CPA Exam Lab
All patterns
Sampling and IT

The Sampling Risk Pair

Attribute for controls, variables for balances, and only sampling risk moves with sample size.

How the exam words it

The playbook

  1. 1Only sampling risk falls as the sample grows, nonsampling risk comes from human error.
  2. 2Attribute sampling tests control deviation rates, variables sampling estimates dollar amounts.
  3. 3A higher tolerable rate means a smaller sample, and if the upper deviation limit exceeds the tolerable rate, the control cannot be relied on.

The trap

Thinking a bigger sample reduces nonsampling risk, or mixing up attribute and variables sampling. Only sampling risk shrinks with size.

How the exam varies it

The same pattern, re-skinned along these axes:

Attribute (controls) versus variables (substantive)Sampling versus nonsampling riskTolerable rate, confidence level, or sample-result interpretation

Drill this pattern

8 questions of The Sampling Risk Pair from across the AUD topics. Clear it by getting 5 right with a streak of 3.

Shows up in 1 AUD topic