Below is the response I received from the AICPA when I questioned the whole human grading thing. I scored a 71 on BEC and asked if it was not close enough to passing to warrant human graders (I received my score in the first score release). The last time I took BEC my score was 73 and it was released in the first wave of scores again, so it doesn't really make sense to me.
The AICPA Examinations Team would like to thank you for the time you took to contact us regarding your experience with the Uniform CPA Examination. We understand your concerns and we would like to take this opportunity to clarify the scoring and score review process to help address your questions.
Before an exam is delivered to candidates both the multiple choice and task-based simulation test questions have been through a lengthy and vigorous development process before being used on the exam.
The development of the written communication tasks goes through a similar development process; however, the response is scored holistically on the basis of three criteria: (1) organization (structure, ordering of ideas, linking of ideas one to another); (2) development (presentation of supporting evidence); and (3) expression (use of standard business English). Some written communication responses are scored by a network of readers (all CPAs), while others are scored using an automated process. Each of the scoring methods adheres to a strict scoring guideline to ensure uniform application of the scoring criteria.
The written communication responses are scored twice for all candidates with a score from 72 and 78. All scoring methods include several validations and quality checks before releasing scores to the candidates.
We hope this information is helpful and we wish you much success in your endeavors.
Sincerely,
Examinations Team
AICPA
.