[Jasper]

I just took my AUD exam and may need to wait about a month before I see the score results. I am understanding that two professionals review and grade each exam, but wouldn’t it be faster if a computer graded the tests. With the exception of written communications, a computer could easily grade MCQ’s and SIMS. A candidate could have their score within moments of completing their tests.

What’s the reason for humans grading the tests? I am understanding that there is no curving on the tests; so if 90% of candidates got MCQ #20 wrong, it would not be omitted from the test. Maybe, the reasoning is that computers can make errors, but still even having an instant preliminary score would be nice.

FAR 82
BEC 82
AUD 93
REG 87

[Anonymous]

The exam is weighted. Each question counts for a different percentage of the overall points and, as such, it impacts a greater number of people. This is why the exam is curved. The release windows for scores are designed in a way to compile the statistics for how many people got certain questions wrong and then, if there are presumably “bad questions” they will curve the scores for the exams accordingly.

[Anonymous]

The exam is weighted. Each question counts for a different percentage of the overall points and, as such, it impacts a greater number of people. This is why the exam is curved. The release windows for scores are designed in a way to compile the statistics for how many people got certain questions wrong and then, if there are presumably “bad questions” they will curve the scores for the exams accordingly.

[jeff]

I believe it IS computer graded.

[jeff]

I believe it IS computer graded.

[tough_kitty]

It IS computer graded….but who knows what they do with our scores….

If people can get their GMAT scores right away, so should we……….

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[tough_kitty]

It IS computer graded….but who knows what they do with our scores….

If people can get their GMAT scores right away, so should we……….

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[Ntw6817]

If it's not computer graded, it definitely should be. Where did you get this information about two professionals grading each test? That seems terribly inefficient for multiple choice.

[Ntw6817]

If it's not computer graded, it definitely should be. Where did you get this information about two professionals grading each test? That seems terribly inefficient for multiple choice.

[mla1169]

Be glad they've narrowed the wait time down to a month! That's practically lightening speed for the AICPA.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

Be glad they've narrowed the wait time down to a month! That's practically lightening speed for the AICPA.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[ParanoidAndroid]

One of my Professors said he “graded” CPA exams.. that was a year ago…

CPA for life...

[ParanoidAndroid]

One of my Professors said he “graded” CPA exams.. that was a year ago…

CPA for life...

[wizards8507]

The AICPA are bending the truth. To your point, there's no “curving” in the sense that they won't drop a question just because a ton of people get it wrong, but there's absolutely a curve in the loosest sense of the term. Basically, the AICPA has a target pass rate. Their goal is to have enough CPAs to fill the firms' demand, but few enough so that CPA employment rates stay high. That's their job as the “gatekepers” of the profession. It's no coincidence that periods of increased hiring and demand for CPAs also see pass rates start to creep up shortly thereafter. In essence, they arrange everyone's raw score in order of best to worst and whatever pass rate they're hoping to achieve, that's the raw score that *magically* becomes a 75. A 75 from window to window does not necessarily represent the same “raw score” or level of tester knowledge. You could theoretically know the material exactly the same and get the same number of questions correct in two different windows and receive two different scores because one window was “tougher” than the other.

NY CPA

[wizards8507]

The AICPA are bending the truth. To your point, there's no “curving” in the sense that they won't drop a question just because a ton of people get it wrong, but there's absolutely a curve in the loosest sense of the term. Basically, the AICPA has a target pass rate. Their goal is to have enough CPAs to fill the firms' demand, but few enough so that CPA employment rates stay high. That's their job as the “gatekepers” of the profession. It's no coincidence that periods of increased hiring and demand for CPAs also see pass rates start to creep up shortly thereafter. In essence, they arrange everyone's raw score in order of best to worst and whatever pass rate they're hoping to achieve, that's the raw score that *magically* becomes a 75. A 75 from window to window does not necessarily represent the same “raw score” or level of tester knowledge. You could theoretically know the material exactly the same and get the same number of questions correct in two different windows and receive two different scores because one window was “tougher” than the other.

NY CPA

[Jasper]

@ wizards8507, this test is starting to seem more and more like a crap shot. So if you have a lot of people who do well on the exam and let's say about 60% receive a raw score of 75, those in power could deem that a 75 is a 55 just to keeping the passing rate down.

@Ntw6817, I know I saw somewhere that two individuals grade the test, but not sure where. Once I find my source info, I will let everyone know.

FAR 82
BEC 82
AUD 93
REG 87

[Author]

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