What is the passing rate for the CPA exam?

Asked by: Mason Cruickshank  |  Last update: February 13, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (66 votes)

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%. Cumulative pass rates reported by the AICPA for the calendar year 2021 show that FAR had the lowest pass rate at 44.54% and BEC had the highest pass rate at 61.94%.

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).

What is the pass rate for the CPA Exam first time?

Did you know the CPA Exam pass rate for first-time test takers is around 50%? Notably, from 2021 to 2023, there has been a steady increase in pass rates across all sections of the CPA Exam, maintaining the cumulative pass rate around this mark. Preparation is key to doing your best on 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.

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 are CPA Exam Pass Rates

15 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 is the average CPA score?

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.

Is CPA harder than 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.

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%

What is the hardest professional exam?

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)

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.

Can you be an accountant without a CPA?

Accountants who don't earn their CPA typically work in the private accounting field. This means that they work for a single company or organization in its internal finance department.

What percentage of CPAs have a master's degree?

Here are the facts and figures to prove it: 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. From 2020-2030 jobs in accounting are expected to increase by 7%

Which state is easy to pass CPA?

What State Is Best for the CPA License? If you want to take the CPA exam as early as possible with fewer requirements, Alaska is a good state to get your CPA license in because it allows candidates to sit while completing an undergraduate degree if within 18 hours of meeting bachelor's degree requirements.

Which is the toughest exam in the world?

In the upcoming sections, you will learn about the top 5 toughest exams in the world in detail.
  1. Gaokao Exam - China. ...
  2. IIT-JEE Exam - India. ...
  3. UPSC Exam - India. ...
  4. Mensa International - England. ...
  5. GRE - USA and Canada. ...
  6. CFA - USA. ...
  7. CCIE - USA. ...
  8. GATE - India.

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.

What is the highest pay for CPA?

Highest-paying positions for accountants

Licensed CPAs can pursue various career paths. Executives and directors in top-tier accounting positions can earn upward of $200,000 annually, more than four times the average starting salary for a general accountant.

Which bachelor degree is best for CPA?

A: Graduation in commerce and accounting B.Com BBA MBA in Finance, M.Com which is equivalent to 120 credits required to sit for CPA exam is the CPA eligibility in India and some states also accept CA/ CMA/ Intermediate passed/ CS pass candidates.

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.

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.

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.

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 of a CPA?

Increase in Retirement: 75% of CPAs reached retirement age in 2020. The average age of a CPA in the US is 52–53 years old. Less Enrollment in Accounting Graduates: Enrollment in accounting programs has declined, with 33% fewer first-time candidates sitting for the CPA exam in 2021 than in 2016.

What is a good CPA amount?

A good average CPA is one that is significantly lower than the Average Order Value (AOV) or Lifetime Value (LTV), ensuring a reasonable Return on Ad Spend (ROAS). For example, if AOV is $100 and CPA is $20, that's a healthy scenario, pointing to profitable campaigns.