[HoosierCPA]

I was glancing at pass rates over the years and noticed a consistent trend that pass rates creep up through the first 3 quarters and always have a significant drop in the 4th Qtr and more times then not the 4th Qtr is usually the lowest pass rates of the year for their respective exam. I went back to 2010 and there was never high pass rates in the 4th Quarter. Not sure what to take from this but thought it was interesting. Obviously nothing I can do but study and hope for the best! I attached the link so people can see for themselves.

The conspiracy theorist in me doesn’t want to just attribute this to people slacking off during the holidays. I think there is something behind it..hmmm….

https://www.aicpa.org/BecomeACPA/CPAExam/PsychometricsandScoring/PassingRates/Pages/default.aspx

FAR - 78
REG - 72,74,71...please just go away REG nobody likes you!
BEC - 82
AUD - Aug 16

[Anonymous]

My theory is that it's partly because of the holidays, and partly because people are trying to cram them in before busy season and taking them even when they're not completely prepared. I hope it's not because the test is actually harder in fourth quarter!

[HoosierCPA]

@allison213 who knows! I'm not in public so I can't relate to the “busy season” but you could be right! 2 of my 3 exams I have passed actually came in the 4th qtr and I hope to make it 3! So you could be right–could simply just be people not focused or rushed.

FAR - 78
REG - 72,74,71...please just go away REG nobody likes you!
BEC - 82
AUD - Aug 16

[Claudia408]

i would think people don't get as much studying over the holidays, or simply that less people take the exam bc it's not as convenient as earlier quarters. but the only 2 passes i have came in Q4 2015. it's been a while so i'm dying for a pass this quarter.

BEC - 75 (3x)
AUD - 78 (3x)
REG - 67, 66, Aug 1
FAR - 54, Sept 8

[mylifeisover]

this is interesting

[HoosierCPA]

haha — Maybe I need to change the tone of this topic to use this as motivation for people to not slack off over the holidays!!!! Family can wait, hit the books people!

FAR - 78
REG - 72,74,71...please just go away REG nobody likes you!
BEC - 82
AUD - Aug 16

[hasy]

It's the focused part… Having to take 2 exams in this quarter sucks. But the light is there…. If I pass REG, I would have passed 3 in the 4th quarter. BEC was in 4th qtr of 2015. I don't think it has to do with the exams being harder.

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved - Helen Keller

-

BEC 80 (10/23/15)
FAR 72 (4/2/15); 83 (7/11/16)
REG 52 (4/28/15)
AUD (9/9/16)

Roger + NINJA MCQ + WTB

[George]

I'm taking 3 during the 4th quarter. Already passed BEC, waiting on AUD for next week and currently studying for REG. I'm praying to the CPA gods that I pass all three in 1 quarter.

[SiXiam]

December is a black out month (usually), so how can the holidays matter?

BEC: 80
REG: 75
FAR: __, ?/2016

[ajax]

you can test in December during the first 10 days of the month

[John_PGA]

It definitely has to relate to people in public practice. January through April 15th is a black out period for most places that process tax returns. Everyone is taking a shot at passing it before the stuff hits the fan.

[Anonymous]

After looking at the three quarter passing rate, I expect the audit pass rate to go up slightly for the 4th quarter!

[JMG]

ActionCPA, I see that you used Becker and Ninja MCQs for your exams. Congrats on passing 3/4! Do you have any tips or strategies that worked best for you? How much time did you put in studying for each? I'm also going to be using Becker and Ninja for my exams.

[Delawhere]

The testing window being open until December 10th only relates to this year due to the updates coming in Q2 of 2017. But I have to disagree with the tests being harder. I passed FAR Q4 last year first try. It was definitely luck, so no way they would be failing people or making the test harder for this quarter (at least I hope not, just took BEC a week ago and am taking REG in a few weeks XD ).

BEC - TBD
AUD - TBD
REG - TBD
FAR - 76 (10/19/2015)

[Author]

Replies