Hello and welcome to another intriguing article on certified public accountant exam scores.
This article will enlighten you about CPA exam scoring, exam release time frame, passing scores, and how to increase your passing score chances.
In this article, we shall cover the following:
So, let’s delve right in!
CPA Score General Information
Many CPA candidates are unsure how the Uniform CPA Examination is graded.
If you want to understand the procedure, start by dispelling the common misconception that the CPA exam is graded on a curve based on the performance of others who are taking the same test portion as you.
Instead, the exam assesses your performance against set, predetermined norms reflected by the passing grade.
A criterion-referenced examination is what it’s called.
CPA Score Scale and Passing Scores
Each section of the CPA exam is graded on points from 0 to 99 for each section. To pass a section, candidates must achieve a score of 75.
It’s critical to recognize that a 75 percent or C+ mark is not the same as a passing grade.
You must have 75 points or more in the CPA exam to be given a pass.
Some testlets are given a higher weight than others.
As a result, you can pass the exam by doing well on the highly weighted testlets, even if you perform poorly on the non-weighted testlets.
The weighting of each exam’s testlets is as follows.
| Exam Section | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) | Task-Based Simulations (TBS) | Written Communication Tasks |
| AUD | 50% | 50% | 0 |
| BEC | 50% | 35% | 15% |
| FAR | 50% | 50% | 0 |
| REG | 50% | 50% | 0 |
CPA Score Release Time Frame
The dates for the release of CPA scores are predetermined.
Within 48 hours of the CPA release dates, scores should be available.
In some situations, scores may be available on the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy’s website one day before the intended score release date.
On the other hand, some states may require an additional day to process and release exam results.
Also, because of the additional analysis necessary for the written communication assignments, you may receive your score one week after the CPA Exam release dates if you take the BEC section.
Candidate Performance Report
You’ll get a Candidate Performance Report if you fail a portion of the CPA Exam.
The information in the report, together with your score, provides an evaluation of your exam performance.
Remember that these two items provide two different perspectives on your performance and are calculated individually.
Item Response Theory is used to calculate your score (official outcome) (IRT).
It is calculated as a whole and takes into account your responses.
The performance report reveals your overall performance by item type and your performance in each of the Exam’s content categories.
The report is provided solely for informational purposes and does not influence your official score.
A performance report is supplied to you to help you discover areas where you need to improve to pass.
Your score is contrasted to those of other applicants who “barely passed” with a score of 75 to 80.
The report’s relative performance scale (stronger, comparable, weaker) is based on the range of half of the probable error above and below the applicants’ average score from applicants scoring 75 to 80.
Performance within the range is deemed “similar,” performance below the range is considered “weaker,” and performance above the range is considered “stronger.”
While you may feel compelled to focus on the areas where you are weaker, we recommend that you study all subjects before retaking the Exam.
When you retest, you may do better in some areas but worse in others if you exclusively study your weakest areas.
How to boost your CPA Score
Take a CPA Review Course: This may sound like a no-brainer, but it’s true.
Use a CPA review course that is suited to your learning style.
Being prepared for the exam is the best approach to passing it.
Get Difficult Questions: There’s no way to tell if you’re in a medium or complex set of multiple-choice questions, so don’t try.
Concentrate on the questions and give it all.
Let’s be honest. When you’re going through them, they all look difficult.
More difficult questions are given a higher weighting than less tough ones.
As a result, you must answer fewer difficult questions than less difficult ones to pass.
What makes you think that?
Well, it’s only natural.
Difficult questions assess your knowledge of a subject far more than more straightforward questions.
With fewer difficult questions compared with a large number of easy ones, the AICPA can more effectively assess your comprehension of a topic.
As a result, difficult questions are more valuable and can assist you in passing far more than easy questions.
Remember that the better you perform on the MCQ testlets, the lower you can perform on the sims and still pass.
Always try to complete all of the MCQs.
Practice Simulations: You can’t afford to neglect simulations now that they account for such a large portion of the Uniform CPA exam score.
You should practice these as much as the MCQs in your review materials.
Improve Your Writing: Write professional letters, emails, and memos to improve your writing skills.
In addition, improve your typing and grammar abilities.
Keep in mind that the written communication testlet does not assess your knowledge.
It assesses your capacity to communicate information and determine whether or not it is correct.
Conclusion
Understanding what a CPA exam passing score is can give you insight into how well you need to do on each section to pass your exams.
You should be familiar with each section’s minimum passing scores before sitting for any exam; that way, you can determine if you will get certified by studying accordingly.
The bare minimum marks are all one needs to pass – but it does not guarantee you a good grade or rank among other test-takers.
To score high, follow expert advice and ask questions from licensed CPAs (certified public accountants) near you who have experienced first-hand passing a professional certification like CPA licensure exams.
A professional license means they have passed a complete series of requirements and tests.
They are legally allowed to operate as professionals, and most of them know exactly how much effort it takes, as they have either taken their exam or helped someone else do so.
