You've finished the exam. That final "click" on the Prometric screen feels like a weight lifting off your chest, but then a new weight settles in. The waiting. Honestly, the wait for a CPA score is arguably worse than the three-hour grind of the actual test. You’re refreshing Reddit, checking the NASBA portal every ten minutes, and wondering if that "Attended" status will ever change.
The cpa score release schedule used to be a mess of quarterly windows and "blackout dates." Thankfully, we’re past the chaos of the 2024 CPA Evolution transition. We’re back to something that resembles a normal routine, but there are still some weird quirks about how the AICPA and NASBA handle your data that can leave you hanging if you aren't careful with your calendar.
The Core Reality: AUD, FAR, and REG
If you’re taking one of the "Core" sections—Auditing and Attestation (AUD), Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR), or Taxation and Regulation (REG)—you’ve got it relatively easy. These sections follow a continuous testing model. Basically, you can sit for these exams any day the Prometric center has a chair for you.
Because testing is constant, the scores roll out in waves. You don't have to wait months; usually, it’s a matter of a few weeks. But here’s the kicker: the date you sit for the exam isn't the only thing that matters. It’s about when the AICPA receives your data file.
If you test on a Tuesday, Prometric usually sends that file within 24 hours. But if there’s a glitch or a delay, and your file hits the AICPA system one day after a cutoff, you’re stuck waiting for the next release cycle. It’s frustrating, I know.
Core Target Dates for Early to Mid 2026
I’ve looked at the current schedules, and here is how the first half of 2026 is shaping up for the Core sections. Keep in mind these are "target" dates. NASBA is usually pretty good about hitting them, but "target" is the operative word.
- Test by Jan 23: Expect your score around Feb 10.
- Test by Feb 14: Look for that email on Feb 24.
- Test by March 9: Results should land by March 17.
- Test by March 31: Target release is April 9.
- Test by April 23: You’re looking at May 7.
- Test by May 16: Target is May 27.
- Test by June 8: Scores out by June 16.
- Test by June 30: Expect it on July 10.
One thing you’ve probably noticed? The gap is getting shorter. In 2024, people were waiting months because the AICPA had to "calibrate" the new exam format. Now that they have enough data on how people are performing under the new blueprints, they've sped things up.
The Discipline Drama: BAR, ISC, and TCP
Now, if you’re tackling one of the Disciplines—Business Analysis and Reporting (BAR), Information Systems and Controls (ISC), or Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP)—the cpa score release schedule feels a lot more like the "old days."
Disciplines aren't continuous. They’re restricted to the first month of every quarter. This is because fewer people take these specialized sections compared to the "Big Three" Core exams. The AICPA needs to gather a larger batch of results to ensure the grading is statistically sound.
If you take a Discipline exam in January, you aren't getting that score in February. You’re waiting until March. It's a test of patience as much as it is a test of accounting knowledge.
Discipline Windows for 2026
- Q1 Window (Jan 1–31): Target score release is March 13.
- Q2 Window (April 1–30): Target score release is June 16.
- Q3 Window (July 1–31): Target score release is September 11.
- Q4 Window (Oct 1–31): Target score release is December 16.
If you miss that January window, you’re basically sidelined for three months unless you jump over to a Core section. This is why mapping your 2026 testing strategy is so vital. You don't want to be "ready" for ISC in February only to realize you can't even sit for it until April.
Why Your Score Might Be Late
It happens. You check the portal at midnight, and there’s nothing. Your friend who took the exam at the same center on the same day already has their 78, and you’re sitting there with a blank screen.
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First, don't panic. It doesn't mean you failed.
The AICPA performs quality control checks. Sometimes a specific "testlet" or a simulation needs a human eyes-on review if there was a technical glitch reported at the testing center. Also, if you’re in a state like California, Illinois, or Maryland, you don't even use the NASBA portal. You have to wait for your specific State Board of Accountancy to pull the data and post it on their own, often clunky, websites. That usually adds a 24- to 48-hour delay.
The "Eye Trick" and Other Myths
If you spend any time on CPA forums, you've heard of the "Eye Trick." For years, candidates would check the "Registration" or "Score Report" tab to see if the "View Score Report" link appeared early.
Let's be real: most of these hacks are dead.
Since the NASBA portal update, the system is much more locked down. However, many candidates still report that their status changes from "Attended" to "Scored" about 24 hours before the actual number appears. If you see "Scored," it means the data is in the system. You just have to wait for the official release time—which is almost always midnight Eastern Time on the release date.
What to Do While You Wait
Waiting for a score is unproductive time. My advice? Start the next section immediately.
With the new 30-month credit window that most states have adopted (extending the old 18-month rule), you have more breathing room, but momentum is everything. If you just finished FAR, your brain is already in "study mode." Don't let it shut down while you wait three weeks for a score.
If you pass, great—you’re already ahead on the next one. If you fail (and it happens to the best of us), the material from the previous section is still fresh enough that you can pivot back, do a two-week intensive review, and retake it before you forget everything about bond amortizations or pension accounting.
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Next Steps for Your Journey
- Check Your Credit Expiration: Log into your State Board portal and confirm if they’ve officially adopted the 30-month rule. Don't assume.
- Sync Your Calendar: Mark the "Test By" dates for the Core sections so you don't accidentally miss a cutoff by 24 hours.
- Download Your Score Notices: NASBA doesn't keep these forever. Once your score is released, download the PDF and save it in three different places. You’ll need these records when you finally apply for that license.
The 2026 schedule is finally stable, so use that stability to your advantage. Map out your year, pick your Discipline early, and keep your foot on the gas.