I did the CPA Exam and passed all for levels in a one year manner for the whole sections but AICPA will make in tougher in 2016 (16 hours for all sections instead of 14) :)
https://www.aicpa.org/press/pressreleases/2015/pages/aicpa-exposure-draft-next-cpa-exam.aspx
I got the following Scores:
Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) - 10/01/2015 - 90 ( 4 hours ) / (90 MSQ) and seven task-based simulations)
Auditing and Attestation (AUD) - 10/06/2015 - 94 ( 4 Hours) / 90 MSQ and seven task-based simulations
Business Environment and Concepts (BEC)- 10/10/2015 - 81 (3 Hours)/ (72 MSQ) and three written communications tasks)
Regulation - (REG) - 10/15/2015 - 88 (3 hours) / (72 MSQ and six task-based simulations)
Total Examination Hours: 14 Hours / 60% multiple-choice and 40% simulations for the AUD, FAR and REG sections; 85% multiple-choice and 15% written communications for the BEC section
The Minimum Passing Score of Each Section is 75 on a Scale of 100 , Each Section has 3 Testlets , you did bad on the 1st you must do better on the 2nd and 3rd (kind of an adaptable way of scoring and some testlets might be harder or easier than the other )
Testing Windows:
January-February
April-May
July-August
October-November
-If you failed one section you cannot repeat it on the same testing window
To be Licensed:
Complete 150 Hours of Semester Studying ( I Did an MBA beside of a BSc)
In the 150 Hours Credits ( 8 Accounting Courses or 8*3 = 24 Credits and to sit for the exam only a Minimum of 5 Accounting Courses or 15 Credits)
A Minimum of Two Years of Auditing Experience in a CPA Licensed Audit Firm (Local or International) / None CPA licensed accounting experience are now also acceptable by most states.
Pass the Exam (All Four Sections with a Minimum score of 75 of each section)
Pass a Small Ethics Exam
Investing for the CPA :
Morgan (Becker Study Material , Online Bank Testing , Mock Exams): 3100 USD
Application Fee: 150
Registration Fees (4 Exam Sections) : 130
Exams Fees ( 192 (FAR) + 192 (AUD) + 172 (REG) + 172 (BEC) ) an Average Total of: 728 - 750
Annual Membership Dues for AICPA : 245 - 435 Depending on your Post
Ethics Exam: 160 USD
On Average Around USD 5000 to Invest in the CPA Exam and pass it in a one time. A candidate must pass all four parts within an 18 month period of time or 1 Year and the Half when he/she fills his application.
Studying Strategy:
Not Nuclear Science but Yes it is tough need a lot of preparation to tackle all the sections , I found FAR is the hardest and BEC being the easiest with a passing rate of 50% on average on each section - worldwide. Lot of exercises, mock exams , Morgan one one One Tutoring , etc.. will nail it for you.
If you are in the world of Auditing , a Potential CFO go for it for sure , CMA + MBA is also a very good combination. But for me CFA is the toughest which I begin preparing for it.