The FAR CPA exam typically requires between 150 and 300 hours of dedicated study, averaging around 10 hours per week over 3-4 months. Effective study plans are crucial for mastering this section.

Key Takeaways

• Allocate 150-300 total study hours for FAR.
• Plan weekly study sessions consistently.
• Prioritize understanding over memorization.
• Utilize practice exams to gauge progress.
• Adjust study time based on your learning pace.
• Focus on weak areas identified in practice.

How Many Hours to Study for the FAR CPA Exam: Expert Advice

Deciding how many hours to study for the FAR section of the CPA exam is a common concern for many aspiring accountants. This section, Financial Accounting and Reporting, is often the first hurdle and can feel overwhelming. It covers a vast amount of material, from U.S. GAAP to governmental and not-for-profit accounting. Many candidates wonder if they’re studying too much or not enough. This guide will break down the typical study hours needed and provide a structured approach to help you prepare effectively. Let’s explore how to determine the right amount of study time for your FAR success.

Understanding the FAR CPA Exam Scope

The FAR section of the CPA exam is designed to test your knowledge and application of U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). It’s a comprehensive exam that requires a deep understanding of financial statements, accounting standards, and reporting requirements across various entities. The AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants) outlines the specific content covered, which includes:

• Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting
• Financial Statement Presentation
• Differentiating Items in Financial Statements
• Selected Financial Statement Accounts
• Transactions and Events
• Subsequent Events
• Cash and Receivables
• Inventory
• Property, Plant, and Equipment
• Investments
• Intangible Assets
• Current Liabilities and Contingencies
• Bonds and Leases
• Stockholders’ Equity
• Revenue Recognition
• Accounting Changes and Error Corrections
• Governmental Accounting
• Not-for-Profit Accounting

Given this breadth, it’s clear why a significant time investment is necessary. You’re not just memorizing rules; you’re learning to apply them to complex scenarios.

Typical Study Hours for FAR: What the Data Suggests

The general consensus among CPA exam prep providers and successful candidates is that the FAR section requires the most study time compared to the other three sections (AUD, BEC, and REG). While individual results vary, a common range for total study hours is between 150 and 300 hours.

Let’s break this down:

• Lower End (150-200 hours): This range might be suitable for candidates with a strong accounting background, such as recent accounting graduates with extensive coursework in U.S. GAAP, or those who are very efficient learners.
• Mid-Range (200-250 hours): This is the most common range for many candidates. It allows for thorough coverage of the material, ample practice questions, and time to review weaker areas.
• Higher End (250-300+ hours): Candidates who need more time to grasp complex topics, those returning to accounting after a break, or individuals who prefer a more deliberate pace might fall into this category.

It’s crucial to remember that these are just guidelines. Your personal learning style, prior knowledge, and the effectiveness of your study methods will ultimately dictate how many hours you truly need.

Factors Influencing Your Study Time

Several personal and external factors can significantly impact the number of hours you’ll need to dedicate to FAR. Understanding these can help you create a more personalized and realistic study plan.

1. Prior Accounting Knowledge and Education

Your academic background plays a substantial role. If you’ve recently completed a rigorous accounting degree with a strong emphasis on U.S. GAAP, you might find that certain topics are already familiar. Conversely, if your accounting education was some time ago, or if your coursework didn’t delve deeply into specific FAR topics, you’ll likely need more time to build that foundational knowledge.

2. Learning Style and Efficiency

Are you a visual learner, an auditory learner, or do you learn best by doing? Different study materials and methods cater to various learning styles. Some people can absorb information quickly through lectures, while others need to work through numerous practice problems. Understanding your own learning style can help you choose the most effective study tools and allocate time accordingly.

3. CPA Review Course Quality and Utilization

The CPA review course you choose (e.g., Becker, Wiley, Roger CPA Review, Gleim) can influence your study hours. A comprehensive course with detailed lectures, practice questions, and mock exams can streamline your preparation. However, simply owning a course isn’t enough; you must actively engage with the material. The quality and structure of the course can help you use your study hours more efficiently.

4. Time Management and Consistency

Studying in short, consistent bursts is often more effective than cramming. If you can dedicate 10-15 hours per week consistently over 3-4 months, you’ll likely achieve better results than trying to cram 40 hours into a single week. Consistent study helps reinforce learning and reduces the need for extensive re-learning.

5. Previous Exam Experience

If you’ve already taken other CPA exam sections, you’ll have a better understanding of the exam format, the types of questions asked, and effective study strategies. This experience can make your FAR preparation more efficient.

Creating Your FAR Study Schedule: A Step-by-Step Approach

Now that we understand the factors involved, let’s outline a structured approach to creating your FAR study schedule. The goal is to be efficient, comprehensive, and adaptable.

Step 1: Assess Your Baseline and Set a Target Date

Before diving in, take an honest assessment of your current knowledge. If you’re using a review course, take their diagnostic assessment or review the syllabus to identify areas where you feel weakest. Next, choose a target exam date. This provides a concrete deadline and helps you work backward to plan your study time.

Step 2: Divide Total Study Hours by Weeks

Let’s assume you’ve decided on a target of 240 study hours. If you plan to study for 16 weeks, that’s 15 hours per week (240 hours / 16 weeks = 15 hours/week). This weekly target is your anchor.

Step 3: Break Down Material by Week or Module

Most CPA review courses are broken down into modules or chapters. Allocate specific modules or chapters to each week based on their complexity and your assessment of your familiarity with the topics. For FAR, which is content-heavy, you might spend 2-3 weeks on foundational U.S. GAAP topics before moving into governmental and not-for-profit accounting.

Example Weekly Breakdown (for a 16-week plan):

Week	Primary Topics Covered	Estimated Hours
1-2	Conceptual Framework, Financial Statement Presentation	30 hours
3-4	Selected Financial Statement Accounts (Cash, Receivables, Inventory)	30 hours
5-6	Long-Lived Assets, Intangible Assets, Investments	30 hours
7-8	Current Liabilities, Contingencies, Bonds, Leases	30 hours
9-10	Stockholders’ Equity, Revenue Recognition, Accounting Changes	30 hours
11-12	Governmental Accounting	30 hours
13	Not-for-Profit Accounting	15 hours
14-15	Intensive Review, Practice Questions, Weak Area Focus	30 hours
16	Final Review, Mock Exams, Light Review	15 hours

Step 4: Integrate Practice Questions and Review

Don’t just read and watch lectures. Dedicate a significant portion of your study time to working through practice questions (multiple-choice questions – MCQs) and task-based simulations (TBSs). Aim for at least 50-70% of your study time to be spent on active practice. Regularly review your incorrect answers to understand why you made mistakes.

Step 5: Schedule Regular Mock Exams

In the weeks leading up to your exam, take full-length mock exams under timed conditions. This helps you build stamina, practice time management, and identify any remaining knowledge gaps. Aim to take at least 2-3 mock exams.

Step 6: Be Flexible and Adjust

Your initial plan is a guide, not a rigid rulebook. If you find a particular topic is taking longer than expected, adjust your schedule. If you master a topic quickly, you can move ahead or dedicate more time to a challenging area. The key is consistent progress towards your goal.

Maximizing Your FAR Study Hours: Effective Strategies

Simply putting in the hours isn’t enough; you need to study effectively. Here are some strategies to maximize your FAR preparation:

• Active Recall: Instead of passively rereading notes, test yourself frequently. Try to recall information without looking at your study materials.
• Spaced Repetition: Revisit topics at increasing intervals. This helps move information from short-term to long-term memory.
• Focus on Understanding, Not Just Memorization: FAR is heavily application-based. Ensure you understand the underlying principles and how they apply to different scenarios, rather than just memorizing rules.
• Utilize Multiple Study Resources: While your primary review course is essential, consider supplementing with other resources like accounting textbooks, AICPA sample tests, or online forums for different perspectives.
• Master the AICPA Blueprints: The AICPA provides detailed blueprints for each section. These are invaluable for understanding the weight given to different topics and the types of skills tested. You can find them on the AICPA website.
• Simulate Exam Conditions: Practice MCQs and TBSs under timed conditions. This helps you get used to the pressure and manage your time effectively during the actual exam.

Pro Tip: Don’t neglect the task-based simulations (TBSs). They often mimic real-world accounting tasks and are a significant part of your score. Practice them thoroughly to build confidence.

Sample Study Hour Distribution

To give you a clearer picture, let’s consider how study hours might be distributed for a candidate aiming for 240 total hours:

Study Activity	Estimated Percentage of Total Hours	Hours (for 240 total)
Lectures/Reading Core Material	30%	72 hours
Practice MCQs	30%	72 hours
Practice TBSs	20%	48 hours
Reviewing Incorrect Answers & Weak Areas	10%	24 hours
Mock Exams & Final Review	10%	24 hours

This distribution emphasizes active learning through practice, which is critical for the FAR exam.

When to Increase or Decrease Study Hours

Your study plan should be dynamic. Here are indicators that might suggest you need to adjust your hours:

Reasons to Increase Study Hours:

• Consistently scoring below target on practice questions.
• Struggling with understanding core concepts, not just memorizing.
• Significant gaps in knowledge identified through mock exams.
• External factors like a demanding job or personal commitments reducing study efficiency.
• Falling behind the planned schedule.

Reasons to Potentially Decrease (or Reallocate) Study Hours:

• Consistently scoring very high on practice questions and simulations.
• Mastering topics much faster than anticipated.
• Feeling burnt out or experiencing diminishing returns from studying.
• Having a very strong accounting foundation from recent education or work experience.

The goal is not to hit an arbitrary number of hours but to achieve proficiency. If you’re consistently scoring 80%+ on practice sets and feel confident, you might be nearing your readiness point, even if you haven’t hit 300 hours.

The Importance of Practice Exams and Readiness Assessment

Practice exams are your most valuable tool for assessing readiness. They simulate the actual exam environment and help you:

• Gauge your knowledge retention and application skills.
• Identify specific topics or question types that still give you trouble.
• Practice time management under pressure.
• Build confidence by successfully completing timed sections.

Most candidates feel ready when they can consistently score 70-80% on practice exams and mock tests. However, remember that FAR is known for its difficulty, so even a strong performance on practice doesn’t guarantee an easy pass. It ensures you’ve put in the necessary work.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

As you embark on your FAR study journey, be aware of common mistakes that can hinder your progress:

• Underestimating the Volume: FAR covers a vast amount of material. Don’t assume you can breeze through it.
• Passive Studying: Simply reading or watching videos without actively engaging with the material is inefficient.
• Skipping Difficult Topics: It’s tempting to avoid areas you find challenging, but these are often tested heavily.
• Not Practicing TBSs Enough: Many candidates focus too much on MCQs and neglect the simulations.
• Inconsistent Study Schedule: Irregular study habits make it harder to retain information.
• Waiting Too Long to Start: The FAR exam requires significant preparation time. Start early.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is 100 hours enough to study for FAR?

For most candidates, 100 hours is likely insufficient for the FAR CPA exam. Given the breadth and depth of U.S. GAAP and other reporting standards, the typical recommendation is 150-300 hours to ensure adequate preparation and mastery.

Q2: How many hours per week should I study for FAR?

If you have 3-4 months to prepare, aiming for 10-15 hours per week is a common and effective strategy. This allows for consistent learning without burnout.

Q3: Should I study FAR first or last?

Many candidates choose to study FAR first because it covers foundational accounting principles that are often referenced in other sections. It can also be the most time-consuming, so tackling it early can be beneficial. However, some prefer to build momentum with a less content-heavy section first.

Q4: How do I know when I’m ready for the FAR exam?

You’re likely ready when you can consistently score 70-80% on practice questions and mock exams, understand the underlying concepts rather than just memorizing, and feel comfortable applying knowledge to various scenarios. Reviewing your weak areas thoroughly is key.

Q5: What’s the difference between study hours and actual exam time?

Study hours are the total time you dedicate to learning, practicing, and reviewing. The actual exam time is the duration you have to complete the test on exam day, which is structured with specific time limits for each section.

Q6: Does my CPA review course count towards my total study hours?

Yes, the time spent actively engaging with your CPA review course materials—watching lectures, reading, doing practice questions, and taking simulations—absolutely counts towards your total study hours.

Q7: What if I have a strong accounting background? Can I study less?

If you have a very strong and recent accounting background, you might be on the lower end of the 150-300 hour range. However, it’s still wise to plan for at least 150 hours and adjust based on your progress. The CPA exam tests application and specific nuances that may not be covered in typical coursework.

Conclusion

Determining how many hours to study for the FAR CPA exam is a personalized journey, but understanding the benchmarks and influencing factors is crucial. While 150-300 hours is the widely accepted range, your own learning pace, prior knowledge, and study effectiveness will ultimately dictate your optimal study time. By creating a structured plan, focusing on active learning, consistently assessing your progress, and remaining flexible, you can confidently prepare to pass the FAR section. Remember, effective preparation is about quality of study, not just quantity. With diligent effort and smart strategies, you can achieve your goal of becoming a CPA.