12-Week CPA Study Plan

A structured 12-week study plan to pass one CPA exam section. Adapt the timeline to your schedule and section.

Planning Your Study Timeline

A 12-week study plan works well for most candidates tackling one section at a time. You will need 20-30 hours per week for a total of 250-350 study hours. Adjust the timeline based on your section (FAR needs the most time, BAR the least) and your background. If you work full-time, extend to 16 weeks at 15-20 hours per week.

Weeks 1-4: Foundation

Weeks 1 through 4 focus on learning new material. Study 2-3 topics per week using video lectures or textbooks. After each topic, complete 30-50 practice MCQs to reinforce the material. Review incorrect answers thoroughly and note your weak areas. Do not worry about timed practice yet. The goal is to build a strong conceptual foundation across all exam topics.

Weeks 5-8: Deep Dive

Weeks 5 through 8 are for intensive practice. Complete 50-100 MCQs per day, focusing on your weakest topics. Begin practicing task-based simulations (TBS). Review all incorrect answers and create flashcards for rules you keep missing. Take your first full-length practice exam at the end of week 6 to assess your progress. Target a score of 60%+ on your first practice exam.

Weeks 9-10: Practice Exams

Weeks 9 and 10 focus on full-length practice exams under timed conditions. Take 2-3 practice exams, simulating real test conditions (4 hours, no interruptions, no notes). After each exam, spend 2-3 hours reviewing every question you missed or guessed on. Identify patterns in your mistakes. Your practice exam scores should be trending toward 70-75% by the end of week 10.

Weeks 11-12: Final Review

The final two weeks are for targeted review and polishing. Focus exclusively on your weakest areas. Review flashcards daily. Do 50-100 MCQs per day from all topics. Take one final practice exam at the end of week 11. In the last few days, review key formulas, rules, and concepts. Do not study new material. Get adequate sleep the night before your exam. Trust your preparation.

Adapting the Plan

This plan is flexible. If you are scoring above 80% on practice exams by week 8, you can shorten the timeline. If you are below 60% at week 10, extend by 2-4 weeks and focus on weak areas. For FAR, consider extending to 14-16 weeks given its breadth. For BAR, you may finish in 8-10 weeks. The key is consistent daily study rather than cramming.