
Application pre-graduation:
- You can apply to sit for the exam up to 180 days prior to your expected graduation date.
- You can begin sitting for exam sections up to 90 days prior to graduation, provided you have met all requirements except having an official transcript.
What is the best way to pass the CPA exam?
How to Pass the CPA Exam
- Get Organized for the Long Haul. One of my best tips is to get organized and stay organized. ...
- Purchase a Review Course. I consider the CPA Exam to be “academic.” That is, some of the questions ask about concepts that you don’t necessarily use often in your ...
- Create a Study Schedule and Study. ...
- Register for the CPA Exam. ...
- Do a Final Review. ...
How many hours should I study for the CPA exam?
In general, it’s recommended that CPA candidates study for 300-400 hours for the CPA exam in total in order to ensure they pass. Essentially, this equates to about 80-100 hours of CPA study hours for each exam section. Keep in mind that these suggested and recommended study times are just that. They are suggestions based on candidate averages.
Which section of the CPA exam should you take first?
Your First Section of the CPA Exam Should Be Your Most Confident Subject. Your first exam section should be the subject that you feel the most confident with. This is different for everyone. Például, if the last two classes you took in college were business law and federal taxation, REG would be a pretty obvious first choice.
How long it takes to complete CPA exam?
You must complete all the CPA exam sections within 18 months for successful licensure. An average CPA candidate requires 9-14 months to pass all the sections of the CPA Examination. However, this period may vary as per your familiarity with the material, acquired skills, and study time devoted.

When can you start studying for the CPA exam?
Assuming you can study 15-20 hours each week, this translates to roughly 1-2 months of prep time per section. With this in mind, you should aim to start studying about 8 weeks before your CPA exam date.
Should I take the CPA exam right after college?
Don't Wait Too Long to Take the CPA Exam. If you are fortunate enough to live in a state that allows candidates to take the CPA exam before college graduation, it's definitely worth doing. The general rule of thumb is that you should try to sit for the exam as soon after college as you can.
What is the average age to pass the CPA exams?
[To put that achievement in perspective: According to the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), for the past seven years, the average age of CPA exam candidates has been 29.]
How long should I study before CPA exam?
between 300-400 hoursThe AICPA recommends that candidates spend between 300-400 hours to study for the entire exam CPA exam. Because we all learn differently, some sections will require more study hours than others due to the volume of material included in a section and how quickly one is able to grasp and retain the study material.
What is the most difficult part of the CPA Exam?
Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)Students often report that Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) is the most difficult part of the CPA Exam to pass, because it is the most comprehensive section.
Can you pass CPA Exam in 6 months?
9:2241:18How to Pass the CPA Exam in 6 Months - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIn November but a six month window to sit for the exam. And pass really you can you can do it withMoreIn November but a six month window to sit for the exam. And pass really you can you can do it with any six months of the exam calendar.
Which college has the highest CPA pass rate?
If you're considering accounting programs, it's important to understand CPA pass rates by school....Schools with Highest CPA Pass RatesUniversity of Pennsylvania: 90.9%Rice University: 90.8%University of Texas – Austin: 89.5%Brigham Young University: 89.4%Wake Forest University: 88.8%
Whats the lowest score you can get on a CPA exam?
You can get a score that ranges from 0 to 99 in each of the four sections of the CPA exam. The scores are calculated using a weighted combination of scaled scores from each of the portions in the different sections of the exam. Which are the different portions in each section and what are the weights allotted to them?
What is the hardest professional exam to pass?
Below is a list of the top 10 hardest exams in the US:MCAT.Chartered Financial Analyst Exams.USMLE.Graduate Record Examination.Cisco Certified Internetworking Expert.SAT.IELTS.Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Designation.More items...•
How can I pass my CPA in 3 months?
Create a 3-Month CPA Study PlanCreate a study plan. ... Go through as many CPA multiple-choice questions as possible. ... Use CPA flashcards. ... Complete a set of 30 cumulative multiple-choice questions daily. ... Download a mobile app to do practice questions in your downtime.More items...
Is becoming a CPA worth it?
As growth continues for accounting professionals in both public and private firms, hiring managers look for candidates with experience and certification. Earning your CPA puts you in the spotlight for promotion, rapid career advancement – and a better salary.
How long does it take to pass all CPA exams?
The average CPA candidate may need 6-12 months to pass the entire CPA Exam. This could vary depending on: How familiar you are with the material. How much time has passed since you earned your degree.
Is the CPA exam difficult?
It is considered one of the most challenging exams for obtaining standardized professional credentials. When the national pass rate is approximately 1 in 2, those who will eventually need to take the CPA exam should use every resource possible to give them an edge against a nearly 50% fail rate.
How do I start preparing for CPA exam?
The Best Way to Study for the CPA ExamTake a CPA practice test to see where you stand. ... Make a CPA exam study plan and stick to it. ... Let your friends and family know you're taking the CPA exam. ... Take care of yourself. ... Find a CPA mentor. ... Begin studying for the CPA exam as soon as possible. ... Join a CPA study group.More items...
Is it worth to get CPA?
As growth continues for accounting professionals in both public and private firms, hiring managers look for candidates with experience and certification. Earning your CPA puts you in the spotlight for promotion, rapid career advancement – and a better salary.
How long is the far CPA exam?
4 hoursFAR CPA Exam Quick Facts The FAR CPA exam is 4 hours long. There are 66 multiple-choice questions and 8 task-based simulations on the CPA FAR exam. FAR is the most comprehensive section of the CPA exam. The FAR CPA exam pass rate is around 45%.
When is CPA testing window?
Thus, January – February, April – May, July – August, and October – November are testing months ...
What Order Should You Sit For the CPA Exam?
There are a lot of different theories about this. However, I always suggest candidates sit for their strongest sections first. I talk more about which CPA exam you should take first in this blog post. Furthermore, I also suggest the best order to take each section in this post. Before you worry about what section you are going to take first, you will need to pick out a CPA prep course.
Why is the CPA exam so confusing?
The CPA exam schedule is pretty confusing because there are so many different testing windows, exam dates, blackout months, and other oddities. Additionally, recent global events have made the situation even more confusing with numerous cancellations and rescheduling for seemingly every event. Consequently, the scheduling process can difficult ...
What happens if you don't schedule your NTS exam?
Hence, if you don’t schedule your exam within that window, your NTS will be invalidated and you will be required to pay the same exam fees in order to get another one. That’s the basic process of scheduling your exam.
How long do you have to pass the Far exam?
The 18-month rolling window doesn’t have anything to do with scheduling your exam dates. Instead, this is the time period in which you need to successfully complete all four sections of the exam. In other words, you have 18 months to complete the remaining three sections after your first completed section. If you can’t pass all four sections within the 18 month time period, the first passed section will drop off or be invalidated. Thus, if you passed FAR in January Year 1 and were unable to pass the remaining three sections until October Year 2, your passed FAR exam will no longer be valid. You will have to retake FAR again.
How many days a week can you sit for Prometric?
Furthermore, candidates can typically make an appointment for a specific date and time 6 days per week during any testing window at their local Prometric testing center. However, one important note to consider is that you are not able to schedule to sit for the same section multiple times in the same testing window.
What is the longest section of the accounting exam?
Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) is the longest section of the exam and tests candidates on the following financial accounting and reporting topics.
When is the Best Time of Year to Take the CPA Exam?
This is another popular question among CPA exam candidates. For example, legend has it that March and April is the best time to take REG since most tax accountants are still in the middle of their busy season and not sitting for the CPA exam, so there’s “less competition” in the bell-curve. That’s ridiculous.
When should I start studying for CPA?
Why? The CPA exam takes a TON of time, even more so if you haven’t completed your college accounting curriculum. Plus you only have an 18 month window to pass all four sections of the exam, so taking and passing one too early may come back to haunt you later.
How long should I study for CPA exam?
Many candidates ask, “ How long should I study for the CPA exam? ” There’s no magic number of hours, but a good rule of thumb is to plan on spending approximately 100 hours preparing for each exam section (AUD, BEC, FAR and REG). Assuming you can study 15-20 hours each week, this translates to roughly 1-2 months of prep time per section. With this in mind, you should aim to start studying about 8 weeks before your CPA exam date.
Can studying fit into your schedule?
It’s unlikely that studying will fit perfectly into your schedule, so try to be creative in making time to study or be willing to use vacation time.
Is it too late to study for CPA?
That being said, it’s never too late to study and sit for the CPA exam, so don’t let anyone tell you otherwise! The answer ultimately depends on whether you’re still in college, recently graduated or have already started your career.
Is it harder to study as you get older?
Plus, life tends to speed up and get busier when you’re older, so it’s usually harder to carve out the time required to study as you get older.
Do you need to submit your registration receipts for reimbursement?
Just be sure to get their agreement in writing and keep all of your receipts for any courses or registration fees, as you’ll likely need to submit them for reimbursement.
How long does it take to take the CPA exam?
But the best order to take the CPA Exams is up to you, and you also must choose how you’ll space them out—taking them over the course of six, 12 or 18 months, for example. First, it’s important to understand the breakdown of each part of the CPA Exam, so you know what to expect and can best determine which section to take first.
What is the order to take the CPA exam?
The order you take them in is up to you—here’s how to decide the right order for you. To pass the CPA Exam, you’ll need to pass each of the exam’s four component sections : Auditing and Attestation (AUD), Business Environment and Concepts (BEC), Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) and Regulation (REG). But the best order to take the CPA Exams ...
Is Far a foundational exam?
Furthermore, FAR’s material is considered foundational to material on other exams—particularly the Auditing and Attestation (AUD) exam. “Knowing FAR really helps people do better on the audit exam,” she adds.
How long does it take to get approved for CPA exam?
Candidates will receive "provisional" approval to take the CPA exam while completing educational requirements. Candidates will have 120 days from the time they take the exam to submit final transcripts to clear their "provisional status.".
Do you have to be a US citizen to take the CPA exam in Illinois?
You are NOT Required for Illinois to be US Citizen to sit for the CPA exam
Does Illinois have a CPA exam fee?
Illinois CPA Exam Fees Illinois has a first time credentials fee for first time candidates which is unique.
How long does it take to get a CPA license in California?
California has special ethics requirements for CPA Candidates:#N#* California requires the Professional Ethics for CPAs (PETH) to be taken and it must be completed within 2 years after your submission of a license application.
Does California have a minimum age requirement for CPA?
California does not have a minimum age requirement to sit for the CPA exam
What is the CPA exam?
The Uniform CPA Examination (Exam) protects the public interest by helping to ensure that only qualified individuals become licensed as U.S. Certified Public Accountants (CPAs). Individuals seeking to qualify as CPAs are required to pass the Exam.
What is NASBA CPA?
NASBA CPA Examination Services (CPAES) provides a comprehensive array of services to state boards of accountancy related to the Uniform CPA Examination. Some of these include application processing, credential evaluations and score reporting.
Does NASBA release CPA scores?
Despite popular misconception, NASBA does not develop the content of the CPA Exam, nor is it responsible for scoring the Exam. We do not receive all scores at the same time and some jurisdictions do not release scores via our website. Follow us on Twitter or like us on Facebook to receive score updates.
How long is the CPA exam valid?
Your NTS will indicate the first and last days you’re eligible to take the exam and is valid for six months. Once you've received your NTS, you're better able to define your CPA Exam schedule for studying ...
When will the CPA exam be released in 2021?
The new 2021 CPA Exam Blueprint will be tested starting on July 1, 2021 and includes a few important changes, primarily on the AUD and BEC sections. These include:
How to find out your CPA score?
When you’ve determined your CPA Exam schedule, use your Prometric portal to find the most convenient testing center and schedule your exam. Once you complete a section, you can visit the AICPA Score Release Dates page to find out your results.
How many sections are there in the CPA exam?
Administered by the AICPA ®, the CPA Exam is split into four sections to test the minimum knowledge and skills required of a CPA. The exam content is frequently updated to reflect the most relevant information for newly licensed CPAs.
How long is the AUD exam?
In total, the exam takes 16 hours to complete, with four hours allotted for each section. The four exam sections are: Auditing and Attestation (AUD) 4-hour exam consisting of 72 questions and eight task-based simulations. Business Environment and Concepts (BEC)
Is it important to pass the CPA exam?
While passing the CPA Exam is the ultimate goal, it’s important to remember that there are a number of hurdles to clear between now and exam day. First things first: you need to determine your eligibility.
