If you haven’t yet heard, NASBA, AICPA and Prometric will offer continuous testing for CPA Exam candidates in the United States from July 1, 2020, with all state boards backing it.
That’s right – no more black out periods or CPA Exam testing windows, and no more waiting months to resit for the CPA Exam. This model will entirely replace the existing CPA Exam testing model, which currently only permits candidates to test during designated time frames each calendar quarter. In short, this could allow test takers to significantly shorten their path to a CPA license.
But what does that really mean for you? We answer some of the FAQs below. Have a question that isn’t answered here? Send it over to info@surgentcpareview.com and we’ll answer it for you!
When will continuous testing roll out?
Continuous testing is due to roll out across the United States on July 1, 2020, at the beginning of what would be the 2020 Q3 testing window.
How does continuous testing affect my scheduled exam?
This will have no impact on your already-scheduled exam, but it does mean that CPA candidates can retake a failed exam section pretty much immediately. All you have to wait for is your score release from your previous attempt.
Depending on your score, here’s how quick of a turnaround we recommend:
70-74: Get back in there within two weeks to ensure all of the retained knowledge you have isn’t forgotten. Plus, Surgent CPA Review allows you to identify those areas you need extra work in and hone in on those area. No need to start at square one! With this adaptive tech, you’ll be passing in no time!
69 or lower: Practice makes perfect. We recommend giving yourself three weeks to get exam-ready. CPA Exam candidates who study with Surgent CPA Review, achieve a passing ReadySCORE™ in 46 hours per section (that’s four times faster than other review courses). Stretched out at 20 hours per week, that’s under three weeks of study.
When should I sit for the first time?
Most successful CPA Exam candidates say that the earlier you take the exam after graduating from college, the better. That’s really because of a range of things, but think of it this way – it’s standard that your work schedule will only get more demanding, making it more difficult to carve out study time. If you’re straight out school, much of the CPA Exam content will be fresh in your mind from classes you recently took. Plus, you will still have good test taking skills and be in the routine of sitting for exams.
So we recommend that you put those strong study and test-taking skills to work when they’re at their best and sit for the exam as soon after graduation as possible.
If you’re already in the working world, no worries. You just need to find a review course that allows you to fit studying into your schedule and time it appropriately. While studying for the CPA Exam during busy season is possible, if you can avoid it we recommend you do.