how long prep course cpa

by Carli Block 3 min read

How long does it take to prepare for the CPA exam?

How Long Does It Take to Prepare for the CPA Exam? There are several things that factor into the length of time it will take you to be fully prepared to take the CPA exam. If you work a full or part-time job, you will probably have less time each day to commit to studying, so instead of being ready in 6-10 weeks, it may take you 15 weeks.

How is the CPA prep course structured?

How Is the CPA Prep Course Structured? CPA prep courses typically provide candidates with a textbook for each section of the exam, flashcards, online recorded (or live) lectures, multiple-choice questions, longer simulation practice problems, and mock practice exams.

What are the best CPA exam prep courses?

All Big Four accounting firms use Becker and it has a reputation for being the leader in the CPA Exam prep world. It offers three tiers of courses: Advantage ($2,399), Premium ($2,999), and Pro ($3,499). However, deals and discounts are frequently offered on their website and the company offers financing options as well.

How much time should you spend reviewing for the Reg CPA exam?

Overall, you should plan to spend 90-110 hours reviewing for the REG section. On the REG CPA exam, you will be answering 72 multiple-choice questions and 6 task-based simulations. One thing you will notice when taking practice tests, as well as the test itself, is that the range of topics covered by the questions is quite expansive.

How many months does it take to study for the CPA?

Students, recent graduates, and people with plenty of time to study should aim to sit for and pass all 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.

How long does it take to pass the CPA on average?

6-12 monthsThe 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 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...

How can I pass the CPA in 6 months?

12:2041:18Four days a week and then they'll have big study sessions on the weekend. Again. This is not set inMoreFour days a week and then they'll have big study sessions on the weekend. Again. This is not set in stone. But. It is an average. And it's something that you want to wrap your head around passing.

Can I study CPA by myself?

If you are knowledgeable in financial accounting and audit procedures, and you are an extremely disciplined person, you can try the self-study route. However, the CPA doesn't just test your accounting knowledge.

Is the CPA harder than the bar?

Therefore, I conclude that based on pass rates and the length of testing time required, the CPA Exam is harder than the Bar Exam, depending on where you take your Bar Exam.

Can I finish CPA in 4 months?

I would say its quite ambitious to tell you can complete CPA in 3–4 months unless your not working and sitting at home, incase your studying for 8–9 hours and you have no job , then it is definitely possible to pass CPA in 3–4 months.

How many hours a week should I study for CPA?

Recommended study time per testlet/CPA section is 15 to 20 hours per week, studying as consistently as possible. Plan to take a day off from your CPA study so you don't burn yourself out.

How many hours should I study for each 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.

Can I do CPA while working full time?

Many people believe it's a fantasy to write the CPA exam while working full time, but what if I say it isn't. Nonetheless, because the problem is how to do it while working full time, the secret to success is to do good research and keep doing it efficiently, and agile while saving time whenever possible.

Is CPA very difficult?

The CPA Exam is generally perceived as one of the most troublesome expert tests: Surprisingly, it ranks more problematic. It might sound senseless to all of our non-accounting loved ones out there, yet current, and yearning CPAs realize general well exactly how agonizing the test can be.

When considering the next move in their accounting career, many students and professionals wonder how long it takes to prepare for the CPA exam

If you are planning on taking the CPA exam, you’ve probably been wondering how many hours you’ll need to study before taking the test. There are a few things that factor into the preparation time frame, such as prior knowledge and experience.

How Long Does It Take to Prepare for the CPA Exam?

There are several things that factor into the length of time it will take you to be fully prepared to take the CPA exam. If you work a full or part-time job, you will probably have less time each day to commit to studying, so instead of being ready in 6-10 weeks, it may take you 15 weeks.

How Many Hours to Study for the CPA Exam?

Getting ready to take a major test can certainly be nerve-wracking. You don’t want to forget to cover anything but you also don’t want to over study. For the average candidate, you should plan to commit a total of 300-400 hours to your study and review period.

Why It Takes Some Students Less Time to Study

Not every entrant is going to need the full 300-400 hours to study. For those with prior knowledge and experience, they may be ready to move on to the next section in less time than expected, cutting down the overall length of their entire studying time span.

How Long Does It Take to Study for the FAR CPA Exam?

The FAR CPA exam section is the largest of the four, with 7 task-based simulations and 90 multiple-choice questions. This portion of the test covers the widest range of information and touches on many different accounting topics, which is why many deem it to be the most difficult section.

How Many Hours Should You Study for the REG CPA Exam?

The REG CPA exam is full of random unrelated facts. You’ll excel in this section if you are good at memorizing information. Overall, you should plan to spend 90-110 hours reviewing for the REG section. On the REG CPA exam, you will be answering 72 multiple-choice questions and 6 task-based simulations.

How Long Does It Take to Prepare for the AUD CPA Exam?

The AUD CPA section is another large section, with 7 more task-based simulations and 90 multiple-choice questions. The AUD is another section where people report struggling, since it requires such a large amount of memorization in regards to auditing procedures and internal accounting controls.

Which Section is the Hardest?

Based on your previous academic and work experiences, you will probably find some sections of the CPA Exam harder than others. And therefore, you’ll probably study for some sections more than others. But on average, here’s what most candidates say about the CPA Exam sections.

How to Get a Better Estimate

If you have a busy life, it is best to find better ways to understand and keep track of how long it takes for the CPA journey. Here are my suggestions:

Factors Affecting Your Study Time

The AICPA recommends that CPA candidates spend 300-400 hours studying for the CPA Exam. However, that timeframe can quickly increase if you’re not studying effectively. So if you think your study time isn’t getting you anywhere, consider the following:

How to Prepare for CPA Exam

How to study for the CPA Exam is just as important as how long to study. Yes, you have to sit down and put in the study time. But you’ll squander your precious free time if you study without focus.

Other FAQs

In the past, candidates could only sit for the CPA Exam during certain testing windows each quarter. However, as of July 1, 2020, you can take the exam at any time. To schedule your exam, visit NASBA’s CPA Exam page.

Want to Pass the CPA Exam on Your First Attempt?

Without knowing the size of the task ahead, it’s too easy for life’s daily distractions to derail your studying. Therefore, it’s critical that you understand the breadth of the CPA Exam before you get started. But at the end of the day, what’s important is how well you’ve mastered the material, not how many hours a day you log studying.

How Is the CPA Exam Structured?

There are four sections to the exam, each taken at a different time with exam sections broken up into five parts. There are two multiple-choice question sections and three task-based simulation sections that must be completed within four hours (that includes extensive research, writing, formulas, and calculations – all while the clock is ticking).

How Is the CPA Prep Course Structured?

CPA prep courses typically provide candidates with a textbook for each section of the exam, flashcards, online recorded (or live) lectures, multiple-choice questions, longer simulation practice problems, and mock practice exams.

What Happens After the Class?

During the week prior to exam day, approximately 20 hours need to be carved out to take the final mock exams and closely review the questions that were challenging. Practice problems typically take one to two hours to work on so be sure to allow for the appropriate study session duration.

What Happens In the 18-Month Window?

The 18-month clock to pass all four sections starts after you pass your first exam, so if you pass one section of the CPA exam, the next step will be to move onto another section as soon as possible. If you aren’t able to pass all four sections in the 18-month window, you will have to start over and retake the exams that you previously passed.

What Happens After the CPA Exam?

Once all four exams have been passed, candidates’ scores are automatically sent to their state’s Board of Accountancy.

Is the CPA Exam State-Specific?

While some states vary in the education and work experience requirements to obtain a CPA license, the CPA Exam is a national uniform exam that is the same in every state. However, some states require an additional state-specific ethics exam.

The path to CPA Exam success: your CPA Exam schedule

In order to create a realistic CPA Exam schedule, remember to consider the outside influences that could affect your study schedule.

Final thoughts

We know the timeline for taking and passing the CPA Exam can seem a bit overwhelming. But, by understanding the timeline of the CPA Exam process before you start studying, you can create a comprehensive timeline that gives you the best chance of success. With the right plan in place, you can accomplish your goal to become a licensed CPA in no time.

NON-CORE COURSES

The following courses are offered on a self-study basis. You are able to register for non-core courses any day of the year, as these courses do not have specific start dates. After registering in a course, you can then select from one of five examination dates that best meet your needs and schedule.

CORE COURSES

All core courses are delivered in a standardized format that includes six instructional weeks and a final exam week. You are able to register for courses and their corresponding examinations separately, selecting from one of five examination dates that best meets your needs and schedule.

Fees and Schedule

This nationally developed program is delivered provincially — or, in some cases, regionally — on a part-time basis to offer maximum flexibility and accessibility.

Language Benchmarking

The CPA PEP is a graduate-level academic program requiring a high level of English language proficiency. Success depends on the student’s ability to understand and articulate ideas orally and in written form with detailed descriptions, opinions and explanations.

CPA PEP and CFE calendar

The CPA PEP and CFE calendar provides the key dates for all CPA PEP modules as well as the Common Final Examination (CFE). Please contact your provincial/regional CPA body to see if these offerings are available in your area.

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