What is the CPA Exam?

In order to take the CPA Exam, there are a few requirements that you must meet. Keep in mind that these requirements may vary from state to state.

The first and most notable requirement involves education. In most states, a candidate must have completed a minimum of 150 credit hours of coursework, often achieved while earning a bachelor's degree in accounting or in another relevant program. In certain cases, some states may allow candidates to take the exam once they reach 120 hours, so long as they meet their 150-hour requirement before obtaining their license.

Some states may require students to take specific classes in order to sit for the CPA Exam, such as an ethics course. If your state does require an ethics course, you typically must complete it within one to two years after taking the CPA Exam.

Depending on the number of credit hours built into your bachelor’s degree, you may need to pursue additional education to reach the 150-credit hour minimum for taking the CPA Exam. You may decide to earn an MBA with an Accounting Specialization, a Master's in Accounting or another accounting-related degree such as a Master's in Accounting and Financial Management to close the gap.

Preparing for the CPA Exam is a unique experience for everyone. Different techniques and study methods work for different people, so you will likely need to do some experimenting in order to find the best approach for your learning style.

That said, here are a few universal tips that may help as you begin to prepare for the CPA Exam:

1. Take a CPA Exam review course: A CPA Exam review program can help you refresh your understanding of concepts and may provide more insight as to what may be covered by the exam. If you need to earn additional credit hours, our CPA Preparation Graduate Certificate or Graduate Certificate in Accounting may be a good fit. Both can provide you with the opportunity to learn from knowledgeable faculty who can help you better understand and apply accounting concepts to real-world situations.
   
   
2. Study outside of your review program: If you’re in school it might seem like you’re covering a lot already, but you'll most likely need to take some time to study outside of whatever prep course or program you take. Starting the review process early will give you extra time to help reinforce your understanding of the concepts you’re going over.
   
   
3. Use a practice exam to simulate the test: Timed, lengthy tests like the CPA Exam may fluster some candidates. Using a practice exam can not only help you become more familiar with concepts that may be included on the exam, but can also give you a chance to practice pacing yourself for the real test.
   
   
4. Study with regularity: Avoid long cram sessions when studying. Instead, set aside some time a few times a week to study at a reasonable pace. This way, you’ll give yourself more time to discover what challenges you are facing and what areas might require more preparation. Spending more time studying leading up to the CPA Exam may help the information stick in your head better.