How do I pass my CPA exam?
The pass mark for the CPA Program exams is a scaled score of 540.
As CPA create multiple versions for their exams each semester, they use scaled scoring that equates exam results across different exam versions. This approach provides a fair, equivalent score and reflects the performance of a candidate more accurately than a percentage of the numerical raw exam score. The scaled score pass mark of 540 has been set as the minimum score required to demonstrate the required competency – that is, the pass mark is based on a determination of the minimum level of knowledge and skills that candidates must acquire to become competent practitioners in the field.
Is a passing score of 540 / 900 the same as 50%?
No. The CPA scaled score is definitely not a percentage of the number of correct answers you achieved, and 50% is not the pass mark in your CPA exam.
Why isn’t there a simple ‘CPA pass mark’ so I know what to aim for?
CPA Australia have multiple exams for each subject to protect the integrity of the exams. Each exam may have a slightly different level of difficulty – so 45% in one version of the exam may be the same as 60% in another version. Therefore, scaling helps adjust the results so that each student receives a fair grade. This is why you can’t just give someone a percentage CPA pass mark.
Put simply, a CPA exam with harder questions will need a lower number of correct answers to achieve a pass. If it is an easier exam, you will need to get more answers correct to pass your CPA exam.
CPA Australia make it very clear that a scaled score of 540 is not 67.5%. (the scale is between 100 and 900 not 0 and 900).
The average result and estimated grade range for each core subject:
CORE SUBJECTS:
Ethics & Governance (out of 63 MCQ Marks)
Average MCQ result for Practice Exam 1: 43 / 63
Average MCQ result for Practice Exam 2: 43 / 63
A significant majority of people who scored under 27 / 63 on the MCQ portion of the practice exam did not pass the CPA Program exam.
Financial Reporting (out of 42 MCQ marks)
Average MCQ result for Practice Exam 1: 26 / 42
Average MCQ result for Practice Exam 2: 26 / 42
A significant majority of people who scored under 13 / 42 on the MCQ portion of the practice exam did not pass the CPA Program exam.
Strategic Management Accounting (out of 52 MCQ marks)
Average MCQ result for Practice Exam 1: 32 / 52
Average MCQ result for Practice Exam 2: 35 / 52
The majority of people who scored under 20 / 52 on the MCQ portion of the practice exam did not pass the CPA Program exam.
Global Strategy & Leadership (out of 68 MCQ marks)
Average MCQ result for Practice Exam 1: 41 / 68
Average MCQ result for Practice Exam 2: 38 / 68
The majority of people who scored under 26 / 68 on the MCQ portion of the practice exam did not pass the CPA Program exam.
There is not a large enough data set to present a full analysis for those who scored over 60, but you should feel confident if you score in this range.
ELECTIVE SUBJECTS:
Advanced Audit and Assurance (out of 90 MCQ marks)
Average MCQ result for Practice Exam 1: 58 / 90
Average MCQ result for Practice Exam 2: 56 / 90
Australia Taxation – Advanced (out of 53 MCQ marks)
Average MCQ result for Practice Exam 1: 34 / 53
Average MCQ result for Practice Exam 2: 33 / 53
Australia Taxation (out of 50 MCQ marks)
Average MCQ result for Practice Exam 1: 29 / 50
Average MCQ result for Practice Exam 2: 32 / 50
Contemporary Business Issues (out of 75 MCQ marks)
Average MCQ result for Practice Exam 1: 42 / 75
Average MCQ result for Practice Exam 2: 47 / 75
Financial Risk Management (out of 70 MCQ marks)
Average MCQ result for Practice Exam 1: 45 / 70
Average MCQ result for Practice Exam 2: 46 / 70
The best way to get a passing mark is to simply do as many practice questions as you possibly can. The best place to do this is H5 training either via the notes downloads (with printed MCQ and answers) or the exam prep course which actually explains how to answer and approach these MCQ, as well as explaining the course content.