How to Pass the CPA Exam

Co-authored by John Gillingham, CPA, MA

Last Updated: September 15, 2021 References

The CPA exam is a difficult, mentally-taxing test that requires knowledge, experience, strategy, and test-taking skills. It's not easy, but it has become more passable thanks to online resources, computerized formats, and flexible scheduling. We'll show you a few ways to prepare for the CPA exam, and help put you in the "passed" category!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:
Self Study and Directed Study

1
Select a training package. There are many high-profile vendors who offer tales or guarantees of success, and a price tag to match. Some offer "classroom" settings, and some offer voluminous books. Some give you the option for self-study or guided study.
2
Consider how you learn best before selecting one of these packages. Are you better working alone, or in a classroom setting?^{[1]
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3
Evaluate what kinds of guarantees the training package offers. Can you retake the class at no or reduced cost if you fail to pass the exam? What are the conditions that apply?
4
Ask others who've passed the exam already what course materials they used, and found successful.^{[2]
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Research source} Don't simply rely on information from the course company regarding passing rates; do your best to verify those independently.^{[3]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:
Study Groups

1
Choose a study group. Sometimes, studying on your own can be difficult—there are distractions, questions that seem to have no answer, and times when you just need the support of your peers.^{[4]
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2
Look online. A Google search for "CPA study groups" is a good place to look.^{[5]
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- Check out accounting forums to find people in your area who are looking to form study groups for the exam.
- Social media sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook offer connections to study groups. Log in, and in the search field, enter "CPA" and you'll see a list of all CPA-related groups.
- Most CPA exam prep providers also host online study groups, and links to other candidates in your area.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:
College Courses

1
Go back to school! Many colleges and universities offer post-graduate CPA courses that include passing the Uniform CPA Examination, and other skills and requirements as defined by your particular state.
- Some colleges offer extended resources similar to what is offered by self-study providers, including video and mp3 recordings of lectures for later review or to stay caught up when family or schedules interfere.

Expert Q&A
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Question

Can you self-study for the CPA exam?

John Gillingham, CPA, MA
Certified Public Accountant & Founder of Accounting Play
John Gillingham is a Certified Public Accountant, the Owner of Gillingham CPA, PC, and the Founder of Accounting Play, Apps to teach Business & Accounting. John, who is based in San Francisco, California, has over 14 years of accounting experience and specializes in assisting consultants, bootstrapped startups, pre-series A ventures, and stock option compensated employees. He received his MA in Accountancy from the California State University - Sacramento in 2011.

John Gillingham, CPA, MA

Certified Public Accountant & Founder of Accounting Play

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

I recommend getting the best review system that you can afford. These can cost thousands of dollars, but your chances of passing the exams will be much higher.
Question

How do you study for the CPA?

John Gillingham, CPA, MA
Certified Public Accountant & Founder of Accounting Play
John Gillingham is a Certified Public Accountant, the Owner of Gillingham CPA, PC, and the Founder of Accounting Play, Apps to teach Business & Accounting. John, who is based in San Francisco, California, has over 14 years of accounting experience and specializes in assisting consultants, bootstrapped startups, pre-series A ventures, and stock option compensated employees. He received his MA in Accountancy from the California State University - Sacramento in 2011.

John Gillingham, CPA, MA

Certified Public Accountant & Founder of Accounting Play

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

It takes a lot of time to study for each of your 4 CPA exams. To make sure you have that available, you might have to spend fewer hours at work. Also, you only have a certain amount of time to pass all of the exams once you take the first one, so don't start the process until you're sure you're ready. Don't do a halfway job, or you're not going to be able to pass all of your exams. Also, consider what order you want to take the exams in—some people like to take the easiest exam first to try to gain some confidence, but that can cause you to run out of energy down the road as the exams get harder.

Warnings

Avoid scheduling your test for the last day of a testing window; if there's a SNAFU such as a power failure, you don't want to have to wait until the next window.

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The research part of the simulation can eat up a lot of time. Save it for last, after you've done the writing part. Remember, simulations count for 30% of the total score, with the writing parts comprising 10% (or one-third the point value of the simulations).

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The AICPA has recently began collecting exam candidates' fingerprints.^{[8]
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Research source} Accountants who prefer not to have their fingerprints taken are advised to wait to take the CPA exams until the AICPA/NASBA discontinue this practice. One strategy is to pass the CMA exam first; unlike the AICPA/NASBA, the Institute of Management Accountants refused Choice Point's request to collect and supply them with fingerprints.^{[9]
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