CPA Exam pass rates. Nobody beats Becker.
94%
CPA Exam sections passed
according to Becker
CPA Exam Day ReadySM students*
Being Exam Day ReadySM means having the tools you need to confidently prepare for the CPA Exam – Our Exam Day ReadySM students reported passing 94% of their CPA Exam sections last year. *Click for details on our pass rate.
In 2020, Becker Exam Day ReadySM students reported passing 94% of the CPA Exam sections they attempted. In total, Becker students passed more than 33,000 sections of the CPA Exam, which represents more than 1/3 of all CPA Exam sections passed in 2020.** *Click for details on our CPA Exam pass rates calculation.
How are Becker students achieving such amazing results? It’s the combination of expert instruction, high-quality content, unique practice tools and personalized support at every step of the way – That’s Exam Day ReadySM!
Pass rate based on those students that met Exam Day ReadySM threshold and self-reported scores to us in 2020 and is calculated by dividing the total sections passed by total sections attempted across all qualifying students. “Exam Day ReadySM” threshold means students watched 80% of our lecture videos, answered 80% of our MCQs and TBSs correctly and scored a minimum of 50% on our simulated exams. Scores may be reported at any time. We recognize there is an inherent bias to these results as students who do not pass may not share this information with us.
The Becker methodology
With Becker CPA Exam Review, candidates get high quality lecture content, instruction and practice questions, all designed to help them master the concepts as described in the CPA Exam Blueprint. However, candidates must not only learn and understand these concepts, but they also must be able to confidently demonstrate their understanding in exam conditions.
Through our analysis of scores reported to us by our CPA Exam students, we were able to identify common behaviors among those students who were successful at passing the CPA Exam. Students who study Becker's best-in-class content, successfully work through Becker practice questions, and then exercise this knowledge in test-like simulated exams, become Exam Day ReadySM, and report passing 94% of the exam sections they've taken in 2020.
Exam Day ReadySM
80%+
Lecture videos watched
80%+
Becker questions, including both multiple choice questions (MCQs) and task-based simulations (TBS) answered correctly
50%+
Minimum score on the two simulated exams and three mini exams per section (20 in the total course).
Exam Day ReadySM sections passed (%)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
2020
93%
96%
95%
90%
94%
Creating a new standard
Neither the AICPA nor NASBA give review course providers details surrounding individual student outcomes. There are no industry-based guidelines around collecting, analyzing or reporting of pass rate information. Becker independently chose to implement a rigorous process. We collected and analyzed data for over a year before publishing our Becker CPA Exam pass rates into the market.
Expert analysis
We also engaged a team of data scientists from the Analytics Center of Excellence at Adtalem Global Education (Becker's parent company) to review and critique our calculation methodologies. These experts signed off on our methods.
Independent Examination
Becker also hired auditors at a top 10 public accounting firm to perform an examination related to the Becker CPA Exam pass rate. These auditors completed their assessment by saying that, “In our opinion, management’s assertion that the CPA exam pass rates for the period from January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020, presented in the accompanying schedule, are based on the criteria set forth in Note 1 is fairly stated, in all material respects.“
Creating a new standard
Neither the AICPA nor NASBA give review course providers details surrounding individual student outcomes. There are no industry-based guidelines around collecting, analyzing or reporting of pass rate information. Becker independently chose to implement a rigorous process. We collected and analyzed data for over a year before publishing our Becker CPA Exam pass rates into the market.
Expert analysis
We also engaged a team of data scientists from the Analytics Center of Excellence at Adtalem Global Education (Becker's parent company) to review and critique our calculation methodologies. These experts signed off on our methods.
Independent Examination
Becker also hired auditors at a top 10 public accounting firm to perform an examination related to the Becker CPA Exam pass rate. These auditors completed their assessment by saying that, “In our opinion, management’s assertion that the CPA exam pass rates for the period from January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020, presented in the accompanying schedule, are based on the criteria set forth in Note 1 is fairly stated, in all material respects.“
Creating a new standard
Neither the AICPA nor NASBA give review course providers details surrounding individual student outcomes. There are no industry-based guidelines around collecting, analyzing or reporting of pass rate information. Becker independently chose to implement a rigorous process. We collected and analyzed data for over a year before publishing our Becker CPA Exam pass rates into the market.
Expert analysis
We also engaged a team of data scientists from the Analytics Center of Excellence at Adtalem Global Education (Becker's parent company) to review and critique our calculation methodologies. These experts signed off on our methods.
Independent Examination
Becker also hired auditors at a top 10 public accounting firm to perform an examination related to the Becker CPA Exam pass rate. These auditors completed their assessment by saying that, “In our opinion, management’s assertion that the CPA exam pass rates for the period from January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020, presented in the accompanying schedule, are based on the criteria set forth in Note 1 is fairly stated, in all material respects.“
How we calculate Becker CPA Exam pass rates
Process
We integrated CPA Exam pass rate collection seamlessly into our course software. We allow students to report score information at any time in their account profile.
Surveys
Because some students finish exams and never log back in to our course, we also survey these students quarterly via e-mail. Although voluntary, we encourage all students, pass or fail, to provide us with their scores. Our primary goal is to use this data to improve the learning experience and success of all of our CPA Exam candidates.
Calculation
Becker tabulates CPA Exam pass rates based on student-submitted scores for each section, taking the total passed sections and dividing it by the total attempted sections, the same approach that the AICPA uses to calculate and publish pass rates.
How candidates stack up: AICPA pass rates
Each year, the AICPA publishes quarterly pass rate information for candidates taking the CPA Exam. The AICPA publishes the cumulative pass rates by section by year. Becker estimates the overall pass rate to be between 45-55% in any given year. Below is the data for 2020.
Section
Q1 2020
Q2 2020
Q3 2020
Q4 2020
Total
AUD
47.97%
65.29%
56.89%
47.50%
52.84%
BEC
61.76%
79.92%
69.89%
60.77%
65.56%
FAR
46.37%
62.86%
55.67%
43.53%
49.98%
REG
55.42%
75.97%
66.12%
58.00%
62.29%
As the leader in CPA Exam preparation, we commit to our students and customers to maintain a consistent, transparent and validated CPA Exam pass rate reporting process.
Consistent
We are committed to publishing Becker CPA pass rate data annually, providing our customers and students the most accurate information available.
Transparent
Becker will continue to provide details on our pass rate results, including clear explanations on how we’ve gathered, analyzed and reported on our data, including what types of student study behaviors lead to the best outcomes.
Independently examined
We will continue to have information related to the Becker CPA Exam pass rates examined by an independent public accounting firm and anticipate publishing future examination reports.
As the leader in CPA Exam preparation, we commit to our students and customers to maintain a consistent, transparent and validated CPA Exam pass rate reporting process.
Consistent
We are committed to publishing Becker CPA pass rate data annually, providing our customers and students the most accurate information available.
Transparent
Becker will continue to provide details on our pass rate results, including clear explanations on how we’ve gathered, analyzed and reported on our data, including what types of student study behaviors lead to the best outcomes.
Independently examined
We will continue to have information related to the Becker CPA Exam pass rates examined by an independent public accounting firm and anticipate publishing future examination reports.
As the leader in CPA Exam preparation, we commit to our students and customers to maintain a consistent, transparent and validated CPA Exam pass rate reporting process.
Consistent
We are committed to publishing Becker CPA pass rate data annually, providing our customers and students the most accurate information available.
Transparent
Becker will continue to provide details on our pass rate results, including clear explanations on how we’ve gathered, analyzed and reported on our data, including what types of student study behaviors lead to the best outcomes.
Independently examined
We will continue to have information related to the Becker CPA Exam pass rates examined by an independent public accounting firm and anticipate publishing future examination reports.
For more than 60 years, Becker has helped financial professionals be at their best when they sit for the CPA Exam.
For more than 60 years, Becker has helped financial professionals be at their best when they sit for the CPA Exam.
For more than 60 years, Becker has helped financial professionals be at their best when they sit for the CPA Exam.
In fact, 1 million+ candidates have trusted us with their CPA Exam prep.
In fact, 1 million+ candidates have trusted us with their CPA Exam prep.
In fact, 1 million+ candidates have trusted us with their CPA Exam prep.
2,900+ organizations, including the Big 4 and the top 100 accounting firms, choose Becker for CPA Exam prep.
2,900+ organizations, including the Big 4 and the top 100 accounting firms, choose Becker for CPA Exam prep.
2,900+ organizations, including the Big 4 and the top 100 accounting firms, choose Becker for CPA Exam prep.
90% of Watt Sells award winners chose Becker (2005-2021). These top test-takers passed all 4 sections of the Uniform CPA Examination on their first attempt, with a cumulative average score of 95.50.
90% of Watt Sells award winners chose Becker (2005-2021). These top test-takers passed all 4 sections of the Uniform CPA Examination on their first attempt, with a cumulative average score of 95.50.
90% of Watt Sells award winners chose Becker (2005-2021). These top test-takers passed all 4 sections of the Uniform CPA Examination on their first attempt, with a cumulative average score of 95.50.
Frequently asked questions
What is the pass rate for the CPA Exam?
Becker estimates the overall pass rate to be between 45-55% in any given year.
What are the Becker CPA pass rate statistics?
In 2020, Becker's Exam Day Ready students reported successfully passing 94% of the CPA Exam sections they attempted.
Why is the CPA Exam so hard?
The CPA Exam is considered one of the most difficult professional exams, taking a total of 16 hours to complete all four 4-hour sections, which include multiple-choice questions, task-based simulations, and a written exam (for BEC only). It’s considered difficult because it examines a candidate's breadth of knowledge, including testing of a wide range of skills and various ways of thinking. Many note that the time requirements to prepare for the CPA exam are often up to or over a year, and many fail at least one of the four exams on their first attempt. Candidates may already be working full time at an accounting firm, balancing both personal and professional obligations. In order to maximize your opportunity to pass the CPA Exam, meticulous scheduling of work, study and free time must be planned well in advance.
*Pass rate based on those students that met Exam Day Ready threshold and self-reported scores to us in 2020 and is calculated by dividing the total sections passed by total sections attempted across all qualifying students. “Exam Day Ready” threshold means students watched 80% of our lecture videos, answered 80% of our MCQs and TBSs correctly and scored a minimum of 50% on our simulated exams. Scores may be reported at any time. We recognize there is an inherent bias to these results as students who do not pass may not share this information with us.
**1/3 of all CPA Exam sections passed is based on Examination Pass Rates published by the AICPA, based on the official scores reported to NASBA and the State Boards. This information is publicly available but not verified by either the AICPA or NASBA. For additional information please visit aicpa.org or nasba.org.