About the Enrolled Agent Exam

The Enrolled Agent Exam employs a scaled scoring system, where the raw scores are converted to a scale that ranges from 40 to 150. This adjustment is meant to ensure consistency in scoring, accommodating for variations in exam difficulty over different administrations. Candidates must achieve a scaled score of 105, which corresponds to the minimum passing standard set by the IRS. Each section of the EA exam is comprised of 100 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within a 3.5-hour timeframe.

What is an Enrolled Agent exam passing score?

Consequently, among the parts of the EA exam, candidates usually consider Part 2 to be more difficult than Part 1. Each part of the Enrolled Agent exam contains 100 multiple-choice questions (MCQs). These 100 MCQs include Bookkeeping for Veterinarians 85 scored questions and 15 experimental questions. So between the three EA exam parts, you’ll have to answer 300 questions.

Using an Enrolled Agent Course = Best EA Passing Score

The Fast Forward Academy pass rate for Enrolled Agent users is unknown. Besides, Fast Forward has a policy of not publishing its pass rates for the EA exam. To learn more, check out this post about Fast Forward EA Review. However, in my opinion, the high pass rates for Part 3 do have some sort of indication of the relative difficulty. Furthermore, many of my readers consider Part 3 to be the easiest.

Enrolled Agent Exam Syllabus

In this case, the pass rates do seem to indicate relative difficulty in professional accounting exams. If the EA exam pass rates look high to you, that’s because they are. For instance, take a look at how the EA exam pass rates compare to the pass rates of the CPA, CMA, and CIA exams. Anyone looking to enter the world of finance or tax professionals will one day have to take and pass a credentialed exam that proves they understand the work.

How to Long to Study for the Enrolled Agent Exam

To reach the necessary 105-point threshold, strategic study is essential. Mastery over the vast expanse of tax code and regulations brings income summary candidates closer to obtaining this score and achieving the EA designation. The scoring scale for the Enrolled Agent Exam is calibrated to a minimum pass mark, established by the IRS.

• After tax preparers pass all three Enrolled Agent exams and complete the other requirements (there aren’t many!), the IRS distinguishes them with the EA designation.
• However, with the right preparation strategy, dedication, and mindset, success is entirely attainable.
• I have an entire posts dedicated to the enrolled agent exam syllabus.
• You just need to use the right EA review course for you and consistently follow your study schedule.
• Hence, the average pass rate for the Enrolled Agent exam is 71%.

Conclusions about the Part 3 pass rate for the Enrolled Agent exam

The scoring for the exam is not based on a curve but is determined using a scaled scoring system where the passing score is set at 105 out of a possible 150. However, 15 of those questions are experimental, and the IRS does not count those questions in your final EA exam score. For all three sections, you’re looking at a total of around 150 to 210 hours of study for the EA exam. Even a seasoned tax professional will need to study; you can’t waltz into the exam with no preparation and expect to pass. When the new, computerized exam first came out in 2006 only about 55% of people were passing on the first attempt. These days, the exam keeps evolving – and every time you think you have it nailed…the tax laws change and the exam gets tougher again.

Advising the Individual Taxpayer

But if you want to know more about the enrolled agent pass rate, I have a post that breaks down that topic. The foundation of your EA score is the number of the 85 operational questions you answer correctly. The IRS mathematically transforms your number of correct answers into a standardized scaled score. The Enrolled Agent exam is definitely a challenging exam, and it reflects the rigorous standards of the tax profession.