CPA study schedule planner
Use this CPA study schedule planner to turn the hours you can study each week into a plan for every section. Then check that plan against your Notice to Schedule and the testing calendar before you book a seat with Prometric.
Build a CPA study plan
Tell us the section, how long you have and how much time you can actually give it. We will tell you whether the plan is realistic before you book the exam.
Hour requirements differ by more than double between the hardest and easiest.
If you have not booked yet, use the date you are aiming at.
The honest number, including weekends. Overestimating here is why plans collapse.
How to use the CPA study schedule planner
Be honest about the hours you can protect after work, family and rest. A plan built on hours you do not have falls apart in the first month.
Every candidate takes the three Core sections (AUD, FAR and REG) plus one Discipline of their choice (BAR, ISC or TCP). The order is up to you; see <a href="https://mocktestprep.com/cpa/best-order-sections/">the best order to take CPA sections</a> if you are unsure.
Discipline sections can only be scheduled in the first month of each quarter (January, April, July and October). Place that date first and fit the Core sections around it.
Your Notice to Schedule is valid for 6, 9 or 12 months depending on your jurisdiction. Every planned exam date has to fall inside it, or the section fee is forfeited.
Exam rules your CPA study schedule has to fit
| Rule | What it means for your schedule |
|---|---|
| Sections | 3 Core (AUD, FAR, REG) + 1 Discipline (BAR, ISC or TCP) |
| Length | 4 hours per section, 16 hours of testing in total |
| Passing score | 75 on each section |
| Core testing | Year-round (continuous testing) |
| Discipline testing | First month of each quarter only |
| NTS validity | 6, 9 or 12 months from issue, set by your jurisdiction |
| Booking lead time | At least 5 days; NASBA recommends 45 days |
| July 2027 | No exams July 1 to 11, 2027 while the exam moves to a new delivery platform |
Source: NASBA CPA Exam Candidate Guide and CPA Exam FAQ
Continuous testing means you can retake a failed Core section once your score is out and you have a new NTS. A failed attempt costs time rather than a whole quarter. Check the CPA score release dates before you plan a retake, and the CPA exam dates page for the testing calendar.
What it costs to move an exam date
Prometric charges to reschedule or cancel, and the fee rises as your appointment gets closer. Build a buffer into your CPA study schedule so you can move a date early if a section is not ready.
| When you change the appointment | Fee paid to Prometric |
|---|---|
| 60 or more days before | $0 |
| 31 to 60 days before | $30 |
| 5 to 30 days before | $60 |
| Under 5 days, up to 24 hours before | $93.61 |
| Less than 24 hours before | No changes allowed; all fees forfeited and you must reapply |
Source: NASBA CPA Exam Candidate Guide (May 20, 2026)
For the full picture of what each section costs, see our CPA exam cost guide.
Common questions
Where do the hour estimates come from?
Published provider guidance cross-checked against what candidates report on r/CPA. FAR sits around 160 hours, the core sections near 105, and disciplines around 90.
What if the plan says I do not have enough time?
Move the exam rather than hoping. Rescheduling 60 or more days out is free, and inside 60 days it costs $30 to $93.61 depending on notice — against roughly $365 plus three months for a failed attempt.
Should I study every day?
No. Protect one day a week. A months-long study plan with no rest days is hard to sustain.
When can I take my Discipline section?
Only in the first month of each quarter: January, April, July or October. The Core sections can be taken year-round, so most candidates schedule the Discipline first and plan the Core sections around it.
Sources: NASBA CPA Exam FAQ and NASBA CPA Exam Candidate Guide, checked October 13, 2026.