Study Strategy
US CPA Study Plan for Working Professionals: A 6-Month Framework
By SimplyCPA · 11 October 2026
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- The goal: Two sections in six months — about 12–13 weeks per section at 12–15 hours a week.
- Weekly rhythm: Short weekday sessions (60–90 minutes) for learning, longer weekend blocks for practice and simulations.
- Each section: Weeks 1–9 learn and practise topic by topic; weeks 10–11 mixed review; week 12 full mock exam and weak areas; then sit.
- Busy season: Plan around it — schedule sections outside peak months and keep a minimum of 5 hours a week to stay warm.
- Over 12 months: Repeat the framework for sections three and four — finishing well inside the 30-month credit window.
Why six months for two sections
For most working professionals, 12–15 hours a week is sustainable. At roughly 120–140 hours per section, that's about 10–12 weeks each — two sections in six months, all four in about a year, comfortably inside the 30-month credit window most boards allow.
The six-month framework
| Month | Focus |
|---|---|
| Month 1 | Section 1: learn and practise the first third of topics; book your exam date for the end of month 3 |
| Month 2 | Section 1: remaining topics; start simulations every weekend |
| Month 3 | Section 1: two weeks of mixed review, a full timed mock exam, then sit the exam |
| Month 4 | Section 2: start immediately (don't wait for the score); learn first half of topics |
| Month 5 | Section 2: remaining topics and simulations |
| Month 6 | Section 2: review, mock exam, sit; check the section 1 score and plan the next six months |
A sample week (14 hours)
| Day | Session |
|---|---|
| Monday–Thursday | 75 minutes each: one sub-topic — read notes, work examples, 15–20 MCQs |
| Friday | Rest, or 45 minutes reviewing flagged questions |
| Saturday | 4 hours: finish the week's topic, two simulations, review every wrong answer |
| Sunday | 3.5 hours: cumulative MCQ quiz on all topics so far; update your revision sheet |
Rules that keep the plan alive
- Book the exam early. A date creates urgency; NASBA recommends booking 45 days ahead.
- Don't wait for scores. Start the next section the week after your exam.
- Protect a minimum. In heavy work weeks, do at least 5 hours of MCQs so you don't forget.
- Plan around busy season. For US tax and audit teams, January–April is often the busiest period — schedule lighter sections or review phases then.
- Use the Discipline windows. If one of your two sections is BAR, ISC or TCP, align its exam with January, April, July or October.
Adjusting when you fall behind
- Move the exam date only if you're more than two weeks behind — and only 61+ days out to avoid Prometric fees.
- Cut low-weight topics to a summary level; never skip high-weight areas.
- Keep simulations — they're 50% of your score in most sections.
For tactics on fitting study around a job, read how to prepare while working full-time.