CPA Exam Score Release Dates India 2026: Full Guide

CPA Exam Score Release Dates India 2026: When Results Come Out and What to Do Next

The CPA exam score release timeline is one of the most misunderstood parts of the exam process for Indian candidates. It differs significantly between Core sections and Discipline sections, and the distinction matters for planning your next exam attempt or your license application. This post explains when to expect scores from each section type, where to check them, what advisory scores and official score notices mean, and what your next steps are whether you pass or fail.

The Key Distinction: Core Sections vs Discipline Sections

The AICPA confirmed in July 2026 that the two section types have fundamentally different score release timelines because they are administered and scored differently.

The reason for the difference: Core sections use continuous testing where Prometric sends exam data to the AICPA regularly throughout the year, and the AICPA scores and releases results quickly. Discipline sections are administered during quarterly windows and all results from a given window are processed and released together after the window closes.

Core Section Score Release: AUD, FAR, REG

Because Core sections are available year-round, the AICPA releases Core scores on a rolling basis. Once you sit AUD, FAR, or REG, your exam data is sent from Prometric to the AICPA. The AICPA applies its scoring and quality assurance process and typically releases the score within one to two weeks of your exam date.

The AICPA's score release schedule page shows specific target release dates for Core sections throughout the year. These dates correspond to when the AICPA expects to receive exam data files from Prometric and complete scoring. Checking this page before and after your exam date gives you the most accurate estimate for your specific situation.

Looking at actual 2026 score release posts from NASBA's exam news page: NASBA released Core scores on August 25, 2026 (covering AUD, FAR, REG for international candidates: 439 AUD, 598 FAR, 241 REG scores processed) and again on August 7 and July 10. This confirms Core releases are happening multiple times per month for international candidates sitting in India.

Discipline Section Score Release: BAR, ISC, TCP

Discipline sections are administered during quarterly testing windows. In 2026, the Discipline windows open in the first month of each quarter: January, April, July, and October. Scores are released approximately six weeks after each window closes.

This is confirmed by the September 11, 2026 NASBA score release, which processed 637 BAR, 3,278 ISC, and 5,442 TCP scores — consistent with the Q3 2026 Discipline window closing at end of July and releasing approximately six weeks later in mid-September.

A critical point: the six weeks runs from when the window closes, not from when you sat the exam. If you sit TCP on July 2 and the window closes July 31, your score releases in mid-September alongside everyone else who sat TCP in July. Sitting on July 2 versus July 30 makes no difference to when you receive your score.

Where to Check Your CPA Score in India

For most candidates, scores appear in the NASBA CPA Candidate Portal. Log into your account on or after the target release date and navigate to your score section. As NASBA explains on its score release process page, NASBA posts on its social media channels when scores become available in the portal. Following NASBA on LinkedIn or X (formerly Twitter) provides a real-time notification when the release is live.

Three state exceptions: if you applied through California, Illinois, or Maryland, you do not check your score in the NASBA portal. Candidates from these states receive scores through their state board's own website. If you are an Indian candidate who applied through a NASBA-managed state (Montana, Colorado, Guam, or any other state not in this list of three), the NASBA portal is where your score appears.

Advisory Score vs Official Score Notice: What the Difference Means

NASBA releases scores in two stages, and understanding the difference saves confusion on results day.

Advisory score: This is the score number that appears in your CPA Candidate Portal when results are first released. It is called advisory because the official notice has not yet been generated. For practical purposes, your advisory score is your result. A 75 advisory score means you passed. A 68 advisory score means you did not.

Official score notice: Within 72 hours of the advisory score appearing, an eye icon appears to the right of your score in the portal. This is the official score notice. Click it to view and download your official result document. If you failed, the official score notice includes a candidate performance report showing your relative performance across content areas. NASBA advises saving or printing the score notice, as it is eventually removed from the portal and cannot be retrieved after it is taken down.

The AICPA scores your exam using only your Examination ID. It does not know your name, gender, location, or which state you applied through. Scoring is blind to all personal information. This ensures that Indian candidates sitting in India are scored on exactly the same basis as US-based candidates.

Understanding Your CPA Score

Scores are scaled to account for slight differences in difficulty across exam versions. A raw score of 70% correct does not automatically translate to a 70 scaled score. The AICPA applies a scaling process that makes scores comparable across candidates who sat different exam versions. This is standard practice in professional credentialing.

If You Pass: What Happens Next

Passing all four sections is the exam requirement for CPA licensure, but it does not complete the process. You must also pass the ethics exam (in most states), satisfy the work experience requirement, and submit a license application to your state board.

Score validity: Your passing score for each section is valid for 30 months. If you pass AUD on September 15, 2026, you must pass the remaining three sections before March 15, 2029. If any section's credit expires before you complete all four, you lose credit for that section and must retake and repay for it.

License application: Once all four sections are passed, your ethics exam is complete, and your work experience is verified, apply for licensure through your state board. For NASBA-managed states, applications now go through the updated NASBA licensing system. Processing takes 4 to 8 weeks.

If You Fail: The Candidate Performance Report and Retakes

The candidate performance report included in your official score notice when you fail provides a content-area breakdown of your performance. It does not show your raw score or identify individual questions. It shows relative performance across the major topic areas of the section, which you can use to target your retake preparation.

Core section retakes: Because Core sections use continuous testing, you can schedule a retake as soon as you are ready. There is no mandatory waiting period beyond the time needed to obtain a new NTS. Each retake requires a new NTS and new exam fees including the International Administration Fee for Indian candidates.

Discipline section retakes: Discipline sections test once per quarter. If you fail the July window, your next opportunity is the October window. This three-month gap makes deliberate retake preparation more important for Discipline sections than for Core sections, where the continuous testing window allows a faster turnaround.

H.R. 1 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act) note: The the AICPA confirmed in a July 2026 article that provisions of the Act with 2024 and 2025 effective dates are eligible for testing in REG and TCP starting July 1, 2026. Indian candidates preparing for REG or TCP in the Q3 or Q4 2026 windows should ensure their study materials are updated to cover these provisions. Using outdated materials risks encountering questions on topics not covered in your preparation.

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