What is the average CPA score?

Asked by: Althea Marvin Sr.  |  Last update: January 12, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (12 votes)

Furthermore, the average CPA exam score for FAR among all test takers is below passing: around 68.6. According to page 127 of the NASBA Report Jurisdiction Edition, female test takers have a FAR pass rate of 45.4% and an average score of 67.1.

What is a good CPA score?

According to the AICPA a high CPA exam score is anything over 85. Since less than 50% of candidates don't get above a score of 75, a score of 85 is in the top 10 percentile. Remember, the CPA exam isn't scored on a percentage basis. It is a standardized test that is scored on percentiles.

Is a CPA harder than a 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.

How many people pass all 4 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.

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.

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29 related questions found

Is the CPA the hardest exam?

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.

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.

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.

Can you be an accountant without a CPA?

While all CPAs are accountants, not all accountants are CPAs. In fact, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and CPA licensure data, only about 50% of accountants in the United States are actively licensed CPAs.

Is it prestigious to be a CPA?

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

What is the hardest professional license to get?

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'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.

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.

What is a good CPA amount?

What is a good CPA? A 'good' CPA is relatively subjective, as it will depend on your app's vertical and campaign's KPIs. However, as a rule of thumb, your campaign should acquire users at a profitable price. This means your average revenue per user (ARPU) should exceed the marketing CPA.

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.

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.

How long does it take to finish CPA?

In total, it takes about seven years to become a CPA. However, that includes the four years of college you're probably either close to finishing or have already finished. Here's a breakdown: You'll need 150 semester hours (225 quarter hours) which takes most people around five years.

What are the four tests for CPA?

The CPA Exam is comprised of four (4) sections:
  • Auditing (AUD)-4 hours.
  • Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)-4 hours.
  • Regulation (REG)-3 hours.
  • Discipline (Only 1 required)-3 hours. Business Analysis and Reporting (BAR) Information Systems and Controls (ISC) Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP)

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.

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 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 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%

How many people pass CPA on first try?

You've probably heard quite a bit of intimidating details about how hard it is — it's long, it requires hundreds of hours of study time, it's so difficult that the average CPA Exam passing rate for first-time candidates is only 50%.

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.