Most CPA candidates struggle with the sheer volume of material—the exam covers hundreds of accounting standards, tax codes, and audit procedures that can feel overwhelming in a classroom setting. The FAR section is particularly challenging due to its breadth, while REG requires memorization of complex tax rules that frequently change. Personalized 1-on-1 instruction allows tutors to identify exactly where you're getting stuck and adjust the pace and teaching method to match your learning style, rather than moving through material at a fixed classroom speed.

While review courses cover all exam topics systematically, they can't adapt to your individual weak spots or learning pace. Study groups are helpful for discussion but often lack expert guidance on the most testable concepts. Personalized tutoring gives you one-on-one attention from someone who understands the exam deeply—they can drill down on your problem areas, explain concepts in ways that click for you, and help you develop a study strategy tailored to your timeline and background.

Your first session is about assessment and planning. A tutor will likely ask about your accounting background, which exam sections you're most concerned about, your target test date, and how much time you can dedicate to studying. They may give you a diagnostic quiz or review sample questions to identify knowledge gaps, then work with you to create a focused study plan. This personalized roadmap ensures your tutoring time targets the areas where you'll see the biggest score improvement.

Kentucky follows the AICPA's standard CPA exam requirements, but the Kentucky Board of Accountancy does require 150 credit hours of education (including specific accounting and business courses) before you can sit for the exam. After passing all four sections, you'll need to complete an internship or work experience requirement under a licensed CPA. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who understand Kentucky's specific requirements and can help ensure your study plan aligns with state board expectations.

Most candidates spend 300-400 hours studying across all four sections, typically taking 6-12 months to complete the exam. Some tackle it faster with intensive study, while others spread it over 18 months. The national average pass rate per section is around 50%, so having expert guidance on high-yield topics and test-taking strategies can significantly improve your odds. Personalized tutoring helps you study more efficiently so you can reach exam-ready status faster.

Look for tutors who are themselves CPAs or have passed all four exam sections—they understand the exam from lived experience, not just textbook knowledge. They should be familiar with current exam content (which updates regularly), understand the AICPA's testing format and time constraints, and ideally have experience helping multiple candidates pass. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who meet these standards and can provide the expert guidance you need to succeed.

A tutor can help you prioritize which sections to tackle first based on your strengths, recommend which high-yield topics to focus on, and teach you test-taking strategies specific to the CPA exam's format. They can also help you balance breadth (understanding all major topics) with depth (mastering the most heavily tested concepts). With personalized guidance, you avoid wasting time on low-yield material and build a study plan that fits your schedule and learning pace.