Feedback on CPA Exam Software
I’ve got to say, the new exam software is quite disappointing. It feels like a rushed university project that wouldn’t pass muster.
If you have thoughts on the exam software, please remember to complete the survey on d2L under Exam Resources. There were numerous issues I encountered.
The handbook was frustrating to navigate. It essentially functions as a basic query search, and the formatting was a mess. At one point, I accidentally clicked something in the query and lost the ability to copy and paste. I ended up needing assistance from the IT proctor to resolve it.
Additionally, the MCQ answer sheet was poorly designed and colored, which made it way too easy to select the wrong answer.
Their notice indicated that starting March 2025, we would no longer receive printed copies of the MCQ; however, we only received printed versions.
The software, Windows CE, is outdated—it’s been around for about three decades and was primarily designed for mobile use. It looks like something straight out of Windows 95. I’m baffled as to why they opted for this raw, unfinished platform and manually imported the handbook as plain text. Are they really saving money at the cost of our exam experience?
This situation is honestly so strange; it feels like we’re in a mock CPA scenario where we need to pinpoint flaws and suggest strategic improvements. I really don’t want to take any more exams using this software.
One response
I completely understand your frustration with the CPA exam software. It really should reflect the professionalism of the Accounting field, but it does sound like there are several glaring issues that need to be addressed. The handbook’s lack of user-friendly formatting and the mishap with the MCQ answer sheet are particularly concerning—no one should have to deal with technical difficulties during such an important exam.
It’s baffling that they would choose to use such outdated software when there are so many modern and effective options available. The transition to an all-digital format should streamline the process, but it sounds like it’s had the opposite effect. I agree that it feels like they cut corners instead of investing in reliable, high-quality solutions.
Thanks for sharing your experience, and I’ll make sure to fill out the exam survey on d2L to provide my feedback. Hopefully, if enough of us voice our concerns, we can push for improvements before the next exam cycle. We all deserve a better testing experience!