Is it common to fail the CPA exam?
Asked by: Kaela Murazik | Last update: November 3, 2025Score: 4.3/5 (60 votes)
Having to retake the CPA Exam is nothing to be embarrassed about. The 2024 pass rates of all exam sections average just 54.4%, which is very similar to the numbers from previous years. This means that many other candidates have been in your shoes and go on to become successful CPAs.
What percentage of people fail the CPA?
Now let's discuss what's top of mind for all CPA Exam candidates–passing it. About half of the individuals who take the CPA Exam don't pass on their first attempt. According to the AICPA, the national average pass rate is 45-55%.
Is the CPA the hardest test to pass?
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 a 75% on the CPA Exam passing?
CPA Exam Scoring Process: The CPA exam is scored using a weighted combination of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and task-based simulations (TBSs). Minimum Passing Score: You need a scaled score of 75 to pass, which doesn't necessarily mean answering 75% of questions correctly.
Do you need to be smart to pass the CPA Exam?
The Certified Public Accountant ("CPA") exam is notoriously challenging. Some have labeled it as one of the most challenging professional exams in the world. Yet the secret to passing it, as I discovered, is not brains. It's a creative imagination.
How I Passed All 4 Parts of the CPA Exam In 5 Months: Tips, Study Schedule + Template, Results
Is it normal to fail the CPA Exam?
Although a small percentage of candidates receive a CPA Exam passing score, the vast majority of candidates have to retake at least one exam. In fact, some of Becker's best instructors failed the CPA Exam multiple times before finally passing. Having to retake the CPA Exam is nothing to be embarrassed about.
Is the CPA harder than the bar?
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.
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.
How many people pass the CPA exam 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.
Are CPA scores curved?
The CPA Exam is NOT graded on a curve. Every candidate's score is entirely independent of those of other candidates. A traditional grading curves compare the candidates to each other and base the scores off of the total pool of test takers.
Is 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.
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.
Which is the hardest subject in CPA?
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.
Are CPAs in decline?
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.?
What is the average age to pass the CPA Exam?
Benefits of taking the CPA Exam later in your career
While the average CPA Exam candidate is just 29 years old,3 there are no age limitations on who can become a CPA. In fact, if you're mature in your career, there are many benefits of earning your CPA license later in your career.
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.
How many hours to study for CPA?
The AICPA recommends that candidates spend between 300-400 hours to study for the entire exam CPA exam. Because we all learn differently, some sections will require more study hours than others due to the volume of material included in a section and how quickly one is able to grasp and retain the study material.
Is becoming a CPA worth it?
The financial benefits for a CPA are clear. CPAs often make more money for the same job than they would if they did not hold the license, and it routinely enables them to secure jobs they would not be able to get without it. According to the AICPA, CPAs earn 10-15% more than non-CPAs working in accounting-related jobs.
What is the hardest professional exam?
1. The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) 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.
What is the most failed CPA Exam?
Financial Accounting & Reporting (FAR)
Candidates we've surveyed say that FAR is the most difficult section of the CPA Exam. It consistently has the lowest passing rate likely due to the large volume of information in the section and the need to fully understand concepts rather than simply memorize them.
Why do so many people fail the CPA?
They will spend too much time on trying to figure out questions they don't know the answers to; begin to think that they're not doing very well based on the level of difficulty on their testlets; or execute overall poor time management, leaving them with not enough time to complete the entire exam or completely ...
How long do you have to pass the CPA Exam in 2024?
All exam credits that were valid on December 31, 2023, are being extended until June 30, 2025. All new exam credits earned in 2024 will be valid for 30 months, replacing the previous timeframe of 18 months.
Do CPAs make more than lawyers?
Key Differences. Overall, lawyers can expect to earn a median salary of about $145,760, according to 2024 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data. 5 Half earn more than that, and half earn less. Comparatively, accountants earn a median salary of just $79,880.
What is the easiest state to sit for the CPA Exam?
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.
How prestigious is a CPA?
A CPA license is considered very prestigious: The CPA license is the most widely recognized professional credential in the accounting industry.