Comparing apples and oranges is an expression often used when evaluating two different qualities and characteristics side by side. Sometimes, however, such comparisons are necessary, as life-changing decisions are made after this assessment.
For professionals looking to take the next step in their careers, a big choice is often whether Take the CPA exam or bar exam.
Check out the top bar review courses
see all
CPA Exam and Bar Exam: Which is Harder?
While comparing a bar with a CPA is like comparing apples and oranges, the accounting, legal and financial industries have enough similarities to make it a tough decision. Someone with a CPA can work in a law firm and a person with a Juris Doctor can be employed in accounting or financial entities.
Remember, the bar exam has much tougher requirements to even sit for—you have to go to law school, which is quite a financial and time commitment. Although the CPA requires accounting experience and coursework, there is a low bar for entry for this exam.
Similarities between the CPA exam and the bar exam
OK, so why are these tests similar? Well, first and foremost, you need to study a significant number of hours for both these exams. Each element is difficult, but if you are prepared enough for an extended period of time, they are both passable.
Both exams have a writing component and multiple choice questions. These ratios are essentially the opposite, but there is some overlap in test structure. Each exam is given at a certain point in the year, so you can’t retake the exam immediately if you don’t pass.
It’s really just in terms of similarities – other than those basic overlaps, the tests are very different. Each of the standardized tests is the most difficult, but they are so for very different reasons
Learn more about bar exams
see all
CPA and BAR Exam Structure
The CPA exam is made up of four separate sections (exams), all of which are significantly different, so it’s difficult to do Find out which test to take first. One section contains a longer writing section, as well as multiple-choice questions and task-based simulations, while the other section contains only the latter two components.
Multiple choice question tests allow you to change based on how you did in previous sections, and task-based simulations will vary significantly. Chances are a large portion of what you study won’t appear in the exam, so be prepared to be caught off guard. luckily, CPA preparation course It has become increasingly sophisticated to help you study based on your strengths and weaknesses.
The bar exam is basically three different exams, but they are presented back-to-back-to-back for three consecutive days. There are six different versions of the test, so you won’t get the same version as other students. It is not as rigorous as an exam, as many questions do not have a “correct” answer.
Multiple choice questions are presented one day, so you should be able to knock them off during that testing session and complete this section.
Essays known as writing prompts will show up in two days – your hands are going to hurt after these days. Based on how you respond using logic and your legal knowledge, you may be right or wrong, so memorizing answers won’t help at all.
CPA and BAR Exam Content
So, in terms of actual exam… there is a big difference in terms of bar for each state. California and New York are notoriously tough, with the former having 13 “subjects” and the latter 14. Although it’s a lot, you don’t need to know them all, but you never know what topics are going to be tested!
Although it is extremely difficult to study and understand such a large amount of information, there are not many surprises in the bar exam.
The CPA exam is very different in terms of content. The four sections are completely different, so you’re going to break down the study into specific topics for each exam. Your test may not cover everything and may actually cover only a small part of what you studied.
For CPA it is basically trying to know a little bit about each subject. Since there are four different tests, you need to know different information for each test. It’s kind of a pump and dump method—once you pass a given section, it’s best to clear your mind and start again for the next section.
This test also varies in difficulty for each section. The FAR section For some people it’s much easier – it depends on work experience, school, etc REG or AUD Categories can be a cakewalk for other people when compared to other subjects. So, just know that you are going to do better in certain categories than others.
Exam schedule for CPA exam and bar exam
Keeping up with the CPA exam schedule is difficult, as it is constantly changing and confusing. Even applying for exams is difficult, you see here. But, once you apply and sit the exam, there is a specific window where you can take your first section. Then, after you take, and hopefully pass the first section, you have 18 months to pass all four parts of the exam. If you fail to pass all four sections, you’re going to see the EXPIRE section, which is devastating.
There are certain times when you can take different sections: the first two months of each quarter and the next 10 days of the following month. So, basically, you cannot give exams for 20 or more days per quarter. Annoying, but not terrible.
The bar, not as complicated, is only offered twice a year, and if you fail you have to wait a full six months to retake it. If your job and future depend on passing the exam, you will not be happy with this lack of exam availability.
Get discounts on bar review courses!
Save $2,700 on Bermax Tutoring Packages
using today
Expires in 1 day
Last used: 1 day ago
$600 savings on Quimbee Bar Review+
using today
Expires in 2 days
Last used: 1 day ago
Crushendo Coupon: 10% Off Bar Prep Products
85 in use today
Expires in 2 days
Last used: 1 day ago
see more
Which exam is more difficult: Bar or CPA?
So in the end which is more difficult? Well, it’s really impossible to say. For a short period of your life, the bar exam will be the worst thing in the entire world. It’s not a feeling you’ll get with CPA, because that test is more extended suffering than short-term frustration.
If you are a “by-the-book” person, I would say go for CPA. The bar exam is based more on inference and applied knowledge, while the CPA is about regurgitating information, memorizing formulas and processes, and performing standard problem-solving procedures.
If you were a great student in college, went to class every day and did well on the test, I’d say the CPA exam is easier. If you’re someone who crammed for exams, the bar exam is probably going to be the easier option. Start preparing for the bar exam today!
Download infographic PDF >>
Valerie Keen is an experienced attorney and legal writer. Valerie’s litigation successes include winning cases involving contract disputes, real property disputes and consumer issues. He has assisted numerous families with estate planning, parenting issues, divorce and other family law matters. He provides solid legal advice and representation to clients.
