I've finally finished all the Intermediate Accounting classes!

All in all, I spent more than 75 hours to finish the IA series.

I started IA1 on 4.16.2026 and finished IA3 on 5.11.2026.

It took me 25 days total (22 days excluding days I didn't do any studying - weekends for example)

Anyways, I wanted to share how I studied and exactly what I did to pass D105.

First off, here's how I did on OA1 and how much time I spent studying.

Scores and Time Spent for OA1:

Time = 10.7 hours

Score = Exemplary

Total Days Consecutive = 4

Average # of hours per day = 2.7 hours

OA1 - Score Breakdown

OA2 1st attempt - Failed

Time = 14 hours

Score = Failed (Missed 2 questions)

Total Days Consecutive = 3

OA2 - First attempt, failed by 2 questions

OA2 2nd attempt - Exemplary

Time = 14 hours + 8.6 hours

Score = Exemplary

Total Days Consecutive = 3 + 2

OA2 - 2nd attempt - Exemplary

PA vs OA:

OA1: Extremely similar, excel section was exactly like the PA, obviously just different numbers. The multiple-choice questions were different than the PA, but all came from the lessons, quizzes, and unit tests in the textbook. There were probably 12-15 questions on income taxes alone, from Unit 4.

OA-PA alignment score = 9/10

OA2: The OA was harder than the PA, what I mean by that is while the same topics were tested, leases and accounting changes for example, you ABSOLUTELY need a deep understanding of the material. I wouldn't take the OA if I just scored competent on the PA. I would definitely aim to get exemplary on the PA at a minimum, and definitely do ALL the learning checks, module quizzes, and unit tests.

OA-PA alignment score = 7/10

Exact strategy for OA1:

Here's what I did:

1. Do ALL learning checks, unit quizzes, and unit tests - get 80% of your answers correct.
2. Use AI (chatgpt) to explain confusing concepts
3. Take PA open book, then review incorrect answers
4. Take PA again, without notes.
5. Pass OA

OA1 - Study Breakdown

Exact strategy for OA2:

Here's what I did:

1. Do ALL learning checks, unit quizzes, and unit tests
2. Used chatgpt to help me understand concepts that I found confusing in the textbook (leases for example)
3. Take PA - competent, then review incorrect answers, take PA again - exemplary
4. Took OA - missed 2 questions, failed
5. Reviewed coaching report, did ALL learning checks, quizzes, and unit tests AGAIN
6. Did the extra questions for Unit 5 (leases) and Unit 6 (Accounting changes and errors) in the D105 resource document on WGU connect
7. Took PA one more time
8. 2nd attempt on OA - Passed

Here's how OA2 is weighted:

Unit 5 - Accounting for Leases = 29%

Unit 6 - Accounting Changes and Error Analysis = 26%

Unit 7 - Accounting for Pensions = 9%

Unit 8 - Statement of Cash Flows = 24%

Unit 9 - Full Disclosure in Financial Reporting = 12%

OA2 - Study Breakdown

What OA2 tests on:

1. Leases - Finance (Sales type) vs Operating lease - 5 tests to determine if it's a finance lease
2. Unguaranteed vs guaranteed residual value - how does it affect the way you record the lease?
3. Accounting for leases - lessor and lessee perspective - lessors records lease receivable for a finance lease for example
4. Accounting changes and errors - Change in principle, estimate, or reporting entity? Inventory valuation method changes (LIFO to FIFO) = change in principle, depreciation method change = change in estimate, Retrospective vs prospective application.
5. Statement of cash flow - indirect method - operating vs investing vs financing activities
6. Recognized Subsequent events
7. Pensions - Defined contribution vs defined benefit plan

I have so much more tips I want to share but that would make this post too long.

I'm thinking of making a full video for D105 covering leases, accounting changes, and statement of cash flows since those were the hardest topics for me. Would anyone watch that?

Anyways, goodluck with D105 everyone!

Hope this helps.

Update: MORE USEFUL INFORMATION

I had a couple of people ask me about why I failed my 1st attempt, and how I changed my strategy to score exemplary on my 2nd attempt.

The main reason why I failed my 1st attempt was because I rushed it and took it too early. I also relied too much on the PA to see if I was ready for the OA.

But I found out after taking the OA that there were quite a lot of stuff I still didn't fully understand.

For example, when recording a finance lease, the lessor removes the leased asset from their books and records a lease receivable, this is because the lessor treats it as a sales-type lease. Whereas the lessor recognizes lease revenue and depreciation expense in an operating lease.

So when a question in the OA asks you by what amount the lessor should record a lease receivable, you should catch the trick question, and say to yourself "Oh wait a minute, this is an operating lease, so it doesn't make sense for the lessor to record a lease receivable, thus you recognize $0 in lease receivable."

Compare this to when a question just directly asks - should the lessor record a lease receivable or not? This question is much more straightforward, but the types of questions on the OA will be less direct, and tricky in a sense.

This is just one example of why you really need a good understanding of the material.

I recommend doing the D105 resources document in WGU connect for Units 5 and 6, since these 2 units alone make up 55% of the questions in the OA.

The resources document has a lot more questions to make sure you really understand the material. If you do well on the questions there, you'll do well in the OA. In that document, you have over 40 questions all about leases, whereas in the OA you have 8 questions on leases. So you'll get plenty of repetition to really master the concepts.

Feel free to ask me more questions!

Edit: Title should be “OA1 = 10 hours, OA2 = 18 hours”

Hi everyone!

I took the PA for OA2 for the 1st time yesterday, reviewed my incorrect answers, then took the PA the 2nd time today, and then reviewed it again. I then scheduled OA2 1 hour later, and I passed the OA!

Figured I'd share what I did to pass and my advice for those of you taking this class right now.

Here's my scores and time spent for OA1:

Time = 10.4 hours

Score = Competent

Total Days Consecutive = 3

Average # hours per day = 3.40 (3 hours 24 mins)

OA1 - Score

Here's my scores and time spent for OA2:

Time = 18.6 hours

Score = Competent

Total Days Consecutive = 5

Average # hours per day = 3.74 (3 hours 44 mins)

OA2 - Score

PA vs OA:

OA1: The PA was really similar again, with just some slight variations on the questions. If I could rate how well the PA aligned with OA - I'd give it a 9/10

OA2: I found the OA to be more difficult than the PA, but it's still a really good indicator if you're actually ready for the OA. I took the PA 2X - first time very close to competent, 2nd time = Exemplary.

OA-PA alignment score = 8/10

You should hit exemplary on the PA before you decide to take the OA, just to be safe.

Exact Strategy for OA1:

Here's what I did:

1. Do ALL learning checks, unit quizzes, and unit tests, aim to get 75% of your answers correct.
2. Use AI along with the textbook to learn faster, use it to teach you impairment loss, intangible assets, amortization, limited life intangibles, etc. (I personally felt the textbook contained way too much information)
3. Take PA, use open notes, then use AI as a tutor to help you understand the problems you got wrong.
4. Pass the OA!

OA1 - Study Breakdown

Exact Strategy for OA2:

Same strategy I used for OA1:

1. Do all learning checks, unit quizzes, and unit tests, again aiming to get 75% of answers correct.
2. Take PA, use open notes, and use AI to help you understand your incorrect answers.
3. Take PA again, closed book, without help
4. Take and pass the OA

The OA is weighted like this:

Unit 4 - Depreciation, Impairment, and Depletion - 33%

Unit 5 - Liabilities - 33%

Unit 6 - Stockholder's Equity - 33%

OA2 - Study Breakdown

What the OA tests on:

• Stockholder's Equity (Hardest unit of the textbook)
• Treasury stock, additional paid in capital (APIC) and retained earnings
• Common stock vs preferred stock, convertible stock, preemptive right
• Dilutive vs antidilutive, does it increase EPS or decrease EPS?
• Depreciation methods and calculating depreciation (sum of the years-digits method vs straight line vs double declining method vs units of production method
• Depletion method and depletion rate
• Contingent liabilities - current vs long term liabilities - when to record vs disclose - remote, possible, probable
• Ratios - current ratios, acid ratio, return on asset, earnings per share
• Discount on bonds payable, premium on bonds payable, face value vs par value - You DO need deep understanding

Goodluck with D104! I'm locked in since my term ends on May 31, so I'm going to start IA3 tomorrow, May 1st.

Remember your WHY - the reason you're getting this degree - you're creating a better future for yourself and for your family!

It's almost 12 am here in Illinois, but I hope this post helped some of you :)