r/CPA Jan 19 '22

GENERAL Do not outright ask "What was on your exam". Do not outright say "My exam had ____". This includes topics etc.

349 Upvotes

Hello Candidates!

Updating the stickied post about sub rules as there have been a few rascals griping about “not seeing a rule saying xyz” even though they received a ban for it. If the rule you broke was relating to exam disclosure - thats not even a sub rule. Thats a rule you agreed to when you sat for the exam. Do not solicit or provide exam content.

First – I want to point out we do have an Automod in place that removes anything from accounts < 5 days old or with < 5 combined karma. We do get some spam posted here and this automod helps quite a bit. If you are on a new account and start posting here, add a comment with a u/galbert123 mention and ill approve it asap

Put at least a little effort into your posts, especially titles Yes this is me on a power trip. I hate clickbait. If your question fits into a post title, ask the question! Dont post "I have a question..." "Should I get my cpa if..."

No Clickbait Post Titles

Be ethical – Do not post, offer to share, buy, sell or ask for copywritten study material – This is an immediate ban

No Promotional Accounts - This is not a place to advertise products. There are some clear xyz product Ambassador accounts that ONLY comment about what study material they use. I’m removing that stuff. If you throw it in every once and a while fine, but some account I see are literally just ads for the study material. Organic conversation about the study material you use is great. Here are reddit guidelines on self promotion.

But what about those ads/promotions I see for xyz product

That company pays for those through the proper reddit channels.

This is NOT a study material marketplace Do not make posts trying to sell your old material, your post removed, maybe a ban if it looks overly sketchy

Use tact and be generally kind to each other – The downvotes usually speak for themselves on this. When I start to see one user getting a bunch of reports and it looks like an obvious troll, I’ll probably ban. This is a judgement call.

Shit posts are great. Posting bullshit is not. Posts like “Score Release moved to after thanksgiving - wouldn’t be surprised from NASBA” is not a shit post or a joke post. It needlessly stressed a bunch of people out

This is a bunch of bullshit censorship.

I guess that's one way to look at it. I dont know where the compulsion to be a jerk fits into the overall betterment of the sub. We are generally all fighting the same fight here.


Asking for or providing exam content is not allowed. This includes "What topics were heavily tested"

Asking what should I study is ok. Asking "Those who recently took AUD, what should I study" leans toward not ok because of the implication. People here are generally good people. Exclude any references to your exam or recent exam takers etc. They'll tell you what to study.

"What sim topics did you see (on your exam)?" No.

What sim topics should I study? - good

"Just got out of AUD, I saw sims on X Y and Z (on my exam)" - No.

"Study this because I saw it on my exam". No good. Just say "it would be wise study this". Get it? If you are talking about your exam, or asking other candidates about their exam, don't.

If you get banned for this, its usually just to get your attention that what you posted broke the rule. Send me a message and ill undo it, just keep your posts compliant with AICPA disclosure policy. I dont want to ban anyone ever.

Please see this post for some examples.

21 day edit: Interesting how two of the people who chimed in saying how stupid this is rarely if ever contributed to the sub otherwise prior to this post and now have deleted their account completely.


r/CPA Apr 17 '25

Mod Note Reminder - This is not a buying/selling/sharing sub. Asking for or offering access or login credentials to study resources is an immediate ban.

54 Upvotes

Note on the title - When I say this is not a sharing sub, I am referring to sharing of paid access to study resources. Sharing your own home made study guides is fine - though I highly recommend making your own handwritten study/review notes.

There has been a huge influx of beggars lately. If I click into your account and all I generally see is you asking for study notes or study material access, you're going to get banned.

Also, please flair up! It honestly does help weed out some of these accounts with flair. Try to flair up if you know you are going to be around and want to participate.

This sub is good because of back and forth engagement. Try to give at least as much as you take. If you post a question, try to respond to comments. Nothing worse than a question then OP just ghosts the thread.


r/CPA 7h ago

TCP TCP Like Kind Exchanges - This will help a lot.

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24 Upvotes

The left side shows the calculations with formulas hidden; the right side reveals those formulas. Memorize the green and yellow sections, plug the blue numbers into the top (given in the question), and the formulas will generate the correct answers. Even without the formulas, the layout still guides you to the right solution.


r/CPA 11h ago

FAR FAR TBS are nothing like Becker

30 Upvotes

I took FAR today. The MCQs were easier than Backer but all 7 of my TBSs were extremely hard and they didn't look like any I practiced on Becker. I felt unsure with every answer I put. I do not think I passed due to these TBSs. I had to scramble at the last TBS cuz I only had 5 minutes to do it, but time ran out anyway. 238 hours of studying and I feel so defeated. If I fail what do I do? How do I study??? I know I definitely have to practice those TBSs right?

ME1: 100%

ME2: 74%

ME3: 83%

SE1:74%

SE2: 70%


r/CPA 7h ago

FAR FAR Exam 7/22 Thoughts

16 Upvotes

Just got back from the test center for FAR. MCQs were surprisingly easier than I thought they would be. Still had 2:30 left when moving to the third testlet. The TBSs, though, OMG. I think 6 of the 7 sims had at least 5 exhibits, if not more. Felt 80-90% confident about 3 of them, the rest I just honestly had to make educated guesses by that point and hope for the best. If I could give advice, give yourself one and a half hours MAX for the MCQs. It should be about 45 minutes per testlet. I finished with 5 minutes to spare. Second, if you're using Becker, know the ever-living shit out of F2. Now just gotta wait until 8/7, but feeling surprisingly optimistic!


r/CPA 7h ago

FAR Took far today idk…🤷‍♀️

12 Upvotes

Well it’s my second attempt at FAR. First attempt I scored 70. I spent an extra 150hr studying and of course my tests had quite a bit of my weak topics on it and barely had any of the big “heavily tested” topics on it 🤦🏼‍♀️ MCQs I flagged 16 most I was like 75% sure on, some I was stuck between two options, and few i did an educated guess. TBS wasn’t bad but I know I bombed at least one the others I felt decent on there was one I know I got 100% correct. Idk I hope I did enough to pass because I’m over FAR. So I keep studying FAR for the next two weeks or move to audit?

For reference SE scores were 72 and 76 but those also weren’t testing my direct weaknesses 🤦‍♀️


r/CPA 5h ago

FAR Took FAR today 7/22 - and it was not like I expected

9 Upvotes

The MCQs were "easy" and very similar to Becker's formatting. If you're comfortable with the material you can get through 40/50 confidently (which I think is where I landed).

The SIMS on the other hand... They totally screwed me. I got one where the format was nothing like I had seen before and I know I guessed and possibly got a 0 on.
I have an impending doom of failing mainly from the SIMS... I didn't get a single consolidation JE, nor bank rec. All of the things I heavily studied for there was maybe 10% of that on the exam, and the rest I basically skimmed lightly had 2-3 questions each. I need to do some yard work to not feel this numb anymore. I can't believe I paid money to feel humbled like this.

130 Hours Study Time:
ME1: 50%

ME2: 64%

ME3: 59%

SE1: 56%

SE2: 59%


r/CPA 11h ago

First CPA test - Any tips?

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26 Upvotes

First cpa test (FAR) coming up this friday (6/24/26). I have just under 200 hours in Becker & have my undergrad in acct from Loyola Uni Chicago.

Took all 3 Becker sims, felt decent abt them.

Any tips or strategies for test day @ prometric?


r/CPA 8h ago

FAR Anyone pass FAR after feeling like they failed 5/7 SIMs?

9 Upvotes

I took FAR today and walked out feeling absolutely defeated.
I honestly feel like I bombed at least 5 of the 7 SIMs. My MCQs felt okay, but the SIMs completely destroyed my confidence, and the exam felt very different from what I expected based on Becker.

For reference, my Becker Sim Exam scores were 62 and 69, so I went into the exam feeling cautiously optimistic. Now I feel like I failed.

Has anyone had similar Becker SE scores, walked out convinced they failed because of the SIMs, and still ended up passing? I’d really appreciate hearing your experience because it’s hard not to overthink everything.


r/CPA 8h ago

AUD Just took AUD today!

9 Upvotes

The MCQs started off really wordy and much more in detail than what Becker has, however, going into the later questions, they started becoming much simpler.

The first 2 TBS cooked me, I went into testlet 3 with 2 hours and 15 mins remaining and it took me 70 mins to do the first two due to how complex and foreign in concept they were.

I thought I was cooked cause I had 65 mins for the remaining 5 TBS but surprisingly I finished them in 60 mins and found them to be really straight-forward.

Overall, I found the exam to be really fair, and some questions were even the same as in Becker.


r/CPA 5h ago

Interesting thing I found In Becker:

4 Upvotes

I am recently 3/4 studying for AUD. I asked newt to average all my simulated exams across each section (mini and se). And funny enough they were within one of all my real scores. Odd thing to find but cool to know.


r/CPA 9h ago

TCP Just walked out of TCP

8 Upvotes

Holy smokes I have never encountered sims so wordy. Felt good on MC but the sims were worded so weird.

Anyone else feel this way on TCP? Wanna hear everyone’s thoughts.


r/CPA 9h ago

Balancing Responsibilities

8 Upvotes

So far - I’ve been blessed to have passed FAR and Audit, and only have REG and TCP remaining in the next few months.

Even though I know I am more than halfway there (based on difficulty) - it’s still so difficult finding motivation and perseverance especially when it’s already cost so much (from a time/energy/relationship perspective).

It’s hard having to be selfish and carve out time, when it’s not even something necessarily enjoyable. It’s one thing to get in trouble with the wife/family for golfing on a Saturday - but at least in that case, i am getting something enjoyable out of the equation.

Anyone else have similar thoughts/feelings? I can’t help but to think that even after this journey is finally over, as relieved as I will be to have that license, I wouldn’t ever say I’d do it again or recommend it


r/CPA 13h ago

why was ISC EXAM kinda hard

17 Upvotes

i feel so dumb like i studied a lot but i was like v unsure of myself. ANYONE ELSE feel this way 🤔


r/CPA 6h ago

AUD Becker TBS on AUD vs Exam

4 Upvotes

How does Becker tbs compare to actual AUD exam? Mcq has come easy to me so far on AUD. TBS is another story. Some make sense with concepts taught but others feel like tomfoolery where I literally have to be a mind reader. What are your experiences with this?


r/CPA 13h ago

GENERAL Daily Max Study Time

11 Upvotes

What’s the maximum amount of time you will spend studying in a single day? Curious if you guys have a certain threshold of say like after 4 hours where studying longer than that just overloads your brain and you don’t really retain anything. And if you do study for a long period of time in a day what strategies do you use to make sure you’re actually learning the content, not just cramming it in your head and also not burning out of a study session.


r/CPA 9h ago

FAR Tips for studying FAR?

4 Upvotes

I just started studying for FAR. Any tips I should know that will help me out for my future exam? Specific sections I should make sure I know? Any study tips?


r/CPA 15h ago

FAR FAR 2/22 not sure how to feel

12 Upvotes

Took FAR today and MCQ felt manageable and unexpected easily but TBS were surprisingly difficult compared to what Becker prepared me for. Not feeling great about it overall because I felt somewhat lost on the TBS.

Anyone else experience the same thing?


r/CPA 5h ago

GENERAL How has AI changed your work in accounting?

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2 Upvotes

r/CPA 14h ago

FAR I asked chatgpt to map becker FAR modules with AICPA blueprint

11 Upvotes

I mapped Becker FAR v1.5 modules to the AICPA FAR Blueprint (approximate priority)
Tier 1 (Highest Priority / Most Tested)
F5 M3 – Consolidated Financial Statements ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
F6 M5–M6 – Governmental Accounting ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
F3 M2–M5 – Trade Receivables, Inventory, PP&E ⭐⭐⭐⭐
F4 M3–M5 – Long-Term Liabilities & Bonds ⭐⭐⭐⭐
F4 M7 – Leases ⭐⭐⭐⭐
F5 M6–M7 – Income Taxes ⭐⭐⭐⭐
F5 M5 – Statement of Cash Flows ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tier 2 (Very Important)
F5 M1 – Financial Instruments ⭐⭐⭐⭐
F2 M1 – Revenue Recognition ⭐⭐⭐⭐
F1 M3–M4 – Stockholders’ Equity ⭐⭐⭐⭐
F6 M1–M4 – Not-for-Profit Accounting ⭐⭐⭐⭐
F4 M2 – Contingencies ⭐⭐⭐⭐
F3 M6 – Intangible Assets ⭐⭐⭐
Tier 3 (Moderate Priority)
F5 M2 – Equity Method ⭐⭐⭐
F1 M2 – EPS & Public Company Reporting ⭐⭐⭐
F2 M2 – Accounting Changes & Error Corrections ⭐⭐⭐
F2 M3 – Adjusting Journal Entries ⭐⭐⭐
F2 M6 – Fair Value Measurement ⭐⭐⭐
F3 M1 – Cash & Cash Equivalents ⭐⭐⭐
F4 M1 – Payables & Accrued Liabilities ⭐⭐⭐
Tier 4 (Lower Priority)
F2 M4 – Notes to Financial Statements ⭐⭐
F2 M5 – Subsequent Events ⭐⭐
F4 M6 – Troubled Debt Restructuring ⭐⭐
F2 M7 – Special Purpose Frameworks ⭐
F2 M8 – Ratio & Variance Analysis ⭐
F5 M4 – Partnerships ⭐ (almost never tested under the current FAR blueprint)
Approximate Becker Unit Priority
F5 (excluding Partnerships)
F6
F3
F4
F2
F1

I’m not sure honestly this is just from chatgbt , as I’m currently studying for FAR , If anyone has taken FAR recently, I’d love to know if you’d change anything based on your exam experience.


r/CPA 7h ago

FAR Just took SE1 and got 47% should I reschedule my exam?

4 Upvotes

My exam date is Aug 4 and I just took SE1 and got a 47%. testlet 1 is 68% testlet2 is 52%, testlet 3 is 64% testlet 4 is 31% testlet 5 is 29%.

one Tbs for depreciation in testlet 4 I got 0%, after review, it’s more a formatting issue than a foundation issue. Another tbs in testlet 5 that i got 0% is a specify fund type. I was so pissed because it was such an easy point to get but I only remember the mnemonic but not know what function of the fund.

Any tips for studying would be appreciated!!!!

Study around 240hrs now and im so scared. I want to get this done so bad 😭😭😭t


r/CPA 10h ago

ISC ISC Simulated Exam Scores

5 Upvotes

I got 83% on my first simulated exam, but just got a 68% on my second.. based on the pass w Jack Becker bump it looks like most people do worse on the second but idk how to feel? I actually felt decent about that one haha. For those who have taken ISC - what are your thoughts? Should I just continue to review until my exam on Monday as normal?


r/CPA 14h ago

STUDY MATERIAL How do you study for this exam?!

9 Upvotes

I have been “studying” (life happened so it wasn’t serious until recently) for a year now and I swear I still know nothing. In all my past schooling I just learned to memorize things but there is so much more than I can memorize. I’m using universal and super fast cpa but I feel like it’s in my head and then I lay down and it all falls out. At this point the only thing I need to be a cpa is to pass this test 😭😭


r/CPA 10h ago

Audit test - study/tips/tricks

4 Upvotes

Sitting for Aud in 8/15 and it is my LAST EXAM!! Just started studying for it which gives me little over 3 weeks. Is this doable? And if anyone could give recommendations/tips/tricks please let me know.. I am desperate to finish all of this :(


r/CPA 9h ago

TCP people… what was your SE scores vs. your actual score? Asking for my sanity. 🫠

3 Upvotes

Just finished SE1 and now I’m overthinking everything. 😅 If you’ve already taken TCP, would you mind sharing your SE scores and your actual exam score?