AUD: Auditing and Attestation
The AUD section of the CPA Exam has a 48.65% pass rate for 2026 through Q2, number 2 of the three core sections.
- Pass rate, 2026 through Q2
- 48.65%
- Pass rate, 2025
- 48.21%
- Section type
- Core, required of every candidate
- Length
- 4 hours
- Score weighting
- 50% multiple choice, 50% task based simulations
The audit and attestation process: ethics, risk assessment, evidence, internal control, and reporting. In 2025 it was 48.21%, so it has risen 0.44 points.
What is tested, by AICPA blueprint area
| Area | Content | Score weight |
|---|---|---|
| AUD.I | Ethics, Professional Responsibilities and General Principles | 15 to 25% |
| AUD.II | Assessing Risk and Developing a Planned Response | 25 to 35% |
| AUD.III | Performing Further Procedures and Obtaining Evidence | 30 to 40% |
| AUD.IV | Forming Conclusions and Reporting | 10 to 20% |
Area weightings are the AICPA published score ranges. Pass rates are the AICPA published candidate pass rates for 2026 through Q2, read from AICPA & CIMA on 2026-08-17. The AICPA publishes them quarterly.
Every AUD blueprint area, group and topic
What order to take the sections explains why FAR is usually taken first.
Common questions
What is the AUD CPA Exam pass rate?
The AUD section of the CPA Exam has a 48.65% pass rate for 2026 through Q2, number 2 of the three core sections.
Is AUD hard?
The AUD section of the CPA Exam has a 48.65% pass rate for 2026 through Q2, number 2 of the three core sections. In 2025 it was 48.21%, so it has risen 0.44 points.
What is tested on AUD?
The audit and attestation process: ethics, risk assessment, evidence, internal control, and reporting. The AICPA blueprint splits AUD into 4 content areas, each with a published score weight range.
How long is the AUD exam?
Every CPA Exam section including AUD is 4 hours. 5 testlets per section: 2 multiple-choice + 3 task-based simulations.