Free tool
CPA Exam Study Schedule Maker
Pick your CPA exam date and how long you can study a day. The topics from the AICPA blueprints for FAR, AUD and REG are already filled in: delete the sections you are not taking next and you get a day-by-day plan with spaced reviews. Free, no sign-up.
Building your plan…
Studying for CFA Level I instead? The same tool works: clear the list and put in the CFA Institute topic areas you still need.
Guide
How to make a CPA study plan
- 1
Plan one section at a time.
Most candidates take the sections one by one. Keep only the topics of the section you are scheduled for next, and make a new plan for the next one.
- 2
Start from the blueprint.
The AICPA blueprint for each section lists its content areas and the tasks you are tested on. Split the large areas so each topic fits one sitting.
- 3
Learn the heavy topics early.
Topics learned early in the plan come back the most times before the exam. Put the ones you find hardest, like leases or entity taxation, near the top.
- 4
Review by working problems.
Spend review time on multiple-choice questions and task-based simulations, and read the explanation for every one you miss.
For reviews by recall, turn your notes into cards with the free flashcard maker, or make a plan for any other exam with the study schedule maker.
Questions
CPA study schedule FAQ
How long should I study for each CPA section?
It depends on the section, your background and how much time you have each week. Many candidates spend several weeks on each section, often 4 to 8 weeks per section. Set the plan to the time you actually have before your exam date.
Should I put all sections in one plan?
Usually not. Most candidates take one section at a time, so keep only the topics of your next section. When you pass it, make a new plan for the next one.
What topics are on the CPA exam?
The three core sections are FAR (financial accounting and reporting), AUD (auditing and attestation) and REG (taxation and regulation), plus one discipline section you choose. The AICPA blueprints list the content areas for each one, and the list in the tool follows them for the core sections.
Can I use this for my discipline section or for the CFA?
Yes. Clear the list and put in the topics of your discipline section, or the CFA Level I topic areas you still need, one per line. The plan works the same way for any exam.
Is this CPA study schedule free?
Yes. There is no sign-up and nothing is sent anywhere: the plan is made in your browser, and your topics are remembered only on this device. You can download it as a PDF or add it to your calendar.