How Long Should You Study for the CPA Exam?

Most candidates underestimate the time the CPA exam takes — and overestimate how much they can cram into a weekend. Here’s a realistic framework.

Study hours per section

A widely cited rule of thumb is roughly 80–130 hours of study per section, with FAR usually demanding the most. Across all four sections, plan for somewhere in the range of 350–450 total hours. Your background matters: a recent accounting graduate will move faster than someone returning to the material after years away.

Fitting it around a job

At 15–20 hours a week, a single section takes roughly six to eight weeks. That pace lets most candidates complete all four sections in well under a year while working — without burning out. Studying every day in shorter blocks beats marathon weekend sessions for retention.

Sequencing your sections

Two common strategies: start with FAR (the broadest, so you get it behind you while motivation is high), or pair your Discipline with its related Core section back-to-back (FAR→BAR, AUD→ISC, REG→TCP) so overlapping material stays fresh. See CPA exam sections explained.

Mind the window

Once you pass your first section, your jurisdiction’s rolling window starts. Don’t sit for your first section until you can commit to finishing the rest within that window.

Ready to plan it out? See how to build a CPA study plan.