[Anonymous]

I know that each part has about a 50% pass rate, but I wonder what percentage of people that have sat for at least one exam (regardless of whether they pass or fail) have actually made it through all 4 parts successfully…

What do you guys think?

I would guess that the number would be 20% or less

[Anonymous]

Are you asking, how many people don't give up once they sit for one exam?

I would think that is much higher than 20%. Probably closer to 40 or 50%. I imagine there are lots of people who come out of college or getting their MSA who buy a used 2-year old book off eBay and try to pass it that way, who find themselves way over their heads and give up. Of course the people who research the exam and purchase a complete study program will have much lower rates of “giving up”

[Anonymous]

my question is of the population of people that have sat for at least 1 part of the exam, what percentage of that population actually end up passing all 4 parts (regardless of how many times they may have to retake an individual part)?

@pursuit- I may be in the wrong forum, but I fail to see how the # of unemployed CPA's is relevant (not to be rude or anything 🙂

[PursuitCPA]

just saying how its alot higher than you think. went into a company yesterday all the higher ups are CPA's

CPA EXAM - Passed

[Anonymous]

It's real easy to know who is a CPA in business, but it is really hard to know who tried to become a cpa and gave up. I think you are underestimating the silent evidence (people that take the test and give up). If you work in public accounting, just look at how few of your coworkers have become CPA's. Obviously at the manager level all or most are CPA's but for every manager there are 14 people that started with him/her as juniors and left public and most likely didnt get a cpa…

[Anonymous]

I heard somewhere that the number is around 85% of all people who take a CPA exam eventually pass. Can not remember where I read this, but 85% seems a little high to me.

[Guccimane]

85 percent or so based on study published by the AICPA newsletter we all get but it came out I think Fall 2008 or spring 2009

but study was very small pool of like 2000 ppl way back in like first yr computer based exams

83 Reg, 76 BEC, 94 Aud, 79 Far

Done ......!

[jeff]

Yeah – 85%-ish people eventually pass…like others, I can't remember where I read this.

First time pass rate is around 25%.

[Guccimane]

it is in a Candidate Chronicles publication positive about that one

83 Reg, 76 BEC, 94 Aud, 79 Far

Done ......!

[Anonymous]

I read that on Becker, about the 85%. I think it has to do w/if you fail and exam, you will eventually at some point pass that exam, if you work hard, and apply yourself.

I think anyone can pass the CPA, not just accountants. I didn't know anything about taxation and passed Reg on my first try. It has to do w/how much time one is willing to put in. The material seems to be the same from each review course.

[Guccimane]

not all the same; some is more up-to-date and incorporate their own special way; but I'll bet 60-75% is the same material that they get from the AICPA; and I think that is what you are referring to

83 Reg, 76 BEC, 94 Aud, 79 Far

Done ......!

[Anonymous]

I would agree if 85% of people who buy Becker (or another full study program) eventually pass – I still believe there is a good percentage of people who don't realize how hard the test is, who sign-up, take it, fail miserably, and give up. I know a couple myself (not as drastic as this, but they fail one or a couple and say “i'll going to start back up later” – I imagine many of these people never do start back up)

[Anonymous]

By same I meant, what is covered. In other words, if any material you use, IF it is up to date, should be the same as the things you will see on the exam. Not the questions, but the concepts.

[Author]

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