CPA Exam Guide 2026

The CPA (Certified Public Accountant) license is the primary credential for accounting professionals in the United States. This guide covers everything you need to plan your path through all four CPA exam sections.

What Is the CPA Exam?

The Uniform CPA Examination is administered by the AICPA and consists of four sections. Candidates must pass all four sections within 30 months.

Administered by: AICPA and NASBA (not affiliated with Sophos Academy)

The Four Sections

FAR — Financial Accounting and Reporting

Tests financial statement preparation, governmental accounting, not-for-profit accounting, and complex accounting topics. Hardest section — lowest pass rate (~42%).

AUD — Auditing and Attestation

Tests audit procedures, risk assessment, internal controls, and professional ethics. Moderate difficulty — pass rate ~47%.

REG — Taxation and Regulation

Tests federal taxation, business law, and professional responsibilities. More passable — pass rate ~57%.

TCP — Tax Compliance and Planning

Tests advanced tax planning concepts. Most passable section — pass rate ~61%.

Exam Format

Each section contains:

  • Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQ): ~50% of score
  • Task-Based Simulations (TBS): ~50% of score

TBS questions replicate real accounting tasks using professional software environments. Most candidates underestimate TBS difficulty — choose a prep course with strong TBS coverage.

  1. FAR (hardest, highest weight)
  2. AUD (conceptually separate, mental break)
  3. REG (builds on FAR concepts)
  4. TCP (advanced planning, save for last)

Study Hours per Section

  • FAR: 200–300 hours
  • AUD: 100–150 hours
  • REG: 100–150 hours
  • TCP: 100–150 hours

How to Start

  1. Confirm your state's eligibility requirements at nasba.org
  2. Apply for the Notice to Schedule (NTS) through your state board
  3. Choose a CPA review course — see our Best CPA Review Courses comparison
  4. Start with FAR and build a structured study plan
  5. Use our free CPA diagnostic questions to identify weak areas early

Not affiliated with AICPA or NASBA. CPA® is a registered trademark of AICPA.