Is bar or CPA harder?
Asked by: Trisha Willms | Last update: May 14, 2026Score: 4.5/5 (11 votes)
It's subjective, but many people consider the CPA exam harder due to its four-part structure requiring sustained study and information retention over 18 months, while the Bar exam is a shorter, intense sprint testing legal application and writing. The CPA tests broad technical accounting knowledge (FAR, AUD, REG, TCP/BAR), while the Bar tests legal reasoning across many topics. Both demand different skills: CPA needs endurance and deep technical knowledge, while the Bar requires rapid legal application and writing under pressure.
Is accounting or law harder?
Lawyers and accountants both require a specialized education, but it is easier to become an accountant. A typical lawyer goes through a four year college program, plus three years of law school before they can be admitted to the bar.
What is the hardest licensing exam?
The USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) stands as America's most challenging standardized test. This three-step examination process requires medical students to demonstrate comprehensive knowledge across all aspects of medicine.
Is the CFP or bar exam harder?
The CFP® exam is equally as challenging as the CFA® exams, the CPA® exam, and bar exam.
Do tax lawyers make more than CPAs?
Yes, tax attorneys generally earn more than CPAs because they handle complex legal issues, court representation, and high-stakes tax litigation, commanding higher fees than CPAs who focus more on accounting, financial planning, and return preparation, although both can earn high salaries, especially in senior roles at large firms. A tax attorney's specialization in law often leads to higher earning potential, with median lawyer pay significantly exceeding that of accountants, though specific salaries depend heavily on experience, firm size, and location.
Is the CPA Exam Really That Hard? National Instructor Answers
Can a CPA make 300k a year?
Yes, a CPA can absolutely make $300k, especially in senior roles like partner at a firm, CFO/Controller in industry, or in high-demand specializations, though it requires significant experience, strategic skills, and often involves business development (bringing in clients) or high-level decision-making, making it a goal for top earners rather than the average CPA.
Do lawyers make $500,000 a year?
Yes, many lawyers earn $500,000 or more annually, especially partners at large firms, top corporate lawyers, or specialized trial attorneys, but it's not typical for the average lawyer, whose median salary is much lower, requiring significant experience, specialization (like IP or M&A), and business acumen to reach that high income level.
Did Michelle Obama pass the bar?
Yes, Michelle Obama failed the Illinois bar exam on her first attempt after graduating from Harvard Law School, but she retook it, passed, and was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1989, going on to have a successful legal career. She is one of several prominent figures, including Hillary Clinton and Franklin D. Roosevelt, who initially failed the bar exam before achieving great success.
Is a CPA harder than a bar?
Both the CPA and Bar exams are extremely difficult, but many professionals who've taken both find the CPA exam harder due to its marathon nature (four parts over 18 months), broad technical scope (accounting, tax, auditing), and lower first-time pass rates (around 40-50% per section), compared to the Bar's sprint-like intensity (a few days, but with extremely low overall first-time success rates in some areas) and legal focus. The Bar is often considered a harder "sprint," while the CPA is a longer "marathon" testing extensive, diverse knowledge.
Which is the 3 toughest exam in the world?
The top 3 toughest exams globally consistently include China's Gaokao, India's JEE Advanced, and India's UPSC Civil Services Exam, renowned for immense competition, vast syllabi, and life-altering consequences for a small number of successful candidates, often competing with tests like the All Souls Prize, Master Sommelier Diploma, and CFA for top spots.
Which state bar is the hardest?
California is widely considered to have the hardest bar exam due to its unique, lengthy content (including many state-specific topics), high grading standards for essays, and a demanding pass score, leading to notoriously low pass rates, though New York and Florida also present significant challenges with vast content and high volumes of test-takers. Other states like Maryland, Delaware, and Louisiana also rank high on difficulty, often due to specific content or unique exam structures.
Is CPA harder than MCAT?
Its length, number of topics, and technical details covered typically rank it harder than the BAR and MCAT. The CPA exam requires candidates to demonstrate proficiency in financial accounting, auditing, taxation, and business law, among other areas.
Can you make $500,000 a year as an accountant?
Yes, an accountant can make $500k a year, but it's rare and typically requires reaching top-tier positions like a partner at a large firm, a CFO of a public company, or a highly successful owner of their own specialized practice, often with significant experience and high-leverage skills. This level of income is generally achieved through advanced roles beyond standard accounting, focusing on strategy, client acquisition, and high-value services, rather than typical hourly work.
Is it harder to become a CPA or a lawyer?
Key Takeaways
Average pass rates are around 50% for the CPA Exam and 70% for the Bar Exam, reflecting differing levels of difficulty. CPA candidates need a degree in accounting and relevant work experience, while Bar candidates must graduate from an accredited law school.
Why is no one majoring in accounting?
Most states require 150 credit hours for licensure, necessitating extra coursework beyond a bachelor's degree. The notoriously low CPA exam pass rate of 50% adds to the uncertainty, making students hesitant to invest in this career path. To attract more students, universities and the accounting profession must evolve.
Can I take bar before far CPA?
FAR is your strongest Core exam
You should also plan to sit for BAR immediately after passing FAR while the related content is still fresh in your memory.
Is becoming a CPA a big deal?
Reason #1 to Become a CPA – Prestige in the Profession
The CPA credential alone will separate you from non-CPAs with well-earned knowledge and expertise. By completing years of academic training, rigorous testing, and extensive work experience, CPAs are considered the gold standard of accounting.
Is a 75% on the CPA Exam passing?
Yes, a score of 75 is the passing score for the CPA Exam, but it's crucial to understand it's a scaled score (0-99), not a percentage of correct answers, meaning 75 doesn't necessarily equal 75% of questions right; it reflects a weighted performance on difficult questions and simulations.
Did Joe Biden ever pass the bar?
Yes, Joe Biden earned his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Syracuse University College of Law in 1968 and was admitted to the Delaware bar in 1969, indicating he passed the bar exam required for practice, despite graduating in the lower half of his class.
What was Obama's LSAT score?
Barack Obama's specific LSAT score has never been officially released, but it's widely believed to have been very high, likely in the 170-175 range, to gain admission to Harvard Law School with a relatively low undergraduate GPA. Analysts suggest he needed a score in the top percentiles (perhaps 94th-98th) to overcome his lower GPA and secure a spot at the prestigious institution, indicating a strong performance near the perfect 180 score.
Did Kim Kardashian pass the bar exam?
No, Kim Kardashian has not yet passed the full California Bar Exam; she failed the July 2025 exam and publicly shared her results in November 2025, vowing to keep studying, though she previously passed the First-Year Law Students' Examination (Baby Bar) in 2021. She's said she came "so close" and is determined to pass, viewing the setback as motivation for future attempts.
Why do lawyers take 33%?
Lawyers often take 33% (or more) in personal injury cases as a contingency fee, meaning they only get paid if they win, covering their significant upfront costs (like experts, investigations) and time, with the percentage often rising (e.g., to 40%) if the case goes to trial, reflecting the increased risk and work. This fee model makes legal help accessible to those who can't afford hourly rates, as the lawyer assumes the financial risk of a "no-win, no-fee" arrangement.
What is the lowest paid lawyer?
There's no single minimum salary for lawyers, as pay varies wildly by location, firm size, and specialization, but entry-level salaries range from around $50k-$70k in public interest/small firms to over $200k at big corporate firms, with overall averages often near $100k-$120k. The lowest earnings are typically in public service, while high-paying areas include corporate law, IP, and big cities like NYC or D.C.
How old is the youngest lawyer?
The youngest lawyer is currently Sophia Park, who passed the California Bar exam at 17 years and 8 months old in late 2024, breaking her brother's record and becoming the youngest in California history. While she passed the exam, she was sworn in as a licensed attorney in March 2025 after turning 18, joining the Tulare County District Attorney's Office as a prosecutor.