Kimberly is a NINJA CPA blogger.
I was waiting for the clock to strike 12:00am to check my AUD exam score just like I am pretty sure a lot of other exam takers were.
In the back of my mind, I was hopeful for a passing score. Still, I have been burned by the shock of failure so many times and know that it is an equal opportunity employer.
One can never get too cocky or arrogant when it comes to the CPA exam. You can believe you passed, when in fact you didn’t and vice versa. While always remaining positive, I still have to brace myself for the outcome and that’s exactly what I did.
With the help of NINJA, I knew without a doubt that I conquered the multiple choice questions on the exam. However, the task-based simulations through me for a loop. They always do.
After visiting the AICPA website and reviewing the scoring process, I became aware that it is impossible to pass AUD by doing well on multiple choice questions alone. Honestly, I was worried.
I boldly checked my score to get it over with as quickly as I could. I failed with a score of 70, performing strongly on most MCQ sections and weaker on the Simulations.
In that moment, I felt nothing. I suspect I have become numb to failure; it has happened more frequently than I care to admit. I put my iPad down beside my bed and went to sleep convinced that I would give up entirely.
I have been sitting for the CPA exam since 2009. It had been a road paved with a few triumphs and an abundance of failures. I am beyond weary as a result of trying to conquer this giant. For whatever reason, I cannot make my brain think like a CPA and it breaks my heart every time I think about it.
At any rate, I’m left with a BEC passing score that is due to expire at the end of August 2017 and no idea of what to do next.
I suppose it is possible that I may change my mind, but right now I am unsure about my next move.
Kimberly, Keep pushing. Ive been at this since oct 2013. Failed 7 straight times before my 1st pass in April 2016. Dont take it personally. This test is fist fight! Pick yourself up, study smarter, then hit the test harder. Youve come to far to give to give up
Hi Kim, I was in the same boat as you. I took audit (66,73,74) and far (67,69,71) each 3 times. I finally got my first passes in BEC and AUD this year. In the past, I would go through the material and give up on studying the areas I was weak on and just take my chances. This never worked. I also would not review the material at the end on a random basis (I would just go to the beginning and re-work all the questions in order). Now that I make sure I am comfortable in all areas, and thoroughly review the material on random (mimicking the exam) the passing scores are there. My advice to you, would be to ensure there are no major concepts that you are weak on. I feel like the adaptive exam senses our weak areas and hits them harder. I believe that as long as you are strong in all concepts, the one off questions shouldn't phase you much. When it comes to Audit, I felt the exact same about the last exam. The MCQs were difficult to me, but doable; the SIMS seemed ridiculous but I gave it my best shot. I took AUD unsuccessfully back in 2013/2014 then I moved on to FAR because I felt there could be concepts I was missing in FAR that were used in AUD. In my opinion, you should go to FAR and then come back to AUD. Things (the SIMS and the JEs included) may make a little more sense and seem smoother. Please keep trying Kim! I can relate to you a lot, as I was a governmental auditor and I am an AA female (we are highly underrepresented in this profession). I can't wait to hear about your future success! Hope my advice was helpful.