How do you answer task based simulations? Top 5 ways to prep for TBSs
Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and task based simulations (TBSs) are pivotal to your CPA Exam success.
In fact, understanding how to answer task based simulations is make-or-break in your ability to pass every CPA Exam section. These accounting simulations are complex and may seem intimidating, but following these five strategies can help you answer them with confidence.
Summary
Task based Simulations (TBSs) are complex case study questions based on real-world scenarios that are pivotal to CPA Exam success, comprising 50% of the score for most exam sections. To pass, candidates must develop skills beyond simple memorization to apply concepts effectively, which is best achieved through extensive practice and solid time management.
What are task based simulations?
Task-based simulations present case study questions based on real-life situations. They first examples scenario with information, communication, or data, followed by a series of questions based on this situation. Task based simulations are designed to test not just your knowledge in each subject area, but also your skills at applying concepts to complete real-life responsibilities. These accounting simulations can be more difficult than multiple-choice questions (MCQs) because they demand a deeper understanding of the subject matter to sift through the information provided and apply a solution.
How important are accounting simulations to the CPA Exam?
Approaching task-based simulations efficiently and accurately is essential to passing each section of the CPA Exam. Your score on all sections is weighted 50 percent on MCQs and 50 percent on TBSs. The only exception is ISC, which is weighted 60 percent on MCQs and 40 percent on TBSs.
Although there are more MCQs than TBSs, accounting simulations are longer, generally considered more difficult, and require the ability to apply concepts to complex accounting scenarios. Here’s the breakdown of how many multiple choice questions and task based simulations to expect per CPA Exam section:
- Auditing and Attestation (AUD): 78 MCQs and 7 TBSs
- Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR): 50 MCQs and 7 TBSs
- Taxation and Regulation (REG): 72 MCQs and 8 TBSs
- Business Analysis and Reporting (BAR): 50 MCQs and TBSs
- Information Systems and Controls (ISC): 80 MCQs and 6 TBSs
- Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP): 68 MCQs and 7 TBSs
How challenging are CPA Exam task based simulations?
The CPA Exam tests content at four skill levels (listed from easiest to most difficult):
- Remembering and Understanding
- Application
- Analysis
- Evaluation (used on the AUD only)
Expect to use application, analysis, and evaluation skills during TBS accounting simulations, but some TBSs may be more difficult than others. Your preparedness will also directly relate to how difficult you find the task based simulations: if you’ve practiced both the concepts and question format in a great CPA Exam Review, you’ll have much more success and confidence when answers the real exam TBSs.
What types of task based simulations appear on the CPA Exam?
CPA Exam accounting simulation questions may include situational background information, memos, emails, financial documentation, charts or other sources. The most common types of TBSs are:
- Research-based simulations: These require you to review authoritative literature to find relevant information. Simple research tasks may require you to find and quote code.
- Document review simulations: These offer background documentation and realistic source documents, such as bank statements, invoices and memos. You analyze keywords, phrases and paragraphs and suggest any necessary edits.
- Journal entry simulations: These provide financial documentation for you to analyze and determine what data, if any, must be entered into a journal.
- Open response simulations: These may include lists of options or matching or fill-in-the-blank.
5 key strategies for task based simulations
Our expert CPA instructors have put together an updated list of their top five strategies to help you perform your best on every type of CPA Exam TBS.
1. Read the entire TBS carefully and thoroughly
It’s easy to misread or skip steps when you’re reading the directions for your task-based simulations, but this will lead to losing valuable points. Taking the time to read the directions carefully to ensure you understand the directions and answer all parts of the TBS will be worth the extra seconds of time spent.
2. Be familiar with task based simulation format and question types
With Becker’s CPA Exam Review, you’ll be able to practice each type of TBS and focus on the ones that are most challenging for you. Becker’s course content, practice TBSs, and ExamSolver step-by-step solution videos help you understand how to approach solving accounting simulations, as well as the concept material itself. The more you practice with these targeted study tools, the more confidence you’ll have on exam day.
3. Know how to apply content for task based simulations
It may seem obvious, but while MCQs focus on making sure you know and remember the information, the TBSs focus on making sure you know how to apply it in day-to-day operations. It’s important that you go beyond memorization and understand how the concepts work in application.
4. Perfect your pace as you plan your time management
It’s easy to let time get away from you while working through task-based simulations; practicing time management while taking the CPA Exam is crucial. Know in advance how much time you plan to spend on each of the five testlets for each CPA Exam, remembering that TBSs are more complex and require more analysis than MCQs. Review CPA Exam time management tips and use your CPA Exam Review to practice pacing yourself on each type of question.
5. Practice, Practice, Practice!
As we mentioned above, half of your exam score comes from your performance on task based simulations, making them essential to passing each exam. The key to accounting simulation success on the CPA Exam is to practice as much as possible, so you aren’t surprised by their complexity. If you have practiced in a realistic testing environment like Becker’s Simulated Exams, you’ll have the skills to excel on even the most difficult questions.
Start preparing for task based simulations free
Even though task based simulations may seem daunting, Becker has the tools you need to be Exam Day ReadySM. Our CPA Exam Review includes practice MCQs and TBSs, plus expert instruction and next-level study tools to make sure you have the knowledge and confidence to pass the exam.
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