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CPA exam section

Which CPA Exam To Take First? 5 Ways To Decide

Zee Tan

12 Nov 2025

CPA

Passing the CPA Exam can be one of the biggest milestones in an accountant’s career. But with four sections to complete and hundreds of study hours to juggle, candidates often find themselves asking the same question: Which CPA exam should I take first? Is there a best order to take the CPA exams? There isn't a universally correct answer to this because it depends on your background, your strengths, the type of work you have experience in, and your long-term plan. But ...