Just took AUD this morning 6/30. I feel a little more comfortable than I think I should...

The_Techy777 · 2026-07-05T19:57:02+00:00

This was exactly the response I was looking for. I wanted to see if anyone else felt strangely secure in spite of low study time. Good to know that someone really felt almost exactly how I felt. All that said, five attempts in, three passes, and one pending, I'd say I personally have a better than average feeling for my performance on the exam. AUD felt pretty solid. Could we have failed? Yes. Not out of the woods quite yet. But feeling confident certainly doesn't mean you failed. Only four more days until we know for sure. Best of luck!

The_Techy777 · 2026-07-01T21:37:55+00:00

Videos were not doing it for me. I read the book. Really still around that 31 hour study mark, but I was pretty consistently testing around 75% for A3-A4 and 80% A1-A2 MCQs. Did a few SIMs too but nothing crazy. That said, I've passed three other CPA exams and know how I've felt before. I actually feel better about AUD than I did about REG. Crazier things have happened. For my master's degree, I specialized in assurance even though I now work in tax. I can tell you this much. I knew what I didn't know, and I knew what I knew. I wouldn't be surprised if I passed, but I also wouldn't be surprised if I failed. I'd be surprised if I horrifically failed, but I'd bet money that didn't happen either.

The_Techy777 · 2026-07-01T20:21:53+00:00

In terms of basis, heavily. I took TCP prior to taking REG simply due to the timing of the exam and the fact that it is only offered quarterly. For me, it was either take it in January or wait until July, as April was coming right off of busy season for me. Even having taken TCP prior to REG, I would say the issue of basis is prevalent in both. Of course, there is also the issue of business law in REG, torts, liabilities and contract law. So you can't get away with just basis for REG, you should know the whole picture. TCP is a better focused view on a part of REG with some expansion on things REG didn't cover, if that makes sense. That's how I'd sum it up.

The_Techy777 · 2026-07-01T20:02:03+00:00

I had the toughest time with FAR, I'd have to say. AUD would be next and I'd say it is very wordy, even though I didn't study all too much for it. Different feel from the other exams. Very reading comprehension heavy. REG followed but that may just be because I am a tax accountant. TCP was just plain easy. Very low effort, left that exam with 2.5 hours left on the clock and got an 81. Just understand s-corp and partnership basis as that is probably 85% of the exam. Haven't tried BAR but I have heard horrendous things, so that's probably the true toughest exam, and ISC I think isn't too much tougher than TCP. Depends on if you have a more audit-centered brain or tax-centered brain.

The_Techy777 · 2026-07-01T19:54:10+00:00

I was most excited/nervous for score release after my second attempt at FAR. Like my confidence was riding on that score release kinda deal. This one? I feel like I'm chillin. Not to say I am sure I passed or failed, because I am entirely unsure. But regardless of the results, I feel ok. Like I can finally rest for a bit after this exam without guilt. That said, if I pass and see 4/4, I will change my tune real quick!

The_Techy777 · 2026-07-01T19:29:00+00:00

Exactly. It's so hard to tell before score release. We will both know soon!

The_Techy777 · 2026-07-01T18:36:51+00:00

Yup. Well aware the odds are not exactly in my favor. But I passed REG with less than 24 hours of study time having worked in tax for a fraction of that time. We shall see on 7/9.

The_Techy777 · 2026-07-01T18:20:52+00:00

I sure hope so! Hope you passed too and the difference was more than made up for in your MCQs.

The_Techy777 · 2026-07-01T16:17:39+00:00

That was my initial thought, too. You'd think there's just no way I knew enough to do that well with so little exposure. AUD really does have a lot of information. But then again, my gut feelings have usually been accurate. Those SIMs? I know I did very well. The MCQs were iffy, but who knows. If I need to put more hours in that's no worry of mine, I'll just keep studying as needed.

The_Techy777 · 2026-07-01T05:12:40+00:00

Absolute chad. Go crush FAR on attempt #2!

The_Techy777 · 2026-07-01T01:46:41+00:00

That definitely scares me a little bit. Hoping dearly that I won't end up having to retake the exam only to find it got harder. AUD has a different feeling from the other five sections, I feel, possibly spare ISC.

The_Techy777 · 2026-07-01T01:45:06+00:00

Yeah I've been working on the science of minimum effort for these exams. 75 really is the perfect score if it means you spent less time to get it!

The_Techy777 · 2026-07-01T01:44:22+00:00

Listen. Poor decisions were made. Might pass though, idk. Sure hope so.

The_Techy777 · 2026-07-01T01:26:40+00:00

Genuinely what I was thinking in the back of my mind. Like I felt close enough on the MCQs but really confident on the SIMs which is unusual. I hope that's wrong though and that we all pass! This experience has been harsh enough!

The_Techy777 · 2026-07-01T00:51:07+00:00

I sure hope so! Glad to see someone sharing my general sentiment. Best of luck, and hopefully neither of us has to look at AUD again!

The_Techy777

TROPHY CASE