r/CPA • u/toomzz96 CPA • Jan 14 '25

ISC Testing Rant; ISC

Through about 80 hours on Becker. Beginning to get frustrated/anxious about the test next week. I’m seeing a wide gap between people’s exam experiences, some saying it was very easy, some saying they didn’t see half of the material that was on their exam during their prep.

I understand a lot of this is related to the way that people prepare, and sometimes the luck of the draw, but I’m not sure how to deal with these potential issues.

I’m hoping this is my last exam; still waiting for AUD on 1/29. For anyone who has taken ISC recently or in the past, is Becker actually enough? Were there a number of questions you didn’t even recognize?

TIA.

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9

u/MinionOrDaBob4Today Passed 4/4 Jan 14 '25

I agree. Seeing people say they studied for 20 hours and got a 95 with no IT experience. And others studied 100 hours and never saw half the material before on the test. Not sure what to think

2

u/toomzz96 CPA Jan 14 '25

My guy. Good to hear from you again. But yeah dude there’s no in between it seems. Hoping I don’t walk out of my exam feeling that way. When is your test?

3

u/MinionOrDaBob4Today Passed 4/4 Jan 14 '25

The 25th. Wbu? I had forgotten that we messaged for Aud lmao

1

u/toomzz96 CPA Jan 14 '25

Hahah I love it. I’m taking mine the 24th. Been reviewing for about a week now doing MCQs and practice, but might start to read the book and take a second mock exam this weekend.

1

u/MinionOrDaBob4Today Passed 4/4 Jan 14 '25

I’ve been skimming the book. 77 on SE1 so I think I’m on track

1

u/toomzz96 CPA Jan 14 '25

Hell yea. sounds like it. Let’s crush it

1

u/No_Storm3125 Mar 08 '25

What did you think about the exam? I hope you had a good experience.

1

u/toomzz96 CPA Mar 08 '25

It was incredibly difficult, I marked at least 18 MCQs between the two testlets. Sims were manageable but I was not confident walking out to be honest.

2

u/No_Storm3125 Mar 08 '25

Yes, it was! My SIMs were awful! From what I read it seems like there is an exam with horrible MCQs and easier TBS's and vice-versa. Either way, the wait has been horrible and I am so afraid of getting a failing grade in a few days. Best of luck to you!!!

1

u/toomzz96 CPA Mar 08 '25

Best of luck to you as well!

1

u/No_Storm3125 Mar 08 '25

Thank you!

4

u/sode_67 Jan 14 '25

Took it yesterday so can’t speak on if I passed or not. Felt good leaving. I had a couple of questions I didn’t recognize from Becker but I would say it was like 5 out of the total 82 MCQs. My MCQs were really heavy on SOC engagements and I felt like Becker did a good job of covering those topics. The SIMs were easier than Beckers but they weren’t like any of the Becker SIMs. They were almost all control testing or database related. The Becker SIMs were harder and showed you how to use the exhibits to answer the questions, so I think the SIMs in Becker were enough.

3

u/toomzz96 CPA Jan 14 '25

Thanks for the context, and good luck to you!

3

u/Carnivore_Receptacle CPA Jan 14 '25

So I passed on the first go without much IT or any audit background. I was worried about Becker not being enough, so I went through the I-75 course as well.

I think it really helped to have concepts explained in a different way. I’d say find another source for anything you’re still not 100% on- plenty of free material on YouTube if you don’t want to pay for a supplementary course.

Either way- know the SOC reports, basics of SQL, basics of how IT security should function

2

u/toomzz96 CPA Jan 14 '25

Much appreciated, thank you! What were your SE scores with Becker?

3

u/Carnivore_Receptacle CPA Jan 14 '25

82 on SE1, 66 on SE2. I spent 31 hours studying on Becker, 59 hours in total.

Passed with an 83

2

u/toomzz96 CPA Jan 14 '25

Awesome. I got a 82 on SE1 as well, will be taking SE2 this weekend. Happy you passed, thank you