CPA Exam Study Planner

Plan your study timeline across all 4 CPA exam sections within the 18-month window.

Study Hours / Week

AUD Study Hours

FAR Study Hours

REG Study Hours

TCP Study Hours

Buffer Weeks / Section

Sections Already Passed

Tab to move between fields

Total Months

6.5 months

Sections Remaining4

Remaining Study Hours470 hrs

Total Weeks28 weeks

Within 18-Month Window?Yes

Avg Hours / Section118 hrs

Avg Weeks / Section7 weeks

Total Hours (All 4)470 hrs

How to Use This Calculator

Enter Study Hours / Week — the number of hours you can realistically commit to CPA study each week.
Enter the recommended study hours for each section: AUD, FAR, REG, and TCP. Most review courses suggest 100–150 hours per section.
Set Buffer Weeks / Section (1–2 weeks) to account for review, scheduling delays, and exam day logistics.
If you have already passed some sections, update Sections Already Passed so the planner skips those.
Review Total Months and Within 18-Month Window? — the AICPA requires all four sections to be passed within 18 months.
Use the Study Plan by Section table to assign target exam dates for each section.

How the result changes with Study Hours / Week

Study Hours / Week: Hours you can dedicate to studying each week.
AUD Study Hours: Recommended study hours for Auditing and Attestation.
FAR Study Hours: Recommended study hours for Financial Accounting and Reporting.
REG Study Hours: Recommended study hours for Regulation.
TCP Study Hours: Recommended study hours for Tax Compliance and Planning.
Buffer Weeks / Section: Extra weeks for review and exam scheduling per section.
Sections Already Passed: Number of CPA sections already passed.

Identify Input Parameters
4 parameters
Study Hours / Week = 20, AUD Study Hours = 100, FAR Study Hours = 150, REG Study Hours = 120 = 7 input(s) provided
Calculate Total Months
Total Months
6.5 = 6.5
Calculate Sections Remaining
Sections Remaining
4 = 4
Calculate Remaining Study Hours
Remaining Study Hours
470 = 470