US CPA Exam Passing Score, Score Release and Retake Rules
By SimplyCPA · 11 October 2026
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- Passing score: 75 on a scale of 0–99. It's a scaled score — not a percentage correct, and not curved to a target pass rate.
- Weighting: MCQs and task-based simulations count 50/50 in every section except ISC (60/40).
- Release: Core scores in batches roughly twice a month; Discipline scores about six weeks after each testing window.
- Retakes: You can reapply as soon as you receive a failing score; the only limit is the time to reregister, get a new NTS and find a seat — Discipline retakes must wait for the next testing month.
- Failed sections: You receive a Candidate Performance Report comparing you with just-passing candidates by content area and item type.
What 75 means
The AICPA reports CPA Exam results on a scale of 0 to 99, and 75 is a pass. The scale doesn't represent a percentage of questions answered correctly, and the AICPA doesn't adjust scores to achieve a target pass rate. Scores are scaled so that results are comparable across exam forms and over time. Some questions in each exam are unscored pretest items that don't count.
How the score is weighted
| Section | MCQ weight | TBS weight |
|---|---|---|
| AUD, FAR, REG, BAR, TCP | 50% | 50% |
| ISC | 60% | 40% |
Score release
- Prometric sends exam data to the AICPA, which scores it and performs quality checks.
- The AICPA sends results to NASBA, which passes them to boards.
- Scores appear in the NASBA candidate portal and CPA Mobile app, generally within 48 hours of the target date. Candidates of the California, Illinois and Maryland boards get scores from their board.
- A score notice is usually available within 72 hours of the advisory score — save it, as it's only available until a set date.
Core sections have batch releases roughly twice a month; Discipline sections one release about six weeks after each quarterly window. See the 2026–2027 calendar.
The Candidate Performance Report
If you fail, you receive a Candidate Performance Report showing your performance in each content area and by item type, rated as stronger, comparable or weaker relative to candidates who scored just above passing (75–80). Use it to target your retake — see retake strategy.
Retake rules
- Under continuous testing, you can retake a failed section shortly after receiving your score. The only limit is the time it takes to reregister, obtain a new NTS and find an available date.
- Core sections can be retaken in any month; BAR, ISC and TCP only in the first month of a quarter.
- Each retake costs the full section fees again (including the $460 India fee).
Credit and expiry
Most boards give credit for a passed section for 30 months (Washington 36), generally measured from the score release date. Credit expires at the end of testing on the expiry date (Central Standard Time). If you take your final section before your earliest credit expires and pass it, you keep the earlier credit.
Score reviews and appeals
| Score review | Score appeal | |
|---|---|---|
| Fee | $240 | $550 + $100 per item |
| What happens | Your responses are verified against the score | You review failed TBS items in person (Nashville), at your own travel cost |
| Availability | All boards | Not in California, DC, Georgia, Illinois, Montana, Texas or Virginia |
Score reviews can take up to eight weeks. NASBA notes that, historically, no score has changed as a result of an appeal.