[meta]

I’m taking FAR on Monday for the 4th time since late August.

I passed all 3 other sections in 2019 on my first attempt, but FAR has been a real beast for me. Since I started working full time and moved to a different city, I wasn’t that surprised when I failed the first time, but after the second fail, I started to get frustrated.

First attempt 8/24: 68
Second attempt 11/15: 69
Third attempt 12/7: 74

I did, however, notice something about my exams. The first exam I took was easy. I thought I might’ve passed even though I wasn’t as prepared as I wanted to be. My first exam fell in Q3 of 2020. The other two attempts were MUCH harder. They didn’t even seem like the same test. This seemed strange to me, so I looked up the FAR pass rates for 2020:

Q1: 46%
Q2: 63%
Q3: 56%

So far, the average pass rate is 53% for 2020. I looked up historical pass rates, and they have NEVER gone above 50% in the past 15 years. If I’m doing my math correctly, the pass rate would need to be around 35% this quarter to keep the average for the year at 50% or lower.

Do you think they’re trying to get the pass rate below 50% this quarter by designing a test with only a 35% pass rate? This isn’t news to anyone, but this doesn’t seem fair. I’m frustrated and anxious. BEC expires for me on January 1st so waiting until the next quarter is not an option for me.

[water]

I doubt they would purposely fail 65% of candidates just for the sake of getting back down to the 50% pass rate. If that was their goal they wouldn't they have raised the pass rate in the first place. You can't really say the exam was easy if you weren't fully prepared and didn't pass. Seeing the exam getting harder means you are seeing how they test concepts rather than strict memorization, and try to create those ‘red herring' answers and such. That is actually a good thing. You are becoming more prepared. If the exam was actually getting harder you would be doing worse and not having improved scores. Sorry if that seemed insensitive but I am trying to emphasize that preparedness and fully understanding the material and also the exam itself is key. Now it's time to get back on your horse one last time and finish this. Don't worry about pass rates. If you got a 74, there is no doubt at all that you can get a 75+ next time around. Good luck!

[Cocopuffs123]

I got a 64 the first time I took it (10/13) and a 74 this past time I took it 12/04. Nothing worse than seeing that 74! I am retaking Wednesday the 23rd.
In my experience with both tests in Q4 I felt like my second test was comparable to my first but I did better because I knew what to expect. My SIMs were also a little easier the second time around.
Keep hammering out MCQs and SIMs on your trouble areas until Monday, we will get it this time! Good luck

[CPAHOPE]

@Meta Dang, you have a good point. Although they say its not curved, they might do something about it to keep the pass rate below 50 percent for FAR. This scares the hell out of me.

[CPAHOPE]

The AICPA probably have very competent computer programmers or hackers that can change the coding little bit to make the grading system harder. Man…..this is very frustrating

[Tncincy]

I really don’t want to study for a test that I know I’m not going to pass, according to the pass rates. So there must be a better way to approach this.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Sam]

Lol I don't mean to come off as harsh but looking at the pass rates and deciding you're not going to pass is a reason that the pass rates are as low as they are. You have to believe that you're going to pass, otherwise you're wasting the graders' time and your own. Changing difficulty on that scale to lower pass rates defeats the purpose of creating these exams for candidates to earn this licensure. There can never be too many CPAs. Moreover, the state boards control the licensing, the AICPA only creates the exams.

If you want to give up on this exam, go ahead; you wouldn't be the first and certainly wouldn't be the last. But don't blame it on the AICPA not wanting you to pass. If you believe in yourself, grind 110% and keep your head up, you'll be a part of those passing rates.

[Fresh]

I rarely cared about the quarterly pass rates. Who cares? Keep studying, be honest with yourself, and then you'll see passing scores.

[monikernc]

Focus on becoming a part of that pass rate percentage. Don’t worry about what other people are doing. Dig deep and get it done. As you know by now these tests are not to be taken lightly. Focus, study, positive self talk really is key. Start fresh and cover all of the material. You can do this.

FAR 7/25/15 76!
AUD 10/30/15 93
BEC 2/27/16 82
REG 5/23/16 88!
Ninja Book and MCQ and the forum - all the way!!!
and a little thing i like to call, time and effort!
if you want things to change, you have to do something different

[ellabella]

I wouldn't concentrate on the particulars of the programmers, as we'll never know. The FAR exam is known as being a mile long and an inch deep, so it's better to study most comprehensively for this one. I'm using UWorld Roger to study, and am doing every lecture piecemeal and really concentrating on the material. This is the section for me to beat.

[CPAHOPE]

Your prophecy came true..
2020 4th Q FAR pass 43.53%
Cumulative 49.98% unbelievable..

[jeff]

CPA Exam Pass Rates: https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-pass-rates/

[Author]

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