[bigcore20]

So some of you may have heard about the recent internal leaks that the AICPA very obviously rigs Q4 pass rates (5% lower on the dot compared to Q3 for a decade now). The two ideas are 1) they give very off the cuff mcq, like rare mcq that review courses dont really cover well, or by adding ridiculous spins to each question on a known topic. 2) manually adjusting scores. If you get a 75-79 final score, it will be adjusted to a failing grade of 71-74 in order to manipulate pass rates to preserve the prestige of the profession. Effectively, you will need an 80 raw unadjusted score to pass in Q4.

Many, many 74s this quarter. Im pretty shocked actually, i didnt think it would be this bad and obvious. Im sorry to those who got 74s, just know that you probably passed and you have the ability to do it again.

[bryceallant]

71 and 73 in Q4. If any of these are true, it wouldn't matter anyway because the only thing we can do is just keep studying and take them again. No point in stressing over this!

[Anonymous]

@bigcore20, you do have a point and while I'ts somewhat comforting that I am not alone with the frustration and pain of a 74, I'm still kinda pissed. If what you're saying is true, and I believe it is, I think its unfair and unethical. We invested so much resources and sacrifice so much and to have our scores reduced by a few points just to keep the passing rate below 50% is absurd.

[Anonymous]

I feel like each quarter I have seen a handful of 74s. I don't really buy into the whole thing of them adjusting scores so people fail. I think a lot of people are so focused on trying to pass all exams before the changes go into effect in 2017 that people are possibly sitting for exams when not quite ready just to get exams done. I was guilty of that. I went in to the exam knowing I really could have used an extra week of studying and I got a 73. My exam was heavy on topics that I knew going in I was weak on.

It just seems everyone is of the mindset that they have to take the exams no matter.

There is always going to be some theory floating around the scoring process and definitely seems to be the latest obsession.

[Anonymous]

Your thread here:
https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/aicpa-rigging-q4-pass-rates/

which was the exact same proposition has already had explained why people are more likely to be failing in Q4. And the other similar threads recently.

AICPA has not ‘leaked' anywhere that I have seen that they screw with grades in the last quarter. There's a lot of 74's this quarter, but there are every quarter. A 74 means you did just barely too little to pass; nothing more and nothing less. It doesn't mean it was a 79 until the big bag boogie man got a hold of it.

[Char143]

Where have you been getting this information from? Just curious..

AUD (2/16)-84
REG (05/16)-69 Retake (7/16)-79 (ty ninja MCQ)
BEC-TBD
FAR-9/8/16

[Missy]

Conspiracy theories have been around as long as the exam has. Don't know about these leaks you're referring to, but look online enough and you'll see just about anything you're looking to see. I've yet to see anything that proves the percentage of scores that happen to be 74 are different than any other quarter.

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

[Anonymous]

I got a 74 this quarter. I felt that I got a very fair exam and it is entirely because I did not study as hard as I should have.

I hate these rumors because they keep people from owning their scores. When you fail a test you have to take responsibility for that, not blame the AICPA. Let's all use these 74's as motivation to do better next time.

[EZ_Sims_4_me_Pls]

going to need a citation for this “internal leak” that we ‘may have heard about'

[aaronmo]

The bottom line is that it doesn't matter; it's their game, they make the rules and they score it how they think serves the interests of the profession and/or their membership. It's a HARD exam…it's supposed to be a hard exam. If the pass rates were higher, we'd be less valuable. The reality is that for most of us, we're going to take exams in 3 quarters. Maybe more. It evens out. Is anyone going to wait to take two exams the following year? I had two in q3 and two in q4.

They curve the tests…this isn't news. They have fairly consistent pass rates, and that's not news either. I suspect that there is some deviation caused by a curve and some deviation based on performance. There are concrete factors on why q4 and q1 results might be lower. A professor may tweak a test if he only gets a 30% pass rate, but he's not going to rewrite academic standards to do it either. That “theory” is supported by statistically relevant spreads within the exams themselves…BEC has a 10 point higher pass rate…so it can't be all curving go a desired specific number.

I will be seriously disappointed if I get a 74, but I'll study hard and push for a better score next time. I am sure that me not having many of the busines and management classes others have had hurt me in this area.

[Son]

I have lots of respect for people like @allison213 who own it – if you work hard and know the material, you'll pass either way.

@bigcore20, I've seen you post something similar multiple times in the past couple weeks. Put just as much effort into studying as you are in fighting windmills of injustice at AICPA and you'll get it done in no time.

There are as many 74s in Q4 as there are in any other quarter. Also, many people lie about getting a 74 when they fail because they're ashamed to admit they got a 63 or 57.

AUD - passed
REG - passed
BEC - passed
FAR - passed

[EZ_Sims_4_me_Pls]

OP is just a troll

hard to believe that they are SO bored that they will come to a CPA forum lol.. different strokes I guess.

[shawn in VA]

I received a 74 in BEC in Q4. The facts are the AICPA is NOT TRANSPARENT!!!! when it comes to score release we get a useless report when we fail and no report when we pass. Upon a Fail it would be nice to get the test back with the correct answers on which we answered wrong so we can see where we need improvement upon, and restudy from the old(failed) exam. Kinda like in HS or some college classes. As others mentioned all the time and sacrifice put in studying BUT ALSO the MONEY …$250 every time you take an exam. I have a family to support and the fees are outrageous to take the exam.

If the scores are truly being manipulated as the OP has stated by 5pts downward (which is a lot) there need to be some kind of investigation. I cannot say for sure this is going on , but I am 95% convinced.

And to BOOT there making the exam harder starting APR 2017, and making us wait like 3.50 months for a score release!!! WOW. Kinda surprised so many ppl take this exam, at my prometric center this afternoon I noticed MANY taking it (last day of q4)

[aaronmo]

I -think- that the reason they don't give answers/results is not wanting to leak that information for study and prep. I can't imagine how I'd feel getting a 74, but I also don't see this onerous behavior on their part.

No one makes us do this…it's our choice. It's their process and it's not in our control. It sucks man, but you'll pass next time.

I think the exam changes look like a good thing actually.

[Son]

CPA designation is not a participation trophy. The exams are very hard for most people who take them; that's why the license is so valuable. If you feel the process is unfair, don't do it, no one is denying you the right to work in the accounting field just because you don't have a CPA license.

AUD - passed
REG - passed
BEC - passed
FAR - passed

[EZ_Sims_4_me_Pls]

lol… if they gave us the corrections on our failed tests, we could collaborate and make on hell of a study guide.. it would be like shooting fish in a bucket.

..and the AICPA would have to pump out new questions on a much more regular basis. I think we should just be happy that we get some released questions from prior periods.. I have had questions from those PDFs pop up on my current exams.

I just got a 79 on REG, and boy am I glad the AICPA bosses sitting in their cigar smoke-filled board room decided not to adjust my score down to a 74 /s

[Author]

Replies