US CPA Exam Pass Percentage

Mon Jul 10 2023

The US CPA exam is widely regarded as one of the most challenging professional certifications in the accounting world. With four distinct sections and rigorous content, aspiring CPAs often wonder about their chances of success. Understanding the CPA exam pass percentage can provide crucial insight into exam difficulty, help set realistic expectations, and shape a candidate's study strategy. In this article, we’ll explore recent trends in CPA pass rates, what factors influence these percentages, and how you can increase your odds of passing each section. Let’s dive into the numbers behind the journey to becoming a US CPA!

US CPA (Certified Public Accountant) is a certification offered by AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants) to the individuals who passed the US CPA exam and met relevant experience. This designation enforces high professional standards in the accounting field.

Eligibility:

To appear for the US CPA exam, the candidate must have any of the following qualifications.

Member of the ICWAI.
Member of the ICAI.
Member of the “Company Secretaries in India.”
Master of Commerce.
Pursuing Masters, B.com graduates.

Let’s go through the CPA license requirements.

In general, many states in the US ask for 150 credit hours in some specific courses from an accredited institute or university under NASBA.
The candidate must have to pass the Ethics exam.
Should have 2,000 hours of work experience in accounting, auditing, taxation, and management consultancy.
Age limit: 18+ years.

CPA Exam Pattern:

CPA Exam consists of 2 question types:
Multiple-choice questions
Task-based simulations

There are four sections in the CPA exam:

Regulation (REG)
Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)
Auditing and Attestation (AUD)
Discipline [BAR/ISC/TCP]

The AICPA administers the CPA exam. The total duration of all the CPA papers is 16 hours (4 hours for each section).

Study Tips for the US CPA:

CPA Exam So Difficult? – It’s just a myth only.

It’s a lot of frustrations, emotions, ups and downs, but your practice matters more.

CPA Exam in India:

AICPA and NASBA have scheduled the CPA exam in India. Indian candidates can take the US CPA exam in the Prometric locations given below.

Delhi
Ahmedabad
Mumbai
Bangalore
Hyderabad
Chennai
Kolkata
Trivandrum

“The US CPA Exam shall continue in India”, says NASBA & AICPA.

Pass percentage of US CPA

The pass percentage for the US CPA exam varies by section and year, but it generally hovers around 50 - 55%, making it a highly competitive exam. Here’s a breakdown of the pass rates for the four sections based on recent data:

Auditing and Attestation (AUD): Around 45-50%
Discipline (BAR/ISC/TCP): Approximately 60-72%
Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR): Roughly 41-50%
Regulation (REG): Around 55-60%

These pass percentages reflect both the difficulty of the content and the level of preparation required. Candidates often find FAR to be the most challenging, with the lowest pass rates, while Discipline typically sees the highest success rates due to its more practical, business-oriented content. While the average pass rate might seem daunting, with the right strategy and dedication, success is achievable.

Conclusion

while the US CPA exam pass percentage may seem intimidating, it is important to remember that with diligent preparation and a clear study plan, success is within reach. The variability in pass rates across all sections highlights the importance of understanding the unique demands of each part of the exam. By focusing on areas of weakness, leveraging the right resources, and maintaining consistent effort, candidates can significantly improve their chances of passing. The journey to becoming a US CPA is challenging, but the reward—a globally respected credential and access to top-tier career opportunities—makes it well worth the effort.

About Simandhar Education:

Simandhar Education is the official partner of Becker and channel partner of AICPA – The largest training provider for US CPA, US CMA, CIA, EA and IFRS courses in India. Learn how to clear your CPA exams with extremely satisfying results by getting proper guidance and knowledge through our online courses and video tutorials taught by industry experts.

CPA Exam Pass Percentage at Simandhar:

Despite the Pandemic, 1000+ students were enrolled for the CPA course at Simandhar Education, and out of which more than 80% of people passed the exam with flying colours in 2020. Besides, most of our alumni got placed in Big-4s and Top MNCs after having good CPA exam pass rate.

A few of our clients have also received their CPA license in India, during Covid-19

Simandhar Education provides you with all the help you need to ace your CPA, CMA exams. We are just a call away for any assistance. Contact us +91 7780273388