What Is the Pass Rate for the CPA Exam?
Gain a full understanding of CPA Exam pass rates. Explore the dynamics behind these critical metrics and what they reveal about exam success.
The Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Exam stands as a rigorous assessment for individuals seeking licensure in the accounting profession. This examination serves as a benchmark, ensuring candidates possess the comprehensive knowledge and skills required to practice public accounting. Understanding the exam’s pass rates provides valuable insights into its inherent difficulty and the general success rates of aspiring CPAs.
Current CPA Exam Pass Rates
The CPA Exam underwent significant changes with the launch of CPA Evolution in January 2024, introducing a core-plus-discipline model. Under this structure, all candidates must pass three core sections: Auditing and Attestation (AUD), Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR), and Taxation and Regulation (REG). Additionally, candidates select one of three discipline sections: Business Analysis and Reporting (BAR), Information Systems and Controls (ISC), or Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP).
Recent data from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) indicates the pass rates for these sections. For the second quarter of 2025, AUD had a pass rate of 49.05%, FAR stood at 43.52%, and REG achieved 63.58%. Among the discipline sections, BAR’s pass rate was 47.26%, ISC reached 71.96%, and TCP recorded 80.63%. These figures reflect candidate performance under the current exam format.
Historical Trends in Pass Rates
CPA Exam pass rates have shown consistent patterns over time, fluctuating. Historically, the cumulative pass rate for the exam has often hovered around 50% over the past decade. Since 2006, the cumulative average pass rate has ranged between 45% and 60%. Specific sections have historically presented varying levels of difficulty.
Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) has consistently been regarded as one of the most challenging sections, often exhibiting the lowest pass rates due to its extensive content. Conversely, the Business Environment and Concepts (BEC) section, before its removal in 2024, frequently had higher pass rates. Regulation (REG) maintained higher pass rates compared to FAR and AUD. The introduction of the new discipline sections in 2024 has begun to establish new trends, with TCP showing very high initial pass rates.
Factors Affecting Pass Rates
Several elements contribute to the reported CPA Exam pass rates, reflecting exam complexity and candidate preparation. The content and structure of each exam section play a significant role. Sections covering a broader range of topics or more intricate material, such as FAR, have lower pass rates. Conversely, sections that align more closely with candidates’ existing professional experience or recently completed coursework have higher success rates.
Candidate preparation methods are another influential factor. The effectiveness of study materials, comprehensive review courses, and dedicated study hours directly impacts performance. Candidates who invest substantial time experience improved pass rates. Furthermore, academic background, including grade-point average and holding advanced degrees, correlate with passing rates. Practical work experience in public accounting improves pass rates, particularly for sections like Auditing.
How Pass Rates Are Calculated
The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) compile and report CPA Exam pass rates. These rates are published quarterly. The data is aggregated based on candidates who sit for a specific section within a given period.
Each section of the CPA Exam is scored on a scale from 0 to 99, with a minimum score of 75 required to pass. This score is not a simple percentage of correct answers; rather, it reflects a weighted combination of scaled scores from multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and task-based simulations (TBSs). The AICPA’s Board of Examiners (BOE) determines the passing score for each section to ensure consistency and fairness across exam forms. The exam is designed so that scores are comparable over time, meaning an increase in pass rates indicates better-prepared candidates rather than a change in difficulty.