[242126]

To pass all four parts on the first try? I’m currently going through the process of looking for a new job and when asked about cpa and how long it took me to pass, I tell them I passed all sections on the first try (which I did). I always get amazed looks and congratulations . Why does it matter? I studied really, really hard for the exam and just passing should be enough. I guess it just annoys me.

[Zuly]

Yes, actually it is a big deal to pass all four parts on the first try. I think the % is less than 10% of people who pass all four on the first try. Don't find it annoying it's actually a compliment that they are surprised because they know how hard it is to do. Congrats by the way!

FAR - (11/01/14) 71 (02/07/15) 79
AUD - (04/30/15) 86
BEC - (07/21/15) 73 (10/01/15) 75
REG - (11/30/15) 55 (05/19/16) 74

[Anonymous]

It's a big deal because only only 10 to 20% of candidates pass all four exams on the first try. That's a pretty small number. Consider that each exam only has an average passing rate of 50% and you can see how the odds are stacked against you. I passed all 4 parts of the exam on the first try but you can see from my timeline that I took one exam per window and studied my butt off for each section so I wouldn't have to retake any exams.

With that being said, do you know what you call someone who took 30 attempts to get credit for all 4 parts of the exam? CPA* Just because it took someone longer to pass the exam doesn't diminish the certification. (*Yeah, yeah, yeah. There's still the whole licensing process to go through but you get the idea.)

I do have a theory though. I wish I could see actual numbers but we know there is a 50% passing rate for each exam. If I had to guess I would say that of the people who failed, half of them had no no business taking the exam in the first place. They didn't study properly or study enough (or at all) and were doomed to failing before even stepping foot into the Prometrics site. If that's the case, it's going to skew the numbers downward. No clue what the actual number is. Just a theory of mine.

I also think too many people try to rush through the exam as quickly as possible taking exams too closely together and not having enough time to study properly. The AICPA encourages this with their stupid testing window system. It would be much easier to take two exams in a window if you could take an exam in month 1 and month 3. Instead people rush through and end up failing because of lack of preparation. That's why I stuck to 1 exam per window and that worked for me.

[Anonymous]

I used to think studying was all it took to pass. I studied my butt off nonstop until i knew the material inside and out. I have a gifted iq and school was always a breeze. Even when i took 6 4000 level accounting classes, i always had my weekends free. I studied more for the cpa than all of college (and graduated cum laude) but my highest cpa score is an 87 (not complaining). But i look at these people who get a 99 and i am in awe. I could never have gotten close to that because my scores were the best i could do within reason.

Made me realize that it is a very big deal and studying is often not enough! I realize a lot of people who fail worked extremely hard and did the best they could. A different mix of sims and an 85 can easily turn into a 74.

[Anonymous]

It'll be a bigger deal to those tgat struggled and not a big deal to those that did not. Be careful of any attitude though you could potentially offend both groups.

[242126]

I struggled taking all the tests, I got a 75 on one. I truly think the difference between a 74 and 75 is luck. Shoot, sometimea difference betweenva 70 and 80 can be getting good/bad sims. A score of 74 or 75 does not mean know material any better or worse, just answered that one question/Sim portion right or wrong.

[Anonymous]

It seemed like a big deal to the regional firms I interviewed with that I passed on the first attempt. One of the people interviewing me also passed all on the first attempt and it gave us some common ground to talk about.

[jschrei2]

I also passed all my exams on the first try, and to me, yes I think it's a big deal. Not trying to pat myself on the back too much, but I went into the CPA exam saying I was going to do pretty much nothing but work and study for the next 7 months and get it done as fast as possible. I started studying mid November 2014 and took my exams January, February, April, and May. Looking back, now that I'm done, I'm definitely glad I did it that way, but man, it sure sucked while I was doing it!

FAR- 88
REG- 88
AUD- 93
BEC-86

[mw798]

I never thought it was a big deal. I passed the exam on my first try, but considering that you only need to score higher than 53% or slightly over half of test takers to pass I didn't think it was that great of an achievement. And at the end of the day, your scores will not matter and the number of attempts will not matter. It's a pass/fail test.

[Missy]

Personally I think its all relative. If I was interviewing and the candidate boasted to me that they passed all 4 on the first try I'd ask some questions. I think if you're not working, have no responsibilities but to pass the exams it wouldn't be as big a deal as it would be if you were working full time, still in school etc.

I failed 3 exams. Maybe I wasn't as prepared as I should have been. But frankly I'm still happy that I am a CPA and nobody has ever asked me how many tries it took.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[mw798]

On a related note, as an interviewer I would never ask someone how many times it took for them to pass the exam. And if I was interviewing for a position, I would would not bring it up either.

[Missy]

Agreed MW, I can't think of a circumstance in which an interviewer would ask but I've seen many people here who seem to think bringing it up gives them some type of edge over their competition. Honestly if an interviewee brought it up I'd find it a turn off. Instead tell me something about yourself that translates to job performance because test performance doesn't necessarily indicate job aptitude.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Anonymous]

Agreed. Never bring it up unless they specifically ask “how many tries?” And even then be humble about it – “was lucky enough to have a gap between school and work, I give major props to those who pass all while working full time….etc”

[PleaseDontDeleteThanks]

It isn't a big deal where I work, since the rate of pay isn't calculated on intelligence or skill, but rather the amount of time you've been employed.

We have a guy who's been working for 40+ years, but it took him 17 years to pass all his exams. He makes more than those people who passed their first try.

FAR 72, 89
BEC 80
REG 90
AUD 79

[Anonymous]

I've been in public accounting for almost 10 years and, for one reason or another, never sat for and took the test. At this junction in my career not having the CPA license is really hindering me. Last year I started studying but never scheduled a date to test. One of the reasons why I have postponed taking the test is that I never really feel like I'm “100% ready” and thought of failing is incredibly angst inducing to me. I want to sit for it and pass it the first time

[law0915]

@OP It is a big deal to yourself and your family, not to anyone else-especially hiring managers-especially since they likely failed a section or two or haven't passed it at all.

@Bond get your rear end in gear and just take it…I never thought in my wildest dreams I'd be able to pass such an exam due to intermediate 1 and 2 handing me my ass in my rigorous undergrad accountancy program. Anyways, assuming working 40 hours full time with no kids, you should be able to pass and take 2 exams per window. Think REG > BEC > FAR > AUD Maybe you can take AUD in the next window and make it 7 months total. Check out this video from Bob (RIP) on youtube that shoots down your excuses. https://youtu.be/MVe0b0f1Hts

REG 77 Feb14
BEC 13*, 79 Aug14
FAR 64**, 76 Nov14
AUD 89 Feb15

*Exited exam after first testlet
**Only studied F1-F6 out of 10 Becker chapters

Licensed Arizona CPA

[Author]

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