughter gave me for my birthday. 🙂

    #556368
    Kimboroni
    Member

    A little CYA– that makes sense!

    AUD 84 (1/9/14-Wiley books/TB + free materials)
    FAR 83 (5/21/14-the above + NINJA 10 Pt Combo Lite)
    REG 84 (7/9/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC/Notes)
    BEC 76 (10/5/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC)

    Disclaimer: My ninja avatar is not meant to imply that I have any affiliation with this site other than being a forum member. That's a pic of a T-shirt that my daughter gave me for my birthday. 🙂

    #556367
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    The fun part is we will never know.

    #556370
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    The fun part is we will never know.

    #556369
    Study Monk
    Member

    That's what cool. I get to practice my bullshi*ing skills 😉

    I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

    "Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 16 total)
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