How Should I Schedule My CPA Board Exam Review?
The most effective CPA board exam study schedule allocates 3 to 6 months of preparation, with 3-4 hours of daily study. Start with foundation subjects (FAR and MAS) in months 1-2, move to AFAR, Auditing, Taxation, and RFBT in months 3-4, then dedicate the final weeks to full mock exams and weak-area review. A 6-month plan suits working professionals; a 3-month intensive plan works for full-time reviewees.
One of the most common questions from CPA board exam takers is: "How should I divide my time among the 6 subjects?" This guide provides realistic, battle-tested study schedules based on the official exam structure.
Understanding the Exam Structure
Per BOA Resolution No. 30, Series of 2022, the CPALE is conducted over 3 days:
| Day | Morning (AM) | Afternoon (PM) |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | MAS (70 MCQs) | Auditing (70 MCQs) |
| Day 2 | Taxation (70 MCQs) | RFBT (100 MCQs) |
| Day 3 | FAR (70 MCQs) | AFAR (70 MCQs) |
Total: 450 MCQs over 3 days (18 hours of examination)
Note: RFBT has the most questions (100 MCQs) among all subjects, reflecting its broad coverage of business laws.
Passing Requirements
Per RA 9298 (Philippine Accountancy Act of 2004):
- General weighted average: 75% or higher
- Per subject minimum: 65%
- Conditional status: Pass 4+ subjects with 75%+ but fail overall? You have 2 years to retake failed subjects
The 6-Month Study Schedule
Ideal for working professionals or those who want thorough preparation.
Month 1-2: Foundation Subjects
Focus: FAR and MAS (these form the foundation for other subjects)
| Week | FAR Topics | MAS Topics |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Conceptual Framework, Financial Statements | Cost Terms, CVP Analysis |
| 3-4 | Cash, Receivables, Inventories | Standard Costing, Budgeting |
| 5-6 | PPE, Investment Property, Intangibles | Financial Management Basics |
| 7-8 | Financial Instruments, Revenue | Capital Budgeting, Working Capital |
Daily schedule: 3-4 hours
- 1.5 hours FAR theory + practice
- 1.5 hours MAS theory + practice
- 30 min review of previous day's material
Month 3: AFAR and Auditing
Focus: Build on FAR knowledge with AFAR; start audit theory
| Week | AFAR Topics | Auditing Topics |
|---|---|---|
| 9-10 | Partnership, Business Combinations | Audit Fundamentals, Planning |
| 11-12 | Consolidated FS, Government Accounting | Internal Control, Evidence |
Month 4: Taxation and RFBT
Focus: Law-heavy subjects that require memorization
| Week | Taxation Topics | RFBT Topics |
|---|---|---|
| 13-14 | Income Tax (Individuals, Corps) | Obligations, Contracts, Sales |
| 15-16 | Transfer Taxes, VAT, OPT | Corporation Law, Banking |
Month 5: Deep Review + Weak Areas
- Week 17-18: Review FAR, AFAR, MAS
- Week 19-20: Review Auditing, Taxation, RFBT
- Focus extra time on your weakest 2 subjects
Month 6: Intensive Practice
- Week 21-22: Full mock exams (simulate actual exam conditions)
- Week 23-24: Final review, light reading, rest before exam
The 3-Month Study Schedule
For full-time reviewers or those with strong accounting background.
Month 1: Cover All Theory
| Week | Subjects | Hours/Day |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | FAR (intensive) | 6-8 |
| 2 | AFAR + MAS | 6-8 |
| 3 | Auditing + Taxation | 6-8 |
| 4 | RFBT + Review Week 1-3 | 6-8 |
Month 2: Practice + Reinforce
- Morning: Practice questions (2-3 hours)
- Afternoon: Review wrong answers + theory (2-3 hours)
- Evening: Light review or rest
Month 3: Mock Exams + Final Review
- Week 9-10: Full mock exams (3 per week)
- Week 11-12: Review weak areas, rest before exam
Subject-Specific Time Allocation
Based on difficulty, volume, and question count:
| Subject | % of Study Time | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| FAR | 20% | Foundation, heavy standards |
| AFAR | 15% | Builds on FAR, complex topics |
| MAS | 18% | Computations require practice |
| Auditing | 15% | Theory-heavy, PSA standards |
| Taxation | 15% | Laws + computations |
| RFBT | 17% | Most questions (100 MCQs), broad coverage |
Note: RFBT gets slightly more time due to having 100 MCQs compared to 70 for other subjects.
Daily Study Tips
The Pomodoro Technique (Recommended)
- Study for 50 minutes
- Break for 10 minutes
- After 4 cycles, take a 30-minute break
Morning vs. Evening Study
- Morning: Best for learning new concepts (FAR, AFAR theory)
- Evening: Best for practice questions and review
Weekly Review Days
Dedicate every Sunday to:
- Reviewing the week's material
- Taking a mini-quiz on each subject covered
- Planning the next week's topics
Adapting the Schedule
If You're Working Full-Time
- Reduce daily hours to 2-3
- Extend timeline to 8-9 months
- Focus weekends on heavy study sessions
If You're a Retaker
- Spend 70% of time on failed subjects
- Don't neglect passed subjects entirely
- Take more mock exams early
Understanding Conditional Status
Under RA 9298 Section 16, you qualify as a Conditional Passer if you obtain a rating of 75% or higher in at least four (4) of the six (6) subjects.
Important rules for conditional passers:
- You must retake the remaining subject(s) within 2 years from the original examination date
- On retake, you need to pass the remaining subject(s) to complete your CPA licensure
- Failure to pass within the 2-year window means all credits are lost and the entire exam must be retaken
After 2 complete failures: You must complete at least 24 units of accountancy subjects before retaking per RA 9298.
Track Your Progress
Successful examinees track:
- Topics covered vs. remaining
- Practice question accuracy by subject
- Time spent per subject
- Weak areas identified
Our platform provides automated progress tracking across all 6 subjects. Start your free trial to see your personalized study analytics.
Sources
- BOA Resolution No. 30, Series of 2022 - Official syllabi and Table of Specifications
- RA 9298 - Philippine Accountancy Act of 2004 - Passing requirements and conditional status rules
- PRC Exam Schedule 2026 - Official examination dates
These schedules are guidelines. Adjust based on your background, available time, and learning pace. The key is consistency over intensity.