Many students struggle with the breadth of material across all four sections, the complexity of tax regulations, and time management while balancing work and study. The FAR section is particularly challenging due to its technical depth and the volume of accounting standards to master. Personalized tutoring addresses these obstacles by focusing on your specific problem areas, breaking down complex topics into manageable concepts, and building a study strategy that fits your schedule and learning style.

In a classroom or self-study setting, you move at the group's pace and may miss critical concepts that hold you back. Personalized 1-on-1 instruction adapts to your specific needs—a tutor can spend extra time on regulation concepts if that's your weakness, skip topics you've mastered, and use teaching methods that match how you learn best. This targeted approach typically leads to faster progress and higher exam pass rates than generic study materials alone.

Your first session is about understanding your background, goals, and current knowledge level. A tutor will assess which exam sections you're targeting, review your study timeline, identify your strongest and weakest areas, and discuss your learning preferences. From there, you'll develop a personalized study plan that breaks the material into manageable milestones and schedules sessions around your work and personal commitments.

Most candidates need 120–150 hours of study per exam section, though this varies based on your accounting background and experience. With personalized tutoring, many students complete preparation for one section in 2–4 months of consistent weekly sessions. The timeline depends on how frequently you meet with a tutor, how much you study independently between sessions, and your familiarity with accounting concepts—a tutor can help you create a realistic schedule based on your situation.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who have passed the CPA exam and have real-world accounting experience. You can specify which exam sections you need help with, your preferred meeting schedule, and any other preferences. Varsity Tutors matches you with a tutor who fits your needs, so you can start preparing with someone who understands both the exam content and the challenges you're facing.

Most candidates study and sit for one section at a time, which allows you to focus deeply on that content and pass before moving to the next section. However, some people study two related sections together (like FAR and AUD). A tutor can help you decide the best order and approach based on your accounting background, work schedule, and which sections play to your strengths—this strategy makes a real difference in your pass rate.

The CPA credential opens doors to higher-paying positions, management roles, and specializations like tax planning, audit, or forensic accounting. Many employers in Worcester's growing business community actively seek CPAs or candidates in the exam pipeline. Beyond salary increases, the CPA designation signals expertise and commitment to the profession, making you more competitive for leadership positions and independent practice opportunities.