You know you want to be a CPA and that means you have to pass the exam. And one of the questions you're asking is when should you start studying for the CPA Exam? Can you take the CPA Exam while still in school or should you wait until you graduate?
The short answer is that no matter what, you shouldn't rush into it.
Think of it like this: the CPA Exam is like an apple pie. You have all the ingredients you need for the perfect pie (or rather, you meet all the requirements to take the exam and even invested in the best CPA Exam review). However, you’re short on time. You decide to crank up the oven for a 15-minute bake (or cram in one week) and hope for the best.
The result is almost guaranteed to be disappointing.
Now for the good news. When you have all the ingredients you need—and you budget your time wisely—you will be in position for success.
We're going to walk you through when you should start studying for the CPA Exam so you can make the right choice. You might even have added motivation to give your exam prep ingredients all the time they need to cook up the ideal result.
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How long should I study for the CPA Exam?
We won’t sugarcoat it—studying for the CPA Exam is a major time commitment. While every candidate is different, the recommended amount of time to devote to studying is between 80 and 120 hours per section, or between 350 and 450 hours total.
With that much study time ahead of you, it’s vital to give yourself all the time you need to prepare.
When should I start studying for the CPA Exam?
There are multiple answers here, because it depends on where you are professionally as well as the composition of the exam itself. Check out the video below to hear from CPAs who took the exam at different stages of their career!
Can you take the CPA Exam while still in school?
It depends on which state you're in, but nearly all states require 120 credit hours to apply and sit for the exam, though they may not require a bachelor's degree. It's important to check with your state's CPA requirements.
Even if you can take the CPA Exam while you're in school, it's important to consider if that's the right option. Your undergraduate accounting courses are important in establishing your exam knowledge. Completing advanced accounting courses reflects at least a basic knowledge of some skills held by CPAs, so it's important that you do well with this accounting coursework. It may be best to focus on your college studies, rather than juggling courses and exam preparation. The CPA Exam will still be there, ready to challenge you, after college.
Recent college graduates
Immediately after graduating is when most accountants begin studying for the CPA Exam. Material from your advanced accounting courses will still be fresh, and plenty of that material is sure to be on the CPA Exam. Also keep in mind that Becker partners with many universities and accounting employers, so you may get a discount on prep materials through your school.
If you’ve recently graduated, you’re likely still in the school mindset – you already know which study methods work best with your learning style and exam prep may not feel like foreign concept.
Career accountants
Our advice: a work-life balance could make or break your CPA success. If you feel like you can add CPA Exam preparation to your existing personal and professional obligations, then now might be the time to dive in. But if, for example, your busy season is approaching, consider starting CPA Exam preparation once the dust has settled. You’ll want to dedicate all the time and energy that’s needed for successful preparation.
We have resources to help you manage your time while studying for the exam. For example, Becker's CPA Exam Review comes with a study planner that helps you track your progress through exam section content, so you can use your time as efficiently as possible.
Factors to consider when to start studying for the CPA Exam
There are factors out of your control, outside of where you are in your accounting journey, that may influence when you decide to prepare for the CPA Exam.
Testing windows
Nearly all states give candidates 30 months from the time they pass their first section of the exam to pass their other three. Ensure your study plan takes this period into account so you don’t lose exam credit.
Life changes
As we mentioned, studying for the CPA Exam takes a lot of time and a lot of hard work. If you have a major life change in the works that could also take up significant time and attention, such as starting a new job, planning a wedding, having a baby, or transferring to a different state, you may want to factor that in to your planning!
Ultimately, no matter which stage of your career you happen to be in, it’s never too early to start CPA Exam prep. That’s really the universal answer to the “When should I start studying?” question. Start whenever you can. When you allow yourself ample time, the entire process can be far less stressful.
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