5 Best CPA Prep Courses [We Reviewed 10 Total]

Passing the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam opens up the door to more money, more career opportunities, and more freedom. But with the average passing rate hovering just under 50 percent, it’s not the easiest thing to do.

Effective preparation is the key, and a good CPA review course can significantly improve your chances of passing the first time. We did some research and created this guide to the best CPA exam review courses to help you find the one that’s right for you.

So, which is it?

I’ve compared 10 CPA review courses that claimed to provide thorough preparation for the exam. We put those claims to the test, evaluating each company on its accessibility, study materials, student support, and overall comprehensiveness. Then, I consulted actual CPAs and spoke to students who had taken the CPA exam review courses to get their insight.

With all this data, I narrowed my focus to five finalists, ranking these based on how well they performed in each category listed above.

Currently, Becker CPA Review is my top recommendation. Its adaptive technology makes studying more efficient; plus, dedicated one-on-one support will keep you from getting stuck on any topic for too long.

One of our other finalists could be a better fit, though, depending on how you prefer to learn. I recommend checking out all of our finalists before making a decision so you can choose the one that’s right for you.

A Full List of Every CPA Prep Course Worth Considering

My top five picks are listed below, as are the other five companies that didn’t make the cut. Click on the links to learn more about each prep course provider and to view their courses on the company websites.

The 5 Best CPA Review Courses in November 2024

Rank		Company	Pricing Info	Discount	Get Started
1.		Becker CPA	$3,799	Save $1,330	Go To Becker CPA
2.		Surgent CPA	$3,799	Save $1,350	Go To Surgent CPA
3.		Gleim Exam Prep CPA	$3,499	Save $1,225	Go To Gleim CPA
4.		UWorld Roger CPA	$3,899	No Discount	Go To Roger CPA
5.		Wiley CPAexcel	$3,899	No Discount	Go To Wiley CPA

Full Reviews of the Best CPA Prep Courses

1. Becker CPA Review

Best CPA Review course overall

Becker’s live learning program is the best in the business. Their virtual classrooms and tutoring sessions will ensure that you understand the CPA exam. However, they also provide plenty of traditional study materials, such as practice exams, video lectures, and flashcards, that are easily accessible on mobile and tablet devices. This ensures that you get the best of all possible study content when you sign up for one of Becker’s CPA review courses.

What to Expect

Most of Becker’s CPA curriculum incorporates live learning. Students work their way through a 4-part CPA course, consisting of live lectures that cover the four CPA exam sections. After each lecture, you’ll need to apply what you’ve learned to a practice exam. Completing these allows you to see how well you’ve understood each lesson and serves as a good baseline for your tutoring sessions if you enroll in the Pro or Concierge package.

Currently, there are three main options when enrolling with Becker. The most basic option, Advantage, costs $2,499 and includes the 4-part course and digital flashcards. Anyone interested in more can pay for the $3,799 Pro course, which adds a virtual classroom experience. You also get tutoring and Final Review lessons. The Concierge package, priced at $5,999, provides an unparalleled level of personalized instruction, including 25 tutoring sessions. Check out the latest Becker discount code offers to save some money.

These are the features included with Becker’s different CPA review courses:

• 8,000+ Practice Questions
• 250+ Hours of Video Lectures over 900+ Video Lessons
• 1,400+ Flashcards (digital and printable)
• Virtual Live Online Classroom (Pro)
• CPA Exam Success Coaches (Pro)
• Final Course Review (Pro)
• 5-25 Tutoring Sessions (Pro and Concierge)
• 1-Year CPE Subscription (Concierge)

Pros and Cons

• Pro – Adaptive Learning Technology: Becker’s course utilizes advanced adaptive learning technology that tailors study sessions to your individual needs. Identifying your strengths and weaknesses customizes your study plan, ensuring you spend time on areas that need the most attention.
• Pro – Interactive Study Planner: Becker offers an interactive study planner that helps you manage your study time efficiently. By setting milestones and tracking your progress, it ensures you stay on track and are well-prepared by exam day.
• Pro – Amazing Instructors: Becker only wants you to learn from the best of the best. That’s why they only hire experienced CPAs to teach their classes. This ensures that your teacher has the necessary professional experience to help you pass the exam.
• Pro – Over 1,400 Flashcards: Anyone interested in reinforcing what they’ve learned has access to over 1,000 flashcards. These help you remember important concepts and can be used as study tools whenever you have a few free minutes during your busy schedule.
• Pro – Comprehensive Final Review: Students often benefit from a last-minute review session before their test. That’s why Becker incorporates a final review lesson into their Pro course. Completing this is far more effective than a cram session and should ensure that everything you’ve learned is fresh in your mind.

Bottom Line

Bottom Line: Becker CPA Review stands out as the premier choice for CPA exam preparation. With top-tier instructors who bring real-world experience, an arsenal of over 1,000 flashcards for quick concept reinforcement, and cutting-edge adaptive learning technology, Becker ensures a tailored and effective study experience. Their comprehensive final review and interactive study planner further streamline the preparation process, making it no surprise that Becker is heralded as the best CPA review on the market. They can also help you save on your exam prep!

Becker CPA Details

Course	Price
AUD Course	$799
BEC Course	$799
FAR Course	$799
REG Course	$799
Advantage 4-Part Course	$2,399
Premium 4-Part Course	$2,999
Pro 4-Part Course	$3,499

Go To Becker CPA

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2. Surgent CPA Review

Best CPA prep for effective, adaptive learning

Surgent CPA Review promises to double your chances of passing the exam with half the amount of studying. Its secret is its A.S.A.P. technology that adjusts the difficulty and content of its lessons to target the areas where you need improvement. This saves you time and keeps you engaged because the material stays challenging. Surgent is so confident that its method will work that it promises a free course retake or a full refund if you fail the exam. There are certain requirements you must meet in order to qualify for this guarantee, however, so make sure you read the fine print before you sign up.

What to Expect

Surgent’s course begins by asking you to complete a series of diagnostic exams. The results of these tests are then used to see what you need to learn before you’re ready for the test. You’ll then be given a prebuilt study schedule based on these results and the days of the week you’re available to study. Of course, your study plan can be adjusted at any time to deal with unforeseen changes in your life. Passing the test is practically guaranteed as long as you follow the schedule to completion.

Here’s what features are included with Surgent’s CPA review courses:

• 7,700 Practice Questions
• 350 Video Lessons
• 400+ Flashcards
• Printed Textbooks
• Audio Lectures
• Lecture Study Notes
• ASAP Technology

Anyone interested in this course has three different payment options. Purchasing the $999 Essentials pass grants you access to all of the self-study materials on offer. Alternatively, you could pay $1,599 for the Premier pass and gain access to a set of print materials. Anyone interested in bonus content can buy the $1,999 Ultimate pass and gain access to audio lectures, bonus questions, and live support.

Pros and Cons

• Pro – Extra Notation: Each lecture comes with a note sheet covering the major points of the lesson. This can be freely annotated and highlighted to create personal notes; this means each of these sheets has the potential to be an excellent study resource during your final review.
• Pro – Multiple Formats: Certain lectures come in both audio and video format, which is great for anyone who likes to listen to audio while driving or exercising. Just put on a lecture and passively learn while doing something else: no need to free up extra time for video lessons.
• Pro – Real-Time Performance Tracking: Surgent’s proprietary software continuously assesses a student’s performance, pinpointing areas of strength and weakness. This real-time feedback allows candidates to focus their efforts on topics where they need the most improvement, optimizing study efficiency.
• Pro – ReadySCORE: Unlike other CPA review courses, Surgent provides a unique feature called ReadySCORE. This tool gives students an estimate of their CPA exam score based on their performance in the course. As they progress and improve, their ReadySCORE adjusts, giving them a clear indication of when they’re truly ready to sit for the exam.
• Con – Strict Schedule: Surgent’s adaptive technology is both effective and rigid. Although it’s a great way to ensure you’ll be successful on the exam, it can be tough to complete this course if you can’t meet a consistent weekly schedule for their adaptive learning technology to use when designing your personalized schedule.

Bottom Line

Surgent CPA excels with its innovative real-time performance tracking and ReadySCORE features, ensuring students are always exam-ready. The course’s diverse learning formats cater to all, from visual learners to those on-the-move. While its adaptive technology demands consistency, the precision it offers in tailoring study schedules makes Surgent a standout choice for CPA aspirants seeking efficiency and effectiveness.

Surgent CPA Details

Course	Price
AUD Course	$599
BEC Course	$599
FAR Course	$599
REG Course	$599
Essentials Pass 4-Part Course	$999
Premier Pass 4-Part Course	$1,599
Ultimate Pass 4-Part Course	$1,999

Go To Surgent CPA

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3. Gleim CPA Review

Best for task-based simulation practice

Gleim CPA Review gives you more practice with task-based simulations than any other CPA prep course we reviewed. These questions are becoming a bigger and bigger part of the CPA exam, so having ample opportunities to practice is important. Gleim courses also include over 10,000 multiple-choice questions, and they implemented adaptive technology to make your studying more efficient. There’s no way to access the course materials offline or on a mobile device, however, so you’ll have to carve out some time to sit down at your computer.

What to Expect

Gleim’s Traditional CPA Review package includes these features:

• 10,000+ practice questions
• 1,300+ task-based simulations
• 350+ simulations with exhibits
• 100+ hours of video and audio lectures
• 4 full-length exam simulations
• SmartPath predictive learning technology

As you answer questions and complete practice tests, the computer will aggregate data on which concepts you know well and where you could use further practice. It’ll use this information to build a personalized study plan just for you. You can use the test bank to generate an unlimited number of practice tests. These are timed and designed to mirror the actual CPA exam conditions as closely as possible, so you can feel confident when you arrive at the testing center.

If you enroll in their Premium course, you’ll get these additional features on top of everything included in the Traditional package:

• Access Until You Pass
• Accounting experts
• Digital flashcards
• 4 extra exam simulations

Pros and Cons

• Pro – Excellent Support: All Gleim students get access to 24/7 email and phone support from real CPAs, so you can get your questions answered right away. Premium students are also assigned a Personal Counselor who can work with you to design a custom study plan and answer any questions you have. Responses are prompt and helpful, and students have had a lot of positive feedback about their experiences with the instructors and the course as a whole.
• Pro – Refresher Course: Gleim doesn’t break down concepts like some of the other courses. Instead, they present in their entirety without dumbing it down. Doing so makes it easy for people will less education, as well as those who have been out of education for a long time, to get caught up on the basics before preparing for CPA-specific content.
• Pro – Comprehensive Test Bank: Gleim boasts an extensive test bank with thousands of multiple-choice questions and simulations. This vast resource ensures students have ample practice opportunities, reinforcing their understanding and boosting exam confidence.
• Con – Overwhelming Content: While Gleim’s approach is thorough, some students find the sheer volume of information presented to be overwhelming. It might require additional time to sift through and prioritize essential topics.
• Con – Less Interactive: Compared to other courses, Gleim’s platform might feel less interactive and engaging. The emphasis is more on reading and self-study, which might not cater to all learning styles.

Bottom Line

Gleim CPA Review offers a robust and comprehensive approach to CPA exam preparation, highlighted by its extensive test bank and 24/7 expert support. Their refresher course ensures even those out of touch with basics can catch up efficiently. However, the sheer volume of content can be overwhelming for some, and with only 100 hours of video lectures and a less interactive platform, If you’ve been out of school for a while and need to brush up on some essential accounting concepts while also preparing for the CPA exam, Gleim CPA Review is a great choice. However, students who are fresh out of an accounting program will find a lot of this content redundant; if that sounds like you, then choosing Becker or Surgent would be a better idea.

Gleim Exam Prep CPA Details

Course	Price
CPA Mega Test Bank (One Part)	$250
CPA Mega Test Bank (All Parts)	$999
Traditional CPA Review (One Part)	$459
Traditional CPA Review (All Parts)	$1,599
Premium CPA Review (One Part)	$599
Premium CPA Review	$1,999

Go To Gleim CPA

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4. UWorld Roger CPA Review

Best CPA course online for engaging lectures

UWorld Roger CPA Review is aptly named after its founder, Roger Philipp, who breathes life into what can otherwise be pretty dull material. His enthusiasm for the subject will keep you from getting bored as you cruise through over 100 hours of video lessons. When you’re ready to test your knowledge, you can do so with more than 6,000 multiple-choice questions and 400 task-based simulations. Your responses are analyzed and displayed in performance reports to help you pinpoint areas for further study.

What to Expect

There are three comprehensive course levels to choose from; you can also purchase each of the four course sections individually. All include the online study materials and access to the Homework Help Center, as well as free material updates every time the CPA exam requirements change. Lectures are broken down into short 10- to 45-minute segments, each focused on a single topic. You can follow along with your physical textbook and highlight key points on your eTextbook right while you’re watching the video. Once you’ve finished the lessons, you can test your understanding with practice questions and simulations. Your answers are tracked and scored so you can see where you need improvement.

Here’s a brief summary of UWorld Roger’s course features:

• 6,000+ practice questions
• 100+ hours of video lectures
• 600+ task-based simulations
• Full mobile app
• Digital textbooks

Some additional features included with UWorld’s Elite-Unlimited course are:

• 4-part cram course
• Print textbooks
• Digital flashcards with spaced repetition

The Premier plan gives you 18 months of access, and Elite-Unlimited offers lifetime access. They also come with a USB drive for accessing lectures offline and Elite students get bonus flashcards, audio lectures and a Cram Course for reviewing. You can pay for your course in full or spread your payments out over three, six or 12 months.

Pros and Cons

• Pro – Mobile App: All of Roger’s course content is available on a convenient mobile app. This allows you to easily take your learning on the go. Plus, you don’t need to worry about sitting in front of a computer screen for hours. Instead you can complete lessons in a more comfortable environment.
• Pro – Print Materials: UWorld Roger includes print versions of their study materials to encourage learning in a more comfortable environment. I personally like to study textbooks while in bed or take them outside and read at the park. Much like their lecture content, it’s small features like these that make the learning experience a lot more pleasant with this course.
• Pro – Engaging Lectures: The lectures are why people choose Roger CPA. You won’t have to worry about tuning them out. Roger’s passion and energy keeps you engaged, and his simple explanations and mnemonics will help you easily remember the material.
• Con – Instructor Support: Unfortunately, support outside of the lectures and study materials is limited. There is a Homework Help Center message board where you can post questions, but there’s no phone number or live chat available. You may not need it, though; the Help Center guarantees a response from a trained CPA within 24 hours of posting.
• Con – Limited Course Updates: Roger CPA doesn’t frequently update their course materials compared to some competitors. This could mean students might miss out on the latest changes or nuances in the CPA exam content.
• Con – Platform Interface: Some users have reported that the platform’s user interface is not as intuitive or modern as other CPA review courses, which can make navigation and accessing certain features a bit cumbersome.

Bottom Line

UWorld Roger CPA offers a unique blend of engaging lectures, convenient mobile access, and valuable print materials that enhance the learning experience. Roger’s dynamic teaching style ensures students remain attentive and grasp complex concepts with ease. However, the platform’s interface could benefit from modernization, and the limited instructor support might leave some students desiring more direct assistance. While the course has standout features, potential users should weigh the pros against the cons to determine if it’s the right fit for their CPA exam preparation.

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5. Wiley CPA Review

In light of Wiley CPA Review’s acquisition by UWorld, apprehensions arise about possible alterations to their course content and platform. This shift casts doubt on the program’s forthcoming trajectory and caliber. Consequently, we recommend that potential students tread carefully and explore other well-established CPA exam prep alternatives.

Best CPA study material for flexibility and practice questions

Wiley was built with today’s busy lifestyle in mind. Instruction is broken down into easily digestible 30- to 45-minute lessons that can be accessed from your web browser, smartphone, or tablet. It also boasts the largest question bank of any company on this list. Quizzes are timed just as they would be on the exam and detailed explanations of wrong answers help fill in the gaps in your knowledge. The only area where Wiley CPA Review comes up a little short is its student support. There’s no dedicated phone support and live chat is limited to technical questions only.

What to Expect

Wiley’s CPA review courses include 110 hours of pre-recorded video instruction that covers all sections of the exam. You can purchase each section individually or in any combination, though you get the best deal by purchasing all four sections together. The material is updated for free every time the CPA exam is updated, so you know you’re always studying the relevant material. All courses come with the Partner Until You Pass Guarantee, which gives you unlimited access to all Wiley CPA study materials until you pass your CPA exam.

Wiley outpaces all of its competition when it comes to their total volume of practice materials. Just their Pro courses include:

• 17,000+ Multiple-Choice Questions
• 600+ Task-Based Simulations (with Videos)
• 5,000+ Digital and Physical Flashcards
• Live classes

However, it’s highly recommended that you enroll in one of their other packages since they include even more helpful content, such as:

• Expert Mentors (Platinum/Ultimate)
• 11th Hour Final Review Course (Platinum/Ultimate)
• Personalized Mentorship and Private Tutoring (Ultimate Only)

Pros and Cons

• Pro – Test Bank: With over 17,000 practice questions, more than 600 TBS, and 8 full mock exams included in their best course, Wiley has the largest test bank of practice materials by far. If you want the most volume for your money, this should be your first choice for CPA exam prep.
• Pro – Community Assistance: There’s a message board where you can post questions; you’ll usually get a response within 24 hours. Also, many common questions are already answered here, so you may find the answer you’re looking for even faster than you might expect.
• Con – Limited Support: Wiley doesn’t offer dedicated live support to all of its students. Gold and Platinum students get a dedicated support email, but this isn’t as convenient as Becker’s support options.
• Con – No Guarantee: Wiley’s courses don’t come with any kind of refund guarantee. Instead, you just have access to the course until you pass the exam. It’s a nice guarantee, but it doesn’t really help with the monetary risk of signing up for an expensive prep course that may not actually prepare you for the exam.
• Con – Acquisition Uncertainties: Wiley’s recent acquisition by UWorld has introduced a level of unpredictability regarding the future direction of their CPA prep material. This change could potentially lead to shifts in curriculum or platform features, making some prospective students cautious about the long-term consistency and quality of the course.

Bottom Line

Wiley boasts an impressive test bank and offers community assistance through its message board, there are significant concerns that overshadow these benefits. The recent acquisition by UWorld introduces uncertainties about the course’s future direction and potential curriculum changes. Additionally, the lack of a refund guarantee and limited dedicated support options make it a riskier choice for CPA candidates. Compared to other providers with more comprehensive support and clearer future trajectories, Wiley’s current standing in the CPA prep landscape is questionable.

Wiley CPA Review Details

Course	Price
Pro CPA Review Course	$2,199
Platinum CPA Review Course	$2,499
Ultimate CPA Review Course	$3,100

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The Most Important Features: Accessibility, Comprehensiveness, Study Materials and Support

We evaluated each CPA review course on dozens of different features. They broke down broadly into four categories: course accessibility, comprehensiveness, available study materials and student support.

Accessibility

All of the CPA review courses we looked at were online self-study programs. Some included physical study materials, but the majority of the resources are provided through your online dashboard. The top companies have iOS and Android mobile apps for studying on the go, and they may offer offline access to video lectures for an additional fee. Lecture time is also an important part of accessibility. It’s easy to sit down for a 15-minute video and some practice questions than to carve out time for an hour-long lecture. We favored the companies that broke their lessons down into bite-size pieces, so you can study as much or as little as you want at your convenience.

Comprehensiveness

Next, we looked at how well each company taught the test material. Our finalists all cover each of the four exam sections, and some, including Surgent CPA Review and Wiley CPAexcel, enable you to purchase exam sections individually if you prefer. We compared the quality and rigor of the instruction as well as the total course hours. It’s important that the material you’re learning from is of similar difficulty to the actual CPA exam, so you’re prepared to tackle the toughest questions. Surgent CPA Review stood out here as well, adapting your lessons and practice questions to match your current level of knowledge just like the real exam.

Study Materials

The CPA review courses are taught through a series of pre-recorded video lectures and textbooks. You can test your knowledge with flashcards, question banks and practice tests through your online account. We rated each company on the number and difficulty of the practice questions and how well the practice tests simulated the real thing. Solid task-based simulations were especially important because, while the exam only has 28, they account for nearly 50 percent of your grade. Wiley CPAexcel took the top prize here with over 12,000 multiple-choice questions and 610 task-based simulations. Gleim CPA Review also earned an honorable mention with 1,000 task-based simulations and 9,200 multiple-choice questions.

Support

The best CPA review courses give you regular access to CPAs who can answer any questions you have. The level of support you receive varies by company and possibly by the package you choose. Wiley CPAexcel and Roger CPA Review only offer message boards for you to post questions. Surgent, Gleim and Yaeger all provide dedicated email and phone support with fast response times. Surgent offers live chat support as well. Not all students will need this help, as the course materials usually do a pretty good job of explaining the material and practice questions. It’s nice to have, though, especially if you struggle with learning independently.

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Frequently Asked Questions About the CPA Exam

Our goal is to create a comprehensive guide to the CPA exam. We spoke to CPAs to learn what questions they had before they took the test, and we’ve answered some of the most common ones below. If there’s something else you’d like us to address, feel free to reach out and let us know.

What requirements do I need to meet in order to take the CPA exam?

The exact requirements vary by state. Most require you to be at least 18 years old and to have completed 150 hours of college-level coursework. Some may allow a bachelor’s degree in any subject, though many require a business or accounting degree. To learn more about your state’s requirements, visit your state Board of Public Accountancy’s website.

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
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• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
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• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
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• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
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• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

How do I apply for the CPA exam?

The first step is to make sure you’ve completed all of your state’s requirements to sit for the exam. Once you’ve done that, you can create an account on the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) website and submit an application. NASBA will verify that you meet your state’s criteria and then they’ll send you a bill for your exam fees. The cost of the CPA exam varies by state, but it’s usually between $900 and $1,000 for all four sections of the exam. You must pay the fees and then NASBA will send you a Notice to Schedule (NTS). You cannot apply to take the exam until you get this, so it’s important to get your fees paid right away.

NASBA partners with Prometric to administer the CPA exam. When you receive your notice to schedule, you can log on to Prometric’s website and schedule your exam at the nearest test center at a time that’s most convenient for you. You should block off four-and-a-half hours for the exam, introductory screenings, and breaks. Most students only take one test section at a time, but you can schedule more if you like. You can reschedule or cancel your test at any time through your Prometric account.

When you arrive at the test center, you must present your NTS and a government-issued photo ID. Food and beverages are not allowed in the testing center, so make sure you eat a good meal beforehand. The test administrator will check you in, give you a place to store your belongings, and take your fingerprints. You must scan your fingerprint every time you enter or leave the testing room.

How is the CPA exam structured?

The CPA exam is a computer-based test broken down into four sections: Auditing and Attestation (AUD), Business Environment and Concepts (BEC), Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) and Regulation (REG). Each section takes approximately four hours to complete and consists of two multiple-choice testlets followed by three task-based simulation testlets. The exception is BEC, which substitutes a written communication test for the last task-based simulation testlet. You can take the section exams in any order you choose, but you must score a 75 or better on each section within an 18-month period in order to apply for CPA licensure.

Multiple-Choice Testlets

Each section begins with two multiple-choice testlets to test your understanding of important concepts and theories. The exact number of questions varies by section. BEC has the fewest with 62 questions total while REG has the most at 76. These questions account for 50 percent of your test score.

The multiple-choice testlets are computer-adaptive, so the question difficulty changes depending on whether you answer questions correctly. This type of exam is becoming increasingly popular because it enables test makers to measure your level of knowledge more accurately. The number of points you get for each question depends on the difficulty of that question with harder questions being worth more. There is no penalty for incorrect answers.

Task-Based Simulations

Task-based simulations are designed to put your knowledge of accounting concepts into practice. Each one asks you to complete a series of four to eight accounting tasks based on the information provided. These simulations mimic real scenarios you’ll face as a CPA and may require you to conduct research or reference authoritative literature to answer the questions.

The AUD, FAR and REG sections each have eight task-based simulations that comprise the other 50 percent of your test grade. BEC has four task-based simulations that makeup 35 percent of the test grade. Because there are fewer of these types of questions, it’s critical to do well on them. Make sure you spend plenty of time practicing these simulations and that you understand the key concepts and skills involved.

Written Communication

This testlet is only on the BEC exam and make up the remaining 15 percent of your grade for this section. There are three questions that you must write responses to. These are designed to test your ability to write professionally and to convey information to a potential client. You’ll be graded on your ability to solve problems and convey solutions in a clear, concise manner.

Which CPA exam section should I take first?

There is no right answer to this. Some students prefer to tackle their most difficult subject right away while others save this for last to give themselves more time to study for it. You have to decide what your best strategy is. If you’re not sure what your strong subjects are, take some quizzes — or better yet, full-length practice tests — and compare your scores. Use this information to create a study and testing plan.

It’s important to remember that none of the sections are going to be a breeze. They’re designed to challenge you and find the upper limits of your knowledge, so make sure you study thoroughly for all of them. Take regular practice tests until you feel confident that you can score a 75. It’s better to spend a few extra weeks studying than to rush into your exam and risk failing.

You can take more than one section during the same testing window if you feel you can handle it, but for most students, it’s better to space them out. That way, you can focus on mastering a single section at a time instead of trying to study for two or three at once. Many students spread the exams out over six months and some can take up to a year. Ultimately, only you can decide how much preparation you need and when you feel comfortable taking each section of the exam.

What if I fail a section of the CPA exam?

Ideally, you’d pass every section on your first try, but this isn’t always the case. If you fail a section of the exam, you must request a new Notice to Schedule from NASBA, pay the registration fee again and retake that section. You must pass all sections within a rolling 18-month period in order to apply for your CPA license. If an exam grade is more than 18 months old, even if you passed, it is considered expired and you must retake that section.

The first two months of each quarter — January, February, April, May, July, August, October and November — are the testing windows. The third months of each quarter are not open to testing. If you fail a section, you aren’t permitted to take that section again until the next testing window, which could mean waiting a few months. You are able to take the other section tests during the current window, though.

It’s a good idea to use this delay to review. Your score report breaks down how you did compared to passing candidates on the multiple-choice questions and task-based simulations as well as the major content areas of each exam. You’ll receive a classification of Weaker, Comparable or Stronger in each category. Use this information to determine where you need more practice and review these subjects thoroughly before you attempt to take the test again.