CPA Exam Simulation Research format change coming 3rd quarter of 2008
Starting in the 3rd quarter of 2008, there will be a new research format in the simulations. A tutorial will be available at cpaexam.org sometime in the 2nd quarter of 2008. Supposedly the new format will make it more simple to navigate. Personally, I don’t think it would take much to improve the current interface. It’s cumbersome and you have to hold your mouth just right and say a prayer to get your answers to transfer from the authoritative literature section.
I learned the hard way that you can’t transfer an answer unless you SPLIT THE SCREENS. Of course it says this in the instructions, but I have better things to do during the exam than read instructions. 
Here is the link. It’s a Powerpoint presentation.
Which Section of the CPA Exam should I take first?
I had a question on which section to take first and wanted to address it. You’ll find different opinions on this subject and here is mine:
Take the hardest section first.
The reasoning for this is very simple. Once you pass a section, your 18 month window begins (from the date you sat for the exam, not the date that you received your results). You don’t want to pass the easiest section (Auditing) and then struggle with FARE 5x and lose AUD.
I say that Auditing is the easiest section, but “easiest” is a relative term. Each section of the exam is very hard, I just think AUD is the less-hard section of the CPA Exam. If you think Auditing is the hardest section because you’ve passed the others but have failed Auditing 3x, then I understand. I’m just speaking in general terms.
Ranking of CPA Exam sections from hardest to easiest:
(This is my opinion only)
1. FARE – There are so many topics to cover in this section that it is just a beast of an exam. Inventory, Bonds, Pensions, Cash Flows, Governmental, Not-For-Profit…etc. This section is very difficult. It took me 3x to pass it and when I finally did, I took a year off from studying to celebrate. I felt like I had passed the CPA Exam. In reality, I had only passed mile 6.5 of a Marathon.
2. BEC – I flat out hate the BEC Exam, though in some ways I love it because it has forced me to confront weaknesses in my skill set as an accountant – i.e. Financial Management. There are no sims on this exam and it only lasts 2.5 hours. It seems like a harmless little pop quiz compared to the others, but if you take it for granted, the BEC exam will humble you. Most people couldn’t care less about in-depth IT topics, haven’t given econ a second thought since early in their undergrad studies and would rather do ANYTHING but study holder in due course and commercial paper questions. Most people take this section more than once.
3. REG – When was the last time you studied up on Trusts or Estates? Agency? Accounting Ethics? Filled out an M-1? REG is tough, but if you put in the time and don’t cut corners, you should be rewarded for your efforts.
4. AUD – I saved AUD for last because I feared it the most. I have never done auditing and I didn’t want to learn it. As it turns out, if you learn auditing from the ground level up and built a solid knowledge foundation and understand the concepts, you can answer any question on the exam. I wrote previously about how I passed AUD on the first try. I’ve never left an exam positive that I had passed it before. I did with Auditing.
Everyone has their preference on Exam order and opinions on which section is most difficult, this is just my take. I hope it is helpful.
CPA Exam Pass Tips: Take two CPA Exam sections at a time
According to the Uniform CPA Examination Alert, students who took two sections in a testing window were more likely to pass one section of the CPA Exam than those who took just one.
Thought: Makes sense…
Students who took two sections were also more likely to pass both of them than pass just one.
Thought: Ok, finally something to chew on.
Students who took all FOUR sections in a window were more likely to pass all 4 than they were to pass 3, 2, or 1 section.
Thought: Weird.
CPA Exam BEC Simulation: Writing section being moved to BEC?
According to the Uniform CPA Examination Alert, they are considering getting rid of the 6 writing sections on AUD/FAR/REG and moving 3 of them to BEC. The thinking surrounding this move is that they can adequately determine a CPA candidate’s written communication skills based on one exam alone.
CPA Exam Simulation Format Change in 2009?
According to the Uniform CPA Examination Alert the old format of two simulations will be replaced by 5 or 6 shorter Task-Based Simulations. Unlike the current two simulations, the new simulations will be independent of each other and each question will derive from a new set of information.
Once approved by the end of 2008, the new format could be implemented in early 2009.
