What is the format of the CPA exam
Ava Hall
Updated on April 01, 2026
The CPA Exam is comprised of four separate exams (referred to as sections), is administered by the AICPA, and totals 16 hours (4 hours per section). The four sections of the exam are Auditing and Attestation (AUD), Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR), Regulation (REG), and Business Environment and Concepts (BEC).
What is the new format of the CPA Exam?
The new CPA Exam will consist of three core sections and three discipline sections. To earn their licensure, candidates will have to pass all three core sections as well as one discipline section. The exam is expected to remain in the four sections, 16-hour format.
What does a CPA Exam look like?
The CPA exam consists of four sections: Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR), Auditing and Attestation (AUD), Regulation (REG), and Business Environment and Concepts (BEC).
Is the CPA Exam multiple choice?
The Examination comprises four sections: Auditing and Attestation (AUD), Business Environment and Concepts (BEC), Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) and Regulation (REG). All four sections contain multiple-choice questions (MCQ) and task-based simulations (TBS).Does the CPA Exam have essays?
CPA Exam Question Types One question and four potential answers, MCQs make up the majority of each exam. … Questions that require properly composed written essay responses and found only in the BEC exam.
Is IFRS on the CPA Exam 2021?
In July 2021, the CPA Exam will change to reflect the new, technology-focused reality of the profession. The exam will test more on concepts like IT controls, automation and business processes — and less on topics like IFRS and U.S. GAAP.
Is the CPA Exam changing in 2022?
Starting January 1, 2022, the Auditing and Attestation (AUD) section of the CPA Exam will see the most extensive changes. … Right now is the best time to start your CPA Exam journey and reach your career goals faster in the new year.
How many times can you take the CPA Exam?
The AICPA does not limit the number of times you may take the CPA Exam. With a pass rate of ~50%, steep examination requirements, and regularly updating materials, many candidates will find themselves taking one or more sections multiple times on their path to the CPA certification.What is the passing score for CPA Exam?
Calculating your CPA Exam score To pass a CPA Exam section, you must score a minimum of 75. Have you ever wondered how the AICPA calculates your CPA Exam section scores? Scores are reported on a scale that ranges from 0 to 99.
How many levels are there in CPA?Ans. The CPA exam is governed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), US. It is a Single-level exam with 4 papers and is recognized in the US as well as globally. The CA is governed by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and is a 3-level exam with 16 papers.
Article first time published onWhich CPA Exam is the hardest?
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.
What is the easiest part of the CPA Exam?
- Remembering and understanding.
- Application.
- Analysis.
- Evaluation.
What kind of questions are on CPA Exam?
The CPA exam has 3 different kinds of questions – multiple choice, task-based simulations, and written communication tasks. The multiple-choice questions will have 4 possible answers. The task-based simulations will be based on “real-world” problems and candidates will have to type in their answers.
How many months do you have to pass all 4 CPA exams?
You must pass all four sections of the CPA Exam within 18 months. The calculation of when the 18-month timeframe begins varies by jurisdiction. Check with your specific Board of Accountancy for details.
Is IFRS tested on the CPA exam?
To ease your mind, general IFRS questions are included in three sections of the CPA exam, including the FAR, BEC, and AUD sections. … In the FAR section, you may be asked about the differences between preparation of financial statement using IFRS and GAAP standards.
What changes to the CPA exam took place on April 1 2018?
New User Experience Redesign The CPA Exam is getting a software makeover, expected to go live April 1, 2018. The software will be sporting a new, sleek design, as well as include technological enhancements to improve the user experience (UX).
Do they ever release CPA scores early?
CPA Score Release: Are CPA exam scores released early? For each CPA score release, it’s not very likely that CPA exam scores will be released several days or a week early, but it’s pretty common for scores to show up on NASBA’s site a day before the target date.
Is the CPA exam going to change?
The Core-plus-Disciplines licensure model was developed by the AICPA and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) to reflect changes in the profession and technology, focusing newly licensed CPAs on the most relevant and useful knowledge and skills. The new Exam is expected to debut in 2024.
Are pensions still tested on CPA exam?
Additionally, the testing of defined benefit pension plans and derivative journal entries will be removed from the FAR exam, while the testing of the alternative minimum tax and estate taxation will be removed from the REG exam.
Is there a GPA requirement for CPA exam?
Is There a GPA Requirement for CPA? No, there is no GPA requirement to take the CPA exam or get your CPA license—you just need to meet the education requirements and obtain a 4-year degree plus additional credit hours. However, if you have dreams of working for The Big 4, you’ll want to maintain a 3.5 GPA or higher.
Why is CPA pass rate so low?
The pass rate is low because of the sheer volume of material that must be mastered especially when all four sections are considered together. The CPA exam has always been considered one of the most difficult professional exams.
What if you fail a CPA Exam?
If you did not pass a section of the CPA Exam, you have to wait until the next testing window to retake that section. There are four testing windows each year. The testing window is the first two months of each quarter and the first 10 days of the third month of each quarter.
Can I take my CPA Exam online?
Can I take the Uniform CPA Exam online? No, the exam is only administered at Prometric Testing Centers.
What is the hardest professional exam?
- The United States Medical Licensing Exam. …
- California State Bar Exam. …
- Master Sommelier Diploma Exam. …
- Uniform Certified Public Accountant Exam. …
- Certified Master Chef® Exam.
Can you self study for CPA?
CPA Self-Study provides instant access as soon as you purchase a course and instant grading after you complete an online exam. You will have immediate access to your CPE certificates within your Profile, as soon as you pass an exam for one of your self-study courses.
Is CPA a degree or diploma?
You will not be awarded with a degree or diploma certificate after completing CPA. However, you will be given a certificate of completion. CPA is a professional exam which was introduced to improve skills and knowledge for those in the business career.
How many people pass CPA every year?
CPA Exam Pass Rates According to page 13 of the 2017 NASBA Report, Jurisdiction Edition, 95,654 candidates took the Uniform CPA Examination that year. Of these test takers, the percentage of those that passed was 48.3%: just less than half.
How long should I study for the CPA?
The 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 are the 4 sections of the CPA exam?
All candidates must pass the Uniform CPA Examination ® (CPA Exam), which comprises four sections: Auditing and Attestation (AUD), Business Environment and Concepts (BEC), Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR), and Regulation (REG).
How do I study for CPA?
- How Do You Learn? …
- Select the CPA Exam Review Course for You. …
- Study in the Morning. …
- Develop a Realistic Study Plan. …
- Plan Your Schedule. …
- Your CPA Exam Review Course Can Help. …
- Recreate the CPA Exam Testing Environment. …
- Take the Sample Questions Seriously.
Does the CPA Exam reuse questions?
Yes, at least according to my business law professor. Approximately 1/3 of questions are recycled, so if you practice enough you are likely to see some you know.