CPA exam study plan: section order, hours and credit window
The CPA exam is four 4-hour sections, and passing them inside your credit window takes a plan for the whole year. This prompt has your todo.is agent pick a section order, set weekly hours for each, schedule your review course modules and track the date your first passed section expires.
The prompt
- Plan my CPA exam. I am in [JURISDICTION] and my discipline section is [DISCIPLINE]. I have passed [SECTIONS PASSED] so far. I study [WEEKLY HOURS] hours a week, using [REVIEW COURSE]. Suggest an order for the remaining sections with reasons, the number of weeks for each, and testing windows. Check my board's credit window rule and show the date each passed section would expire. Build a week-by-week plan with lessons, multiple-choice and task-based simulation practice, and a final review stretch before each exam. Give me an Excel plan and remind me every Monday at 7:00 on WhatsApp, plus two weeks before each exam.
What to change
- [JURISDICTION]: Your state board, e.g. "Texas". Rules on credit windows and eligibility differ by board.
- [DISCIPLINE]: BAR (Business Analysis and Reporting), ISC (Information Systems and Controls) or TCP (Tax Compliance and Planning).
- [SECTIONS PASSED]: E.g. "none" or "FAR, passed in May".
- [WEEKLY HOURS]: E.g. "15 while working full time".
- [REVIEW COURSE]: The course you use, or "no course yet, suggest free and paid options".
Example result
- CPA plan: 4 sections in 11 months
- Jurisdiction: Texas (check the board site for current rules) · Discipline: TCP · 15 hours a week while working
- The exam under CPA Evolution
- • Three Core sections everyone takes: AUD (Auditing and Attestation), FAR (Financial Accounting and Reporting), REG (Taxation and Regulation)
- • One Discipline section you choose: BAR, ISC or TCP
- • Each section is 4 hours, with multiple-choice questions and task-based simulations. 75 is a passing score.
- Suggested order and why
- 1. FAR, 12 weeks: the biggest section. Its content supports BAR and AUD, and you want it done while energy is high.
- 2. REG, 9 weeks: heavy on individual and business tax, which feeds directly into TCP.
- 3. TCP, 7 weeks: taken right after REG while tax rules are fresh.
- 4. AUD, 9 weeks: more conceptual, works well last.
- FAR, 12 weeks (example)
- • Weeks 1 to 8: lessons in the course order. Each week: 2 lessons, 120 multiple-choice questions, 4 simulations.
- • Key areas: revenue recognition, leases, bonds, governmental and not-for-profit accounting, statement of cash flows
- • Weeks 9 to 10: mixed practice, retake weak lessons
- • Weeks 11 to 12: two full timed practice exams, review every wrong simulation
- Credit window tracker
- • Many boards now use a 30-month window from the date you pass a section; confirm your board's exact rule
- • FAR target pass: April → expiry about 30 months later
- • Your agent recalculates when you add real pass dates
- Weekly rhythm (15 h)
- • Mon to Thu evenings: 1.5 h lessons plus questions
- • Saturday: 5 h simulations and review
- • Sunday: 4 h mixed review, Friday off
How to do it with todo.is
- Fill in your board, discipline, passed sections and hours, then copy the prompt.
- Paste it into todo.is on the Today screen, or send it to your agent on WhatsApp.
- Your agent checks your board's rules, then sends an Excel plan with a credit-window tab.
- When you get a score, send it. Your agent updates the expiry dates and the next section's plan.
Tips for a better result
- Pair REG with TCP, or FAR with BAR, back to back. The overlap saves weeks.
- Do simulations every week from the start. Many candidates leave them too late and lose easy points.
- Book your exam date before you start a section. An open-ended plan drifts.
- Check NASBA and your state board for the current testing and score release schedule before you pick dates.
CPA exam study plan: FAQ
- How many hours does each CPA section take to study? Common estimates are about 80 to 150 hours per section, with FAR usually at the top of that range. Your background in each topic matters most.
- Which CPA section should I take first? Many candidates start with FAR because it is the largest and supports other sections. Others start with their strongest topic for an early win.
- Which discipline section should I pick? Choose based on your work: TCP for tax, ISC for IT audit and controls, BAR for advanced financial reporting and analysis.
- Is the credit window the same in every state? No. Many boards have moved to 30 months, but rules differ. Check your board of accountancy for the current rule.
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