| The enrolled agent exam 2010 testing period opens on | | | | individual has differing abilities. We recommend the |
| May 1. Students must obtain a preparer tax | | | | average person study for at least 100 hours. Our |
| identification number (PTIN) from the IRS before they | | | | enrolled agent exam prep course is designed to |
| can register with Prometric to take the enrolled agent | | | | substantially reduce the time necessary to prepare. |
| exam. Both the PTIN and test registration can be | | | | Editor: I understand that a person has three and a |
| done online. We strongly advise you not to schedule | | | | half hours to complete each part of the enrolled agent |
| your enrolled agent exam dates all at once. | | | | exam. What is the best approach for time |
| The IRS divides the enrolled agent exam into three | | | | management on the test? |
| separate parts, each containing 100 questions. The | | | | Rain: On average, a person has roughly 2 minutes |
| enrolled agent exam pass rate varies by exam part. | | | | each to answer all of the enrolled agent exam |
| The difficulty of each part depends on your | | | | questions. If you can get your average time down to |
| experience; however, most people do the best on the | | | | say 1 minute 30 seconds that should give you plenty of |
| Practices and Procedures exam while the business | | | | time to review your questionable answers at the end. |
| exam is often the most difficult. Each student must | | | | I prefer the answer, mark and move strategy myself. |
| pass all three parts before registering with the IRS on | | | | Editor: Could you explain what that is? |
| form 23 to become an enrolled agent. The enrolled | | | | Rain: Sure. Students take the enrolled agent exam |
| agent exam pass rate has increased each year since | | | | on a computer, which allows them to mark questions |
| the format changes in 2006. | | | | and later return to review them at the end. The |
| This improvement is in part due to the amount of | | | | exam score will depend on the number of questions |
| quality enrolled agent exam courses available today. | | | | answered correctly. Incorrect answers do not count |
| You will have a tough time with this exam without | | | | against you any more than unanswered questions. |
| the right amount of enrolled agent exam preparation. | | | | Guessing on difficult questions will allow the test |
| A brief Q & A with Rain Hughes, co-founder of | | | | taker ample time to complete the enrolled agent exam |
| Fast Forward Academy, a leading provider of enrolled | | | | questions they are most likely to answer correctly. A |
| agent education. | | | | guess also has a 25% chance of being correct. Just |
| Editor: How much time does it take to prepare for | | | | don't forget to review the marked questions at the |
| the enrolled agent exam? | | | | end. |
| Rain: Funny you should ask. I hear this almost daily. | | | | Editor: Can an experienced tax preparer or CPA rely |
| Regrettably, the answer is not easy because each | | | | on experience to pass the enrolled agent exam? |