How long does it take to study for the CPA exam?
Asked by: Jaquelin Bauch I | Last update: August 31, 2025Score: 4.1/5 (51 votes)
The AICPA recommends that candidates spend between 300-400 hours to study for the entire exam CPA exam.
How many months to study for CPA Exam?
Students, recent graduates, and people with plenty of time to study should aim to sit for and pass 4 sections of the CPA Exam in about 6 months. This would have you taking an exam every 6-7 weeks and studying about 22-26 hours each week.
Is the CPA Exam very hard?
The CPA Exam is considered one of the hardest professional exams because of the amount of information it covers and how long it is (16 hours divided between 4 exam sections).
Is a 75% on the CPA Exam passing?
CPA Exam Scoring Process: The CPA exam is scored using a weighted combination of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and task-based simulations (TBSs). Minimum Passing Score: You need a scaled score of 75 to pass, which doesn't necessarily mean answering 75% of questions correctly.
Can I pass the CPA in 5 months?
It's a test of discipline; if you study you will pass” definitely rings true. Passing the CPA Exam in 5 months wasn't easy. It truly was a test of discipline. I was working full-time (50-60 hours week) and spending all the free time I had studying, which involved 30-40 hours per week and 20-30 hours on the weekends.
CPA with JUST 120 credit hours NEW rule in 2025!
Is 40 too late to become a CPA?
While the average CPA Exam candidate is just 29 years old,3 there are no age limitations on who can become a CPA. In fact, if you're mature in your career, there are many benefits of earning your CPA license later in your career.
How many times can I fail the CPA?
Unlimited Retakes: You can retake the CPA exam sections as many times as needed. However, you must pass all sections within 18 to 30 months after passing the first section.
Is CPA harder than bar?
The CPA Exam. You've heard the horror stories: It's derailed the careers of promising professionals. It's definitely harder than the BAR exam and maybe even some medical board exams. And it's nearly impossible to pass once you're a working professional.
How many people pass CPA on first try?
The overall pass rate of the CPA Exam hovers around 50%, but how many people manage to pass all four sections—including three core and one discipline—on the first try? About 20%. Around 1 in 2 people will pass a specific section of the exam, and about 1 in 5 people will pass each section on their first try.
Which university has the highest CPA pass rate?
- University of Pennsylvania: 90.9%
- Rice University: 90.8%
- University of Texas – Austin: 89.5%
- Brigham Young University: 89.4%
- Wake Forest University: 88.8%
What is the hardest CPA subject?
Among the three core sections, FAR has a reputation for being the hardest, and it typically has the lowest pass rate. AUD and REG tend to be middle of the road.
Do I need a CPA to be an accountant?
Based on EMSI's aggregated job posting data for 2021, there were 46,626 job postings for accounting professionals that required a CPA. On the other hand, there were 170,607 jobs posted for accountants that only required a bachelor's degree, not a CPA. A CPA license won't disqualify you from any accounting position.
Is CPA harder than MCAT?
The CPA exam is widely regarded as the most challenging professional examination for a few reasons. Its length, number of topics, and technical details covered typically rank it harder than the BAR and MCAT.
Is the CPA Exam multiple choice?
The CPA exam contains three required Core sections, made up of 200 multiple-choice questions and 22 task-based simulations, and one Discipline section of up to 82 multiple-choice questions and seven simulations.
How long do you have to pass the CPA Exam in 2024?
Candidates who have passed at least one section of the CPA Exam before January 1, 2024, will have those credits extended to June 30, 2025 (see if your jurisdiction has adopted this here) Candidates in most states now have 30 or 36 months to pass the exam.
What is the average age to pass the CPA Exam?
From what I can remember, the average age is 29 according to the report. If anyone has the opportunity to knock out this exam before they start work after college, you should absolutely do it. I started at the big 4 a mere 14 days after graduation, lol. I was a December graduate, so no time for a summer of CPA study….
Has anyone gotten a 100 on the CPA Exam?
Any score of 75 or above on the scaled score of 0 to 99 is considered passing. Has anyone gotten a 100 on the CPA exam? It is highly unlikely for anyone to score a 100 on the CPA exam.
Is CPA harder than LSAT?
Some candidates claim that it's easier to study for the LSAT than the CPA Exam and that the LSAT requires fewer study hours to get a good score. The CPA Exam requires a lot of memorization, and most candidates need to take several practice exams before they can pass.
How prestigious is a CPA license?
A CPA license is considered very prestigious: The CPA license is the most widely recognized professional credential in the accounting industry.
What's the hardest license to get?
The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) takes the top spot as the most challenging exam in the US, with an average preparation time ranging from 200 to 400 hours for each of its three steps.
Is it harder to become a CPA or lawyer?
They were both challenging in different ways and this will also vary depending on the type of person you are. If you're someone who likes things to be black and white, the CPA Exam may be more doable for you. If you're someone who does better reading in between the lines, the Bar Exam may be your preference.
Do I have to pay again if I fail CPA Exam?
All re-examination candidates are required to pay the CPA Exam retake fees, which include both the re-application and examination fee.
What happens if you get a 74 on the CPA Exam?
As a matter of course, the AICPA will automatically regrade those exams that initially receive a score just a few points off a 75. If you scored a 72, 73 or 74 your exam has been automatically gone through two individual scoring processes to verify that it did not pass.
What is the most failed CPA Exam?
Financial Accounting & Reporting (FAR)
Candidates we've surveyed say that FAR is the most difficult section of the CPA Exam. It consistently has the lowest passing rate likely due to the large volume of information in the section and the need to fully understand concepts rather than simply memorize them.