Is CPA Exam harder than bar exam?

Asked by: London Ferry  |  Last update: September 16, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (43 votes)

The CPA Exam. You've heard the horror stories: It's derailed the careers of promising professionals. It's definitely harder than the BAR exam and maybe even some medical board exams. And it's nearly impossible to pass once you're a working professional.

Is the CPA harder than the bar exam?

Yes, the CPA Exam is harder than the Bar Exam.

Both the CPA Exam and the Bar exam are notoriously difficult exams that require months of rigorous study and cover very different material. However, if you look at just the exam pass rate for first-time takers, then the CPA exam is harder, with only a 14 - 20% pass rate.

Is the CPA the hardest exam in the world?

Is the CPA exam the hardest professional exam? The CPA Exam is considered one of the hardest professional exams because of the amount of information it covers and how long it is (16 hours divided between 4 exam sections).

Is the CPA harder than the MCAT?

The CPA exam is widely regarded as the most challenging professional examination for a few reasons. Its length, number of topics, and technical details covered typically rank it harder than the BAR and MCAT.

How many people pass all four CPA exams first try?

The overall pass rate of the CPA Exam hovers around 50%, but how many people manage to pass all four sections—including three core and one discipline—on the first try? About 20%. Around 1 in 2 people will pass a specific section of the exam, and about 1 in 5 people will pass each section on their first try.

How I Passed the CPA exam | My Journey & Tips

45 related questions found

How many times can I fail the CPA?

Unlimited Retakes: You can retake the CPA exam sections as many times as needed. However, you must pass all sections within 18 to 30 months after passing the first section.

What percentage of CPAs have a master's degree?

Nearly 90 percent of all new hires at CPA firms hold a master's in accounting degree. Almost 23 percent of new hires in CPA firms are assigned to the tax department.

Is CPA harder than MBA?

An MBA is a longer and more intensive education credential than a CPA. However, CPA examinations are notoriously difficult and can take several years to complete if not worked on full-time. A CPA will likely be more difficult than an MBA for those who are less strong in areas like mathematics and statistics.

Which is the toughest exam in the USA?

What Are the Toughest Exams in the US?
  • American Mensa Admission Test. The American Mensa Admission Test is designed to be tough. ...
  • California Bar Exam. One of the requirements to practice law in California is passing the California Bar Exam administered by the State Bar of California. ...
  • Chartered Financial Analyst Exams.

Is CPA a lot of math?

While there is a commonly held belief that accounting is all about the complexities of mathematical operations such as calculus and geometry, this is not true. Accountants, instead, mainly work with basic arithmetic, percentages, and some algebraic concepts to complete their professional duties proficiently.

Which is the 3 toughest exam in the world?

Top 10 Toughest Exams in the World
  • Gaokao Exam in China.
  • IIT JEE Advanced.
  • Civil Services Exam (CSE)/UPSC.
  • All Souls Prize Fellowship Exam.
  • USMLE.
  • Master Sommelier Diploma Exam.
  • ICAI CA/ ICMAI Exams.
  • CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert)

Which state has the easiest CPA Exam?

With no requirement to be a US Citizen, a resident of CO, or a certain age, it makes Colorado one of the easiest states to sit for the CPA exam and become licensed. Be sure to follow each caption below to ensure that you are qualified to sit for the exam.

What's the hardest license to get?

The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) takes the top spot as the most challenging exam in the US, with an average preparation time ranging from 200 to 400 hours for each of its three steps.

Is it harder to become a CPA or lawyer?

They were both challenging in different ways and this will also vary depending on the type of person you are. If you're someone who likes things to be black and white, the CPA Exam may be more doable for you. If you're someone who does better reading in between the lines, the Bar Exam may be your preference.

Which state bar exam is the hardest?

1. California

Law students across the US may be familiar with the famed “impossible” California bar exam. But why is the California bar exam so hard? For starters, the cut score (the score needed to pass the test) of the California bar is 1390 out of 2000, which is 40 points above the national average.

What's harder, LSAT or CPA?

Some candidates claim that it's easier to study for the LSAT than the CPA Exam and that the LSAT requires fewer study hours to get a good score. The CPA Exam requires a lot of memorization, and most candidates need to take several practice exams before they can pass.

Which is the No 1 toughest exam?

1. UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) The most toughest exam in India is UPSC CSE, held annually by the Union Public Service Commission for recruiting candidates into civil services such as IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, and associated roles. The eligibility to appear for UPSC is a recognized university graduation.

Is the NCLEX harder than the bar exam?

The Bar Exam is often considered more challenging than the NCLEX due to its comprehensive coverage of intricate legal subjects and a lower average pass rate of around 60%.

What is the hardest accounting exam in the world?

CFA, also known as Chartered Financial Analyst, is also known to be one of the hardest exams in the world. It is a way of testing the financial knowledge of the aspiring finance professionals. It was reported that in 2023, 16,959 students sat for the level 1 exam.

Is a CPA like a master's degree?

No, a CPA is not a master's degree. It is a professional certification that requires a specific set of educational and experiential requirements.

What is the hardest CPA subject?

Among the three core sections, FAR has a reputation for being the hardest, and it typically has the lowest pass rate. AUD and REG tend to be middle of the road.

Can I get a CPA if I have an MBA?

The Path to Becoming a CPA

While a graduate degree is not required for a CPA license, it does enable students to meet the credit hour requirements. Students can complete a general MBA, a Master of Science in Accounting, a Master of Arts in Accounting or an MBA in accounting.

Do all CPAs make 6 figures?

A CPA's salary usually reaches the high five figures while senior CPAs in management can earn a six-figure salary.

Are CPAs declining?

Despite the essential role CPAs play in ensuring the financial health and compliance of businesses and individuals, the number of licensed CPAs has been steadily declining. This shortage presents concerns for companies, public institutions, and the broader economy. But why is there such a lack of CPAs in the U.S.?

Can a CPA make a million a year?

In general, a CPA can expect to make between $65,000-150,000 per year. Obviously, this is a wide range that features a lot of determining factors. Location, experience, and the type of accounting work will make a difference in CPA compensation.