[nartycart18]

Hey guys, this is my first time taking the CPA exam. I taking REG in less than a week. What’s the format of the exam like? I know there’s 3 hours to finish 72 MC questions and the 6SIMs. But within the 3 hours, how long do you guys take breaks and does everyone have to stop at a certain time for breaks (like the SAT). Or we don’t need to take breaks and can just work on the test the entire 3 hours? Thanks in advance!

REG 8/18 -
BEC 75
FAR
AUD

[Anonymous]

All your questions and more answered here

You can take a break after each testlet but your 3 hour limit doesn't stop when you're outside the testing room so limit your break to one trip maximum. You are not timed for your break but obviously the more time you spend on your break, the less time to finish the exam.

If you don't want to take a break at all, that's perfectly fine.

[monikernc]

take the aicpa practice exam for reg. google it. it requires windows and IE and takes less than 30 minutes. it is just like the real exam with a few mcq's and a couple of sims. gives a feel for layout, structure, navigation, instructions. check out the calculator and the AL – i have done this for each section and feel it is worth it. we actually agree to do so when we get our NTS.
ask for a handheld calculator at prometric – the online one kind of sucks.
good luck!!

AUD - 93
BEC - 82
FAR - 76
REG - 88

How have you been?
Ninja book and MCQs and the forum, all first try! 2016
Licensed State of Montana April Fool’s Day 2020
State of Colorado June 2020 - AICPA Ethics 93
Experience was the worst part of the journey for me. You?
If you want things to change you have to do something different.

FAR 7/25/15 76!
AUD 10/30/15 93
BEC 2/27/16 82
REG 5/23/16 88!
Ninja Book and MCQ and the forum - all the way!!!
and a little thing i like to call, time and effort!
if you want things to change, you have to do something different

[EuroAddict]

Depending on time I tried to take a quick break after each testlet. Have some water and gum or whatever.

For REG I think I had 1.5 hours or so left to do SIMS.

-----------------------------
BEC - 77, 03/2015 (first try)
FAR - 79, 05/2015 (second try)
REG - 83, 12/2015 (first try)
AUD - 84, 03/2015 (first try)

I got 99 problems but the CPA ain't one.

[nartycart18]

@monikernc Oooh, I didn't know they allow you to check out calculators. What's the AL? Also I heard that we're given 2 pieces of paper, was that enough for you? I feel like doing the MCs with Becker, I used up way too much paper.

REG 8/18 -
BEC 75
FAR
AUD

[nadroj]

The three hours are yours to use as you please. The prep companies have suggestions on how to spend your time but some people need more time for Sims or MCQ or breaks.

The boards are OK. Paper and pencil would have been better but they're serviceable. If you run out of space the test center should let you swap for a clean one. You're not supposed to erase them yourself but stuff happens. Just make sure you test both markers because you don't want to waste time swapping those on the clock.

The on screen calculator keeps a running tape, unless you clear it, so that helped me reduce what I had to write.

[Author]

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