Why do people not pass the CPA Exam?

Asked by: Dr. Destiney Schneider  |  Last update: December 17, 2023
Score: 4.5/5 (29 votes)

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 ...

Why do so many people fail CPA exams?

Studying Inefficiently (Or Studying the Wrong Material)

Candidates who have disciplined study plans are more likely to pass the exam the first time around! Another common mistake that candidates make is not researching what specific concepts will be tested on the exam.

Is it common to fail the CPA Exam?

Just know that you're not alone—the CPA Exam is hard. The CPA Exam has a pass rate of around 50%. So, though millions of candidates have passed the CPA Exam, many first faced failure along the way. Remember, not passing the CPA Exam doesn't mean you can't do this.

Do some people never pass CPA?

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%.

What percent of people fail the CPA Exam?

The Uniform CPA Examination pass rate percentages are released by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and historically average around 45%-55%, varying by quarter and section.

3 Reasons Why You Cant Pass the CPA Exam | Public Accounting | CPA Exam

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Is the CPA exam really that hard?

The overall CPA Exam pass rates hover slightly below 50%. This makes passing the CPA Exam a difficult, but achievable, goal. You'll need to study wisely, set a strategy for managing your time, and call on your support network, but with the right plan and good study materials, you will conquer it.

Are CPA exams harder than the bar?

Just look at the pass rates for first time exam takers. You passed the bar, but the CPA Exam will be much more difficult,” came the advice from my CPA friends. My attorney colleagues had this to say, “Well, after studying for and taking the Bar Exam, the CPA Exam will be a piece of cake for you.”

What age do most people pass CPA Exam?

CPA Exam Rate by Age

As per the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), the average age of qualified candidates in 2016 was 28.9 years at one of the examinations. In 2015, a NASBA report observed that the mean age of successful candidates was 29, with the median age being 25 years.

What is the hardest to easiest CPA Exam?

FAR had the lowest pass rates, while BEC had the highest. AUD had the second-lowest pass rate, and REG had the second-highest pass rate. Therefore, the pass rates tell us that the hardest section of the CPA Exam is FAR, and the easiest section of the CPA Exam is BEC.

How many times can you fail CPA Exam?

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

How many people fail CPA exam first time?

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%.

Is passing the CPA exam a big deal?

CPAs Get Better Opportunities

It doesn't matter whether you are working as a public accountant or an internal accountant at a company. Once you pass your exam, doors will open for you. Public firms will allow you to advance up the hierarchy into senior positions that could even lead to becoming a partner one day.

Are fewer people taking CPA exam?

The latest figures by the AICPA show that just over 67,000 people took the CPA exam in 2022, down from 72,000 in 2021 and below its forecast of 74,000, according to its annual report. That was the lowest level since the beginning of records for the modern exam in 2006.

Is CPA hardest exam in the world?

The short answer is that the CPA exam is difficult. It is perhaps not the most difficult professional exam (most claim that the CFA exam is harder), but it's definitely not easy. Prepare to spend 300+ hours studying in total.

What percentage of people pass all 4 CPA exams?

Specifically, in 2021, the cumulative CPA exam pass rate averaged between 45-63% across the four sections of the exam. In line with that trend, BEC averaged the highest CPA pass rate with a cumulative 63%. Preparation is key to doing your best on the CPA exam.

Are they going to make the CPA exam easier?

Take FAR section last

It is likely that the 2024 FAR core will be less difficult and contain less content than the 2022 or 2023 FAR exam you will take. The CPA Evolution Blueprint has moved some of the more difficult FAR topics (e.g., governmental accounting, derivatives, consolidation, etc.)

Which is the toughest subject in CPA?

We're on your team and are passionate about helping you achieve your career goals, even if it means we don't make a dime. According to the AICPA's published pass rates, the hardest part of the Uniform CPA exam is FAR (Financial Accounting and Reporting).

What is the hardest topic on the CPA exam?

In many ways, the BEC section of the CPA Exam is the hardest section for candidates. While many exam students have education and experience in the areas of financial accounting, audit and tax, BEC covers content that some students may not have much exposure.

How to pass CPA easily?

10 tips & strategies to pass the CPA Exam
  1. Determine your why. ...
  2. Set your desired timeline. ...
  3. Determine a study schedule that works for you. ...
  4. Get a review course. ...
  5. Get a CPA mentor/coach or join a CPA study group. ...
  6. Stick to your study patterns. ...
  7. Limit the distractions during your study hours.

Who is the youngest CPA in history?

Her name is Belicia Cespedes and she was just 17 years old when she passed her CPA Exam. You read that right, 17. Which pretty much makes Belicia the world's youngest CPA.

Will 2024 CPA be harder?

Basically, the CPA Evolution initiative means that the CPA Exam will change by January 2024. And since you will need to demonstrate your skills in the core content areas plus a sub-discipline, the CPA Exam could become much more challenging.

Is the CPA Exam curved?

Scores are not curved. When you fail an Exam section, you'll also receive a Candidate Performance Report that assesses your performance on that specific section. CPA Exam scoring is treated with a high level of importance, due diligence, and attention to accuracy.

Is MBA harder than CPA?

An MBA can be harder depending on the program, but usually entails completing coursework in areas such as marketing, management, and financial analysis. Moreover, it takes approximately 1,000 hours to become a CPA, while an MBA usually takes two years to complete.

Which part of the CPA is the easiest?

BEC is the only CPA exam section with WCTs. Some students find this makes the exam easier, but some do find WCTs to be harder than TBSs. Either way, BEC is considered the easiest part of the CPA exam because it has the highest pass rate.

What's the hardest professional exam?

Top 10 Hardest Exams in the World
  • Civil Services Exam (CSE)
  • GATE.
  • GRE.
  • Master Sommelier Diploma Exam.
  • ICAI CA Exams.
  • CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert)
  • Mensa International.
  • CFA.