[jmm4hd]

Do you think you need a high IQ to pass the new 2017 CPA? AICPA talks about testing higher level thinking. I have checked the forum and people say you don’t need a high iq to pass the older version, but does this still apply to the new format. I should also note that I have a 4.0 and am half way through an MBA from a state school. Is this any indication that I am capable of passing the new CPA exam? Thanks for your time.

[jmm4hd]

Whats up!

[Trele6]

To me this exam really tests how well people take “tests”. I've seen the valedictorian of my college class struggle to pass the exam while having an idiot co-worker pass it with ease.

If you take tests well, retain info well, and have little anxiety over the process I imagine you will do fine regardless of your IQ.

I think many of us all have a friend or two that has the CPA designation yet we wonder how they tie their shoes in the morning or successfully cross the street without being hit by a bus each day..

First go at the CPA! Only using Becker
Reg / Nov 2015 - 87
Far / Apr 2016 - 79
Bec / May 2016 - 80
Aud / Aug 2016

[Holly]

I don't know? I think you have to have something upstairs. The people I knew in college who had the best grades were some of the people who didn't have to work, and no other responsibilities. They couldn't multitask and when they got to work it showed. One of my old bosses had very little common sense but was an accounting master.

BEC - 79
REG - 85
AUD - 5/27/16

[Anonymous]

Accounting is not rocket science (even though feels like it sometimes!). The amount of material you have to retain and sometimes commit to memory is vast, and that's what makes it difficult… I am sure generally intelligent people would do better but I don't think it's about higher IQ-studying hard is important though.

[jmm4hd]

Constructive feedback: “I am sure generally intelligent people would do better but I don't think it's about higher IQ” is paradoxical.

You can ban me from the site too for complaining, I don't really care, but none of this helps because one person says one thing and another says another. I have gotten the following answers:

No, Yes, Yes then No. This doesn't really help. This is a serious time commitment, so if you don't know what you are talking about, please don't respond.

Thank you.

[MaLoTu]

Jmm4hd, the different responses are due to the fact that your question is highly rhetorical. There is no right answer and those who respond do so in a philosophical matter.

[Trele6]

We could all answer yes that you could pass the exam and then you might fail horribly, or we could all answer no you probably won't pass the exam and pass them all on your first try.

There is only one way to truly answer your question, take the exam and find out.

First go at the CPA! Only using Becker
Reg / Nov 2015 - 87
Far / Apr 2016 - 79
Bec / May 2016 - 80
Aud / Aug 2016

[jmm4hd]

“a philosophical matter.” It's manner. And you passed all 4 exams? Either you are lying that you passed all 4 exams, or the answer is you can pass the exam with a low IQ. Seriously, this site doesn't seem legit at all. Anyone can say AUD 76, BEC 82… That is not sufficient proof that you passed the exams. I bet 30% of people on here that say they passed didn't really pass and therefore, you have no way of knowing the quality of the advice this site offers. I am going to seek out an actual CPA for the answer.

[CPAIN2K17]

Dang, I am sorry your life is so bad you have to come here and take it on others jmm4hd. Go take the exam yourself and stop asking for advice, if you're going to belittle anyone who gives you the advice that you asked for. Geez.

[jmm4hd]

How is questioning the accuracy of the information on a website belittling? On that note, how is “I think many of us all have a friend or two that has the CPA designation yet we wonder how they tie their shoes in the morning or successfully cross the street without being hit by a bus each day.. ” not belittling?

This is a pretty straightforward question. I took the GMAT. If someone asked me, is it necessary to have a high IQ to do well on the GMAT, I could say with confidence that the answer is yes.

[jmm4hd]

Regarding GMAT, you go online and everyone says “I got a 710 and didn't study and got into Harvard no problem”. Anyone can say anything online. I guess I am angry at how useless the internet is when it comes to anything even slightly useful.

[Trele6]

I wrote that bit because you asked if high intelligence is needed to pass the exam and I don't believe it is. This exam tests peoples ability to take a test, especially with all the new changes.

First go at the CPA! Only using Becker
Reg / Nov 2015 - 87
Far / Apr 2016 - 79
Bec / May 2016 - 80
Aud / Aug 2016

[Missy]

My .02, a high intelligence is a huge asset to this exam but is no substitute for putting in the time.

If a very intelligent person assumes 60 hours of study will be enough, theres a good chance the person with a lower iq who studies 200 hours will outscore them.

But if there were a way to quantify study time a person with a high iq who studies exactly the same as a person with a lower iq will likely get a better score.

Unfortunately we'll never quantify study time because of distractions, etc. and an hour of bouncing back and forth to facebook isn't the same as an hour of focused studying.

For someone so skeptical of the merits of information posted online, you asked the question online. So feel free to discount what I said above, makes no difference to me whether you agree or not.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[jmm4hd]

” I don't believe it is. This exam tests peoples ability to take a test, especially with all the new changes.” Thank you. That is all I wanted.

I read this book called The Dip. I want to make sure I am going to be able to successfully come out on the other end of the dip once I enter these waters. Once I am in, the only way I am leaving is by-passing (get it) or from a heart attack. I wasted 1 year of my life studying for the GMAT with very little success. If I asked someone about it beforehand, I could have saved a year of my life. That is why I was taking this question so seriously.

[Eli]

I'm not sure what you expected by posting this question. How much time you spend on the CPA exam is completely dependent on the individual, which is why you get varying answers. Some people can squeeze by with less than 50 hours/section and others need over 200.

Just because you tell us your GPA doesn't mean we can tell you the amount of hours you need to study and if you'll pass the exam. For all we know you go to a really easy school and aren't as intelligent as your gpa makes you out to be. We have no way of knowing how smart you are. Like other users tried to advise you, there are many factors that go into this exam. Are you willing to put in the time to study? Can you remain calm under a time crunch?

Is there a correlation between being smart and passing the exam? Obviously. Being smart can't hurt you, but there are many more factors that play into passing this exam.

[Author]

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