[jeff]

The CPA Exam pass rates for the First Quarter of 2011 have been released by the AICPA.

Auditing and Attestation:

2009 Q1: 47.61%

2010 Q1: 46.86%

2011 Q1: 43.88%

AUD passing rates are down 7.8% over 2009 and 6.4% over 2010.

Business Environment and Concepts:

2009 Q1 46.23%

2010 Q1: 46.59%

2011 Q1: 42.32%

BEC passing rates are down 8.5% over 2009 and 9.2% over 2010.

Financial Accounting and Reporting:

2009 Q1 45.54%

2010 Q1: 44.95%

2011 Q1: 42.43%

FAR passing rates are down 6.8% over 2009 and 5.6% over 2010.

Regulation:

2009 Q1: 47.96%

2010 Q1: 49.00%

2011 Q1: 41.28%

REG passing rates are down 13.9% over 2009 and 15.8% over 2010.

Analysis:

Wow. The lowest passing rates in 3 years. Q1 is historically the worst quarter of the year for CPA Exam passing rates (tax season), but this is a little surprising. I figured pass rates would stay pretty close to 2010, maybe a little lower. What’s up with REG?? I’ve heard people say that REG was brutal in January/February. Now I believe them.

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS) | Another71 | NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE

[AaronDHowell]

Glad I took REG under the old exam, I guess. FAR, which was supposed to be pretty tough seemed okay under the new exam. Roger is my program and he provided some updates which, apparently, helped.

AUD coming up in 2 1/2 weeks!

REG - 92 (old exam)
BEC - 89 (old exam)
FAR - 89 (new exam)
AUD - 82 (new exam) Done and Done-er!

[mzw730]

REG is brutal! Just took my exam today – didn't finish the simulations :(…. I left one hour to work on the simulations as suggested by Becker. Not enough time! There were a lot of calculations. Being able to search the literature didn't even help much unless you get all the concepts engraved in your head!

[kinkoman]

i thought i failed, but i passed with 76 🙂

BEC 82
REG 76
FAR May 2011
AUD July 2011

[pshustler]

Did I really read somebody thought BEC and AUD was harder than REG? I thought the exact opposite. Actually, the SIMS was the worst part of REG. I couldnt believe how hard they made those

BEC - 86
AUD - 94
REG - 88
FAR - 89

[Author]

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