CPA Exam Study Guide 2026

I built FreeFellow's CPA section because I kept hearing from accounting students that study materials cost almost as much as the exam itself. The CPA exam is hard enough without price being a barrier.

Here's everything you need to know about the 2026 CPA exam, from someone who builds exam prep tools for a living.

The New Exam Structure

The CPA exam now uses a Core + Discipline model: three Core sections everyone takes, plus one Discipline section you choose.

Core Sections (Required)

  • AUD (Auditing and Attestation) , 36 MCQs, 2 hours
  • FAR (Financial Accounting and Reporting) , 33 MCQs, 2 hours
  • REG (Taxation and Regulation) , 36 MCQs, 2 hours

Discipline Sections (Choose One)

  • BAR (Business Analysis and Reporting) , 25 MCQs, 1.5 hours
  • ISC (Information Systems and Controls) , 25 MCQs, 1.5 hours
  • TCP (Tax Compliance and Planning) , 25 MCQs, 1.5 hours

Every section requires 75% to pass. You must pass all four within an 18-month rolling window from your first passing score.

Common Trap

That 18-month clock starts the moment you pass your first section, not when you first sit. Plan your schedule before you start testing.

Section-by-Section Breakdown

AUD

The most conceptual Core section. Less calculation, more judgment. Questions test whether you know what to do next in a given audit scenario.

My tip: Focus on the audit process flow rather than memorizing individual standards. Practice AUD questions on FreeFellow, 1,045 free questions.

FAR

Widely considered the hardest Core section. The sheer volume of material is the challenge, especially government and not-for-profit accounting.

Key Concept

Start with FAR. It has the broadest syllabus and benefits most from fresh study energy. Don't skip government accounting, it's a real portion of the exam.

Practice FAR questions on FreeFellow, 1,043 free questions.

REG

Detailed tax rules and their application to specific situations. Multi-step calculations with phase-outs and limitations.

My tip: Create a tax rate and threshold reference sheet. Many REG questions hinge on knowing specific numbers. Flashcards work well here. Practice REG questions on FreeFellow, 1,045 free questions.

BAR, ISC, and TCP

  • BAR , financial statement analysis, projections, valuation. Best for financial reporting careers.
  • ISC , IT audit, cybersecurity, SOC engagements. Best for IT audit or systems consulting.
  • TCP , advanced individual and entity tax. Best for tax careers.

Free practice: BAR (1,045), ISC (1,033), TCP (1,040).

How to Choose Your Discipline

  • Going into audit? BAR or ISC
  • Going into tax? TCP
  • Going into advisory or IT audit? ISC
  • Undecided? BAR is the most general-purpose choice

Study Hours and Timeline

| Section | Hours | Typical Period |
|---------|-------|---------------|
| FAR | 100 to 120 | 8 to 10 weeks |
| AUD | 80 to 100 | 6 to 8 weeks |
| REG | 80 to 100 | 6 to 8 weeks |
| Discipline | 50 to 70 | 4 to 6 weeks |

Most candidates need 300 to 400 total hours across all four sections. Total timeline: 6 to 12 months.

Section Order Strategy

The most common successful order:

  1. FAR first , hardest section, tackle with maximum energy
  2. AUD second , some overlap with FAR on financial statement concepts
  3. REG third , independent content, benefits from study discipline you've built
  4. Discipline last , shortest section, and you have exam experience by now
Note

Some candidates prefer to start with their strongest section to build confidence and lock in one passing score early. Both strategies work. Pick whichever keeps you motivated.

Passing Strategies

Active recall over passive review. Working through practice questions beats re-reading material. Aim for at least 500 practice questions per Core section and 300 per Discipline section.

Simulate exam conditions. Practice under timed conditions regularly. FAR gives you roughly 3.6 minutes per question.

Focus on weak areas. Track your accuracy by topic and devote more time to weak spots. FreeFellow's analytics dashboard shows your performance breakdown by topic and difficulty.

Common Trap

Don't over-study strong areas because it feels productive. If you're scoring 85%+ on a topic, move on to areas where you're below 70%.

Free CPA Resources

FreeFellow provides 6,251 free CPA practice questions across all six sections, with detailed solutions, three difficulty levels, adaptive practice, full practice exams, performance analytics, and spaced repetition flashcards.

All completely free. No trial period, no paywall.

Start your CPA exam preparation at FreeFellow.