1tryCPA wrote: I've been preparing for a long time due to family circumstances, and the closer to the exam, the less prepared I feel. I took Gleim practice CPA exam, and results were 90% on MCQ and 76% on simulations. After that, I bought Gleim simulation software ( I don't like it much). It got me confuse even further. Sometimes, I spend too much time trying to figure out what they are asking about, and do a lot of silly mistakes. For communication part, if I know the material I'm doing OK. If I don't, it takes me some time to come up with something. I believe that you cannot pass the exam only based on MCQ. We need to do something on simulations. So, I'm worried that I may get confused and blow this part. I know to start from written communication first. I would like to hear more tips from those who passed the exam how to handle simulations. Also, maybe somebody can tell how they improve simulation skills. The only advices that I see is that don't pay too much attention to simulations, just master MCQ.

If you're getting 90% on the practice exams you have nothing to worry about. I got a 70% yesterday and that is what is freaking me out. Today and tomorrow I'm just doing as many questions as I can, focusing on my weak areas and referencing the text for questions that I miss. I'm doing all that I can and hopefully it all comes together on the test.

IMO, practicing the sims is a waste of time. I've probably spent less then 5 hours total practicing sims between AUD/REG and FAR. Sure, I had to take AUD twice but it wasn't because I did poorly on the sims. I didn't really know the material and how it all related together. The second time I studied for AUD I didn't practice a single sim. I redid all the Becker questions and then did about 1,000 Gleim questions. I really knew and understood the material the second time and I had no problem with the exam. I actually walked out knowing that I had passed. The sims are nothing more then a big problem based on the same concepts tested in the MCQ's. If you know the material then you'll be fine of the sim.

Think about the point distribution for the exam. If you do well on the questions and nail the communication then you can still pass the exam regardless of how you do on the rest of the sim. I've read about people leaving multiple tabs blank on the sims and still passing. If this is your first exam then it is important to do a few to understand how they function but if not the chances of you getting something similar are unlikely.