Nasba Conspiracy Theory

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    Topic
  • #190378

    I remember reading a while back a thread that discussed the possibility that Nasba might have a set quota on how many applicants they allow to pass each of the four exams in one quarter. Now that I have some experience with the CPA exam, this theory is looking more like a possibility to me. Hear me out. when I first started, I scheduled my first two exams towards the beginning of the testing window, with each exam having one of the longest wait times for scores. I studied vigorously for these two exams and ended up with a pass on each. Since then, in order to minimize my waiting time for scores, I have scheduled my last three exams towards the end of each cutoff period for a score release. The result each time has been a fail. On my last two exams Aud (73), and Far(73) I put just as much work into my studies if not more than my first two exams. These disappointing scores, may just be my own doing, but the fact that they were so borderline to a pass, leads me to contemplate that Nasba may be adjusting grades so that they can control who passes and fails. Think about it, why does the CPA exam, a computerized exam, have such a lengthy wait time when all other computerized exams have near instant results, even the BAR exams take less time. The answer may be, that Nasba wants to analyze the scores of the candidates and limit the amount of people who pass each quarter. My thoughts are that Nasba fills their quota on a first come first pass basis. In other words, those who take the exam at the beginning of a score release period (day 1 of 20) will have a much better chance at their exams being curbed in their favor, than say a test taker taking an exam on day (20 of 20) of a score release time frame. This isn’t to say that an ill prepared person will surely pass at the beginning of a period, but that those who actually prepare have less of a curve towards the end of a score release to add to their scores. Please let me know your thoughts Ninjas.

    REG-79(7/14)

    BEC-76(7/14)

    AUD-88(02/15)

    FAR-73(10/14), Waiting on score 02/24/15

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 46 total)
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    Replies
  • #620257
    golfball7773
    Participant

    I just left in the comments of the survey after my FAR exam today: “NASBA – don't hold the scores from us” hopefully it gets to the right person

    AUD - NINJA in Training
    BEC - 86
    FAR - NINJA in Training
    REG - NINJA in Training
    AUD - 71, 73

    BEC - 74, 86

    REG - 77*

    FAR - 57

    *expired

    (I have been trying to become a CPA since 2013). only one test down.......

    FAR: 63, 55, 62
    REG: 65, 77*
    AUD: Fail, 64, 71
    BEC: 72, 74, 81

    *expired

    #621210
    golfball7773
    Participant

    I just left in the comments of the survey after my FAR exam today: “NASBA – don't hold the scores from us” hopefully it gets to the right person

    AUD - NINJA in Training
    BEC - 86
    FAR - NINJA in Training
    REG - NINJA in Training
    AUD - 71, 73

    BEC - 74, 86

    REG - 77*

    FAR - 57

    *expired

    (I have been trying to become a CPA since 2013). only one test down.......

    FAR: 63, 55, 62
    REG: 65, 77*
    AUD: Fail, 64, 71
    BEC: 72, 74, 81

    *expired

    #620258

    Definitely curved. . Took reg 11/13 no clue what i was doing on sims and got an 81.. other 3 felt very confident and got about the same score… based on what I read here reg seems to be the hardest by far and everyone gets higher than expected on reg

    Far: 82 Aug 2014
    Bec: 79 Aug 2014
    Aud:78 Oct 2014
    Reg: 81 Nov 2014 done!!!!

    #621212

    Definitely curved. . Took reg 11/13 no clue what i was doing on sims and got an 81.. other 3 felt very confident and got about the same score… based on what I read here reg seems to be the hardest by far and everyone gets higher than expected on reg

    Far: 82 Aug 2014
    Bec: 79 Aug 2014
    Aud:78 Oct 2014
    Reg: 81 Nov 2014 done!!!!

    #620259
    Mamabear
    Member

    BEC (08/10/13) 80 PASS–4 days before score release cutoff

    AUD (08/24/13) 65 FAIL–7 days before score release cutoff

    AUD (11/13/13) 85 PASS–1 day before score release cutoff

    FAR (04/12/14) 81 PASS–8 days before score release cutoff

    REG (07/19/14) 69 FAIL–1 day before score release cutoff

    REG (11/29/14) ???–1 day before score release cutoff

    So my passes were 1,4, and 8 days prior to cutoff and my fails were 1 and 7 days before cutoff. I feel the results are inconclusive for me. Hopefully this last one will make it another pass 1 day before cutoff.

    I knew I was going to fail both of the ones I failed because my preparation was inefficient. I don't have any doubts about why i failed those. One or two of the passes shocked me though…

    CPA Exam - Finally DONE (November 2014)
    BEC (08/10/13) 80
    AUD (08/24/13) 65 (11/13/13) 85
    FAR (04/12/14) 81
    REG (07/19/14) 69 (11/29/14) 87!!

    #621214
    Mamabear
    Member

    BEC (08/10/13) 80 PASS–4 days before score release cutoff

    AUD (08/24/13) 65 FAIL–7 days before score release cutoff

    AUD (11/13/13) 85 PASS–1 day before score release cutoff

    FAR (04/12/14) 81 PASS–8 days before score release cutoff

    REG (07/19/14) 69 FAIL–1 day before score release cutoff

    REG (11/29/14) ???–1 day before score release cutoff

    So my passes were 1,4, and 8 days prior to cutoff and my fails were 1 and 7 days before cutoff. I feel the results are inconclusive for me. Hopefully this last one will make it another pass 1 day before cutoff.

    I knew I was going to fail both of the ones I failed because my preparation was inefficient. I don't have any doubts about why i failed those. One or two of the passes shocked me though…

    CPA Exam - Finally DONE (November 2014)
    BEC (08/10/13) 80
    AUD (08/24/13) 65 (11/13/13) 85
    FAR (04/12/14) 81
    REG (07/19/14) 69 (11/29/14) 87!!

    #620260
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    The percentages seem to be predetermined and even my Dad, CPA, said “they raised the pass rates”. I don't necessarily agree that it is completely true, but I'm not dismissing it either. As far as timing on receiving scores, when I took the GMAT about 7 years ago at a prometric, my score was ready as soon as I hit end and was waiting for me at checkout. My sister took the bar at the end of July 2013. She found out she passed October 1, 2013. I never have waited that long for my CPA results. They also still have the option of taking it paper/pencil too. What to take from it is study hard enough that they don't bump you down.

    #621216
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    The percentages seem to be predetermined and even my Dad, CPA, said “they raised the pass rates”. I don't necessarily agree that it is completely true, but I'm not dismissing it either. As far as timing on receiving scores, when I took the GMAT about 7 years ago at a prometric, my score was ready as soon as I hit end and was waiting for me at checkout. My sister took the bar at the end of July 2013. She found out she passed October 1, 2013. I never have waited that long for my CPA results. They also still have the option of taking it paper/pencil too. What to take from it is study hard enough that they don't bump you down.

    #620261

    This is interesting, thanks for sharing. I am not basing my study methods on this theory, you can be sure, that come Q1 of 2015, I will be tackling these exams full throttle. Might incorporate ninja mcqs to vary it a little.

    REG-79(7/14)

    BEC-76(7/14)

    AUD-88(02/15)

    FAR-73(10/14), Waiting on score 02/24/15

    #621218

    This is interesting, thanks for sharing. I am not basing my study methods on this theory, you can be sure, that come Q1 of 2015, I will be tackling these exams full throttle. Might incorporate ninja mcqs to vary it a little.

    REG-79(7/14)

    BEC-76(7/14)

    AUD-88(02/15)

    FAR-73(10/14), Waiting on score 02/24/15

    #620262
    Mika
    Participant

    Just like CIA exam, once completed, you know your result instantly!

    REG - 80 (02/13/2015) Roger + Ninja Flash Card + Ninja MCQ + Becker's Note
    FAR - 84 (05/29/2015) Roger + Ninja MCQ + Some Wiley book questions
    BEC - 77 (08/27/2015) Roger + Ninja MCQ + Half Wiley book questions
    AUD - 87 (08/28/2015) Roger + Ninja MCQ + Half Wiley book questions

    #621220
    Mika
    Participant

    Just like CIA exam, once completed, you know your result instantly!

    REG - 80 (02/13/2015) Roger + Ninja Flash Card + Ninja MCQ + Becker's Note
    FAR - 84 (05/29/2015) Roger + Ninja MCQ + Some Wiley book questions
    BEC - 77 (08/27/2015) Roger + Ninja MCQ + Half Wiley book questions
    AUD - 87 (08/28/2015) Roger + Ninja MCQ + Half Wiley book questions

    #620263
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    110% graded against peers based on raw score hence the rational that people who work their ass off generally pass

    #621222
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    110% graded against peers based on raw score hence the rational that people who work their ass off generally pass

    #620264

    Nick I agree completely with you, my argument is that for those whose raw scores are borderline, say 73-77, Nasba tends to pass these people more so in the beginning of a release period rather than at the back end, but yes if you completely dominate the exam, then no need to worry about the curve.

    REG-79(7/14)

    BEC-76(7/14)

    AUD-88(02/15)

    FAR-73(10/14), Waiting on score 02/24/15

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 46 total)
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