Competition for South Korea's certified public accountant examination has dropped to its lowest level in six years.
The 61st CPA first-round exam, held at 26 test centers nationwide on Sunday, recorded a competition ratio of 4.4 to 1 based on the minimum planned selection of 2,800 candidates, according to the Financial Supervisory Service on Monday.
The ratio marks the lowest since 2020, when it stood at 4.1 to 1. Previous years showed higher competition: 5.3 to 1 in 2021, 6.0 to 1 in 2022, 5.3 to 1 in 2023, 4.8 to 1 in 2024, and 4.9 to 1 in 2025.
A total of 12,263 candidates sat for the first-round exam, representing an 83.9% attendance rate—also the lowest since 2020's 83.3%.
Objections to the provisional answer key can be submitted until 6 p.m. on February 11, with confirmed answers to be announced in mid-February. Final results are scheduled for March 10, though the date may be moved forward depending on the grading schedule.
Successful candidates are selected from the top scorers among those who achieve an average of 60% or higher without failing any individual subject, up to a maximum of 2,800 people. If ties cause the number to exceed 2,800, all candidates with the same score will pass.