[Anonymous]

Sooo.

I’ve heard that since the CPA exam is 1) getting harder in April and everyone is busy Jan-March (so people are hitting REG and BEC especially hard) and 2) Q4 is naturally a harder quarter where AICPA adjusts scores down 5% to keep passing rates the same (because again busy season)…

You’ll constructively need an 85 to get a 75 this time around….

Don’t shoot the messenger. I’ve done 180 becker MCQs over the past 2 days and am trending at 90.5%. Studied basically all of Thanksgiving besides 2.5 hours..I’m still worried. I take it on Saturday.

[Anonymous]

OP – I must quote Judge Scheindlin (aka Judge Judy) here, “And if it doesn't make sense, then it didn't happen!!! Simple as that. Your case is dismissed.”

[thebigguy1992]

I actually think this may be true. i got a 76 on FAR thinking it was an 80 range…

[aaronmo]

Agree with the above post…I'd much rather take the exam structure they're rolling out next year. SIMs are more cut and dry than some of the “theory” MCQ questions testing obscure variations. It's going to be a more conceptual reading test that actually further tests accounting and problem solving.

I'm worried about bec because of the BS crap like IT and COSO framework…off setting that with sims that actually test accounting? Yes please!

[Pokey]

Oddly enough I have heard of this almost same conspiracy from a friend who has been a CPA for over 30 years. He says that the test average score will always range low due to prestigious of earning CPA. I didn't ask how or why he thought this but whether true or not, I know I'll only earn it when I truly know the material and concepts

AUD - 74 (3x), TBD
BEC - Sept16
FAR - TBD
REG - TBD

[thebigguy1992]

If anyone wants to see the proof in the

pudding…https://www.aicpa.org/BECOMEACPA/CPAEXAM/PSYCHOMETRICSANDSCORING/PASSINGRATES/Pages/default.aspx

i dont think its a coincidence that the Q4 scores have decreased ~4-5% from Q3 every single year since 2006. That being said, Q1 also looks like it has lower scores, and Q2-Q3 look like they usually have the highest, especially Q3.

but who cares. if you cant pass it in Q4, and then take it in Q1-Q3 and still cant pass, then you have a bigger problem on you hands

[Anonymous]

Q3 is generally the highest because it's the summer time. New college graduates have all the free time to study before beginning their full-time jobs in the fall and those currently working either in public accounting or industry generally experience a slower period during the summer. Then for Q4, all the new college grads have finally started working and find less time to study due to work, and it's also the holiday season.

[Author]

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