Why You Should Take the CPA Exam as Soon as You Can
If you have any interest in a career in accounting, you should be taking the CPA exam as soon as you can. Too many students and new professionals put it off, thinking they’ll get to it later, only to realize that “later” often never comes. The truth is, there’s no better time to take the CPA exam than right after school: when your study habits are sharp, your schedule is flexible, and the material is still fresh in your mind.
Passing the CPA exam early in your career is one of the most important decisions you can make. It’s not just another test. It’s a career-defining milestone that can open doors, create stability, and give you an edge in a profession that’s evolving quickly with technology and offshoring.
Why Waiting Makes It Harder
One of the most eye-opening statistics comes from Becker Professional Education: the pass rate for the CPA exam declines with age. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to pass. Life gets busier, your study discipline fades, and your priorities shift.
Many students take a well-deserved break after graduation, and that’s understandable. But taking your foot off the gas for too long makes it harder to get going again. Before you know it, you’re balancing full-time work, personal responsibilities, and the loss of the test-taking rhythm you built through college.
If you’re serious about accounting, there’s a strong argument for treating the exam like the final stretch of your education rather than something separate from it.
Why It’s Worth the Sacrifice
Studying for the CPA exam requires commitment. Becker recommends roughly 80 to 120 hours per section, depending on your background and familiarity with the material. That number can sound intimidating, but if you’re not working full-time, those hours can be completed in a matter of weeks rather than months.
The short-term sacrifice pays off in ways that last your entire career. Once you pass, you don’t have to worry about fitting the exam into your life later when you’re busier. You can focus entirely on building your career, gaining experience, and moving forward faster than your peers who are still trying to juggle studying with everything else.
In today’s environment, where AI and offshoring are reshaping parts of the accounting profession, the CPA credential remains a powerful signal of credibility and capability. It’s a qualification that shows employers you can handle complex work, think critically, and operate with professional judgment, the exact skills that machines and automation cannot replicate.
Do Your Homework Before You Start
Even though the CPA exam structure may evolve over time, the process is manageable if you plan ahead. Make sure you understand:
The required sections: You must pass three Core sections (Financial Accounting and Reporting, Auditing and Attestation, Regulation) and one Discipline section of your choice. The Discipline options are Business Analysis and Reporting, Information Systems and Controls, or Tax Compliance and Planning.
Your state’s requirements: Each state sets its own rules for eligibility to sit for the exam and for obtaining your license.
The timeline: Once you pass your first section, you generally have 18 to 30 months, depending on your state, to complete the remaining three sections.
Your study plan: Breaking down your hours and staying consistent helps keep you confident and on track.
Doing this research early helps you avoid surprises later. Review current information on Becker or other CPA review providers to ensure you have the latest requirements.
Build Momentum and Start Now
If you’ve just graduated, or you’re early in your career and still thinking about when to start, this is your moment. Don’t wait until “next year” or “when things slow down.” They never really do.
Treat this period like an extension of your college experience—the last step before your professional life fully takes off. The effort you put in now will save you years of regret later.
Whether your goal is stability, mobility, or simply proving to yourself that you can achieve something difficult, passing the CPA exam will set you apart. You’ll always be glad you did it early.