Is CPA harder than bar?

Asked by: Merritt Koepp  |  Last update: June 6, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (71 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.

What is harder, bar exam or CPA?

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. This is compared to the 70% pass rate for the Bar Exam. With that said, it is difficult to compare the CPA Exam and the Bar Exam as they test for different skills and knowledge.

Is the CPA the hardest exam in the world?

The CPA Exam is Challenging: The CPA exam is widely recognized as one of the most challenging professional exams, with a pass rate of around 50%.

Is being an accountant harder than being a lawyer?

The Bottom Line. Accounting and law are both potentially lucrative career paths, although they require years of dedicated study. While lawyers tend to earn more money, it is easier to become an accountant. Accountants also require strong mathematical skills, while lawyers require more skills in reading and memorization ...

Is the CPA harder than 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.

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33 related questions found

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.

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 harder than LSAT?

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.

Do law firms hire CPAS?

It is entirely ethical for a firm of lawyers to employ a public accountant (whether CPA or not) on a salary basis to advise the law firm on matters of accounting and to assist the firm in connection with accounting problems arising in its law practice.

What is the hardest field of accounting?

Tax Accounting: The intricate tax laws and constant updates make this a traditionally challenging class. Tax accounting requires a deep and consistent understanding of complex legislation and its application.

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)

Has anyone gotten a 100 on the CPA Exam?

Any score of 75 or above on the scaled score of 0 to 99 is considered passing. Has anyone gotten a 100 on the CPA exam? It is highly unlikely for anyone to score a 100 on the CPA 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.

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.

Is the NCLEX harder than the Bar Exam?

The Bar Exam is typically seen as harder than the NCLEX. This is because the Bar Exam covers many intricate legal topics and has a lower pass rate, around 60% on average. In contrast, the NCLEX focuses on nursing concepts and has a higher pass rate, around 80% on average.

What states are easiest to pass CPA?

Colorado's (CO) CPA exam requirements are possibly the most advantageous of all the states. It does not require 150 hours to sit. 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.

Where do CPAs get paid the most?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the highest-paying states for CPAs in the U.S. are the District of Columbia, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, and California, with average salaries ranging from $89,000 to $105,000 per year.

Can a lawyer take the CPA Exam?

After some consideration, I decided to pursue my law degree and went to Chapman University where I obtained my JD (jurisprudence) as well as my LLM (Master's of Law in Tax). Following that year, I studied for and passed the CPA Exam.

Do CPAs give free consultations?

If you've managed to find the right type of accountant and you're in need of advice, then it would make sense to accept the offer of a free consultation. One thing that is important to note is that not everywhere will offer a meeting free of charge, although many places do, including Ridgefield Consulting.

Is it harder to pass the bar or CPA?

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 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.

Is being a CPA prestigious?

The CPA designation is considered prestigious due to its rigorous requirements, including extensive education, a challenging exam, and relevant work experience. It signifies a high level of expertise and commitment to the field, making CPAs trusted financial advisors and leaders in the accounting industry.

Which is harder, CPA or MCAT?

In terms of their difficulty, both are known to be very challenging and difficult examinations. Note that the MCAT is an admission exam, while the CPA exam is a licensure test. Given their difference in terms of purpose, exam structure, topics covered, and more, we cannot truly compare their difficulty level.

Which is the no. 1 toughest exam in the world?

Gaokao Exam - China. The Gaokao, which means higher exam, is the abbreviation of the Nationwide Unified Examination for Admissions to General Universities and Colleges. This test is the national undergraduate admission exam for China. It is the most difficult exam in the world.

Which is the most difficult bar exam?

While Delaware has a higher cut score than California, California's bar exam is arguably the hardest in the country because more students take and fail the test.