What this comparison shows
Percentages appear from low to high for lookup. Missing rates, section outcomes, and admissions scores remain distinct. A lower rate does not by itself prove a harder exam.
Published exam pass rates
Read the candidate group before the number. First-time graduates, all candidates, and exam sections are different populations.
| Exam | Outcome | Candidate group | Period and source |
|---|---|---|---|
| CFA Level I | 43% | All 28,145 candidates worldwide sitting Level I in the August 2026 testing window; first-time candidates passed at 49% | August 2026 |
| FE Civil | 66% | First-time FE Civil examinees from EAC/ABET-accredited programs, testing within 12 months of graduation; 6,247 examinees | January–June 2026; table updated July 2026 |
| NBCOT OTR | 68% | First-time new graduates: candidates testing within one year of graduation; 8,511 candidates | 2025 |
| ASWB Clinical | 75.7% | First-time Clinical test-takers in all ASWB member jurisdictions; 26,439 exams The 2025 rate predates the 2026 blueprint and question-count change. | 2025 |
| NCLEX-RN | 86.7% | First-time, U.S.-educated NCLEX-RN candidates seeking U.S. licensure; 192,916 candidates | January 1–December 31, 2025 |
| USMLE Step 1 | 93% | First-time examinees from U.S. medical schools granting MD degrees; 23,028 examinees. This rate does not cover DO or non-U.S. school examinees. | 2025 |
| CPA Exam | By section | AICPA publishes section-level pass rates, not one aggregate rate for completing all four sections. Do not average the section rates to estimate a candidate's probability of completing the exam. | See exam profile |
| PMP | Not available | No official population pass rate was located in the reviewed PMI exam materials. A minimum passing score and a population pass rate are different measures. | See exam profile |
| AWS Solutions Architect – Associate | Not available | No official population pass rate was located in the reviewed AWS exam materials. The 720 minimum scaled score is not a pass rate. | See exam profile |
| CompTIA Security+ | Not available | No official population pass rate was located on the reviewed CompTIA exam page. The 750 minimum scaled score is not a pass rate. | See exam profile |
| LSAT | Admissions score | The LSAT is an admissions score examination with no universal passing threshold. Reported scores and school-specific admission requirements are more appropriate than a pass rate. | See exam profile |
| MCAT | Admissions score | The MCAT reports admissions scores rather than a universal pass/fail result. Admission depends on the medical school's criteria and the applicant's complete record. | See exam profile |