CPA Exam Scoring 2026: How the 0-99 Score Works and When Results Arrive
CPA exam scores run from 0 to 99 with a pass mark of 75. How the score is built, when scores are released in 2026, and what the score report and review options show.
A CPA exam section is scored on a scale from 0 to 99, and a score of at least 75 passes the section, according to the AICPA and NASBA. The score is not a percentage of questions answered correctly and it is not curved. Core sections usually return results within one to two weeks and Discipline sections take longer. This guide explains how the score is built, the 2026 release windows the AICPA and NASBA publish, what the score report shows and which review options exist. For pass rates see our CPA pass rates guide, and for what happens after a fail read our retake and credit window guide.
At a glance
| Item | What the official sources say |
|---|---|
| Score scale | 0 to 99 |
| Passing score | 75 on every section |
| Weighting: AUD, FAR, REG, BAR, TCP | 50 percent multiple-choice, 50 percent task-based simulations |
| Weighting: ISC | 60 percent multiple-choice, 40 percent simulations |
| Core release time | Typically one to two weeks, according to the AICPA |
| Discipline release time | About six weeks, according to the AICPA |
| Score review fee | $240 (NASBA) |
| Score appeal fee | $550 plus $100 per item (NASBA) |
How the section score is built
The AICPA says a section score combines the scaled score from the multiple-choice questions with the scaled score from the task-based simulations. Scaled scores reflect both whether answers are correct and how difficult the questions were. In AUD, FAR, REG, BAR and TCP the two parts each count for 50 percent. ISC counts multiple choice for 60 percent and simulations for 40 percent. Because the score is scaled and not a raw percentage, there is no fixed number of questions you must answer correctly.
Release windows
The AICPA publishes target dates for score release and says they can change. For Core sections, its table gives windows keyed to when the AICPA receives the testing file from the test centre operator, including 23 October to 10 November, 15 to 24 November, 8 to 16 December and 31 December to 12 January in the 2026 table we read. For Discipline sections, scores for July testing were targeted for 11 September and scores for October testing for 15 December. NASBA's own table, dated 9 September 2026, matches the AICPA's. NASBA says it posts scores within about 48 hours of receiving them from the AICPA, and that the official notice follows within about 72 hours of the advisory score. Check the live AICPA page before you plan around a date, since the dates are targets.
The score report
Your score notice sits in the CPA portal and shows your score and your credit status. If you did not pass, it adds a Candidate Performance Report that compares you with candidates who scored 75 to 80, by content area and question type. It rates each area stronger, comparable or weaker, and it has no effect on your score. That report is the most useful guide for a retake.
Score review and appeals
NASBA lists a score review at $240 and a score appeal at $550 plus $100 per item. NASBA also says appeals are not available in California, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Montana, Texas and Virginia. A few boards do not release scores through NASBA in the normal way. The September 2026 NASBA guide says NASBA does not release scores for California, Illinois or Kentucky, and releases only numeric scores for Texas, so ask your board how you will receive yours.
What a pass does and does not mean
A passing section score gives you credit towards the exam. How long that credit lasts depends on your state board, and the old 18-month limit no longer applies everywhere. Our retake and credit window guide explains the current picture.
Planning around results
If you are working to a deadline, such as the end of a credit window, allow for the full release range rather than the earliest date. Do not book a retake until you have studied your Candidate Performance Report, as NASBA says you must wait at least 72 hours after receiving a score before re-registering for the same section.
Frequently asked questions
What is the passing score for the CPA exam?
75 on the 0 to 99 scale, on every section.
Is the CPA exam curved?
No. The AICPA says scores are not curved, and the score is not a percentage of questions answered correctly.
How long do CPA results take?
The AICPA says Core scores typically take one to two weeks and Discipline scores about six weeks. Its published dates are targets and can change.
Can I see why I failed?
Yes. A failed section includes a Candidate Performance Report that shows stronger, comparable and weaker areas.
Can I appeal a CPA exam score?
NASBA lists a score appeal at $550 plus $100 per item, but appeals are not available in several states.
Next steps
Read the CPA syllabus guide for the exam structure and our CPA exam fees guide for the cost of each attempt. If you are comparing study options, see our Learnsignal pricing page and the CPA study materials comparison.
Source: AICPA and CIMA CPA exam scoring and pass rates page, the AICPA score release schedule, NASBA scores page and CPA Exam Candidate Guide (September 2026). Checked October 2026.
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