CPA Now Blog

CPA Exam Blackout Dates End in 2025

CPA Exam candidates will have a much easier scheduling experience in 2025 with the return of continuous testing for the three core sections of the exam. This change eliminates restrictive testing windows and opens up most of the exam to year-round scheduling. This blog provides a breakdown of what this update means for your CPA journey.

Feb 4, 2025, 23:47 PM

Jack CastonguayBy Jack Castonguay, CPA, PhD


If you are a CPA Exam candidate, you will have a much easier scheduling experience with the 2025 return of continuous testing for the three core sections of the CPA Exam. This change eliminates blackout dates and restrictive testing windows, opening up the exam to year-round scheduling and more timely score releases. In short, you’ll now be able to sit more often and be able to sit in all 12 months. If tackling one of the discipline sections of the CPA Exam, another testing window was added in June to provide you with more flexibility in meeting your goals.

Surgent CPA Review can help you take full advantage of these changes. Surgent’s personalized platform, driven by Predictive AI Technology, ensures candidates study less, pass faster, and approach exam day with confidence.

Here’s a breakdown of what these updates mean for your CPA journey and how Surgent can help you pass the CPA Exam faster and stress-free.

CPA Exam: Continuous Testing Returns

CPA exam candidate studying at homeBeginning in January 2025, you can schedule the Auditing and Attestation, Financial Accounting and Reporting, and Taxation and Regulation core sections of the CPA Exam whenever you’re ready, without waiting for a testing window to open. No more blackout periods. Even better, exam scores will now be released on a rolling basis every few weeks. For example, if you sat for a core exam by Jan. 23, you would receive your score on Feb. 7. This means you can sit for the same exam section more than once in a quarter on the rare chance you don’t succeed on your first attempt. Instead of waiting weeks or months to schedule your next exam, you can immediately jump to the next section or retake a previous one as soon as you’re ready.

This added flexibility gives you the power to design an exam schedule that works for you and fits seamlessly into your personal and professional life. With Surgent’s support, there is nothing stopping you from earning your CPA license quickly and confidently.

Discipline Sections: More Flexibility

If you’re a candidate taking one of the discipline sections (Business Analysis and Reporting, Tax Compliance and Planning, or Information Systems and Controls) of the CPA Exam, there’s more good news. These sections will still be administered in the first month of each quarter in 2025. But, for the second quarter of 2025 only, you’ll also be able to test in June – giving you three testing windows in the first six months of 2025. The added month gives candidates with credit extensions through June 30, 2025, one final swing at passing the exam before some section credits expire.

The enhanced scheduling flexibility, paired with Surgent’s personalized exam preparation, ensures you can tackle each section of the CPA Exam with confidence and efficiency.

For full details on the 2025 discipline section schedule, check out the AICPA’s administration and score release timeline.

Surgent CPA Review Is Here to Help

The return of continuous core exam testing and the enhanced flexibility for discipline sections in 2025 are game changers. But to take advantage of this opportunity, you need the right CPA Exam prep partner. That’s where Surgent CPA Review can help.

Surgent’s Predictive AI Technology personalizes your study plan to focus on what you need to learn most. By pinpointing your weak areas and eliminating wasted study time, Surgent helps you study less, pass faster, and gain the confidence you need to succeed.

Here’s how Surgent helps you study smarter and pass faster.

Stress-Free Studies

  • Personalized study plans: Surgent’s Predictive AI Technology tailors your study plan to your individual progress. Instead of revisiting topics you have already mastered, you will focus on areas where you need improvement.
  • Eliminate exam anxiety: Surgent removes the guesswork by pinpointing your weak areas and providing real-time feedback, ensuring you know exactly when you’re ready to pass.
  • Proven success: Surgent CPA Review candidates achieve an 88% pass rate, significantly higher than the national average.
  • 100% pass guarantee: Surgent backs its commitment to your success. If you don’t pass, you don’t pay.

The breadth of CPA Exam content can feel overwhelming, but Surgent’s AI-driven platform ensures you’re always studying the right material at the right time. By the time exam day arrives, you will know you’re ready to succeed.

Study Less, Pass Faster

  • Efficient study sessions: Surgent’s Predictive AI Technology optimizes every minute of your study time, customizing lessons to your unique progress.
  • Know when you’re ready: ReadySCORE™ is Surgent’s exam-readiness tool that predicts your exam score with 98% accuracy, so you will know exactly when you’re ready to pass.
  • 1-on-1 coaching: Surgent’s expert coaches provide personalized support, helping you minimize study time and maximize results.
  • Work-life balance: Surgent understands that CPA candidates like you are juggling busy schedules. That’s why Surgent’s platform is designed to save you time, reduce stress, and keep you on track.

With Surgent, you’re not just studying to pass – you’re preparing to excel. With continuous testing, you can take your exams as soon as you’re ready, ensuring you reach your CPA goals faster. Surgent is there to support you from the moment you begin studying to the day you earn your CPA license.

Take Control of Your CPA Journey with Surgent

The return of continuous core testing in 2025 eliminates blackout dates and gives you the freedom to schedule your CPA Exam whenever you’re ready. Combine this new flexibility with Surgent’s Predictive AI Technology and proven track record of success, and you have a recipe for faster, smarter exam prep.

Surgent doesn’t just help you pass the CPA Exam, it helps you pass with confidence, efficiency, and less stress. With personalized study plans, real-time feedback, and beginning-to-end support, Surgent ensures you’re ready to take advantage of continuous testing and earn your CPA license faster than ever.


Jack Castonguay, CPA, PhD, serves as vice president of strategic content development for Surgent CPA Review in Radnor, Pa. He can be reached at castonguayj@knowfully.com.


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Statements of fact and opinion are the authors’ responsibility alone and do not imply an opinion on the part of the PICPA's officers or members. The information contained herein does not constitute accounting, legal, or professional advice. For actionable advice, you must engage or consult with a qualified professional.



PICPA Staff Contributors

Disclaimer

Statements of fact and opinion are the authors’ responsibility alone and do not imply an opinion on the part of PICPA officers or members. The information contained in herein does not constitute accounting, legal, or professional advice. For professional advice, please engage or consult a qualified professional.

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