How Do Passing Rates Effect Scores?

  • Creator
    Topic
  • #200632
    shanek327
    Participant

    Last quarter FAR’s passing rate was way down, under 43%. it looks like it is usually around 48%….should I have hope that i may get a boost since I took it this window?

    FAR - 75
    AUD - 78
    BEC - 82
    REG - 77

    2 Corinthians 5:21

    Our value does not come from our skills and abilities, as good as they may be; it does not come from our GPA, our job, a promotion from that job to a better job, our success on the CPA exam, or anything of the like; but our value comes from the fact that we have a Creator who loves us, cares for us, and desires to help us navigate the rough waters of this life in a way that provides security, hope, and true, everlasting joy while we anticipate the life to come, with Him.

Viewing 11 replies - 1 through 11 (of 11 total)
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    Replies
  • #761334
    jessica8926
    Participant

    I literally was just looking this up too! I was hoping it would give me a boost of hope for passing BEC tomorrow. Honestly though, I think it is all in our heads. I personally do not think the test is purposefully made harder during one quarter or the next. It all just depends on how well you yourself did!

    AUD - 69, 77
    REG - 74, 81
    FAR - 75!
    BEC - 71, 82

    IL candidate!

    Finally done (5/24/16)!! Yahooooooo!

    #761335
    Claudia408
    Participant

    i think they grade you against other candidates if they got the same question wrong or right, so there is some type of curve.

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

    #761336
    TheHoundThatRides
    Participant

    @shanek

    I think historically Q4 passing rates are always below the average of other quarters. It's not unusual.

    There are conspiracy theories about it (the AICPA has met their yearly quota for new CPA's and raise the standards for passing!) but it's likely just that the holidays distract people from studying.

    BEC - 78 (August 2015)
    FAR - 80 (November 2015)
    AUD - 73, 67. (Ok I gotta confess I was even more lazy this time around)
    REG - August 27th, 2016

    #761337
    Jdn9201
    Participant

    I've heard the same about Q4. I've also heard Q1 can have low scores due to people being tired from busy season. That's primarily why I snuck FAR in this window – I don't work in public and was hoping that the average would be low, which would increase the curve. Normally, I hate curves – I like to earn my grade. It still annoys me how the AICPA creates almost this secret society and isn't more transparent with how it's graded. Sure, I know a 75 is passing but beyond the % breakouts of the raw score, I have no clue how or what it takes to get there. I like being in control of what my outcome is.

    BEC - 88 8/29/15
    REG - 82 11/14/15
    AUD - 83 1/8/16
    FAR - 80 2/29/16

    #761338
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Is it just a coincidence that Q1 and Q4 usually the lowest passing %?

    #761339
    marqzho
    Participant

    CPA test is not a “curve” test. No matter the people sat next to you in the prometric center scored 99 or 0, they won't affect your score.

    REG 90
    FAR 95
    AUD 98
    BEC 84

    #761340
    TheHoundThatRides
    Participant

    I think whatever grading process the AICPA has ultimately works in our favor. The AICPA WANTS CPA's out there replacing the retiring CPA's and paying membership dues. They just want to make sure we have the minimum amount of knowledge necessary to go out there and represent the designation. They have a bit more freedom to lower the standards for passing by keeping us in the dark.

    At least that's what I believe.

    I read a statistic on GoingConcern.com that 75% of the world's CPA's will retire or be VERY CLOSE to retiring by 2018. The exam is changing formats in 2017 right before this is supposed to happen! Coincidence? This means something. *puts tin foil hat on* I think the new exam will be easier to pass than what we have now.

    BEC - 78 (August 2015)
    FAR - 80 (November 2015)
    AUD - 73, 67. (Ok I gotta confess I was even more lazy this time around)
    REG - August 27th, 2016

    #761341

    Considering my scores has remained the same (72's) for the last 3 audit exams I took and the result shows I've been improving in those 3 trials, I am compelled to believe they do upper the bar once they meet their quota. ^^

    Nonetheless, my goal is to try to pass with a 75 (or 75+). GL to all!

    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).

    #761342
    Martin
    Participant

    TheHoundThatRide, if the exam might get easier, how come they are giving stusents an extra 6 months to pass all 4 parts?

    Through God all things can happen!

    “You never fail until you stop trying.”
    ― Albert Einstein
    When I was young, I used to admire intelligent people;as I grow older, I admire kind people.
    “Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.”

    FAR= 72-84
    Audit= 73-82
    BEC= 74-75
    Reg=77

    #761343
    TheHoundThatRides
    Participant

    @Martin

    Well going with the assumption that the AICPA wants people to pass, the extension only makes it even easier for candidates to continue their journey to the license. So add that to an easier exam and you get more CPA's becoming licensed.

    *rips tin foil hat off*

    Of course I'm drawing up this theory out of sheer boredom. You can probably poke more holes in it.

    BEC - 78 (August 2015)
    FAR - 80 (November 2015)
    AUD - 73, 67. (Ok I gotta confess I was even more lazy this time around)
    REG - August 27th, 2016

    #761344
    MaLoTu
    Participant

    Hound – you may be right, but it is obviously all speculation. With that said, I cannot imagine an exam with half the questions being simulations being easier!

Viewing 11 replies - 1 through 11 (of 11 total)
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