[jmjones4]

Hey,

I am just curious as to what the percentage is of people who pass this whole thing the first time? I know its pretty low, but I just wonder if anyone has an actual number of the people who only take each part once.

Thanks!

BEC - 79; FAR-79, AUD-80, REG-80

HOLY CRAP I DID IT!!!!

[Anonymous]

I am not 100% sure, but I think it is something like ~50% of applicants pass all 4 sections on their first try. I seem to remember reading something like that.

[PursuitCPA]

much lower bobbins

I wonder what the pass rates are for people who sat 3 or 4 times for 1 section??

CPA EXAM - Passed

[Anonymous]

Pass rate for people passing all 4 parts on the first try is about 10% or less. Pass rates for each section is around 50%.

When you think about the odds, 50% x 50% x 50% x 50% is less than 10%.

I can't remember if those stat's come from the AICPA, Journal of Accountancy, or Becker…but I think that's crazy!

[The GaJone]

Ok it's definitely less than 50% but more than 10% guys. I don't know the exact percentage but somewhere in the high 30's is sticking out in my head for some reason.

FAR: 81 (1/20) AUD: 88 (2/27) REG: 91 (4/19) BEC: 75 (5/20)

[zena]

This is from one of Jeff's posts: only 28% of those who sit for all four parts pass the first time. Find the whole thing at: https://www.another71.com/elijah-watt-sells/ – see under “Correction”

FAR 86 | BEC 94 | AUD 90 | REG 85
All done! used Becker

[jeff]

yes…it's less than 30% first time pass rate.

45-50% of people who take a particular section pass it.

[Anonymous]

Probably 20-30%. On a macro sale if you assume 50% pass the first time, you could likely use Bayes' Theorem to extend the conditional probability to four variables, one for passing each section, given the probability that the other sections have been passed, etc.

[Anonymous]

First timers pass rate is less 20%. Thats also according to one of the review courses.

[Anonymous]

Now that I can say I just passed my last section. I would its pretty low, under 25%. I studied pretty hard while working full time and having family at home. That said I passed FAR and REG the first time through, but needed 2 sitting each for BEC and AUD.

[Anonymous]

Becker says less than 10% this is either in the Course review CD that you go through before you start studying, or in the beginning of FAR. Although I'm not sure that it makes sense to me, 4 tests at roughly 50%. 50%, 25%, 12.5%, 6.25%. Of course, that would mean that each individual persons chance of passing is completely random, like the flip of a coin. We know that this may be true for a person who has never taken a test before and we don't know his/her study habits etc. However, if a person passes his/her first test, then the chances are probably higher than 50% (at least slightly), that he will pass the second, third, and forth. I would be willing to bet that the pass rate for the second exam, of people who passed their first exam, is substantially higher than 50%. Even if it were 75% for the remainder of the exams, the following would be more approximately the first time pass rate. 50%, 37.5%, 28.125%, 21%. I would venture to guess that this is more likely. But like I said, Becker says less than 10%.

[tinkeltinkel]

90% of people who have adequate time to study pass the first time.

BEC 82 - 1/16, AUD 2/23, FAR 78, REG - April

[Anonymous]

ummm… no.

[financeguy]

I talked to someone on the phone at the CA state board of accountancy and they said it was somewhere around 10% as the first time pass rate for all sections.

AUD - 81, BEC - 74, 80, FAR - 82, REG - 81
Done!

[AARON]

45-51% chance each time you sit for a section.

Somewhere between 1-30% for all four parts on their first try.

? AUD - 87 (8/12/09)
? REG - 77 (1/15/10
? BEC - 77 (1/6/09 - Expired) / 79 (11/18/10)
? FAR - 75 (2/11/11)

[tinkeltinkel]

I think its comical when people compare the CPA exam to the Bar exam, medical exams, etc.

So many people take the cpa exam just to take it… never even pass one part, but they still go on to have successful careers in the accounting and finance world. Some people have to take it at their firm, some take it a few times and then decide to just flat out leave accounting, etc etc, and so on and so forth. I'm not saying this exam is easy by any mean.

How many people spend 5-8 years in undergrad/law school, and have to sit for the Bar exam more then twice.. and then just decide to leave the profession. These people are a lot more dedicated. Same thing with doctors. I'm not trying to take anything away from any diligent cpa studier, but come on people, there are 10000x more accountants than lawyers, doctors, etc. We are a dime a dozen, and all we need is a 4 years degree to take the exam, which our employer may or may not even require.

BEC 82 - 1/16, AUD 2/23, FAR 78, REG - April

[Author]

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