Scored and experimental questions
The 15 experimental items allow the test developer to evaluate future questions. They are mixed into the exam and are not identified to candidates.
What your result tells you
The official result uses the exam's scoring method rather than a simple raw percentage. A diagnostic is best used to prioritize study, not predict an exact scaled score from only a few items.
How to use practice scores
Track results by exam part and topic, review the reasoning behind every miss, then retest with unseen questions. Consistency across multiple mixed sets is more useful than one peak score.
What candidates ask next
Are all 100 EA exam questions scored?
No. The IRS says 85 are scored and 15 are experimental and non-scored.
Can you tell which EA exam questions are experimental?
No. Experimental questions are not identified during the test.
Does a practice percentage equal the official score?
No. A practice percentage is a study signal, not the official scaled result.
Primary sources
Exam facts on this page are checked against these current official sources.