Discussion:Enrolled Agent Exam

thanks

Here is a list of other self-study materials Scroll down to Studying for the SEE

Many state EA societies hold classes NAEA State affiliates calendar

I don't know of any colleges that offer this - interesting question

The exam is now computer based and can be taken throughout the year - see the Thomson Prometric website for details

Good Luck - in my opinion the new Part 2 is the most difficult because of the vast amount of material it covers Kevinh5

Good luck to all studying for the test this Summer!!!! Let us know how you did!

The new questions will not be published because they will go back into the pool to draw from the same questions next year. Thomson MAY decide later to publish questions which have been retired from the pool, but don't count on it just yet. The new exam is only 1 year old.

Where the old questions were written by the IRS, the new questions were all written by current EAs representing 3 organizations (National Association of Enrolled Agents, National Association of Tax Professionals, and the National Society of Accountants). The new exam was then validated in December by another panel of Subject Matter Experts - 7 EAs from the above organizations, and 2 representatives from the IRS. The new exam fairly represents the high level of knowledge in taxation and tax procedure required to be an entry-level EA.

As far as the focus of the questions, the exam is set up to pull questions from each topic area such that the degree of difficulty for 1 exam is the same as the degree of difficulty for another exam given that day or another day. Therefore, for example, one test taker could get 5 easy questions on one subject and 1 difficult question on a second topic; while another exam taker could get 1 difficult question on the first subject and five easy questions on the second topic. This is simplifying the process to explain it, but it gets the point across that the two exam takers may have taken equivalent exams, but they did not take the same exact exam.

Glad part II is done with.. it had me concerned...now backing to living and take care of clients.

From all the materials listed on IRS website, which ones were really mentioned or outlined? What recommendations would you have for others that are ready to take the test? Are the test different from the older versions of 2005-2004-2003 listed on IRS website?

That being said (or written), ALL of the material covered on the website should be studied, as there are questions in the pool from each IRS pub and major code section. If you are not willing to study all of the material, you stand a small chance of passing, and as such, you are not deserving of the Enrolled Agent designation. The EA designation is supposed to represent to the public that you have a rounded understanding of tax and representation laws better than an unlicensed practitioner. You won't get that understanding if you don't study all of the material.

The new tests pull questions from a different pool than the 03-04-05 exams. Some of the questions might be similar, but none will be the same. If you aren't scoring 80-85% on the old tests, don't schedule yourself to take the new test yet until you do.

I'm not given to foul language, either, so you can use that as an indicator of the intensity of my surprise and relief.

So FWIW, here are a few observations:

-Actually work the computation problems, ALL of the computation problems, when you study. Don't allow yourself to assume you understand how to arrive at the correct answer. You will get questions that look a lot like the practice questions but the numbers will be different and several computations will be combined in one question. You WILL be expected to know that year's numbers, too.

-Understand each computational process. IRS uses some odd step-by-step ways to arrive at, say, the amount of a Social Security benefit that is taxable. When studying, try to visualize the effect of their math model. That will help you remember how to do the computation. It helped me to write out the steps as simple equations.

-In Part 3, don't just study the questions, download a current copy of Circular 230 and read it through with a highlighter in hand. They care about that stuff and they want you to know it in detail. Also know the types, anmounts, and bases for the various civil penalties.

-Finally, download the exam syllabus from the Thomson website and go through the list of topics for whichever Part you will be taking. If anything on that list is unfamiliar, STOP. Find out about it before you proceed.

The pass rate overall on Part 1 is actually fairly dismal at something like 57%, including both first timers and retakes. The pass rates on Parts 2 and 3 are much higher, in the mid 70s, so once you're through Part 1, it's a breeze, right? Well, no...I personally think that the higher pass rates on Parts 2 and 3 are the result of self selection. Most people attempt Part 1 first and don't try the others until they pass.

Part 2 was by far the hardest for me.

The exam is straightforward but I found it challenging. Good luck to all!

I passed all three parts on the first try. I have been studying harder for the SEE than for anything else in my entire life. I didn't know anything about the American Tax Code but luckily I had the experience of preparing and making more than 200 rather complex tax returns for the 2007 tax season. That's definitely what saved me (and of course my total stubborness).

I think the tests might be a lot easier if you have worked several years as a tax preparer. It's A LOT easier to remember the form numbers if you have actually used them in your work.

NM, it's funny how you say that you thought that you had failed after the first two tests, I thought the same after test one (and yes I stayed for the entire almost 4 hours). Test 2 was pretty easy (because of serious studying) and test 3 was ok too. I am now (impatiently) waiting for the license. I really enjoy doing this kind of work and now I am just learning more every single day. This site is brilliant for that (and with Crow & co. you'll have a great laugh as well).

My study material was from Thomas Tax Seminar but I do NOT recommend them (they sent the final study material almost 6 months AFTER I paid them). I have heard lots of good things about Gleim.

We need more professional tax preparers out there (who actually know what they are doing) and I wish you good luck!

Thanks for your answers. I was just curious to read the exams experiences from people that actually took them. I'm not a native american. I'm romanian. After studying a part of the IRS publications I have to say that the hardest part so far is to understand the US legislation...or knowing the US legislation or the US economy rules or terms. Especially the ones regarding banks, stocks, dividents etc. Do you think it's a good idea just to study the materials from the IRS website or should I get help from Gleim or Thomas? Also, do you have any other recommendations about any another materials I should study for a better understanding of the IRS materials and the economic situations described ? I wanna take the test because in Romania I work for an exchange students program agency through which we send romanian students to work in US for the summer and I would like to offer them a service for their federal refunds from IRS.

Many thanks.

By taking a course, it provides you with explanations to the test question answers that the IRS publications don't. Also, at the present time, NAEA offers on online course using the Gleim publications and materials. You can contact NAEA at www.naea.org