[Anonymous]

I’ve looked for this before but could never find it; however, it showed up in my LinkedIn newsfeed because NASBA posted it! It’s final passes by how many total attempts. I can’t figure out how to link to the specific story, so here’s the link to the graphic:
https://image-store.slidesharecdn.com/b03ab25a-5d86-4d64-9fd4-62c11a81032d-large.jpeg
And the link to the main NASBA LinkedIn page (currently this is the 2nd story on the page):
https://www.linkedin.com/company/28178

And the graphic as an image:

I think a couple years ago NASBA had said they didn’t have a way to track this data, so maybe they’ve just recently modified their methods to be able to track it? Whatever the case, I’m excited to see it. 🙂

And…if anyone else knows how to link directly to a LinkedIn story, feel free to post the direct link. I don’t link to LinkedIn enough to know. 😐

[CPA2BEE]

This is really interesting and I am actually a data point in this analysis since I finished and got my license in 2016 :). I agree with some of the others that nearly 60% finishing in 6 attempts or less seems high. It took me 7 attempts so I never realized I was in the bottom 40% lol

FAR - 80
AUD - 82
BEC - 80
REG - 85

ETHICS - 90
EXPERIENCE - COMPLETE
Application for California license mailed 8/4/2016

[CPAcandidate3]

If you look at the in depth reports that show pass rates for people taking a section for the first time 40% seems right. In 2014 the average pass rate was around 55% for people attempting a section for the first time while the rate was around 40% for people retaking a section.

[Skynet]

In my defense, i was with a hot woman the night before each exam attempts 😁

[Anonymous]

I hate to be negative, but I don’t really trust all of NASBA’s statistics. Just like I don’t trust Roger’s statement that “88% of his candidates pass the exam.” Or, NASBA states “it takes the average candidate 300-400 hours to complete all 4 sections of the CPA Exam.” Both of those statements are lies that are borderline fraudulent statements – definitely unethical.

Sorry for my rant. Yes, the CPA Exam is very, very challenging and complaining won’t do a damn thing. But, authorities should be more transparent about actual statistics and not pull numbers out of the *ss or by making an educated guess. Maybe NASBA’s statistics are right and I am wrong. But, I am always skeptical about CPA Exam statistics after going through this brutal process. Hell, maybe the California Board of Accountancy will actually release their scores when they say they will this time!

Back to studying REG and NO more crying!!! You gotta love Entity Taxation and all of the Basis calculations!!

Goodluck!!!!

[CPAcandidate3]

@Blue Collar Nerd

Can you tell me the actual numbers then since those are “borderline fraudulent”?. I had no more than a total of 240 combined study hours for the exams and I definitely don't consider myself a crazy smart person. 300-400 seems pretty accurate to me.

[livealittle]

I work at a medium CPA firm. We are on the “100 best accounting firms” list. Of all the CPA's I've spoken to about the test I only personally know 2 who passed all 4 exams on their first attempt since the changes to taking it at Prometric test centers 1 part at a time. so that's 2 CPA's out of about 25. Not quite as high a percentage as this graphic.

BEC - 8/8/16
REG - 66, 77
AUD - 81
FAR - 9/8/16

[Anonymous]

@CPAcandidate3

If what you say is true, then you are part of the 5-10% of all candidates and I sincerely congratulate you. However, everyone that I know has put in way more than 300-400 hours for all 4 sections. These are not candidates on the internet just throwing out numbers. These are credible candidates who I know personally. Also, I know candidates who claim they put in way more than “the average 1,000 hours it takes to pass the CFA exam.” Another lie by the way.

If you passed all 4 sections of the CPA Exam in 240 hours you are way too smart for Accounting bud. Or, simply lying because you want to boost your ego.

I don’t want to argue anymore, but those are my thoughts.

Anyhow, Goodluck to everyone hanging in there and taking on these exams. Let’s stay on the Grind and knock these exams out by studying our butts off!!

Goodluck!

[Anthony]

@livealittle 25 people is not a big sample size.

[Superdude3000]

I was able to pass all 4 on the first go but I put in about 1000 total study hours lol 240 hours is crazy low so kudos to you. I definitely overdid it as I averaged an 89.25 between the 4.

[Anonymous]

I agree that 240 hours is incredibly low. I admire anyone who can legitimately pass all 4 of these exams in less than 400 hours. You must have a solid accounting background and be very smart to pull that off. Clearly some candidates pull it off, but I am not proveledged to know anyone who has! Lol.

At the end of the day a CPA is a CPA. 200 hours, 500 hours, 1000+ hours = CPA if you can pass all 4 exams within 18 months and meet the other requirements. It’s all about studying and making sacrifices.

Goodluck everyone!!

[livealittle]

@Anthony

you only need 30 to have a valid statistical sample size…

and of those, there are 8 who got their CPA certification in the last 4 years. none of them passed all 4 on the 1st try.

BEC - 8/8/16
REG - 66, 77
AUD - 81
FAR - 9/8/16

[CPAcandidate3]

Yeah I don't really understand it. I didn't study a lot and half of my studying I felt like was fairly passive. Played a lot cell phone games and watched sports while doing lectures. Maybe I'm just one of the lucking ones the exam format came easy to.

[Anonymous]

@CPAcandidate3

That’s crazy. You must be a really quick learner and are able to retain reams of information. Maybe you don’t get caught up in the minutia either! Consider yourself lucky if you thought the CPA Exam wasn’t too bad. I’ve found the exams very difficult and my peers feel the same. The material itself is not extremely difficult, but the amount of material a candidate must master and feel comfortable with is pretty insane. Then, add the pressure of the new exam format (time management is key) and you have your work cut out for you.

Goodluck!!

[McGeeAndMe]

Since the data is sprinkled throughout the thread, let's collect it all in one place:
40% of people who ever pass the CPA exam, do so on their first try on each section
25% of people taking a CPA test(including drop outs) pass all 4 sections on the first attempt
70% of people who ever pass the CPA exam do it in no more than 6 attempts
55% of people taking a section for the first time pass
40% of people re-taking a section pass
7:5 is the pass vs drop out rate
60% of people who take a CPA test will eventually obtain a CPA
40% of people who take a CPA test will never obtain the license

Not sure why there is so much disagreement on the validity of these numbers. They're all completely in line with one another. If you have 40% of all people who become CPAs passing on attempt #1 with a 40% drop out rate, that's almost perfectly in line with 25% of all test takers passing on attempt #1.

[Anonymous]

Wow, 40% of those who start the process never finish? Of course NASBA will never release that info, it's bad for business! haha

[Author]

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