[HoosierCPA]

I just got back my score results for REG which I scored a 74 on and they came back pretty close to how I felt, I score comparable to strong in every category besides 2 areas which I scored weaker on. All in all I got 2 strongs 3 comparables and 1 weak in MC and weak on the sim. Looking back on the sims I never felt as though they were extremely difficult problems besides the tax code lookup which I know I most likely missed (I spent a substantial amount of time combing through the tax codes). Before I go into my conspiracy theory (which I’m bringing this up jokingly I only halfway believe myself) I wish they would break out the sims and let you know how you scored on each one.

But my thought is the CPA has this standard they have to stand by which is it being a difficult test that only ~40% of people pass in any given test window. This makes me wonder if the testing center runs the %’s the first time and if the pass rates are too high they put more or less weight on certain questions in order to drive the pass rates down? I can’t help but wonder if I am getting hit way to hard for not knowing the tax code lookup–it sure feels like I am!

The easy solution I re focus and score so well it leaves no doubt, but man it hurts!!! I’m done venting and I will go back to studying and stop feeling sorry for myself :)!

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

[If I can, u can too!]

you're not the first one bud. keep at it, you'll be a cpa one day for sure!

Licensed CPA since Apr 16
Order in sequence of passing
FAR-71,71,79
BEC-80
REG-72,77
AUD-56,72,72,72,80! Thank you, thank you, thank you Lord!
FAR/BEC/AUD: Becker & Yaeger lectures (Wiley & Ninja MCQs). REG: Becker lectures (Ninja MCQs).

[Andyred04]

I don't completely agree or disagree with your conspiracy. It seems awfully convenient that pass rates remain roughly similar year over year (with the exception of BEC that has rose quite a bit). Similar to anything, the more there are of something the less value that something has (basic BEC supply and demand curve at work there). I think the AICPA realizes this and limits the amount of new CPAs they “allow” to pass each year. Again, could be just my way of thinking, I think that those who score very well on the exam are unaffected but those that are “on the bubble” may have their scores skewed +/- a little to keep the pass rates consistent.

FAR: 80 (Gleim, Ninja Notes, Ninja MCQs)
REG: 87 (Gleim, Ninja Notes, Ninja MCQs)
BEC: 87 (Gleim, Ninja Notes, Ninja MCQs)
AUD: 8/27/16

PA Candidate

[HoosierCPA]

while I like to think the delay in getting test results is the testing centers way of making sure the scores are accurate it looks more to me like they want to keep their pass rates in a range they feel is acceptable. It's all computerized scores can be processed instantly IF they have predetermined weights on the questions. Again, fun to think about but obviously nothing that can be done.

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

[marqzho]

They don't need to play any game with the test center. They control the result, they can simple say you fail even you answer 100% correct.

That's why you don't get the result immediately after the exam. Think about this: The system knows your performance as soon as you hit submit testlet, so they can decide whether to give you a Difficult or Moderate testlet. Which means as soon as you hit your final submit button, they already know your score. Then if they are not playing game at the passing rate, there is just no reason to wait for a month for the result.

REG 90
FAR 95
AUD 98
BEC 84

[choffner]

I know a lot of people want their results quickly, but they use Item Response Theory, right?

My understanding/guess is that the questions may not be weighted at the moment you take your exam, but instead are weighted at the end of the window, once they know how many people got a specific question correct. Wouldn't that allow them to keep the passing rates around the 45-50 percent throughout the years? And that would explain why scores aren't instant.

So maybe a specific question is worth 1.75328 “points” towards your 75 in Q1 2016, but that same question is only worth 1.523587 “points” towards your 75 in Q2 2016?

I see it as a more complex curve that is still applied at the end of the window, but on each specific question rather than on an entire exam. This can account for the fact that exams have different compilations of questions, whereas your high school curve is based on everyone answering the same 72 or 90 questions. It also would eliminate the idea of someone scoring a 76, but being curved down to a 74 due to “too many passing scores”.

I'm totally guessing…hope my logic is making sense…

BEC 75
REG 81
FAR 69, 75
AUD 71, 74, 84

[ohiostategirlcpa]

Of course the AICPA restricts the number of new CPAs via the exam. They could easily make the passing rate 60% to add more members.

I'd like to see their algorithm as to how they decide who is qualified enough to pass the exam.

F91 A95 R90 B94
CMA since 2015
(Gleim books/PDFs, MCQs, SIMS)

[tkone22]

https://66.media.tumblr.com/6e5554e94caaf8eb2a3a4c4560c8bad0/tumblr_nh95gpGYAc1qivigxo1_500.jpg

AUD: 02/24/2015: 84!
BEC: 05/22/2015: 77!
REG: 08/28/2015: 85!
FAR: 05/29/2016: 76!

[Tncincy]

Too much T.V….keep studying, make an adjustment or two and take it again. That's what the rest of us are doing. We need a 75, keep trying til we get it, We, because I didn't pass either…..and when we pass the AICPA will or has found another way to get our money and it's not test fees, it's continued ed….so the cycle won't end unless you find another profession, which probably costs just as much, and much more after licensing….# spiltmilk
Suck it up and keep studying…..#its a hard knock life.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[golfball7773]

Came here expecting to find stuff about building 7 or the moon…..my bad

FAR: 63, 55, 62
REG: 65, 77*
AUD: Fail, 64, 71
BEC: 72, 74, 81

*expired

[HoosierCPA]

I agree cincy. Just trying to spark up a new convo. Not trying to make us all feel like victims of the system. If the worst that happens from this is I learn more tax law and drink a few less beers then I suppose that's not such a bad thing!

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

[marqzho]

choffner

You are talking about a curved system. CPA is not one of them.

Question value is predetermined by pre-test. Not in actual test.

REG 90
FAR 95
AUD 98
BEC 84

[golfball7773]

I can link to the 18 page psychometrics of cpa exam scoring document if you guys need some reading 🙂

FAR: 63, 55, 62
REG: 65, 77*
AUD: Fail, 64, 71
BEC: 72, 74, 81

*expired

[choffner]

marqzho

Can you show me where they say the question value is predetermined by pretest? I'm not saying you're wrong, just curious. I know they pretest to see if questions should be used in future exams, but I haven't seen anything about value being determined during pretest.

My description wasn't a curve though. A curve is the manipulation of final scores to fit a bell pattern. I was describing each individual question being assigned value during the testing window. Since your test will have different questions than the person sitting next to you, that makes my description different than a curve.

BEC 75
REG 81
FAR 69, 75
AUD 71, 74, 84

[choffner]

golfball, I actually wouldn't mind giving that a cursory reading…

BEC 75
REG 81
FAR 69, 75
AUD 71, 74, 84

[golfball7773]

My bad – it is only 9 pages

https://www.aicpa.org/BecomeACPA/CPAExam/PsychometricsandScoring/ScoringInformation/DownloadableDocuments/How_the_CPA_Exam_is_Scored.pdf

FAR: 63, 55, 62
REG: 65, 77*
AUD: Fail, 64, 71
BEC: 72, 74, 81

*expired

[Author]

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