Start by reading our comprehensive CPA Exam Guide. It’ll break down what you need to know and give you a roadmap for how to study.

It can be beneficial to begin the exam with the section you are strongest in. Getting into a good study routine and learning the CPA Exam is hard enough without putting a more difficult section up front.

Once you’ve actually taken your first section, you’ll have the best possible information about what works for you. You’ll be able to adjust your study habits for the next part, just like coaches do after seeing their team’s first real game.

If you have no preference, we recommend taking Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) first. Check your state’s CPA requirements to be sure, but most states give 30 months from the time you pass your first section to complete the remaining sections. FAR usually takes candidates the longest to study for due to its wide range of accounting topics. If you aim to pass FAR first, you’ll have all the time you need to study because it doesn’t count against your 30 months.

With the introduction of CPA Evolution, candidates have to pass three core exams and one of three offered discipline exams. It is generally easy to nail down which discipline suits you the most.

It is also important to take note of any upcoming CPA changes and adjust accordingly. The CPA Exam goes through changes regularly, and when there are big changes you may feel more comfortable with one version over the other. You should plan to sit for the version you feel most comfortable with.

THE GLEIM SOLUTION 

With the Gleim Review System, we guarantee you always have updated materials, and your Personal Counselor is available to help you navigate any exam changes.

It doesn’t matter whether you are a current student, recent graduate, or seasoned accountant, the best way to begin building your study plan is to estimate how much time you will need to learn the material.

Start by asking yourself these questions:

• How familiar am I with the material (as outlined in the Blueprints) on the CPA Exam?
• When was the last time I studied for an exam or took an accounting course?
• How much experience do I have with individual and/or business taxes?
• How much available time do I have to study each week?
• How long can I concentrate in one sitting?

On average, we find that candidates need to spend 70⁠–⁠145 hours studying for each CPA Exam section when using a review course. This number varies and can go up or down depending on your needs and which section you are studying for. If you are unsure, it’s better to overestimate the time you need, as this will help keep you on track when faced with unexpected setbacks.

Whether you use a physical or digital calendar, an app, or the study planner in our course, look at the next couple of months and plan your studies. Use this calendar to track your progress and help you decide if you need to adjust your study plan.

Here are two sample study schedules:

This aggressive exam schedule is for recent graduates or those otherwise proficient in many of the topics covered on the exam. The goal is to pass all four sections in just 6 months. Budget 6⁠⁠⁠–⁠7 weeks to study each section, then, in two consecutive calendar quarters, take one section at the beginning of the quarter and another near the end.

This moderate exam schedule is for candidates who have been out of school for a while or need a refresher on a number of topics. Your goal is to pass all four sections within a year. Budget 10⁠–⁠12 weeks to study for each section, and plan on taking one section per quarter.

THE GLEIM SOLUTION 

With the Gleim interactive study planner, you set goal exam dates, approximate how many hours you will study, and even mark off days when you can’t study. The Gleim Study Planner will then automatically calculate milestones for you to reach in the adaptive CPA Premium Review System. Try our demo and see how easy it is to organize your studies.

Crowdsourced wisdom can be helpful (like knowing it’s always cold in the testing centers—bring a sweater just in case). But you don’t have to follow every single anecdote to succeed. If you try, you’ll end up with a messy, overcomplicated study plan that isn’t really yours.

Here’s why having your own structured study plan is so critical:

A well-designed study plan ensures you cover all the essential material systematically. Unlike the scattered approach that comes from following random advice, a structured plan helps you methodically work through topics, giving appropriate attention to each area based on its importance and your familiarity with it.

When you follow a coherent plan, you’re less likely to waste time on redundant material or miss crucial topics. This organization translates directly to studying efficiency—you get more learning done in less time.

One of the biggest challenges CPA candidates face is balancing exam prep with work, family, and personal commitments. A structured study plan transforms time management from a constant struggle to an automatic process.

When you’ve scheduled specific blocks for reviewing particular topics, you don’t have to make daily decisions about what to study and when. Those decisions are already made, freeing up mental energy for the actual learning.

There’s something psychologically comforting about knowing exactly what you need to do each day. When your study plan clearly outlines which modules you’ll cover, you can approach each session with confidence rather than anxiety.

This predictability reduces the mental load associated with studying and prevents the stress that comes from wondering if you’re doing enough or focusing on the right areas.

Including personal time in your calendar isn’t just nice—it’s necessary. A comprehensive study plan acknowledges that you need breaks, social interaction, and downtime to perform at your best.

By deliberately scheduling personal time alongside study sessions, you create a sustainable approach that prevents burnout. This balanced approach makes you more likely to stick with your plan long term.

There’s power in putting a plan on paper (or screen). It represents a contract with yourself—evidence of your commitment to passing the CPA Exam. That visible roadmap, with a clear starting point and finish line, helps maintain motivation when challenges arise.

The structure also minimizes distractions. When you know exactly what you should be working on, it’s easier to resist the pull of social media, news alerts, or impromptu advice from well-meaning friends.

Creating a study plan you can actually stick to involves more than just assigning topics to calendar days. Here’s how to develop a plan that will serve you well:

Before diving into specifics, map out your broader timeline. When do you want to have all four sections completed? Working backward from there, how much time can you realistically allocate to each section?

Be honest about your schedule and commitments. If you work full-time, expecting to study 6 hours each weekday might not be realistic. Setting achievable goals prevents discouragement and plan abandonment.

Take stock of which accounting areas come naturally to you and which require more attention. Your study plan should allocate more time to challenging topics while still covering everything thoroughly.

This personal assessment is something no generic advice can provide—it’s unique to your experience and knowledge base.

Life happens. Family emergencies, work crises, and even simple exhaustion can disrupt the most carefully crafted plans. A good study plan includes buffer periods that can absorb these unexpected events without throwing everything off track.

These buffer zones act as insurance for your timeline, reducing anxiety when disruptions occur.

Forgetting is natural—it’s how our brains work. Combat this by scheduling regular review sessions to reinforce earlier material and using a strategy called spaced repetition. Spaced repetition is when you revisit material you have recently learned at increasing intervals of time, until it eventually becomes part of your long-term memory.

These reviews prevent the frustration of reaching the final review period only to discover you’ve forgotten concepts from week one.

The best plans evolve based on feedback. Use practice questions and simulated exams to gauge your progress and identify areas needing additional attention.

Be willing to adjust your plan based on this data. If you’re mastering certain topics faster than expected, you can reallocate that time to more challenging areas.

Once you have your study plan set, be sure to let the people around you know. If you will be studying during your lunch hour, tell your boss and coworkers so they are aware of your study times. If you study after dinner, make sure your family is aware so they can try to be quiet.

It might take a few reminders as everyone adjusts to your new schedule, but it can help to share with them why you are making this sacrifice. Remember to ask for help with things when you need it so you can study more effectively. Give your children a few extra chores around the house, ask your roommate or spouse to cook dinner an extra night a week, or delegate some work to a coworker who is available to help.

If no one else in your life understands what it means to study and sit for the CPA Exam, seek out other candidates, past or present, or other exam mentors like our Personal Counselors. You’re not alone, and having someone to share the experience with can help you stay motivated!

The CPA Exam is challenging but conquerable with the right approach. The most valuable knowledge comes from your own experience with the material and the exam itself.

Pick your plan, go all-in, and trust the process. Adjust based on real feedback, not anecdotes. Stay committed to your schedule and priorities.

Remember that every successful CPA went through exactly what you’re experiencing now. They didn’t succeed by following every piece of random advice—they succeeded by developing a plan that worked for them and sticking to it.

Ready to get started? The first step is the hardest, but it’s also the most important. Choose your section, create your plan, and trust yourself to see it through. You’ve got this.

For additional guidance on creating an effective study plan and comprehensive exam preparation materials, check out the Gleim CPA Review resources. Your journey to becoming a CPA begins with that first committed step.