[IGOTTHEKEYS]

So wanted to start a topic about the delay score release for the upcoming score release on March 8th? What does everyone think, they will most likely increase the curve? Also, they did delay the score without any notification, i was looking forward to my score release this week until i found out they delayed them. Im hoping this is my last exam (BEC) and this journey can be over. Wanted yall thoughts on it?

[alloverit]

The official word would be that that NEVER happens.

However, I have suspected that situations like this sometimes can help those who are VERY close. If you make a 68…you're probably getting a 68. And of course if you pass anyway you won't care. But it's not unreasonable to think that maybe a candidate could get a benefit if he is extremely close…particularly if it's his last section.

[Anonymous]

There is no curve, and they are delaying the scores because of their site migration. no need to grab at straws…Just wait for the score release, and either you passed or failed:) LOL

[alloverit]

@anyatver,

No one is disputing the reasoning for the delay. But it creates a dilemma. Is it easier to bump up a score for a candidate who has already passed three sections and came VERY close this time, or deal with appeals from candidates who need extra time due to losing a score caused by the delay?

It's been my experience (and yours too if you'll acknowledge it) that any time an entity places an ambiguous veil over its operating processes, it is hiding something and INTENTIONALLY avoiding transparency. Otherwise, why not just make all the tests equally difficult and say the 75 is a percentage needed to pass?

The reason is that they keep the process ambiguous to allow them to bump scores up or down at their discretion (74s and 75s) without having to answer to anyone. I've read all the stuff online about the complexity of their formula's and while it may be true…it SHOULD also be unnecessary.

[IGOTTHEKEYS]

@ANYATVER

So let me get this right, you think there is no curve at all?

Well, sorry to say but there it LOL. Do you really think scoring a 74 or a 75 is pure luck that you just magically got enough points to score a 75 and move on with your life, umm no. You are 50% right about them not disclosing the curve structure, but you not thinking there is a curve does not make sense.

[Bourne]

I'm pretty sure they want people to appeal their scores. It's expensive to do, they never change the score, and they make good money off of it.

I also doubt that they look at the candidate's passing history and bump them one way or another based on them passing three of the four. Many, many people get close scores so for them to look into each and every single person's testing background we wouldn't get our scores for another 2 months.

I agree with anyatver, you'll never know the process behind their scoring so just learn the material well enough that their scoring won't matter.

[alloverit]

@Bourne, I wasn't referring to an appealing of the score. I'm referring to appeals made to grant more time for expiring scores…that expired due to the delay…those appeals generate ZERO $$

[Bourne]

You are correct.

Why are you so concerned about the process anyway? You've already passed them all.

[Anonymous]

There is a bit of luck in the kind of test you get, that's where luck ends. The way I think about it-I have no idea how they score this test, the only thing I can control is to make sure I study well enough to pass 🙂 Since my rate of passing is below 50%, chance are good that I will fail, and there is a chance I will pass. Everything else is a waste of time… 🙂

[noor]

i hope there is a curve

[SGood]

https://www.aicpa.org/content/dam/aicpa/becomeacpa/cpaexam/psychometricsandscoring/scoringinformation/downloadabledocuments/how-the-cpa-exam-is-scored.pdf

Doesn't mention anything about curving, but they use averages and scales (depending on difficulty.)

[alloverit]

As I said before if you pass (and I did) you won't really care. BUT, I find it somewhat hypocritical to hold CPAs to such a high standard of ethics, transparency, etc while the testing body itself doesn't clearly exhibit the same. That's all

[Adam]

Everything is curved, otherwise why wouldnt your results post in real time?

[elinaelein]

I understand you want them to curve. but I don't understand why they will want to “increase the curve”.
if you don't pass, they will get more exam fees.
And no, you don't want them to curve more and increasing passing rates. it's the low passing rates that makes CPA valuable.

of course they will curve in some hopefully consistent way, how could anyone make sure every single test is equally difficult when you have SIMs to do?

[Anonymous]

Come on, seriously. A secret and arbitrary curve with no justification or oversight? Instant class action at the very least.

[Anonymous]

https://www.aicpa.org/becomeacpa/cpaexam/forcandidates/faq/computer-faqs-3.html

Is the Exam scored on a curve?

No. Exam scores are not curved. Your score is independent of other candidates’ Exam results. The Exam is a criterion-referenced test, which means that it rests upon pre-determined standards. Every candidate is judged against the same standards, and every score is an independent result. For more information, you may read How is the Uniform CPA Examination Scored?

As you see above, this is from their FAQ department of their website.

I do agree with alloverit in that the lack of transparency is questionable. However, I don't think a curve would be implemented to just a few exams. If they were to “curve” it would most likely be due to some significant issue with certain exam questions and the “curve” would probably be implemented on all of the exams in that window. Maybe if A LOT of candidates complain about a particular simulation they got, the exam reviewers will possibly take a second look at the way the simulation was tested.

Question for you all – do you think the pre-test questions are already determined before the exam is taken by the candidate? This sort of goes along the issue of them not being transparent in their grading. I wonder if they can use this idea of ‘pre-test/non graded' questions to their discretion while they are grading. Surely, the number of pre-test questions will remain the same, yet which questions are marked as pre-test may be at their discretion. Sounds like a curve? Maybe/maybe not…

I do know one thing, they charge a fee for anything you want to do and the fees are pretty heavy. I don't think they have a problem with candidates having to re-take the same exam 5 times each. So I can't really imagine a curve (or whatever they want to call it) to your advantage if you are borderline passing/failing.

[Author]

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