Why is the CPA so hard to pass?

Asked by: Bobbie Ondricka  |  Last update: December 6, 2023
Score: 4.6/5 (53 votes)

Ultimately, it isn't any one topic or section that makes the CPA Exam difficult—it's the sheer scope of the exam in its entirety. The CPA Exam has 18 content areas divided into four sections. Within those content areas are almost 600 representative tasks.

Why is the CPA Exam so hard to pass?

The CPA exam is notoriously difficult for a number of reasons. Overall, it covers an extensive amount of information—everything newly licensed CPAs will need to know to perform their jobs well. And each section of the exam has its own unique challenges.

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.

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.

Why is CPA pass rate so low?

Often considered the most difficult exam, Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) has had the lowest passing scores of the four exams. The amount of material CPA Exam candidates have to learn for the exam, coupled with the combination of memorization and application, makes this exam more difficult.

Why Are the CPA Exams So Hard? (3 Things)

38 related questions found

How many people pass CPA on first try?

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%.

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 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.

Is passing the CPA impressive?

A CPA designation is commonly recognized as difficult to achieve, making the certification even more impressive when earned.

How many times do people fail the CPA?

Yes, stats show that around 80% of CPA candidates fail at least one section fo the CPA exam. The average pass rate for one section is around 45-55%. FAR being the lowest passed section and BEC being the highest.

What is the hardest subject in CPA?

Here are the major topics that make up the structure of each of the CPA Exam sections.
  • Auditing & Attestation. ...
  • Financial Accounting & Reporting. ...
  • Business Environment & Concepts. ...
  • Regulation. ...
  • CPA Exam sections—hardest to easiest.
  • Among the four sections, FAR has a reputation for being the hardest. ...
  • Scoring weights.

Is CPA 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 is the toughest CPA paper?

Get the right CPA study guide and make some progress in your career. According to the survey conducted by NASBA, most of the people said “FAR is the hardest part among all the CPA exam sections.” The CPA-FAR Exam section covers topics like financial transactions, financial statements, GAAP, reporting for nonprofits.

What is the average age to pass the 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.

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.)

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 CPA worth it in Canada?

It's a long process to get a CPA in Canada. However, the career path is reliable and well regarded. CPAs benefit from strong earning potential and the ability to start their own accounting practice. Despite the hardship of the PEP and CFE, obtaining your CPA is well worth the work.

How respected is a CPA?

It's a highly respected title

Once they pass the CPA exam, they are required to perform a series of on-the-job training before they receive their official title as CPA. The process of becoming licensed typically spans several years, and individuals who obtain their license are highly regarded for that reason.

Can you get a 100 on CPA?

You can get a score that ranges from 0 to 99 in each of the four sections of the CPA exam. The scores are calculated using a weighted combination of scaled scores from each of the portions in the different sections of the exam.

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.

Which exam is easiest in CPA?

CPA Exam Written Communication Testlets

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.

What is considered 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.

What happens if you fail one of the CPA exams?

If you did not pass a section of the CPA Exam, you have to wait until the next testing window to retake that section. There are four testing windows each year. The testing window is the first two months of each quarter and the first 10 days of the third month of each quarter.

What is the lowest CPA pass rate?

Visit our BEC CPA exam guide for more information and tips! FAR: While we saw a slight increase from Q1'22 to Q2'22, that was short lived as the pass rate dropped below 45% on average for 2022. With a pass rate of 44.3% in Q3'22, FAR continues to have the lowest pass rate.