What is the CPA score release timeline 2026? It is the official schedule published by the AICPA that determines exactly when you will receive your exam results after testing.
Waiting for your exam score is often more stressful than taking the actual test. You have put in hundreds of hours of study time. You have sacrificed your weekends. Now, you find yourself constantly refreshing your browser, wondering if you finally passed.
The CPA score release process is highly structured but can be confusing. With the new CPA Evolution model fully in effect, the testing windows for Core and Discipline sections operate on entirely different schedules.
To help you manage your anxiety and plan your studies, we have compiled the definitive CPA exam score release schedule 2026. This guide will show you exactly when are CPA scores released 2026, how the grading system works, and the critical next steps after CPA exam day.
The New Testing Model: Core vs. Discipline
Before looking at the dates, you must understand how CPA scores are released under the modern framework. The AICPA uses two different schedules based on the exam section you took.
1. Core Sections (Continuous Testing)
The three Core sections, Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR), Auditing and Attestation (AUD), and Taxation and Regulation (REG), are available year-round. Because these are continuously tested, the AICPA releases these scores on a rolling basis every two to three weeks.
2. Discipline Sections (Quarterly Testing)
The Discipline sections Business Analysis and Reporting (BAR), Information Systems and Controls (ISC), and Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP) are highly specialized. You can only test for these during the first month of each quarter. Consequently, these scores are released only four times a year.
CPA Score Release Dates for 2026
If you want to receive your score quickly, you must test strategically. The AICPA establishes a "cutoff date." If Prometric sends your exam data file to the AICPA before this cutoff, you get your score on the corresponding target date.
Here is your complete CPA exam score timeline for the year.
2026 Core Sections (FAR, AUD, REG) Schedule
| If AICPA Receives Your File By: | Your Target Score Release Date is: |
|---|---|
| January 23 | February 10 |
| February 14 | February 24 |
| March 9 | March 17 |
| March 31 | April 9 |
| April 23 | May 7 |
| May 16 | May 27 |
| June 8 | June 16 |
| June 30 | July 10 |
| July 23 | August 7 |
| August 15 | August 25 |
| September 7 | September 15 |
| September 30 | October 9 |
| October 23 | November 10 |
| November 15 | November 24 |
| December 8 | December 16 |
| December 31 | January 12, 2027 |
2026 Discipline Sections (BAR, ISC, TCP) Schedule
| Testing Window | Target Score Release Date |
|---|---|
| January 1 – 31 | March 13 |
| April 1 – 30 | June 16 |
| July 1 – 31 | September 11 |
| October 1 – 31 | December 15 |
Note: All dates are targets set by the AICPA. Delays occasionally happen due to quality control reviews.
The CPA Score Notification Process
Knowing the CPA score release dates is only half the battle. You also need to know where and when to look.
How to check CPA exam results:
- Log into your CPA score release NASBA Candidate Portal.
- Navigate to the "Score Notice" section on your dashboard.
- Download your official score report as a PDF.
What is the CPA Pass/Fail Release Timing?
Scores are officially released at midnight Eastern Time (ET) on the target release date. However, many candidates notice a status change early.
Often, around 10:00 AM EST the day before the official release, the NASBA portal updates your status to "Attended" or "Scored." Sometimes, you can even see a preliminary "Pass" or "Fail" status before the numerical score drops that evening.
CPA Score Interpretation: What Your Number Means
When your score finally drops, you will see a number between 0 and 99. You need a 75 to pass.
However, effective CPA score interpretation requires understanding that this number is not a percentage. A 75 does not mean you answered 75% of the questions correctly.
The AICPA score release guidelines state that your score is a weighted combination of scaled scores. It factors in the difficulty of the multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and the task-based simulations (TBSs). Both the MCQs and TBSs account for 50% of your total score (except for ISC, which is 60% MCQ and 40% TBS).
If you fail, you will receive a Candidate Performance Report. This report highlights whether you were "Weaker," "Comparable," or "Stronger" than passing candidates in specific topic areas.
What to Expect After CPA Exam Day
The waiting period can be agonizing. Knowing what to expect after CPA exam completion helps you maintain momentum.
Do not stop studying. This is the golden rule. If you took FAR, take two days off to rest, and then immediately begin studying for AUD or your Discipline. Do not waste three weeks waiting for a score.
Manage your CPA score release expectations.
Target dates are highly accurate, but they are not absolute guarantees. If your score does not appear exactly at midnight, do not panic. NASBA releases scores in waves depending on when your file was processed.
Next Steps After CPA Exam Day
Depending on the result you see on the portal, your next steps after CPA exam day will branch in two directions.
If You Pass:
- Celebrate your victory!
- Print your score notice for your records. NASBA portals eventually expire these notices.
- Finalize your study plan for your next scheduled section.
If You Fail:
- Do not panic. Failing a section is a normal part of the CPA journey.
- Download your Performance Report immediately.
- Identify your weak areas and immediately book a retake within 3 to 4 weeks while the information is still fresh.
The Miles Education Advantage
Waiting for scores is stressful, but preparing for the exam should not be. At Miles Education, we track the CPA score release timeline 2026 meticulously so our candidates are always informed.
Our expert mentors help you interpret your Performance Reports if you stumble. We provide targeted, AI-driven practice tools that turn your weak areas into strengths. With Miles, you are never guessing your readiness; our mock exams ensure you walk into the Prometric center with total confidence.
Conclusion
Understanding the score release timeline is a crucial part of your overall exam strategy. It helps you schedule your tests efficiently and minimizes the agonizing wait times.
Bookmark this page, mark the target dates on your calendar, and stay focused on the process. Pass or fail, every score release brings you one step closer to earning those three letters behind your name. Trust your preparation, rely on your Miles Education resources, and keep pushing forward.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When are CPA scores released 2026?
Core section scores (FAR, AUD, REG) are released on a rolling basis every 2-3 weeks throughout 2026. Discipline section scores (BAR, ISC, TCP) are released only four times a year: March 13, June 16, September 11, and December 15.
2. How does the CPA score release process work?
After you test, Prometric sends your data file to the AICPA within 24 hours. The AICPA scores the exam using advanced statistical modeling. They then send the scores to NASBA, which publishes them on the Candidate Portal.
3. What is the CPA pass/fail release timing?
The official CPA pass/fail release timing is midnight Eastern Time on the target score release date. However, candidates often see a simple "Pass" or "Fail" status update on the NASBA portal the morning before the target date.
4. How to check CPA exam results?
You can check your CPA exam results by logging into the NASBA Candidate Portal using your registered credentials. Navigate to the "Score Notice" tab to view your numerical score and download your performance report.
5. What should my CPA score release expectations be if I tested on the cutoff date?
If you test exactly on the cutoff date, Prometric might not send your file to the AICPA in time. To safely meet CPA score release expectations, it is highly recommended to schedule your exam at least two days before a cutoff deadline.
6. Does the AICPA score release guidelines allow for scoring appeals?
While the AICPA score release guidelines technically allow for score reviews or appeals, they are highly discouraged. The process is expensive, time-consuming, and almost never results in a score change due to rigorous automated quality controls.
