It took me three tries to pass the CPA exam, the first time fresh out of college and no prep, I failed miserably. Then a few years of private accounting, two years of public accounting and a prep course, I passed part and the rest the time after that. The parts were different then - Auditing, Accounting (Practice) I and II, Accounting Theory and Law. Back then, you could get certified with only a batchelors degree, most if not all states now require at least a master’s degree.
I think the “Ethics Exam” is a separate test required by some states. I think some states allow taking the test on line, I’d guess that’s where it would be easy to cheat. But I can’t imagine cheating on the exam. Working in public accounting is hard work, and throwing it away like that is foolish.
The last exam I took was a ham radio exam, and even taking it on-line it is hard to cheat, you have to scan the room you are taking the exam in, and have a camera on yourself. If you’d rather travel to the take the exam, the sit-down exam is proctored.
In my state we are required to take 4 hours of ethics every 3 years, so I usually just work in 2 per year. I take mostly self study and a few on-line courses, as that is best for my schedule, no traveling and blocking out time from work for seminars, (I am in a pretty remote area, and hour and a half to anywhere that might have a course).
I recall the same format to the test that you listed. I passed Theory and Practice first time out, which was my objective.
Next time, in May (and right after tax season), I took Ethics and Business Law, knowing my chances were slim and none. It was for the experience with the newer version of the tests.
Finally passed it the following November (1992).