2912 Pass the First Certified Public Accountant Exam... Competition Ratio 4.9 to 1

The competition rate for this year's first Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam was recorded at 4.9 to 1.

The Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) announced on the 21st that the number of successful candidates for the 2025 first exam was 2,912. The competition rate was 4.9 to 1, slightly higher than the previous year (4.8 to 1).

The cutoff score, which is the minimum passing score, was 349.0 points out of a total of 510 points, with an average of 68.4 points. The FSS stated, "Although the average dropped by 1.5 points compared to last year, it did not deviate significantly from the usual level."

The highest scorer was Jeong Chan-young, a 24-year-old student at Seoul National University, with 456.0 points and an average of 89.4 points. The youngest successful candidate was Choi Seong-heon, a 20-year-old student at Korea University.

The overall average score of all examinees was 49.1 points, down 0.8 points from the previous year. Among the successful candidates, those in their late 20s accounted for the largest share at 54.5%, followed by early 20s at 31.2%, and early 30s at 12.4%. The proportion of women increased to 40.0%. By educational background, 57.8% of successful candidates were university students.

The FSS expects the number of applicants for the second exam to reach 4,650. This figure includes not only the first exam successful candidates but also 2,722 individuals who were granted a one-year deferral for the second exam after passing the first exam last year. The estimated competition rate for the second exam is 3.9 to 1.

The application period for the second exam is from May 8 to May 20. The exam dates are June 28 and 29. The final successful candidates will be announced on September 5.