CPA Exam Scores to be Released Earlier

Advances in computer testing for the CPA exam have brought about changes in the timing of when the scores are released, according to the AICPA. Starting fourth quarter, 2011, those whose test results are received by the AICPA within the first 20 days of the testing window are expected to get their results 10 business days after the end of day 20 in the testing window, with scores released Nov. 3. Those whose test results are received by the AICPA within days 21 through 45 of the testing window can expect their scores to be released 5 days after day 45, or Nov. 21. Those whose test results are received by the AICPA from day 46 through the close of the testing window can get their results 5 days after the testing window has closed, or Dec. 7. Those whose results are received by the AICPA after the close of the testing window can expect to get their results 5 business days after receiving all scoring data for the testing window.

These new dates are the result of the push toward computerized testing that the AICPA initiated in 2004, with the official Computer-based Testing-evolution (CPT-e) program launching January 2011. Computer testing, said the AICPA, enabled people to take one exam section at a time. Since the program started, the AICPA said that one of the most common requests it receives from CPA candidates is faster score releases, which would allow them to plan the next step in the test taking process. Scoring data for this new system is easier to gather, alleviating one of the primary bottlenecks previously found in the scoring process, said the AICPA.