What is a passing score on the EA exam reddit?

For the IRS Enrolled Agent (EA) exam, the official passing score is a scaled score of 105 out of a possible 130, which Reddit users and tax professionals confirm, noting it translates roughly to answering around 60-75% of the 85 scored questions correctly, depending on question difficulty and experimental items. Many test-takers aim for higher practice scores (like 85-90%) to build a cushion, as the final scaled score is based on a complex conversion of raw scores.

What is a passing score on the EA exam?

The IRS has set the scaled passing score at 105. Failing candidates are provided a scaled score value so that they may see how close they are to being successful. Candidates that receive a scaled score of 104 are very close to passing. Candidates with a scaled score of 45 are far from being successful.

How many questions do you need to get right on an EA exam?

Exam format

Of those 100 questions, 85 are scored, and 15 are unscored experimental questions that don't count toward your final score. The IRS grades on a scale of 40–130, and you'll need a scaled score of 105 to pass. After you answer the first 50 questions, you'll have the option to take a scheduled break.

What is a good score on the EA?

The short answer: a good EA score is the one that gets you into your target school. Simple as that. For most EMBA programs, 150 is enough to demonstrate readiness. For more competitive programs, a target EA score for MBA admissions might be 155 or higher.

How is the EA graded?

Your score is the number of questions you answered correctly which is then converted to a scaled score from 40-130 points. The scaled score accounts for differences in the exam questions that candidates will receive, as well as the experimental questions. That happens while you're still at the Prometric testing center!

How I Passed All 3 Enrolled Agent (EA) Exams on My First Try in 6 weeks

What is the EA pass rate?

How hard is the EA exam? The IRS Enrolled Agent exam pass rate fluctuates from 70% to 74%. This is a high pass rate compared to other professional accounting exams, like the CPA, which has an average pass rate of 45–50%. The IRS sets a scaled passing score at 105 out of the available 130 points.

Is 156 a good EA score?

In fact, Wharton's Executive MBA program, widely recognized as one of the top EMBA programs, has an average EA score of 156. So, scoring 160 or higher places you in an excellent position when applying to schools.

Is a 70 on an exam good?

However, there are some schools that consider a C the lowest passing grade, so the general standard is that anything below a 60% or 70% is failing, depending on the grading scale. In post-secondary schools, such as college and universities, a D is considered to be an unsatisfactory passing grade.

How is EA score calculated?

This score is based on how many questions you answer correctly, how difficult those questions were, and the total number of questions you answer. The cumulative score is comprised of your Integrated Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning section scores, plus the addition of 120.

What is the hardest section of the EA exam?

Enrolled Agent Exam Part 2: Businesses

Part 2 of the Enrolled Agent Exam is the hardest. It covers many business tax topics. This part tests your knowledge of small business tax issues and complex corporate tax rules.

Which state is the hardest real estate exam?

While no single state is universally agreed upon as the hardest, Texas and Florida are frequently cited due to large candidate pools and complex laws, with California also noted for its challenging scope and lower pass rates, often fluctuating around 50% for first-timers, reflecting the rigorous nature of mastering state-specific regulations and broad real estate principles. 

Is a 75% on the CPA Exam passing?

Yes, a score of 75 or above on a CPA exam section is a passing score, but it's crucial to understand it's not a literal 75% of questions answered correctly; the score is on a 0-99 scale, reflecting sufficient knowledge to protect the public interest, based on weighted question difficulty and performance.
 

What is a passing exam score?

A passing grade is the score you need to show that you've learned enough to move on to the next level. In most high schools, this usually means you've earned at least a D, which is about 60% or higher. So if you get 60 out of 100 points on your assignments, quizzes, and tests, you're most likely passing the class.

Is the EA exam curved?

No, the EA exam is not curved. Scores are based strictly on the number of correct answers, with a minimum passing score set by the testing authority. The IRS provides more frequently asked questions about the Enrolled Agents exam to help you feel adequately prepared and informed during your study process.

What percentile is the EA test score?

The Executive Assessment (EA) does not provide percentile rankings to test-takers. However, our historical data indicates that a total score of 150 typically places candidates around the 64th percentile among the testing population.

Is 60% a pass or fail?

Most colleges and universities generally consider a "D" (or a 60% to 69% score) as a passing grade. It's important to note that this minimum or lowest passing grade standard can significantly vary depending on the institution or major.

Is 60% on a test a fail?

A 60% on a test is typically a passing grade (a 'D'), but it's a low pass and often considered poor, with some schools requiring 70% or higher to pass, making it a fail in those cases; it heavily depends on the specific grading scale of the school, teacher, or course.
 

Is 70 or 75 passing?

Yes, 70 and 75 are generally considered passing grades, typically a 'C' or 'C+', but it depends on the school's scale, with 70 often being a solid pass and 75 a good 'C+' or low 'B', though some programs require higher (like 75+) for major requirements, so always check your specific institution's grading policy.
 

Is the EA exam easier than the CPA exam?

Is the EA exam easier than the CPA exam? The EA exam (Special Enrollment Examination or SEE) is almost solely focused on federal tax law and IRS procedures. It consists of three parts and is considered more accessible, especially for those with hands-on tax prep experience.

Are actuary exams harder than CPA?

Difficulty: For most people the CPA exams are easier than actuarial exams. Actuarial exams test more difficult concepts and get harder as the candidate progresses through them. Number of Exams: Actuaries need to pass 10 exams in order to be fully qualified, whereas accountants have to pass 4 exams within 18 months.

Is CPA still worth it in 2025?

Yes, the CPA is still highly worth it in 2025, offering significant advantages like higher earning potential, enhanced job security due to industry shortages, and access to leadership roles, acting as a career catalyst even with AI, because it validates specialized expertise and ethical commitment, opening doors in public accounting, corporate finance, and advisory, though its primary value shifts slightly depending on your specific career path. 

What is the average EA score?

Total Scores

While 150 is considered an average EA score, such a designation may have more to do with statistics (the average score in a range of 100 to 200 is 150) than what business school applicants are most frequently scoring on the exam.

What percentile is 162 on the executive assessment?

A score of 150 is ~53rd percentile and 162 is 96th percentile (GMAT 730 equivalent) It is important to note that of all 3 sections, the Quant score will be the most important and we advise to reach a scaled score of 12 or above.

What is the highest EA score?

The highest overall Executive Assessment (EA) score is 174, and the lowest is 126.