Keep in mind that there are 8 modules in the training and 6 sections of the exam that cover those 8 modules.  So, section 4 of the exam probably included questions from Module 5 - Supporting your small business clients.

Me too!!! I’ve taken both cert webinars 1 & 2 both 3 times as well as doing the self paced study’s! Spent no less than 30-50 study hours with at least 20 hours before taking sections 1,3, and 5 for the 3rd time! I felt so confident and failed! (I passed in 2015 without even taking a single course). Got 100% on 1, 2 and 4. Then 92% on 6…the 78 and 76% on 3 and 5 the first 2 times and 56% and 76% the last time… nothing in my pictures, printed out slides from trainings, nothing … the questions are so arbitrary with some answers close but not quite! Never studied so hard to fail! Was in tears the last time as I studied and trained to fail! They said in the online courses that the training modules match to the rest, but there are 8 modules and 6 test sections, so THAT isn’t true! Nothing matches anything! COA questions in 1st test! It shouldn’t matter, but when the questions aren’t even searchable or the answers are nothing like the options then there is something definitely wrong! 

Same exact thing happened to me today. 

The answers provided either did NOT align with the questions, the questions were poorly worded, or the material was NOT covered in the tutorial or anywhere else in QB. 

I had the same question about 3 ways to add receipts to QB, and it was infuriating.

I know how to take tests: I have an MA in history, and I used to teach. I put myself through my master's program as a bookkeeper, and I've been using some form or another of QB for the past 25+ years. 

This is entirely frustrating. Intuit needs to do better to support their very valuable QBO Pro Advisors.

I know this isn't easy for you, BellaBonnie.

I see the importance of being a certified QuickBooks Proadvisor professional. Passing this certification will surely gain the trust of your client. I want to ensure that our management knows about it. I'd recommend sending us feedback to our management team. Your ideas and suggestions matter. They closely monitor all feedback submissions and this helps improve your experience in QuickBooks.

Here's how:

1. Select the Gear icon at the top.
2. Click Feedback.
3. Enter your ideas or suggestions.
4. Once done, hit Next to submit feedback.

You can also use this link: Customer Feedback for QuickBooks Online. To submit and track your suggestion.

For your reference, you can always visit these resources below for more insight and guidance:

• Training Events
• Firm of the Future
• Training & Certification

We always hear your thoughts if you have further concerns about the Proadvisor certification. Feel free to leave a comment below. We'll get back to help you out. Stay safe!

I'm facing the same issue. I know how to use QB and have used it for years and these questions are a complete waste of time. This exam is not helping in any way. I keep getting stuck on section 5 with a 76% and have one more attempt left before I get locked out again for the 2nd time. If i don't pass it, i will just leave it alone. I am a CPA and know how to reconcile in QBs and have done so for years. The fact that so many people are complaining about this is problematic. Very disappointed in QB. I would rather use my precious time for something else. 

ME TO. I also leave section 5. I am a CPA as well. The problems are the training classes which we did not know which materials cover which section of the exam. The worst one is that QBO did not tell you which one you did wrong. I can't find some of the answer in the exam. The training materials did not cover. The self paced did not cover.  

Frustrating time with QuickBooks Certification Exam Section 5!
 
My business partner and I both failed section 5 all three times.  We both passed all other sections with flying colors.  We took it at different times and not together.  I am an Enrolled agent and she has her MBA.  We both have been certified in the past.  We both took study courses for refresher.  We've both been using QBO since 2015 in a high client volume capacity.  My partner used to teach QBO classes at the college level. 
 
When I called to see if we could find out what questions we got wrong, or if there was something we were missing, they said no.  Section 5 has the most trick questions and that this is primarily to keep the cheaters from cheating. 
 
Apparently it was also designed to keep the studiers and high volume users from passing.  
 
It is extremely frustrating for a program that I have managed over 100 clients on over the last 6+ years, and designed complex sets books on, that I need to freshen up on menial tasks such as reconciliations, managing bills, and recurring transactions.
 
I am trying to put together why our proficiency in a program that we spend all day using is measured by our ability to figure out their trick questions.  College students?  New Users?  Maybe.  But long time users and firm owners? 
 
To say the least, I am disappointed and frustrated that the 600 pound gorilla of the accounting world would have such a silly part to their cert.  
 
Probably not worth having the cert in the end?

Neither my partner, nor I have had any resolution.  

And apparently we won't be getting one. 

We won't be re-taking it in three months either. 

Fix section 5. 

ProAdvisor support can't do anything for us. 

Thank you for adding your input to this thread.  It was a real blow to my confidence to fail this one section of the exam.  I'm just beginning to further my accounting education but I have been bookkeeping for nearly 15 years.  I have not gone back for a couple of months because I am so discouraged.  Your comments have made me feel so much better because I can't imagine the exam is locking out people who have been using QBO for years AND have the mind and dedication to have an MBA!!  Terribly frustrating and I have decided to take the Desktop Exam instead.  The frustration over this exam set me back on my goals and has prevented me from getting more hours at the CPA firm I work for. If you are taking this exam to help you pay the bills, I'd suggest finding something else, because this exam will only set you back, mentally and professionally!

I am curious on how you did with Section 5 taking the exam yourself?

@FritzF,

This is the post where further discussion and conversation has been taking place. 

In reference to our conversation from my post today. 

Re: QuickBooks Certification Exam Section 5 (intuit.com) 

1. 69%

2. 74%

3. 69%

Section 1 85%

Section 2  92%

Section 3  92%

Section 4  92%

Section 6  92%

My partner got the exact same scores as me, taken at different times and never together.  Support told me that must be a coincidence. 

I thought I was loosing my mind until I saw this post and all the replies. 

I have been using QuickBooks for 17 years and have passed this certification several times before. I am also an EA. 

I took the test last night. Spent lots of time studying. I passed sections 1,2,4,5 and 6 with 90’s. I failed section 3 and all three times I got a 78%. I thought how can that be possible. I also noticed that several of the questions were worded differently or that answers weren’t quite right. I got one question all three times but worded differently twice. 

Why do we have to wait 60 days? You don’t have to even wait that long for tax exams. Another 60 days until my profile will be posted. This is beyond frustrating. 

I know you've spent time and effort to pass the exam, AngelaG55.

I'm here to give additional details about the ProAdvisor certification.

The ProAdvisor certification test is really difficult. It's designed that way to make sure that only those people who have great knowledge, skills, and experience of the product pass. Once you failed the exam 3 times, it will take 60 days to retake it. This is the standard time frame to take the certification again.

Important tips when taking the exam is to review your answer before confirming the submission. Since this is an open-book exam, use all necessary resources to obtain the correct answer. It's also best to navigate the QuickBooks program and try to replicate most of the transactions discussed in the module. This will give you a better understanding of how the system works.

You can always check out this helpful material for your reference in taking the ProAdvisor certification:

• Training & Certification
• Firm of the Future
• Training Events

I'm always around if you need additional information about the ProAdvisor Certification. Just add any details below and I'll get back as soon as possible.

I have already passed this exam several times before and yes I know that it is hard but not difficult. I did study for 15 hours besides already using QBO for 10 years and Desktop for an additional 5 years. What we are saying is there is something wrong with the test. It is not a coincidence to get the same score 3 times when I get different questions and verify every question as correct. I passed all other sections with at least a 90%. Why do we have to wait for 60 days to re-test. You don't have to wait that long for any tax exam. 

I don't think support has any understanding of this issue at all.  I wonder if any of them have taken and passed the exam?

Same problem today.  One more  try left on section 5.   I dont understand what im doing wrong.   Been an accountant for over 30 yrs.  i do bank recs in my sleep!  Passed all other sections with ease first time around 

I am a CPA, 30+ years experience, successfully used for several years SAP, Oracle and other major ERP systems + Quickbooks Desktop and QBO.

So far I have passed the QBO exam sections below.

S.1 85%

S.2 85%

S.4 100%
S.5 100%
I am having issues with sections 3 and 5. Scores for section 3: 78% and 71% first and second attempt respectively and section 5: 61% in both first and second attempts. I have one more attempt to pass sections 3 and 5; if I fail I will then be locked out of the test for 60 days. I doubt very much I will invest my time in retrying. I share your frustration and believe the questions/answers are built and managed by a flawed computer program that no one seems interested in reviewing.

I have the same issue with section 3. Wording is just not correct.

I'm so irate right now! I've been using Quickbooks online for 7 consecutive years and I have failed section 5 three times now, and now I'm locked out for 60 days.  I passed all the other sections and I keep getting 69% on section 5.  This seems like an ongoing issue not just with me but from what the rest of the reviews listed here.  Is this some kind of scam you guys have going on???? This is frustrating! I spent so many hours studying this section and the worse part about this exam it doesn't show what exact questions were incorrect.  

Hi Maryland

I am so nervous, I have 1 attempt left to pass parts 3 , 4, 5 (so close).

I really found your response to attypicalsmith helpful in reviewing the areas I needed help with in Module 4/

Would you be able to provide similar links to Module 3 and 5.

Thanks!

HH

Hi,

I feel the same way, I am attempting 3rd attempt this weekend, am a nervous wreck. I have studied so hard.

I do feel like the questions don't match up with the training.

Just the thought of waiting 60 days, daunting.

H

I agree, this exam is bringing me down to the point I just don't think I can try this again.

I got a 50% on part 5 and I felt so confident , but that means 6 wrong, this is terrible.