Personalized 1-on-1 instruction allows tutors to identify your specific weak areas—whether that's consolidations, tax calculations, or audit sampling—and focus intensively on those topics rather than covering material at a one-size-fits-all pace. This targeted approach means you spend less time on concepts you've mastered and more time on the challenging material that will improve your exam performance.

FAR (Financial Accounting and Reporting) is typically the most challenging section because it covers the broadest range of topics and requires deep understanding of complex accounting standards. However, the difficulty varies by individual—some students struggle more with the calculation-heavy sections like AUD or REG, while others find BEC conceptually demanding. A tutor can assess your strengths and create a study plan that addresses your specific challenges.

Most candidates spend 300–400 hours studying across all four sections, though this varies based on your accounting background and target timeline. With personalized tutoring, you can optimize your study hours by focusing on high-impact topics and avoiding unnecessary review. Many students work with tutors for 2–6 months while balancing work and other commitments.

Your first session is an assessment and planning meeting. The tutor will discuss your CPA exam timeline, which sections you're tackling first, any accounting concepts that have given you trouble in the past, and your learning style. From there, they'll create a customized study plan and dive into your first topic, ensuring you have clarity on foundational concepts before moving forward.

Look for tutors who are CPAs themselves or have extensive accounting experience and deep knowledge of the current exam format. They should understand the nuances of each section, be familiar with major accounting frameworks (GAAP, IFRS), and have a track record helping candidates pass. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who have the credentials and experience to guide you through this challenging exam.

National pass rates for each section typically range from 40–50%, meaning the exam is challenging and requires serious preparation. With focused study and personalized guidance addressing your specific gaps, many candidates improve their performance significantly. Your tutor can help you understand what it takes to reach the passing score of 75 on each section and develop strategies to get there.

No—you need to meet your state's education requirements (typically 150 credit hours with specific accounting and business courses), but you don't need a degree specifically in accounting. Many candidates come from finance, business, or even non-business backgrounds and successfully prepare for the exam with the right study approach. A tutor can help you fill any knowledge gaps and build confidence in areas where your background is lighter.