Best Order to Take CPA Exam: 2025 Guide

Best Order to Take CPA Exam: Complete 2025 Strategy Guide

The best order to take CPA exam sections determines your success timeline. Furthermore, choosing the optimal CPA exam order saves time and reduces stress. Additionally, the right CPA test sequence advice maximizes your passing chances.

Moreover,CPA Evolution made significant changes in 2024. Consequently, candidates now need fresh strategies. Therefore, this guide provides the most innovative and effective way to prepare for the CPA exam.

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What Is the Best Order to Take CPA Exams?

The best sequence for the CPA exam depends on your discipline choice. However, most experts recommend starting with FAR first. Additionally, this creates a strong foundation for other sections.

CPA Exam Structure 2025

Core Sections (All Candidates Must Take): 

1. FAR - Financial Accounting and Reporting
2. AUD - Auditing and Attestation
3. REG - Taxation and Regulation

Discipline Sections (Choose One): 

1. BAR - Business Analysis and Reporting
2. ISC - Information Systems and Controls
3. TCP - Tax Compliance and Planning

For those looking to take the CPA exam from outside the U.S., it’s essential to check the CPA eligibility for Indian professionals or international candidates to ensure that you meet the requirements.

Should I Take FAR or AUD First in the CPA Exam?

Start with FAR First (Recommended)

Why FAR works as your first exam: 

1. Provides foundational accounting knowledge
2. Supports all other CPA sections
3. Moreover, creates momentum for more complex topics
4. Furthermore, prevents credit expiration issues.

Alternative: Start with REG

When to choose REG first:

1. If you want to pass faster initially
2. Additionally, when you need confidence building
3. Moreover, if you have a strong tax background
4. Furthermore, for stress-free CPA study order.

If you are planning to work in states known for their rigorous audit requirements, it’s crucial to understand the Top CPA states for licensure, as some states may have specific licensure conditions.

Which CPA Section Is Hardest or Easiest?

Difficulty Rankings

Hardest CPA Exam Sections:

1. FAR (Most comprehensive content)
2. AUD (Complex concepts and memorization)
3. REG (Detailed tax regulations)
4. Discipline sections (Varies by choice)

Easiest CPA Section to Start With:

1. REG often feels most manageable
2. Additionally, has most precise right/wrong answers
3. Moreover, requires less conceptual thinking
4. Furthermore, offers faster completion times

Check out our guide on which CPA discipline to choose to make an informed decision.

How to Schedule CPA Exams for Maximum Success

Step-by-Step Plan for CPA Exam Sequence

Phase 1: Choose Your Discipline

1. First, identify your career goals
2. Next, select the appropriate discipline section
3. Then, plan your study timeline accordingly
4. Finally, register for testing windows.

Phase 2: Map Your Timeline 

1. Start 12-18 months before target completion 
2. Additionally, schedule hardest sections first
3. Moreover, leave buffer time for retakes
4. Furthermore, consider busy work seasons

Most Efficient Way to Pass All CPA Exams

Time-Saving Strategies: 

1. Study related sections back-to-back
2. Moreover, use overlapping concepts effectively
3. Additionally, maintain a consistent study schedule
4. Furthermore, avoid long breaks between exams

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CPA Exam Order Strategy by Discipline

TCP (Tax Compliance and Planning) Path

Optimal order for tax professionals:

1. REG (Foundation for TCP)
2. TCP (While tax knowledge is fresh)
3. AUD (Different focus area)
4. FAR (Comprehensive finish)

Why this sequence works:

1. Keeps tax concepts connected
2. Additionally, builds specialized expertise early
3. Moreover, creates career-focused momentum
4. Furthermore, maximizes knowledge retention.

BAR (Business Analysis and Reporting) Path

Best sequence for business analysts:

1. FAR (Essential Foundation)
2. BAR (Builds on FAR concepts)
3. AUD (Complementary skills)
4. REG (Distinct final section)

ISC (Information Systems and Controls) Path

Recommended order for IT professionals:

1. FAR (Accounting Foundation)
2. AUD (Control concepts)
3. ISC (Technical specialization)
4. REG (Separate focus area)

How to Plan CPA Exam Sections

Decision Framework

Ask yourself these questions:

1. Which discipline matches my career?
2. Additionally, what's my confidence level?
3. Moreover, when do I have the most study time?
4. Furthermore, what's my motivation style?

Guaranteed CPA Exam Success Strategy

The SMART approach: 

1. Start with your strongest area 
2. Maintain consistent study habit
3. Adjust timeline as needed
4. Review weak topics regularly
5. Track progress continuously

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CPA Exam Plan That Works for Busy Professionals

Working Professional Timeline

12-Month Study Plan: • 

1. Months 1-3: First section preparation
2. Months 4-6: Second section focus
3. Months 7-9:Third section study
4. Months 10-12: Final section completion

Study Schedule Tips: 

1. Wake up 2 hours earlier daily
2. Additionally, use lunch breaks for review
3. Moreover, dedicate weekends to practice
4. Furthermore, leverage commute time effectively

Stress-Free CPA Study Order

Confidence-Building Approach:

1. Start with the easiest section for you
2. Next, tackle medium-difficulty areas
3. Then, approach the hardest sections
4. Finally, complete with discipline specialty

According to Top Scorers: Ideal Order

High-Scorer Recommendations

Most successful candidates suggest: 

1. Begin with FAR for foundation
2. Additionally, follow with the discipline section
3. Moreover, complete AUD third
4. Furthermore, finish with REG.

Why this works: •

1. Creates knowledge building blocks
2. Additionally, maintains study momentum
3. Moreover, prevents concept confusion
4. Furthermore, optimizes retention rates.

Unlock CPA Success With the Right Exam Sequence

Final Recommendations

Universal Best Practices: 

1. Plan your complete journey upfront 
2. Additionally, register for multiple windows
3. Moreover, track credit expiration dates
4. Furthermore, adjust strategy as needed

Common Mistakes to Avoid: 

1. Don't delay FAR indefinitely
2. Additionally, avoid random section order
3. Moreover, don't ignore your strengths
4. Furthermore, don't rush without preparation

Conclusion

The best order to take CPA exam sections depends on your goals. However, starting with FAR generally provides optimal results. Additionally, aligning your sequence with your chosen discipline creates synergy.

Moreover, successful candidates plan their complete journey upfront. Furthermore, they adjust their strategy based on progress. Therefore, use this guide to create your personalized CPA exam order strategy.

Remember, consistency beats perfection. Additionally, the correct sequence accelerates your success. Most importantly, start today with a clear plan.

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Comprehensive FAQ Guide

Q: What is the best order to take CPA exams? A: Most experts recommend FAR first, followed by your discipline section, then AUD and REG.

Q: Should I take FAR or AUD first in CPA? A: FAR first provides a better foundation, but AUD first works if you need confidence building.

Q: Which CPA section is hardest or easiest? A: FAR is typically the hardest; REG is often considered most manageable for beginners.

Q: How do you schedule CPA exams for maximum success? A: Plan 12-18 months total, schedule the hardest sections first, and leave buffer time for retakes.

Q: What is the best sequence for CPA exam sections? A: The optimal sequence depends on your discipline choice and confidence level preferences.

Q: Which CPA exam should I take first? A: FAR provides the best foundation, but REG offers quicker confidence-building for beginners.

Q: What is the optimal CPA exam order for busy professionals? A: Start with your strongest area first, then tackle more challenging sections systematically.

Q: How do I create a step-by-step plan for the CPA exam sequence? A: Choose your discipline first, map your timeline, and then schedule based on difficulty preferences.

Q: What is the easiest CPA section to start with? A: REG often feels most manageable due to clear rules and faster completion times.

Q: Which is the hardest CPA exam section? A: FAR consistently ranks as the most difficult due to comprehensive content coverage.

Q: What CPA test sequence advice do experts give? A: Start with foundational knowledge (FAR) or build confidence first (REG) based on your style.

Q: How do I plan CPA exam sections effectively? A: Consider your discipline choice, work schedule, and personal motivation patterns when planning.

Q: What is the most efficient way to pass all CPA exams? A: Study-related sections consecutively, maintain consistent schedules, and use quality review courses like Surgent.

Q: How do you pass the CPA exam in the best order? A: Align your sequence with career goals, leverage knowledge overlaps, and maintain study momentum.

Q: What CPA exam order strategy works best? 

A: Balance foundational learning with confidence building, considering your chosen discipline specialty.