The CPA exam: 10 tips for passing

August 27, 2025 10:38 AM

The CPA exam is difficult but not impossible.

Test-taking data shows that pass rates for the three core sections hover around 50%, meaning it's resoundingly normal to fail sections of the exam — perhaps several times. Accounting leaders, exam prep providers and recent test takers recommend various tips and tricks to passing the CPA exam.

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Have a plan

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Create a timeline for yourself: Know when you're going to each section, plan which one to take first, and prioritize the order based on any events you anticipate, like starting a new job, according to Will Mann, a graduate of Robert Morris University.

Stop comparing yourself

For some candidates, talking about the exam with peers can add unnecessary pressure, unwittingly creating a basis for comparison when it comes to hours spent studying or testing dates.

"You have to do it at your own pace. Have some self-confidence," said James Tom, a recent graduate of Hofstra University and now a staff accountant at a Big Four Firm.

Come back later

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Don't forget good test-taking strategies: If you don't know the answer to a multiple choice question, flag it and come back later. Don't waste time spinning your wheels hoping for the answer to come to you, said Jack Castonguay, associate professor of accounting and chair at Hofstra University and vice president of learning and development of accounting and finance at Surgent, one of the leading exam prep providers.

Don’t forget the simulations

Liz Burkhalter, director of the CPA pipeline at the AIPCA, says as candidates prepare for the exam, many do not spend enough time preparing for the task-based simulations, which is half of the total score for most sections. Make sure you devote adequate study time for the sims.

Go old-fashioned

"Sometimes the old ways are still some of the best ways," Castonguay said. While many test prep resources are online and the exam itself is computerized, handwritten notes and flashcards are still some of the best tools for memorization.

Try unconventional methods

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Try joining online communities for CPAs, like the Subreddit r/CPA on Reddit, or an online study group, like Big Picture Accounting on Discord, said Roly Marrero, a staff accountant at fractional CFO services firm Staxx.

Talk to someone who’s been in your shoes

Talk to someone who's taken the exam before to understand what it will be like walking into the testing room, Mann recommends. This should help reduce test-taking anxiety.

Take a break

In the instance where you fail a section — which is an incredibly common experience — don't jump right back on the horse, Castonguay said. If you found out you didn't pass on Tuesday, take the rest of the week off from studying.

Get back on the same horse

After failing a section, don't try to switch gears and study for another. Castonguay recommends going back and studying the section you just failed while the information is still fresh on the mind.

Review everything

When studying to retake a section, review everything — not just what you think you don't know.

"There are so many nuances to all of these exams and it's easy to think you know something," said Mann. "Maybe you could answer a multiple choice question on it, but if they give it to you in a simulation, that's a whole different ball game. You have to apply that knowledge at a much deeper level."