Is the CPA all multiple-choice?

Asked by: Stan Schoen  |  Last update: December 30, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (30 votes)

The CPA exam contains three required Core sections, made up of 200 multiple-choice questions and 22 task-based simulations, and one Discipline section of up to 82 multiple-choice questions and seven simulations.

How many multiple choices are on Far CPA?

The FAR CPA Exam is 4 hours long. The FAR CPA Exam has 50 multiple-choice questions and 7 task-based simulations. FAR is the most comprehensive section of the CPA Exam.

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.

How many multiple choices are on the reg CPA Exam?

CPA REG Exam Multiple-Choice Questions

You can expect to encounter 72 MCQs on REG, divided into two testlets of 36 MCQs each. You will be given four answers to choose from to complete these questions, and they will test your understanding and application of federal tax, business law, and ethics principles.

What is the hardest portion of the CPA Exam?

The FAR section of the CPA Exam is hard because it's the most comprehensive of the 4 exam sections, and it has a lot of math questions that are mentally taxing to get through. It has the lowest pass rate of all 4 exam sections and is considered the hardest CPA Exam section.

Best Advice for the CPA Exam: Multiple Choice Questions

45 related questions found

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.

Is the CPA harder than the bar?

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 only multiple-choice?

Each section of the CPA Exam is divided into 5 testlets. Two consist of only Multiple-Choice Questions, and three contain just Task-Based Simulations.

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.

How many people pass CPA on 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.

Which university has the highest CPA pass rate?

Schools with Highest CPA Pass Rates
  • University of Pennsylvania: 90.9%
  • Rice University: 90.8%
  • University of Texas – Austin: 89.5%
  • Brigham Young University: 89.4%
  • Wake Forest University: 88.8%

Are CPA exams curved?

The CPA Examination is not curved. Every candidate needs to score 75 points in each section to pass the exam. The score of every candidate is entirely independent of other candidates.

How many times can you fail a CPA section?

There is no limit as to the number of times you may repeat a failed section. You may take any unpassed section of the CPA Exam year-round. Your only restriction is waiting to receive your score from a previous attempt of the same section.

Does the CPA Exam get harder if you are doing well?

If you perform well on the first testlet you will receive a more difficult second testlet; while those who do not perform well on the first testlet will receive a second medium difficulty testlet. The difficulty of your third testlet will depend on your performance within the first two testlets.

How many clients can a CPA have?

The average accounting firm (small CPA firms) has anything from 20 to 150 clients. The number of existing clients varies greatly according to the location, season, services, and reputation of the firm. However, all of the firms have common issues. Let's look at some of them.

Which CPA is hardest?

CPA Exam sections—hardest to easiest
  • CPA Exam sections—hardest to easiest.
  • 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. ...
  • Scoring weights. ...
  • Scoring Weights by Section.

How prestigious is a CPA license?

A CPA license is considered very prestigious: The CPA license is the most widely recognized professional credential in the accounting industry.

Do you have to pass all 4 CPA exams?

If you don't pass all four parts within the 18-month window, you lose credit for the first part you passed, and the 18-month window rolls up to the next part you passed; this cycle continues until all four parts are passed within the time frame.

Is CPA harder than CFA?

CFA vs CPA Difficulty Levels of Each Profession

Each designation is difficult in its own way. The CPA has a harder entry barrier, given the work experience sign off requirements and the confirmation of 150 accredited hours.

Is PMP harder than CPA?

The CPA exam is considered more difficult due to its broader scope, multiple exam sections, and higher failure rates. The PMP exam, while challenging, is more focused on project management principles and typically requires less study time compared to the CPA exam.

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.

Is 75 a passing score for CPA?

The CPA Exam is scored on a scale from 0 to 99, and a CPA passing score for each section is a minimum of 75.

How quickly can you pass CPA?

Depending on the Discipline you choose, you can expect your CPA Exam study time to be between 320 and 420 hours, or between 80 and 120 hours per section. But with a smart study strategy and the right materials, you can keep from getting overwhelmed while making sure you're ready to walk into the exam with confidence.

What percent of people never pass the CPA?

The AICPA has reported CPA Exam pass rates since 2006, and for 16 years, the cumulative average pass rate has improved and now fluctuates between 45% and 60%. The cumulative average CPA Exam pass rate for 2023 dropped a little as a result of poor candidate performance on the BEC section in the last quarter of 2023.