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 IRS converts the number of scored questions answered correctly to a 200-800 scale. The passing score is 500. Failing reports show the scaled score; passing reports show a passing designation without a numeric score.
When results arrive
A pass/fail message appears on your computer screen as soon as you complete the exam, and PSI follows up with an email containing your score report. You do not wait weeks for an EA exam result the way some licensing exams require.
A pass carries over for three years
The IRS allows a passed part to carry over for up to three years from the date you passed it. That window is generous, but momentum matters: candidates who schedule the next part while study habits are active retain more and re-learn less.
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.
What score do you need to pass the EA exam?
The IRS sets the passing score at 500 on a 200-800 scaled-score range. A passing report does not display a numeric score.
When do you get your EA exam results?
Immediately. A pass/fail message appears on screen at the end of the exam, and PSI emails the score report afterward.
How long is a passed EA exam part valid?
The IRS says passing scores carry over for up to three years from the date you passed that part.
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.
