Official CPA Score Release Dates 2026: Core vs Discipline Schedules

Under the post-CPA Evolution testing model, AICPA and NASBA split candidate scoring into two distinct pathways: continuous, rapid turnaround for Core sections (Financial Accounting and Reporting [FAR], Auditing and Attestation [AUD], and Taxation and Regulation [REG]), and window-restricted batches for Discipline sections (Business Analysis and Reporting [BAR], Information Systems and Controls [ISC], and Tax Compliance and Planning [TCP]).

For candidates tracking CPA score release dates 2026 from Hong Kong, testing schedules directly dictate how quickly results post to the NASBA Candidate Portal. Taking a Core section by September 30 yields a target score release on October 9, while testing by October 23 posts on November 10. Conversely, Discipline sections operate on restricted testing windows: Q4 Discipline testing runs from October 1 through October 31, with scores scheduled for release on December 15. Understanding these dates is critical for professionals balancing busy season billables with the 30-month rolling credit window.

Core vs Discipline Cutoff Matrix: 2026 Target Release Dates

The table below summarizes the operational AICPA testing cutoffs and target score release schedules across Core and Discipline examination papers:

Core Sections (FAR, AUD, REG) — Continuous Testing Model

Core papers follow frequent, rolling release batches throughout each testing quarter. As long as Prometric successfully transmits your examination file by 23:59 Eastern Time (ET) on the cutoff date, your target release date follows this cadence:

• Testing Cutoff: January 23 → Target Release: February 7
• Testing Cutoff: February 15 → Target Release: March 3
• Testing Cutoff: March 31 → Target Release: April 11
• Testing Cutoff: April 23 → Target Release: May 9
• Testing Cutoff: May 19 → Target Release: June 6
• Testing Cutoff: June 30 → Target Release: July 11
• Testing Cutoff: July 23 → Target Release: August 8
• Testing Cutoff: August 15 → Target Release: September 4
• Testing Cutoff: September 30 → Target Release: October 9
• Testing Cutoff: October 23 → Target Release: November 10
• Testing Cutoff: November 15 → Target Release: December 4
• Testing Cutoff: December 31 → Target Release: January 12

Discipline Sections (BAR, ISC, TCP) — Quarterly Testing Windows

Discipline papers require specialized statistical equating due to lower sitting volumes, which restricts candidate testing to single-month windows per calendar quarter:

• Q1 Window: January 1 – January 31 → Target Release: March 10
• Q2 Window: April 1 – April 30 → Target Release: June 16
• Q3 Window: July 1 – July 31 → Target Release: September 10
• Q4 Window: October 1 – October 31 → Target Release: December 15

The Hong Kong Time (HKT) Prometric Cutoff Calculation

Hong Kong candidates sitting the US CPA at Prometric test centres (such as the testing facilities in Kowloon Tong, Sheung Wan, or Sha Tin) must account for the substantial time difference when booking deadline-day appointments. Hong Kong Time (HKT, UTC+8) is 12 hours ahead of US Eastern Daylight Time (EDT, UTC-4) and 13 hours ahead of US Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC-5).

AICPA cutoffs are strictly based on when Prometric’s central server receives your completed test data file before 23:59 ET. If you sit an exam at 14:00 HKT on a cutoff date (e.g., October 23), your local test concludes around 18:30 HKT. Because 18:30 HKT corresponds to 06:30 ET on the same morning, your test file will easily transmit before the 23:59 ET cutoff. However, unexpected data transmission delays or offline server sync issues at local testing facilities can delay file receipt until the following calendar day in the US.

Hong Kong Sitting Strategy: To safeguard your target score release date, never schedule your exam on the absolute final day of a Core cutoff window. Sit your paper at least 24 to 48 hours before the US cutoff date to guarantee that your attendance data is processed into the active scoring batch.

NASBA Candidate Portal Timings & Status Diagnostics

NASBA generally releases advisory scores to the NASBA Candidate Portal in waves on the evening prior to the official AICPA target release date. For Hong Kong professionals, this timing aligns with the following morning routine:

• NASBA Score Drops: Typically begin between 19:00 ET and 20:00 ET on the eve of the target date.
• Hong Kong Conversion: This translates to 07:00 HKT – 08:00 HKT on the official release day (or 08:00 HKT during US Standard Time in winter).

Decoding Portal Status Stages

When monitoring the NASBA Gateway from Central or Quarry Bay, candidates will encounter distinct status markers in the 24 hours surrounding release:

• 'Attended': Confirms Prometric has transmitted your raw biometric and test performance files to AICPA. If this status does not appear within 48 hours of sitting in Hong Kong, open a support inquiry with NASBA immediately.
• 'Scored': AICPA psychometricians have graded the testlets and returned the numerical outcome to NASBA. The numeric grade is staged and will reveal once NASBA pushes the visual update.
• 'Passed / Credit' vs 'Failed / No Credit': Early portal indicators may show pass/fail results prior to numeric score display. Numerical scores (ranging from 0 to 99, with 75 representing the minimum passing standard) typically appear within 2 to 4 hours of the pass/fail label.

Protecting the 30-Month Rolling Credit Window in Hong Kong

Following the CPA Evolution reforms, most state boards of accountancy enforce a modernized 30-month rolling credit expiration policy (expanded from the historic 18-month timeline). While this expansion provides breathing room, Hong Kong professionals handling demanding corporate reporting cycles or audit peak season (January through April) must sequence their examinations deliberately.

1. The Discipline Bottleneck

Because BAR, ISC, and TCP are only administered in the first month of each quarter and take up to six weeks to score, failing a Discipline section in Q4 (October test → December 15 score) means you cannot retake that Discipline until the Q1 window opens in January. This creates an automatic 3-to-4-month delay that eats away at your active credit window.

2. Strategic Section Sequencing

Pair rapid-turnaround Core exams around unpredictable work schedules. Tackle your Discipline section early in a calendar quarter so that your score returns in time to pivot into a continuous Core exam (such as AUD or REG) while waiting for the next Discipline window.

Maintaining Study Momentum During Score Lags

Waiting up to six weeks for Discipline scores or ten days for Core scores can stall cognitive momentum. Many Hong Kong finance professionals pursuing the US CPA alongside cross-border credentials (such as HKICPA Qualification Programme conversion modules or the CFA designation) lose valuable revision rhythm during these scoring blackouts.

Rather than pausing completely while waiting for the NASBA Gateway to update, utilize intelligent diagnostic tools. Exploring personalized AI-driven study tools helps you pinpoint retention gaps in subsequent subjects like FAR or TCP before your previous score even lands. Reviewing curated guidance across professional exam preparation strategies ensures that your technical application remains sharp across US GAAP, IFRS, and international tax frameworks.

If you are planning your next Core sitting or mapping your Discipline window for 2026, jump into the Thinka exam practice platform to simulate multi-layered task-based simulations, drill dynamic multiple-choice question banks, and maximize your passing margin on test day.