How the Enrolled Agent Exam Is Scored: Scaled Scoring Explained

Enrolled agent exam scaled scoring

The Enrolled Agent exam uses a scaled scoring system with scores ranging from 40 to 130. You need a minimum scaled score of 105 to pass each of the three parts. Your raw score (number of correct answers out of 100) is converted into a scaled score that adjusts for question difficulty — so a harder exam version requires fewer correct answers to reach 105.

Looking for official pass rate statistics by part? See our enrolled agent exam pass rate 2026 breakdown.

🛍️ Product

Enrolled Agent Course (IRS EA) – Surgent EA Review

Best Enrolled Agent Course Worldwide: Surgent EA Review | 50% OFF Global Discount with Eduyush This Surgent Enrolled Agent course, offered through Edu...

by Surgent EA ✓ Available

🛒 View Product

What Is Enrolled Agent Exam Scaled Scoring?

Scaled scoring for the Enrolled Agent exam is a method used to standardize scores across multiple exam versions. The EA exam consists of three parts, each containing 100 multiple-choice questions. Since different versions of the exam are administered, scaled scoring ensures that scores are comparable, even if one version is slightly more challenging.

How Scaled Scoring Works

1. You answer 100 multiple-choice questions per part.
2. Your number of correct answers becomes your raw score.
3. The IRS applies a statistical adjustment based on question difficulty.
4. The result is your scaled score on a 40–130 scale.
5. You need a score of 105 or higher to pass.

The adjustment in step 3 means two candidates who both answer 70
Questions answered correctly can receive different scaled scores if one took
a harder exam version. This is why 70% correct does not always
equal a passing score.

Why Scaled Scores?

The IRS uses a scaled scoring system for the EA exam to maintain fairness and consistency. Here are some critical reasons for this system:

1. Ensures Fairness: Since different candidates may receive slightly different versions of the exam, scaled scoring ensures that no one is unfairly advantaged or disadvantaged.
2. Measures Consistency: Scaled scores provide a consistent measure of performance across various test versions, ensuring that the same level of knowledge is required to pass.
3. Eliminates Variability: By converting raw scores to scaled scores, the system eliminates the impact of varying exam difficulty, focusing on the candidate's understanding of tax laws and IRS regulations.

EA Exam Scoring: Key Facts at a Glance

Ready to pass? Join Surgent’s Enrolled Agent course with AI tech and a 96% success rate. Get started today!

Why 105 Out of 130 Does Not Mean 80.7%

A common misconception is that the EA exam passing score of 105/130 means you need to answer 80.7% of questions correctly. This is incorrect.

The 40–130 scale is not a percentage conversion. Here’s why:

• The lowest possible scaled score is 40 (not zero)
• The scale has only 90 usable points (130 minus 40)
• A score of 105 sits at point 65 out of 90 on the scale
• This roughly corresponds to answering 65–72% of questions
  correctly, depending on difficulty

Bottom line: You do NOT need to answer 80% of questions correctly. Most candidates pass by answering approximately 68–72% correctly.

Practical Examples: How Enrolled Agent Exam Scores Work

To better understand how the scaled scoring system affects results, let's walk through some practical examples:

Example 1: Passing Score

• Candidate: John takes Part 1 of the EA exam (Individual Taxes).
• Performance: John answers 70% of the questions correctly, including many more difficult ones.
• Result: Due to the weighted scoring, John's scaled score reaches 110 (well above the 105 required to pass).
• Outcome: John passed Part 1 and got a "Pass" notification immediately after the exam, but he did not see his exact score.

Example 2: Failing Score

• Candidate: Sarah takes Part 2 (Businesses) and correctly answers 60% of the questions.
• Performance: Most of Sarah's correct answers were on the more straightforward questions, and she struggled with the more difficult ones.
• Result: Sarah receives a scaled score of 98. Since the minimum passing score is 105, she fails this section.
• Outcome: Sarah immediately sees her score of 98 and receives feedback indicating that she needs to improve in certain areas of business taxation, such as Partnership Taxation and Corporate Taxation.

Example 3: Marginal Fail

• Candidate: David takes Part 3 (Representation, Practices, and Procedures).
• Performance: David answers 75% of the questions correctly but misses several tricky questions related to Circular 230.
• Result: His scaled score is 104, just one point below the passing score.
• Outcome: David receives a score of 104 with a “Fail” notice. His diagnostic report shows that he needs to improve his understanding of Circular 230 and Ethics-related questions.

Example 4: Retaking After a Fail

• Candidate: Jane failed Part 1 on her first attempt with a score of 100 but received helpful feedback showing she was Near Proficiency in areas like Income Taxation for Individuals but Below Proficiency in Retirement Plans.
• Preparation: Jane focuses her studies on retirement taxation and other weak areas.
• Result: On her second attempt, she did better on the difficult questions, getting a scaled score of 108 and passes.
• Outcome: Jane passes Part 1 and can now move on to focus on the other parts of the exam.

Example 5: Passing All Parts

• Candidate: Alex takes all three parts of the EA exam over a few months.
  • Part 1 (Individuals): Scores 115 (Pass)
  • Part 2 (Business): Scores 110 (Pass)
  • Part 3 (Representation): Scores 108 (Pass)
• Outcome: Alex passed all parts within a year and is now eligible to apply for Enrolled Agent status with the IRS.

What Happens After You Take the Exam?

Passing the Exam:

If you pass a section, you’ll receive a "Pass" notification, but you won't see your exact score. After passing all three parts, you can apply for your Enrolled Agent certification. For a step-by-step guide on applying for your EA credential, visit our blog on How to Apply for Enrolled Agent Status.

If You Don’t Pass

You’ll see your exact scaled score and a diagnostic report at the test center. You can retake the failed part up to four times during the current testing window (May 1 – February 28). For retake strategies and study adjustments.

Diagnostic Reports: Breaking Down Your Score

A diagnostic report is included with your score when you don’t pass. It breaks down your performance by topic and categorizes it into:

1. Areas with Strong Performance: You performed well in these topics.
2. Areas with Marginal Performance: These are areas where your performance was moderate, but there’s room for improvement.
3. Areas Needing Improvement: These are the weakest areas of your exam and need the most attention.

Example of a Diagnostic Report for Part 1 (Individuals):

• Deductions and Credits: Strong Performance
• Income Reporting: Marginal Performance
• Filing Requirements and Status: Needs Improvement

Key Takeaways: EA Exam Scaled Scoring

• The EA exam scores on a 40–130 scale, not a percentage
• You need a score of 105 or higher to pass each part.
• Scaled scoring adjusts for question difficulty across different exam versions
• If you pass, you see “Pass” only — your exact score stays hidden.
• If you fail, you receive your score plus a diagnostic report showing weak areas
• Most candidates pass by answering approximately 68–72% of questions correctly
• You can retake each part up to 4 times per testing window.