My impression of the exam and tips for passing!

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    Topic
  • #1636598
    Superdude3000
    Participant

    TIPS at bottom
    So I’ve been here since about a year ago when I started studying for this exam. I just want to give my opinion of it, what I think of each section, my study programs and some tips for passing it. I bought Rogers Elite and got Becker for free from the firm I accepted an offer with. I would do Rogers ‘regular’ course and go chapter by chapter, always doing the mcqs & SIMS for each one. Once I was done with it I would then do Rogers ‘cram’ course and instead of Rogers questions I would find the corresponding section in Becker and do all the questions there. I always did questions until I had 100% for the section. I would do this all the way through the cram. I would then do mock exams and review AICPA released questions with any remaining time. I really liked Rogers lectures and thought both Becker and Roger has solid test banks. I also had flashcards from Rogers which was helpful while traveling.
    REG – Studied about 4 months because I couldn’t sit until January (sitting early in WA). I thought this was the second easiest section due to tax being mostly a bunch of memorization. I thought the ethics questions were pretty simple but I was not a big fan of business law. Consider doing this one first, it’s the least overlapping with the other sections and is a big book so it’s a good one to knock out first.
    BEC – Studied for less than 2 months and sat at the end of February. I thought this was the second most difficult section. Macro/micro econ, corporate governance, IT, cost accounting, finance – this book is just a handful of ‘extra’ topics they expect you to know, but this is why I think it’s difficult because there’s just no relationship between the sections. I thought corporate governance and econ was easy (econ minor), finance was alright but IT and cost accounting were miserable to me. Consider doing this section last, you’ll know how hard you need to study by then and it would be nice to finish with the smallest section. You’d also get the benefit of some overlap from AUD and FAR.
    AUD – Studied for about 2 and a half months and sat in the last week of May – during finals! I found this to be the easiest section, relatively of course. I thought Roger gave great advice saying audit is all about the forest and not to get lost in all the trees. It truly is a big picture that makes a lot of logical sense when you put it all together. This was Roger’s best section I think. Consider doing this one third as it’s a breath of fresh air in the middle of your studies and will make even more sense if you do it right after FAR.
    FAR – The big one, my most difficult section. This book intimidated me and overwhelmed me a bit even though I had 2 and a half months during summer vacation. It’s huge! There is a ton of information and it can really wear you out. I took this at the beginning of September and felt as prepared as I ever would have going in. I studied each and every section until I had a decent to solid grasp of each one. Don’t underestimate gov’t and not-for-profit, mostly just the concepts and JEs! Consider this one second, knocking the two biggest books out first would be a big weight off your shoulders early. It’s also a great book to take before AUD.
    AICPA Ethics exam – Boring and long but if you take your time answering the questions on the exam and utilize your resources it’s not too bad.
    WA Ethics exam – The worst thing ever, took me three tries.
    TIPS:
    – This exam challenges you on multiple fronts including: knowledge (obviously), time management, critical thinking, and ability to remain calm. You clearly have to have a decent grasp of the material to have any shot at passing, that’s a given. On top of that you need to manage your time during the exam. Know where you are and what you have left to complete. DO NOT get hung up on questions for too long. Assume every question you don’t know is pretest question and take your best guess. Moving along at a good pace through the testlets is huge. Use critical thinking skills on questions you aren’t totally sure how to answer. Analyze the information and just look for little points wherever you can get them. You’d be surprised how many easy points there are on SIMS just sitting there, but it sound like some get too flustered and miss them. This brings me to my last point about being calm, it’s nerve-racking but you have to just zone in for 4 solid hours. Don’t allow missed questions to get in your head, assume the next question will be easier until there are not questions left to answer. Assume you studied hard enough and have confidence you have what it takes to get enough of the points to pass.
    – READ THE INSTRUCTIONS, know when to enter 0’s or leave squares blank.
    – Practice DRS. It sounded like some people were surprised by these, make sure you know how to do them.
    – Remember the goal is to get more points than X% of other candidates and not to get X% of the questions correct. You’re competing against other candidates, not the exam.
    – If that makes sense then you could say the key to passing is just studying harder than the rest, the key is persistence!
    – USE THE AL WITH SIMS. I got help on multiple SIMS in REG, a couple with AUD and one with FAR utilizing the AL. If you have time do not feel like you can’t check your work using the AL. Don’t get lost in it by any means but if it’s only helping you with the research questions than you’re doing something wrong.
    I start work at the beginning of November so I’m going to brush up on my Excel skills and spend time with my wife (who starts school next week) and daughter! Man everything just keeps moving so fast. Best of luck to exam candidates. IF YOU STUDY, YOU WILL PASS!

    REG - 92 (1/17)

    BEC - 82 (2/17)

    AUD - 89 (5/17)

    FAR - 94 (9/17)

    Rogers Elite + Becker mcqs/sims for all 4 exams

    WA State Ethics Exam - 83, 83, 90 (9/17)

    AICPA Ethics Exam - 95 (9/17)

    1-year of work - complete (11/18)

    Licensed WA State CPA

Viewing 13 replies - 1 through 13 (of 13 total)
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  • #1636688
    Wannafree
    Participant

    Superdude,thank you for sharing .good tips.Have to got time to refer to AL during FAR SIM ? How you managed time ?

    WannaB
    #1636870
    Reema
    Participant

    Superdude- thanks for sharing the tips.

    I have a quick question-

    I am taking my Audit for the first time. I haven't taken the date yet. But due to some personal issues, I am compelled to take Audit in Oct. I am presently just going through Roger videos and text.I have to complete Roger and Ninja MCQs and sims. Is it possible to finish Audit within a month? What should be my strategy?

    Thanks

    AUD - 86
    BEC - 88
    FAR - 88
    REG - 84
    B - 88

    A - 86

    R - 84

    F - 88

    Roger + Ninja MCQs

    #1637219
    STP
    Participant

    You should copy and paste that “READ THE INSTRUCTIONS, know when to enter 0’s or leave squares blank.” I know that killed me many times.

    AUD - 81
    BEC - 77
    FAR - 81
    REG - 85
    Ethics - 90 - 8/16/18 - 2nd Try
    #1637240

    @ Reema

    I do not know your work experience background but I think with/without audit experience you can do the Audit exam in 4 weeks. Personally I found this the hardest part to enjoy and focus on- finding myself not giving it the same effort I had to my other two exams. From your post you have FAR passed – which will be a HUGE plus in your favor!

    Audit was my highest grade by a mile – like Superdude quoted from Roger Review – “Don't get lost in all the trees”.

    I used Roger for Lecture and Ninja for MCQ 🙂

    *** Best of Luck!!***

    BEC - Passed

    REG - Passed

    AUD - Passed

    FAR - Passed

    #1637435
    Superdude3000
    Participant

    @wannafree
    Like I said time management is key. Only allowing yourself a certain amount of time per testlet will keep you moving through the exams. If you do this you should end up with some spare time here and there to refer to the AL. I usually wouldn't spend more than a couple minutes looking for assistance in it because it usually didn't help. But every once in awhile I would get lucky and get a ton of help with a SIM or at least a piece of a SIM so I have always favored using it for any and all Sims. Just be aware of your time.

    @reema
    Absolutely, it will depend on how you like the material as some struggle with audit, but if you like it the way I did you can definitely grind it out in a month. I have zero audit experience as of now fyi

    REG - 92 (1/17)

    BEC - 82 (2/17)

    AUD - 89 (5/17)

    FAR - 94 (9/17)

    Rogers Elite + Becker mcqs/sims for all 4 exams

    WA State Ethics Exam - 83, 83, 90 (9/17)

    AICPA Ethics Exam - 95 (9/17)

    1-year of work - complete (11/18)

    Licensed WA State CPA

    #1637734
    HoldMyBeerCPA
    Participant

    Good tips.

    If I can add anything, I would say it's knowing how to weed out the peripheral info in the SIMS.

    Most of the SIMS I had contained a lot of fluff that lead me into losing quite a bit of time. If I were to do it over, I would focus on knowing what the SIM is asking and work backwards from there.

    "FACT": The odds of consecutively passing all four sections of the CPA exam on the first try: 7%.

    Me: Hold my beer...

    FAR (April 2017): 75+

    BEC (May 2017): 75+

    AUD (July 2017): 75+

    REG (September 2017): 75+

    Roger + Ninja Audio/MCQ/Notes (BEC & REG)

    #1637839
    Reema
    Participant

    Thanks for the tips..

    AUD - 86
    BEC - 88
    FAR - 88
    REG - 84
    B - 88

    A - 86

    R - 84

    F - 88

    Roger + Ninja MCQs

    #1637870
    kpine1852
    Participant

    Thank you for the tips! And congratulations! I hope you enjoy your well deserved time off 🙂

    Did you have some sort of study routine? I'm only able to study a few hours a day, and I'm still trying to make myself wake up early. Not a morning person. Interested to know how many hours a day you could fit in!

    AUD: 74, 72
    BEC: 67, 69, 76
    FAR: 77
    REG: 76
    #1637873
    Wannafree
    Participant

    @thanks for the tips @superdude and @spencerjamescpa.

    WannaB
    #1637906
    Ivy
    Participant

    @superdude:

    Which MCQ practice questions do you feel prepare you the most during the exam, Roger’ or Becker’?

    I retake the FAR in Nov, done less than 100 MCQ when I first sat for the FAR exam, I thought I understood most of the topics well , obviously not solid and accurate without practice.

    I agree with you that there are “curves” or “targets” need to be set and met. I can actually understand why is that, when I study AUD and saw the tier I evidence is from the Auditor..

    No amount of suffering is enough if not ready.. I guess!
    Thanks for the tips!

    #1638068
    Superdude3000
    Participant

    @kpine1852
    I kinda outlined my study routine above in the first paragraph. I studied an average of 5-6 hours a day I'd say. I sat while in school which is much less demanding than while working full-time (hence why I did it early) so I likely had much more free time than others do and used all of it to my advantage. I had/have a two/three year old at home with a couple huskies and i worked very little part-time, so I wasn't completely free but I had an advantage there for sure.



    @Ivy

    I honestly felt like Rogers and Becker are very similar. Beckers test bank is probably better than Rogers by a hair with mcqs and sims except DRS. I thought Rogers was better for those types of sims. Both are great though

    REG - 92 (1/17)

    BEC - 82 (2/17)

    AUD - 89 (5/17)

    FAR - 94 (9/17)

    Rogers Elite + Becker mcqs/sims for all 4 exams

    WA State Ethics Exam - 83, 83, 90 (9/17)

    AICPA Ethics Exam - 95 (9/17)

    1-year of work - complete (11/18)

    Licensed WA State CPA

    #1638383
    Superdude3000
    Participant

    In case anybody was curious here was my hour breakdown.
    REG: 250-300
    BEC: 150-200
    AUD: 200-250
    FAR: 300-350
    I forgot to add this to my original post. I definitely overdid it but I knew if I did I would have a really good shot at passing all on my first go.

    REG - 92 (1/17)

    BEC - 82 (2/17)

    AUD - 89 (5/17)

    FAR - 94 (9/17)

    Rogers Elite + Becker mcqs/sims for all 4 exams

    WA State Ethics Exam - 83, 83, 90 (9/17)

    AICPA Ethics Exam - 95 (9/17)

    1-year of work - complete (11/18)

    Licensed WA State CPA

    #1638470
    Ivy
    Participant

    @superdude3000

    Correct my post above, I meant I agree with you that I think the test result involves candidate “competing” with each other (I would guess mainly between 65 to 80 depends on the poll in one testing window), However I also understand why the testing authority has to do it or might do it. There is a lot flexibility regarding which one is pretest which one is not as well.

    This reminds me when student apply for Ivy college..

    Thank you for getting back to me, you have a interesting time line of your career and academic, seems well planned and executed, enjoy your new chapter!

Viewing 13 replies - 1 through 13 (of 13 total)
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