[ruby-tuesday88]

I remember reading a while back a thread that discussed the possibility that Nasba might have a set quota on how many applicants they allow to pass each of the four exams in one quarter. Now that I have some experience with the CPA exam, this theory is looking more like a possibility to me. Hear me out. when I first started, I scheduled my first two exams towards the beginning of the testing window, with each exam having one of the longest wait times for scores. I studied vigorously for these two exams and ended up with a pass on each. Since then, in order to minimize my waiting time for scores, I have scheduled my last three exams towards the end of each cutoff period for a score release. The result each time has been a fail. On my last two exams Aud (73), and Far(73) I put just as much work into my studies if not more than my first two exams. These disappointing scores, may just be my own doing, but the fact that they were so borderline to a pass, leads me to contemplate that Nasba may be adjusting grades so that they can control who passes and fails. Think about it, why does the CPA exam, a computerized exam, have such a lengthy wait time when all other computerized exams have near instant results, even the BAR exams take less time. The answer may be, that Nasba wants to analyze the scores of the candidates and limit the amount of people who pass each quarter. My thoughts are that Nasba fills their quota on a first come first pass basis. In other words, those who take the exam at the beginning of a score release period (day 1 of 20) will have a much better chance at their exams being curbed in their favor, than say a test taker taking an exam on day (20 of 20) of a score release time frame. This isn’t to say that an ill prepared person will surely pass at the beginning of a period, but that those who actually prepare have less of a curve towards the end of a score release to add to their scores. Please let me know your thoughts Ninjas.

REG-79(7/14)

BEC-76(7/14)

AUD-88(02/15)

FAR-73(10/14), Waiting on score 02/24/15

[ruby-tuesday88]

Nick I agree completely with you, my argument is that for those whose raw scores are borderline, say 73-77, Nasba tends to pass these people more so in the beginning of a release period rather than at the back end, but yes if you completely dominate the exam, then no need to worry about the curve.

REG-79(7/14)

BEC-76(7/14)

AUD-88(02/15)

FAR-73(10/14), Waiting on score 02/24/15

[Anonymous]

I also like to think that selecting that you've “taken at least one AICPA released practice exam” at the end of your exam during the questionnaire plays a factor.

[Anonymous]

I also like to think that selecting that you've “taken at least one AICPA released practice exam” at the end of your exam during the questionnaire plays a factor.

[ruby-tuesday88]

Lol yea I answer that too , I always try to be nice during my visits to prometric, you never know what these AICPA people are up to

REG-79(7/14)

BEC-76(7/14)

AUD-88(02/15)

FAR-73(10/14), Waiting on score 02/24/15

[ruby-tuesday88]

Lol yea I answer that too , I always try to be nice during my visits to prometric, you never know what these AICPA people are up to

REG-79(7/14)

BEC-76(7/14)

AUD-88(02/15)

FAR-73(10/14), Waiting on score 02/24/15

[Anonymous]

NASBA doesn't grade the exam in any way so any conspiracy theory dealing with them manipulating grades is off target. Here is how it works:

Candidate applies to specific state and pays the state a fee.

State approves application and sends info to NASBA for NTS.

Candidate pays NASBA and gets NTS.

NASBA splits the cash up between the AICPA, the state, Prometric, and they keep an admin fee for themselves.

AICPA writes the exam.

Prometric administers the exam.

AICPA grades the exam.

States approve the grades.

NASBA releases scores to candidates.

State issues the license.

You will never see scores released automatically on the CPA exam because the questions, the answer key and the scores are audited by the AICPA before they are released. There was a problem a couple of years ago with an incorrect answer key being used and some people got failing grades when they had actually passed. I doubt that will ever happen again, even if it means holding scores longer.

[Anonymous]

NASBA doesn't grade the exam in any way so any conspiracy theory dealing with them manipulating grades is off target. Here is how it works:

Candidate applies to specific state and pays the state a fee.

State approves application and sends info to NASBA for NTS.

Candidate pays NASBA and gets NTS.

NASBA splits the cash up between the AICPA, the state, Prometric, and they keep an admin fee for themselves.

AICPA writes the exam.

Prometric administers the exam.

AICPA grades the exam.

States approve the grades.

NASBA releases scores to candidates.

State issues the license.

You will never see scores released automatically on the CPA exam because the questions, the answer key and the scores are audited by the AICPA before they are released. There was a problem a couple of years ago with an incorrect answer key being used and some people got failing grades when they had actually passed. I doubt that will ever happen again, even if it means holding scores longer.

[OnMyWay732]

Do you really think saying you've done an AICPA test means anything? I haven't put yes yet. They probably just know you're lying lol

AUD - July 2014 - 76
REG - August 2014 - 82
FAR - November 2014 - 78
BEC - January 2015 - 81

DONE!!!!

Used Becker online. Who needs a text when you can burn your eyes out staring at the screen for months on end?

"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't how hard you're hit; it's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done!"

[OnMyWay732]

Do you really think saying you've done an AICPA test means anything? I haven't put yes yet. They probably just know you're lying lol

AUD - July 2014 - 76
REG - August 2014 - 82
FAR - November 2014 - 78
BEC - January 2015 - 81

DONE!!!!

Used Becker online. Who needs a text when you can burn your eyes out staring at the screen for months on end?

"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't how hard you're hit; it's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done!"

[ruby-tuesday88]

Kricket, my mistake , yes, I agree that its the AICPA grading the exam,not NASBA, but my theory still stands, unless you yourself work for the AICPA as an auditor of these controls you described, no one really knows how the grading ultimately occurs. The most plausible theory is what NICK suggested of being compared to our peers on a percentile scale. That makes the most sense considering the pass rates always linger around the same percentages, and given the amount of time for grading.

REG-79(7/14)

BEC-76(7/14)

AUD-88(02/15)

FAR-73(10/14), Waiting on score 02/24/15

[ruby-tuesday88]

Kricket, my mistake , yes, I agree that its the AICPA grading the exam,not NASBA, but my theory still stands, unless you yourself work for the AICPA as an auditor of these controls you described, no one really knows how the grading ultimately occurs. The most plausible theory is what NICK suggested of being compared to our peers on a percentile scale. That makes the most sense considering the pass rates always linger around the same percentages, and given the amount of time for grading.

REG-79(7/14)

BEC-76(7/14)

AUD-88(02/15)

FAR-73(10/14), Waiting on score 02/24/15

[Anonymous]

Nick, not gonna lie, I'm 3-0 on exams where I said I have used the AICPA prep materials, and 0-3 on exams where I said I didn't. After my 3 fails in a row I started to wonder if it made a difference, and since then, 2 straight passes -____-

[Anonymous]

Nick, not gonna lie, I'm 3-0 on exams where I said I have used the AICPA prep materials, and 0-3 on exams where I said I didn't. After my 3 fails in a row I started to wonder if it made a difference, and since then, 2 straight passes -____-

[Anonymous]

@Bronx, I always click it. Then again, I always use AICPA released questions in conjunction with Becker and Ninja.

Anything I can get my hands on.

[Anonymous]

@Bronx, I always click it. Then again, I always use AICPA released questions in conjunction with Becker and Ninja.

Anything I can get my hands on.

[Author]

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