[TiffaNiffaNi]

Having never taken a section yet, I was wondering, what are your strategies for the MCQ’s on the actual exam?

I see the potential options (with sub-options) as follows:

1. “Cherry-pick”

a. Answer conceptual problems first then go back and do the calculation problems, or

b. Vice versa: calculation problems first then conceptual

2. Sequentially

a. Fill in an answer for all problems, in order, no matter what, or

b. Skip/flag those you can’t get right away and go back

Lastly, regardless of the methodology employed, once you have an answer selected for all questions, do you go back and review before continuing to the next set or do you “trust your gut”?

The closer I get to D-Day, I’d like to have a plan of attack. I’m thinking that making a pass through, and being able to knock out some conceptual problems first, may help build my confidence (so Cherry-pick (a.)).

FAR: 7/17/14- 79
AUD: 8/20/14- 91
REG: 10/1/14- 88
BEC: 11/10/14- 85

Becker Self-Study

[Kls238]

When I first start, I try to do them in order. If I'm really struggling on a concept, I'll mark those questions and come back to them later. I normally do all my problems on my iPad, but if I'm out somewhere (doctors, downtime before the gym), I'll do a few conceptual problems via my phone. I'll tag the calculation problems to do later.

I take notes on what I miss as I go, so there's really no going back to review problems once I've completed a section. I only go back to questions to redo them after I've studied the chapter, specially where I was having trouble.

After I'm done with all sections, I redo all that I had marked (the questions I still struggled with even after studying the section again) and I start my MCQs supplement questions (NINJA). I do as many supplement MCQs as I can until my exam.

Hope that helps.

Passed all sections.

[JamesBJames]

I always go sequentially. If I don't know an answer, I mark it. If I don't know the next answer, I mark it… and then I go back to the first marked problem and try to make myself feel better by convincing myself that my guess is probably right and unmark it. Then, I– you know what, this probably isn't the best exam strategy.

I think cherry picking will take up too much extra time, regardless. You've gotta answer all the questions anyway.

I always do a run-through of a testlet. Usually, if time permits it, I do two. If you're rushed for time, just move on. I usually don't end up changing anything.

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!

[Mamabear]

I go sequentially and I don't flag them or go backwards. You need as much time for your SIMS as possible and I have known too many people double check their MCQ and run out of time on the SIMS. I just don't want to take the chance that I won't get through all the SIMS.

CPA Exam - Finally DONE (November 2014)
BEC (08/10/13) 80
AUD (08/24/13) 65 (11/13/13) 85
FAR (04/12/14) 81
REG (07/19/14) 69 (11/29/14) 87!!

[Anonymous]

I go sequentially, answering the questions I know right away and flagging/skipping those I'm not entirely comfortable with. Once I finish all of the questions I feel I know fairly well, I go back to the flagged questions and answer those in a sequential fashion until I'm done with that testlet. I do the same with the remaining testlests. It's worked out well so far and I haven't had a problem with running out of time on either of the two exams I've taken.

Once I complete each testlet, I do go back through the questions, but only to make sure that I've filled an answer in. I am a strong proponent of “trust your gut” and don't like to second guess any of my answers for two reasons: 1) I could very well be changing a correct answer to an incorrect answer and 2) trying to rework a question takes time away from going through the questions I do know, meaning that I may try to get through those too quickly and make careless mistakes.

That being said, whichever method you decide to employ, it's always a good idea to give yourself set time marks that you “need” to have testlets completed by. For example, when I took REG I gave myself 30 minutes to complete each MCQ testlet and 1.5 hours to complete the sims. Once my timer clock was down to 2:30 hours left and provided I had gotten through all of the MCQs, I moved onto testlet 2. That saved a lot of second guessing on questions, which I believe helped a great deal. I also managed to complete both of my exams with nearly 30 minutes left, so that gave me time to check over the work I did for my sims and make sure all of the calculations were figured correctly (and for BEC it allowed me to check my word usage and grammar in the written communications questions).

[mla1169]

If the exam wasn't timed, cherry picking would be the ideal. However you'll find yourself up against a tight time clock and its a luxury you really don't have to skip around in my opinion.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[scarecrow]

Start from one and go sequentially. Do not search for the easy ones, you don't have time. Set a strict schedule on how much time you're allotting to each testlet and monitor it as you go.

317 CLUB

[TiffaNiffaNi]

Thanks for all the great advice!

Today I learned: I will not cherry pick because that is a luxury I will not be able to afford! I will most likely utilize the flagging, and I doubt I will make a final check before proceeding to the next testlet.

Good times 🙂

FAR: 7/17/14- 79
AUD: 8/20/14- 91
REG: 10/1/14- 88
BEC: 11/10/14- 85

Becker Self-Study

[Mamabear]

I started out flaggin questions I was unsure of when I had my AUD retake. I stopped after flagging 12 out of the first 25 in the first testlet. It killed my confidence and I was teary eyed by the middle of the second testlet. Only flag the ones you skip so you can go back and answer them or else you may doubt yourself going forward.

CPA Exam - Finally DONE (November 2014)
BEC (08/10/13) 80
AUD (08/24/13) 65 (11/13/13) 85
FAR (04/12/14) 81
REG (07/19/14) 69 (11/29/14) 87!!

[Author]

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