CPA Exam Score Release Dates (2026)
The Schedule is Different by Section Type
Under the Core + Discipline model, score releases are no longer uniform.
- Core Sections (AUD, FAR, REG): Available with continuous testing; scores are released frequently (roughly every 1-3 weeks).
- Discipline Sections (BAR, ISC, TCP): Administered only in the first month of each quarter, with scores released only four times a year.
This means you need to be very strategic about when you schedule your Discipline exam. If you fail a Discipline in January, you cannot retake it until April.
Core Sections (AUD, FAR, REG)
These exams are administered continuously, and the AICPA publishes a rolling Core score-release calendar. As a rule of thumb in 2026, expect your score 1-2 weeks after you test, with a new release roughly every 1-3 weeks.
| If You Take Your Core Exam By… | You Typically Get Your Score… |
|---|---|
| Around 2 weeks before a posted release date | On that release date |
| Just after a release cutoff | On the next posted release date (about 3 weeks later) |
Always check the AICPA’s official Core score-release table for the exact cutoff/release pairs for the quarter you’re testing in.
Discipline Sections (BAR, ISC, TCP)
These exams are only available during specific testing windows (the first month of each quarter).
| 2026 Testing Window | Score Release Date |
|---|---|
| January 1 - January 31 | March 13 |
| April 1 - April 30 | June 16 |
| July 1 - July 31 | September 11 |
| October 1 - October 31 | December 16 |
(Note: As of mid-2026 the January and April windows have already passed — the next Discipline opportunities are the July and October windows.)
Strategy Tips
- Prioritize Disciplines: Because the testing windows are so limited, you should try to knock out your Discipline section early in your 30-month window.
- Don’t Wait: For Core sections, try to schedule your exam a few days before a cutoff date so you only wait a couple of weeks for your score. Test just after a cutoff and you may wait roughly three weeks for the next release.
- The “Blackout” Dates: There are no blackout dates for Core sections anymore, but Disciplines are strictly limited to the testing windows above.