CPA Exam Length: How Long Is Each Section?

How long is the CPA exam?

It’s a question that many aspiring accountants think about. To put things into perspective, on average, people spend about 90,000 hours working throughout their lifetime, based on a typical full-time job. That’s over a decade devoted to your career! With so much time at stake, it makes sense to invest in getting your CPA credential, which can open doors to new opportunities and career growth.

As someone who has navigated this journey, I know how important it is to understand the exam’s structure and how to manage your time wisely.

Let’s explore what you need to know about the CPA exam!

Key Takeaways

• Duration: The CPA exam takes a total of 16 hours to complete, allowing candidates to showcase their knowledge and skills.
• Structure: The exam consists of three core sections—Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR), Auditing and Attestation (AUD), and Regulation (REG)—along with specialized disciplines for deeper exploration.
• Preparation: Investing in a recommended CPA review course like Becker or Gleim can provide structured study plans and practice exams that mimic the actual testing experience.
• Time Management: Effective time management is crucial. Familiarizing yourself with the exam format and setting time limits for each question type can improve your performance.
• Flexibility: The continuous testing model offers candidates flexibility to schedule their exam sections whenever they’re ready throughout the year.

A Look at the CPA Exam and Its Updates

The CPA exam consists of three core sections and specialized disciplines, and it takes a total of 16 hours to complete, split into 4 hours per exam. This is thanks to the changes brought by the CPA Evolution initiative, which has reshaped the exam’s structure.

Over the years, the CPA exam has evolved to keep up with the shifting landscape of business and finance. Accountants today have a much broader role than they used to, so the exam had to be updated to reflect the new skills and knowledge you’ll need in the profession. But don’t worry—while the content may have changed, the exam time remains the same.

Breakdown of the CPA Exam Length

• Total Time: 16 hours
• Content Coverage: Topics span accounting principles, tax compliance, and more
• Updated Content: Reflects the latest trends and demands in the accounting world

CPA Exam Sections

The CPA exam tests you on a variety of topics that are crucial for accountants. It’s made up of three main sections: Financial Accounting and Reporting, Auditing and Attestation, and Taxation and Regulation. Each focuses on specific skills through different questions, giving you a taste of real-world accounting challenges.

Financial Accounting and Reporting

FAR dives into how businesses, nonprofits, and government organizations handle their financials. You’ll have 4 hours to answer 50 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and work through 7 task-based simulations (TBSs).

Main Topics:

• Preparing and analyzing financial statements
• Complex reporting like business combinations and foreign currency transactions
• U.S. GAAP vs. IFRS standards and how they affect financial reporting
• Governmental accounting, including fund accounting for state and local governments

Auditing and Attestation

AUD covers the ins and outs of the audit process, ethics, and standards. You get 4 hours to complete 78 MCQs and 7 TBSs.

Main Topics:

• Internal controls: How to evaluate and apply them during audits
• Using professional skepticism to spot potential fraud or mistakes
• Writing and understanding different types of audit reports

Regulation

The REG section covers U.S. taxes, business law, and ethical practices. You’ll have 4 hours to tackle 72 MCQs and 8 TBSs.

Main Topics:

• Federal taxation for individuals and businesses, plus tax planning and compliance
• Business law: Focusing on contracts and legal responsibilities
• Ethics and professional responsibilities: Understanding the legal and ethical standards in accounting

Each section is designed to make sure you have the knowledge and skills you need to succeed as a CPA.

CPA Exam Disciplines

The CPA exam has been revamped to include specialized sections, called disciplines, that allow you to dive deeper into specific areas of accounting. These disciplines—Business Analysis and Reporting (BAR), Information Systems and Controls (ISC), and Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP)—give you the chance to show off your CPA exam skills beyond the basic knowledge covered in the core sections.

When it comes time to sit for the exam, you’ll pick one discipline to focus on. Here’s a look at your options:

Business Analysis and Reporting

What it Covers:

This section is all about breaking down business data and creating reports to help make decisions. You’ll deal with financial reporting, analyzing data, and understanding complex financial information.

Skills You’ll Need:

• Analyzing financial data
• Using data analytics tools
• Preparing reports that provide key insights for business decisions

Information Systems and Controls

What it Covers:

This discipline focuses on how information systems support accounting processes, including how to protect and control financial data. It touches on cybersecurity, internal controls, and the role of tech in safeguarding financial information.

Skills You’ll Need:

• Understanding information systems and technology
• Applying cybersecurity measures
• Evaluating internal controls to protect data

Tax Compliance and Planning

What it Covers:

If taxes are your thing, this section is for you. It covers the ins and outs of tax laws, strategic tax planning, and how to keep clients in compliance with federal tax regulations. You’ll apply tax principles to both individual and business scenarios.

Skills You’ll Need:

• Knowing tax laws and regulations
• Applying taxes to real-life scenarios
• Developing tax planning strategies for individuals and businesses

By choosing one of these disciplines, you’ll be ready to tackle specialized tasks as a future CPA!

Time Breakdown and Scoring for Disciplines

When you’re working through the CPA exam’s discipline sections, it’s important to know how your time is divided and how each part is scored. Here’s a quick look at how the main disciplines are structured.

BAR and TCP

Both BAR and TCP give you 4 hours to complete the exam, just like the core sections. This setup ensures you have enough time to fully show what you know in your chosen specialty.

How Your Score Is Divided:

• 50% MCQs
• 50% TBSs

This balance means you need to focus equally on understanding the theory behind the questions and being able to apply that knowledge to real-world scenarios.

ISC

The ISC section also gives you 4 hours, keeping the time limit consistent across all disciplines. You’ll have plenty of time to work through both technical questions and practical simulations.

How Your Score Is Divided:

• 60% MCQs
• 40% TBSs

With ISC, there’s more weight on multiple-choice questions, so your knowledge of systems and controls needs to be strong. But don’t forget—the simulations still make up a big chunk of your score.

No matter which discipline you choose, understanding the mix of question types and managing your time will be key to success.

Exam Flexibility

The CPA exam uses a continuous testing model, making it flexible for candidates. Instead of being tied to specific testing windows, you can schedule your exam sections whenever you’re ready—any time of the year. This approach makes it easier to fit the exam into your busy life, whether you’re balancing work or other commitments.

Tips for Better Time Management on the CPA Exam

Managing your time wisely during the CPA exam is crucial for success. Here are some quick tips to help you stay on track:

• Know the Exam Format: Familiarize yourself with the structure, including MCQs and TBSs, to better allocate your time.
• Practice TBSs Regularly: Since task-based simulations can be complex, make them a key part of your study routine to increase speed and confidence.
• Use CPA Exam Review Courses: Invest time in practice exams from review courses like Becker or Surgent. These resources provide structured study plans and timed practice exams that mimic the actual testing experience, helping you to improve your pacing and familiarize yourself with the exam style.
• Set Time Limits: Allocate a specific amount of time for each question type—like two minutes for MCQs and 10-15 minutes for TBSs.
• Stay Calm: Keep a cool head to enhance focus. If you feel overwhelmed, take a deep breath to reset.
• Reflect on Practice Exams: After each practice exam, analyze your timing to see what worked and what didn’t.
• Engage with Others: Join study groups or forums for support and share time management strategies with fellow candidates.

Implementing these tips can help you improve your time management skills and boost your chances of passing the CPA exam!

Final Thoughts

As you prepare for the CPA exam, remember that understanding the exam structure, managing your time effectively, and leveraging the right resources can significantly enhance your chances of success. With 16 hours dedicated to showcasing your knowledge, it’s essential to be strategic about using that time.

Choosing one of the best CPA review courses, practicing with simulations, and engaging with fellow candidates can all contribute to a smoother exam experience. You’re not just taking a test; you’re paving the way for a rewarding career in accounting.

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