Each Friday, the Wizard joins us to share an answer to one of the questions asked during the week. Since the majority of questions asked this week involved the Customs Broker Exam, the Wizard decided to respond to one of the questions related to the exam.
Question: What is the typical percentage of pass rate? Is 15% high, low or average?
The quick answer to the question is that 15% is slightly better than average. Using the pass rates for exams given in the last five years (April 2004 – October 2008); we find the average pass rate to be 14%. Keep in mind that CBP has not released the exact percentage for the April 2009 exam and 15% was their best estimate at the time. The actual pass rate may be a little higher or lower. Over the last 10 exams, the lowest pass rate was on the October 2005 exam, which had a 4% pass rate. The highest pass rate was on the October 2006 exam, which earned a 25% pass rate. Going back a few more years, we find that the highest pass rate of 52% came from the October 2001 Exam and the lowest at 3% from the April 2002 exam. There is no way to predict whether one test will be harder than another will. Don’t put many hopes in the rumors that circulate about how if the pass rate on the last exam was very low, the next test will be very easy and vice versa. The bottom line is that the test is difficult; otherwise, the pass rate would average a lot higher than 14%. With true dedication to your studies and use of the study methods that work best for your learning style, you can be part of that 14% and help push that percentage higher!
Do you have a question for the Wizard? Submit your question by clicking on the link in the space for “Ask the Wizard.” See you next Friday!
Question: What is the typical percentage of pass rate? Is 15% high, low or average?
The quick answer to the question is that 15% is slightly better than average. Using the pass rates for exams given in the last five years (April 2004 – October 2008); we find the average pass rate to be 14%. Keep in mind that CBP has not released the exact percentage for the April 2009 exam and 15% was their best estimate at the time. The actual pass rate may be a little higher or lower. Over the last 10 exams, the lowest pass rate was on the October 2005 exam, which had a 4% pass rate. The highest pass rate was on the October 2006 exam, which earned a 25% pass rate. Going back a few more years, we find that the highest pass rate of 52% came from the October 2001 Exam and the lowest at 3% from the April 2002 exam. There is no way to predict whether one test will be harder than another will. Don’t put many hopes in the rumors that circulate about how if the pass rate on the last exam was very low, the next test will be very easy and vice versa. The bottom line is that the test is difficult; otherwise, the pass rate would average a lot higher than 14%. With true dedication to your studies and use of the study methods that work best for your learning style, you can be part of that 14% and help push that percentage higher!
Do you have a question for the Wizard? Submit your question by clicking on the link in the space for “Ask the Wizard.” See you next Friday!
