2011 CPA Exam Update Released

30. Nov, 2009 13 Comments

The AICPA has released their final update on the makeup of the 2011 CPA Exam.

Auditing and Attestation (AUD)

Current Structure
∙ 3 Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ) testlets containing a total of 90 questions
∙ 2 Simulations in current (long) format
∙ 2 Written Communication tasks
∙ Current Testing Time: 4.5 hours

∙ Multiple Choice Questions Weight: 70%
∙ Simulations Weight: 20%
∙ Written Communications Weight: 10%

CBT-e Structure
∙ 3 Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ) testlets containing a total of 90 questions
∙ 1 Testlet containing 7 short Task-Based Simulations (TBS)
∙ CBT-e Testing Time: 4 hours

∙ Multiple Choice Questions Weight: 60%
∙ Simulations Weight: 40%
∙ Written Communications Weight: N/A

Business Environment and Concepts (BEC)

Current Structure
∙ 3 Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ) testlets containing a total of 90 questions
∙ No Written Communication tasks
∙ Current Testing Time: 2.5 hours

∙ Multiple Choice Questions Weight: 100%
∙ Simulations Weight: N/A
∙ Written Communications Weight: N/A

CBT-e Structure
∙ 3 Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ) testlets containing a total of 72 questions
∙ 3 Written Communication tasks on BEC topics
∙ CBT-e Testing Time: 3 hours

∙ Multiple Choice Questions Weight: 85%
∙ Simulations Weight: N/A
∙ Written Communications Weight: 15%

Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)

Current Structure
∙ 3 Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ) testlets consisting of a total of 90 questions
∙ 2 Simulations in current (long) format
∙ 2 Written Communication tasks
∙ Current Testing Time: 4 hours

∙ Multiple Choice Questions Weight: 70%
∙ Simulations Weight: 20%
∙ Written Communications Weight: 10%

CBT-e Structure
∙ 3 Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ) testlets consisting of a total of 90 questions
∙ 1 Testlet containing 7 short Task-Based Simulations (TBS)
∙ CBT-e Testing Time: 4 hours

∙ Multiple Choice Questions Weight: 60%
∙ Simulations Weight: 40%
∙ Written Communications Weight: N/A

Regulation (REG)

Current Structure
∙ 3 Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ) testlets consisting of 72 questions
∙ 2 Simulations in current (long) format
∙ 2 Written Communication tasks
∙ Current Testing Time: 3 hours

∙ Multiple Choice Questions Weight: 70%
∙ Simulations Weight: 20%
∙ Written Communications Weight: 10%

CBT-e Structure
∙ 3 Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ) testlets consisting of 72 questions
∙ 1 Testlet containing 7 short Task-Based Simulations (TBS)
∙ CBT-e Testing Time: 3 hours

∙ Multiple Choice Questions Weight: 60%
∙ Simulations Weight: 40%
∙ Written Communications Weight: N/A

13 Responses to “2011 CPA Exam Update Released”

  1. Kaley 30. Nov, 2009 at 3:40 pm

    So BEC won’t have SIMs until 2011?

  2. Jeff - another71.com 30. Nov, 2009 at 4:09 pm

    Kaley,

    Correct – this only affect exams in 2011 and beyond.

    -Jeff

  3. heendol 02. Dec, 2009 at 3:58 am

    Hello, I am one of people preparing CPA Exam.
    Before the question,
    Thank you for noticing good information about CPA.
    you are blog is relly wonderful!

    I wonder ‘reading 2011 CPA Exam Update Released’
    is accurate informaion or not.
    Bacause I couldn’t get any informaion about that from http://www.aicpa.org/ hompage.

    Where did you get this informaion?

    I would appreciate it if you could let me know ASAP.

    Thank you~

  4. Jeff - another71.com 02. Dec, 2009 at 11:19 am

    Here you go…this isn’t the release that came out recently, but this is an older one that talks more about it…

    Link

  5. Mike 04. Dec, 2009 at 4:01 pm

    I will be eligible to take the CPA exam (working full time, about to complete my MBA and then onto to the MS in Acct) for the first time in April 2011 but I have endeavored to start early because I want to pass all parts on the first try. Would you recommend studying with 2010 materials that have come out recently?

  6. Jeff - another71.com 07. Dec, 2009 at 10:59 am

    Mike – I wouldn’t mess with anything CPA Exam-related until January 2011. Big changes are going to occur and your materials will be outdated.

    You’ll get burnt out on the exam too if you start this early.

    I would focus on the MS in Acctg and get new materials in 2011 and hit it hard then.

    My $.02

    -Jeff

  7. CPA2Z 08. Dec, 2009 at 11:07 pm

    I predict the average pass rates for the new format will be higher than 60%. Written communication only 15%, crazy.

  8. Jeff - another71.com 08. Dec, 2009 at 11:40 pm

    I bet it stays 45-50%-ish. 15% for the written comm. is 5% more than before…”only” 15%?

  9. Bill 09. Dec, 2009 at 12:45 pm

    Written comm. was 10% of each FAR, REG and AUD totally 30% vs the 15% now.

  10. CPA2Z 12. Dec, 2009 at 12:53 am

    I don’t understand how wriiten communication be only 15%. Accountants must know how to write a present a effectively. It’s probably to make the grading process simpler.

  11. CPA2Z 12. Dec, 2009 at 12:55 am

    Making the exam easier will lead to more people passing the exam and being un/underemployed.

  12. Megan 23. Feb, 2010 at 10:45 am

    I am currently studying for the CPA exam, but I didn’t pass my first attempts. So, there is no way I will have all 4 parts passed by the end of 2010.

    I am fixing to switch over to Yaeger or Becker, but it is cheaper to buy them as a group, instead of by section.

    What do you suggest?

  13. Dominic 07. Mar, 2010 at 12:50 pm

    Let’s say I take two parts in 2010 and pass. Will I keep those two credits going into 2011 and only have to take two of the new cpa exams? Or will I have to start from scratch again?