Exam overview

Let's understand the outline of US CPA exam. This page summarizes basic information of the US CPA exam in terms of;

1. Four components of US CPA exam
2. Test format
3. Where to take exam



1. Four components of US CPA exam
US CPA exam contains 4 sections;

1. Financial Accounting & Reporting (FAR) [4 hour exam] - 80% is financial (corporate) accounting - 20% is non-profit (governmental, non-profit organizational) accounting 
2. Business Environment & Concepts (BEC) [3 hour exam] - 18% is corporate governance - 18% is economics - 17% is information systems and technology - 47% is financial management, strategic planning and operations management 
3. Regulation (REG) [3 hour exam] - 64% is federal taxation - 19% is business law and business structure - 17% is ethics 
4. Auditing & Attestation (AUD) [4 hour exam] - 82% is auditing & attestation - 18% is professional responsibility

2. Test format

• US CPA exam is a computer-based exam. Each candidate will have random, different set of questions. 
• You can pass a section by scoring greater than or equal to 75 points. The following table shows passing rates from 2009 to 2013. (Source: American institute of CPAs (AICPA))

• Exam is composed of multiple choice questions, and simulations (for FAR, REG, AUD) or written communication (for BEC).
• You can pass the exam section by section. Each passed section has credit for 18 months. This means, if you have received passing scores in some sections and have no previously earned credit, you have 18 months to pass all CPA Examination sections. The count-down to the 18 months begins when you pass your first section(s). You can re-take failed section(s) as many times as you want.
• Exam windows are closed for March, June, September and December. You can schedule your exam in any other months. The following chart shows an example of testing schedule.

3. Where to take exam

• You may take exams in any locations in the US or some countries if you are citizens or long term residents of such areas.

[International locations]

• Citizens, permanent residents and long-term residents of Egypt, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Yemen may sit for the Exam in Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon and the UAE.
• Citizens and long term residents of Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela may sit for the Exam in Brazil as of July 1, 2013.

Please see AICPA's website for the most recent information.

Now you understand the outline of exam, let's see the exam fees.