[Champhex]

According to the AICPA, we are not graded on a curve:

“Is the CPA Examination scored on a curve?

The CPA Examination is NOT curved. Every candidate’s score is entirely
independent of other candidates’ Examination results.

The CPA Examination is a criterion-referenced examination which means that it rests upon pre-determined standards. Every candidate’s performance is measured against established standards to determine whether the candidate has demonstrated the level of knowledge and skills that is represented by the passing score. Every candidate is judged against the same standards, and every score is an independent result.”

FAR-PASS-10/26/15
AUD-PASS-05/21/16
REG
BEC

[Missy]

Thats correct, a traditional curve means your score in part is based on others performance on the same exam at the same time. This is kind of a backwards curve that they give pretest questions that don't count on your score but their value on future exams is determined by how you do on those.

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

[Anonymous]

Sad but true…..

[Claudia408]

How is there not curve when the pass rates are pretty much consistent every quarter and they need a month to give you a score? And, after April 1, they need up to 4 months? Sounds like they want to know how other candidates answer before they let you know if you passed or not.

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

[ipadminihalf]

Here is a link for the pass rates since 2006:

https://www.mncpa.org/cpa-exam/exam-facts/exam-statistics.aspx

While the rates don't vary much, I don't think it is necessarily indicative of a curve. Compared to 2006, the pass rate is higher today. It is a difficult exam, and typically those that prepare sufficiently should earn a passing score. I took the exams several years ago, and I probably prepared 60-70% of what I did to earn passing scores this past year. I'd say stop worrying about whether it is curved or not, and prepare more than you think you should, to give yourself some wiggle room for a passing score.

REG - 2/19/16 - 77!
BEC - 4/16/16 - 79!!
AUD - 6/04/16 - 84!!!
FAR - 8/31/16

[Anonymous]

I don't even think the exams are psychometrically graded anymore. The wave of the 21st century is auto-grading. I had a number of courses like that (online) where the instructor did nothing except assign grades at the end of the quarter. The MCQ (on the CPA exam) are of course auto-graded. Get them right, or get them wrong. The SIMs are the same way only you get partial credit since the scoring is by the answer box. With BEC, I've heard that the written communications are set up in such a way that the computer will look for key words and phrases and if you didn't include those, it will deduct the points. I don't know. All we can do is guess as to how they arrive at the scores.

What they really should do is set it up so that only those who *totally* don't know the material will flunk a section. There are plenty of people who fail with scores in the 60s or 70s who *have a clue* and there's no doubt that they can do those things/could do those things in a job…it's just that the exam didn't happen to give them the right batch of questions for them to get correct and prove their ability. I had a 62 for FAR. Does that mean I don't know the stuff? No…. Anyhow, I don't want this to turn into a rant. But, let's just say that the test, and the way it is scored, is not without its problems/issues. Kind of like inherent audit risk (IR)!!

[Anonymous]

BTW, Claudia, forgot to include in my previous post – they need a few months to see how everyone did on this first round of the new exam. They'll establish a new standard based on that new format. Yes, it's a very long time to wait if you take a section on April 1st, you have 4 1/2 months until you get your score. Which means, if you have another section to take, MOVE ON to it.
Some people told me that I should not do anything more until I passed FAR (advice ignored, even from a close friend.) If you take FAR in Q2, and have more exams to take, waste not a moment and start studying for those.

[Claudia408]

crazy – i understand bc it's a new exam they want to see how people react to the new format, but if my score is independent of yours why do they need to compare us? it's me versus the exam… or not? my thoughts, no change in passing rates even with the new format.

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

[Claudia408]

“it’s just that the exam didn’t happen to give them the right batch of questions for them to get correct and prove their ability”

100% agree!

last 2 attempts on REG and FAR, totally random topics on half the SIMs you wouldn't spend more than 30 minutes studying. Big topics…Bonds, leases, gift, corporate distributions, ya right… NOT A PEEP!

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

[Author]

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