60 Day CPA Exam Study Plan

Section 1: CPA Exam Eligibility and Application Checklist

Before starting your 60day CPA exam study plan, you must verify your eligibility. Candidates must be declared eligible for the CPA Exam before they can apply for an exam section. If you are applying through CPA Examination Services, you first submit an education evaluation application to determine eligibility. You do not have to apply as a candidate of the jurisdiction in which you live, unless that jurisdiction has a residency requirement. To organize your timeline, use the CPA study planner to map out your target dates. Checking these rules early prevents delays in your overall testing schedule. This ensures you can focus entirely on your preparation.

Once eligible, you must secure your Notice to Schedule. The Notice to Schedule is the notification that allows a candidate to begin scheduling their examination with Prometric. Candidates cannot schedule an appointment using the Exam Section ID alone; they must wait until the 'View NTS' button appears. Remember that payment for multiple sections in a single application and the issuance of one NTS covering multiple sections is no longer available. You can pay fees on the CPA Mobile App, launched in September 2025, using Apple Pay or Google Pay, which is not available on the desktop CPA Portal. This app helps manage your timeline.

Section 2: The 60-Day Calendar Framework

To succeed, you need a structured calendar framework. We recommend dividing your 60day CPA exam study plan into four distinct phases: Foundation, Practice, Integration, and Final Review. During the Foundation phase, you will focus on core concepts and review the official blueprints. Next, the Practice phase emphasizes active learning and solving multiple-choice questions. The Integration phase brings different topics together to build comprehensive understanding. Finally, the Final Review phase consolidates your knowledge and builds exam endurance. You can find excellent strategies for managing these phases by reading our CPA study tips to optimize your daily routine. This structured approach keeps you on track.

Your daily schedule must align with the actual exam structure. The Blueprints specify the number of item types candidates must complete, which include multiple-choice questions and task-based simulations. Each CPA Exam section consists of five parts called testlets. The first two testlets of each Exam section are comprised of multiple-choice questions. The next three testlets of each Exam section contain task-based simulations. Understanding this layout helps you allocate your study hours effectively. You should practice navigating these testlets under timed conditions to build confidence. This ensures that you are never surprised by the format on your actual test day.

Section 3: The Repeatable Study Loop

To maximize retention, we recommend a repeatable study loop. This loop consists of five steps: review, question practice, simulation practice, error analysis, and adjustment. First, review the core concepts using the official blueprints. Second, engage in question practice by solving multiple-choice questions. Third, perform simulation practice to master complex scenarios. Fourth, conduct a thorough error analysis to identify your weak areas. Finally, make an adjustment to your study plan to address these gaps. You can implement this loop by practicing with CPA practice questions to test your knowledge. This systematic approach ensures continuous improvement throughout your preparation. Repeating this loop daily builds strong analytical skills.

Your study loop must be grounded in the official exam standards. The CPA Exam Blueprints are typically published one to two times per year by the AICPA. These Blueprints detail the minimum level of knowledge and skills required to qualify for initial licensure. Within the Blueprints, exam content is organized by Area, Group, and Topic along with score weighting. By aligning your study loop with these official areas, you ensure that you are focusing on the most relevant material. This targeted focus prevents you from wasting valuable study time on topics that are not heavily tested on the exam.

Section 4: Performance Pivot Decision Framework

A successful 60day CPA exam study plan requires flexibility when facing obstacles. We recommend using a Performance Pivot Decision Framework to adjust your strategy based on practice results. For example, if your practice performance on task-based simulations is weak, you must pivot your focus. Instead of continuing with general multiple-choice questions, you should immediately shift your daily study loop to focus on simulation practice and error analysis. You can evaluate your current readiness by taking a free CPA practice test to identify specific areas that need immediate attention. This proactive adjustment ensures you do not waste time on mastered topics. Adapting your plan to your actual performance is key.

Another common scenario involves limited weekday availability due to work commitments. If you find yourself with very few hours during the week, you must pivot your schedule. You should shift heavy conceptual reviews and long simulation practice sessions to the weekend. During weekdays, focus on short review sessions and quick multiple-choice questions during breaks. This realistic adjustment allows you to maintain momentum without burning out. By adapting your study actions to your personal constraints, you can stay consistent. Consistency is the most critical factor in successfully completing your preparation within the planned timeframe. This keeps your progress steady and manageable.

Section 5: Mastering the Exam Blueprints and Structure

To optimize your study plan, you must understand how the exam is designed. The Blueprints contain sample task statements representing what candidates may be asked to do when testing. They also outline the skill levels at which tasks are tested. Additionally, the Blueprints provide reference materials that support the sample task statements. By reviewing these details, you can align your practice with the exact expectations of the examiners. This deep understanding of the blueprints helps you avoid surprises on exam day. It allows you to focus your energy on the specific skills that matter most. This targeted preparation is highly effective.

As you progress, you should monitor your performance closely. Under continuous testing, candidates may take the computer-based Uniform CPA Examination year-round, subject to site availability. Continuous testing allows candidates to re-take a failed exam section shortly after receiving their score. The only limitations on how many times a candidate can take a section are the time to receive a score, reregister, obtain a new NTS, and find an available testing date. Re-examination candidates are not required to resubmit documentation already submitted with their original application. This flexibility allows you to plan your testing schedule with confidence. It reduces stress during your journey.

Section 6: Final Exam Day Preparation and Logistics

As exam day approaches, you must prepare for the testing center logistics. Candidates must present their NTS, either electronically or in printed form, at the testing center on exam day. If an emergency occurs more than 24hours prior to the exam, candidates must contact Prometric to cancel or reschedule. If a hardship or medical situation prevents a candidate from sitting, they must contact NASBA immediately to request an extension. No changes can be made to an NTS less than five days prior to an exam appointment. Managing these details carefully ensures a smooth and stress-free testing experience. This allows you to focus entirely on performing your best.

Finally, understand how your exam results are processed. Scores for the Uniform CPA Examination are released by NASBA to state Boards of Accountancy based on the target score release timeline on the AICPA's website. Some state Boards of Accountancy require at least one day beyond the listed target dates to process and release exam scores. NASBA does not develop the content of the CPA Exam, nor is it responsible for scoring the Exam. The National Candidate Database is a global tracking system for CPA candidate information to protect personal data and track candidate history. Knowing this process helps you manage your expectations post-exam.

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Frequently asked questions

Sources

• aicpa-cima.com (retrieved 2026-07-22)
• nasba.org (retrieved 2026-07-22)