cchang

The 3 answer format leading to a higher pass rate argument holds no water when looking at June results. Everyone cheered when Level 1 pass rates came out in June at 46%. The thought being, people were out of work, studied more, and had a better chance at guessing the right answer this time around.

Then Level 2 and 3 scores came out in August, and this argument stopped very quickly. Level 2 is all multiple choice and also had the 3 answer format for the first time. The Level 2 pass rate dropped to 41% from 46% in 2008. Level 3 is half multiple choice, so a direct comparison can't be drawn, but still, that pass rate dropped to 49% from 53% in 2008.

Yes, the Level 1 pass rate was unusually high in June, and there may be a specific reason for it, but I refuse to believe it had to do with the 3 answer format. The CFAI sets that Minimum Passing Score to be whatever they want. The pass rate could be 30% for the December test, it could be 50%. Only they know, and you'll just have to wait and see.