- ➫ by Bryan Kesler, CPA
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Bryan Kesler, CPA is a CPA Practice Advisor Top 20 Under 40, Licensed Certified Public Accountant, and founder of Kesler CPA Review.
- ✎ Updated
- 📖 12 min read
- 🔍 Methodology
CPA review courses give you the material. But around 40-50% of candidates still fail every quarter. The gap isn't always content. It's usually how you study, whether you get fresh practice questions, and whether you have support when you're stuck.
That's where CPA exam study supplements come in. Some give you a second question bank. Some teach study methodology. Some add mentorship and accountability. And some do all three.
Below, I compare the five most popular CPA exam supplements side-by-side: Kesler CPA Review, NINJA CPA Review, SuperfastCPA, i-75 CPA Review, and Universal CPA Review. I cover what each does well, what it doesn't, who it's best for, and what it actually costs.
⚠ Ownership & affiliate disclosure: I’m Bryan Kesler, CPA, founder and owner of Kesler CPA Review. I have a financial interest when Kesler or competing CPA review providers are discussed. I do not earn affiliate commissions from the other supplements listed on this page. Read the editorial policy and affiliate disclosure.
💡 Bottom Line Up Front
Choose a supplement for what is missing from your current routine. Kesler can supply visual explanations and study-strategy mentorship, or serve as your complete course. If you only need a short retake supplement, Monthly may be more sensible than paying for Max's added print and support.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Kesler CPA | NINJA CPA | SuperfastCPA | i-75 CPA | Universal CPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Best Value | Budget Low-cost supplement or full course | Study Method On-the-go mobile review | Video Learner Instructor-led lectures | Full Course Alt All-in-one at lower cost |
| Price | $77/mo; $697 Complete; $1,197 Max | $67/mo supplement $87/mo full course | ~$396 (4×$99) | $999 (full bundle) | ~$649 |
| MCQ Count | 8,000+ | 8,300+ across 6 offered sections | Mini-quizzes only | 5,000+ | 3,000+ |
| TBS Count | 600+ | 350+ across 6 offered sections | — | Narrated simulations | Available; count not published |
| Video Lectures | 913 Bite-Sized Lectures (85+ hrs) + 8,000+ Learn N GO explainers | 200+ hours of section lectures + CRAM/Sparring | PRO methodology course | Full lectures (Darius Clark) | Full lectures |
| Standalone or Supplement? | Both | Both (AICPA-licensed) | Supplement only | Both | Standalone course |
| Mobile App | Web app | Browser-based | ✓ iOS + Android | Browser-based | Browser-based |
| Mentorship / Coaching | ✓ Full mentorship | ✓ Live Sparring 4×/wk | — | — | — |
| Study Methodology | ✓ Mentorship course | ✓ N.I.N.J.A. Framework | ✓ PRO study course | Not listed | Not listed |
| Flashcards | ✓ 8,000+ + custom/weakness decks | ✓ Digital flashcards | — | — | — |
| Audio Course | ✓ 210 Audio Notes | ✓ MP3 audio by section | ✓ Audio notes | — | — |
| AI Tutor | ✓ Ask Kes | ✓ Sensei AI (Full Course) | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| Maps to Becker / UWorld | ✓ Cross-platform mapping | ✓ Works with any course | ✓ Strategy applies to any | — | — |
| Free Trial | ✓ | ✓ 7-day | Free training video | Free YouTube lectures | Unknown |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30-day | 30-day (conditional) | Not advertised | Not advertised | Not advertised |
Each Supplement In Detail
Kesler CPA Review
Kesler can fill a specific gap in your existing course or replace it entirely. Its 913 topic lessons introduce concepts before practice, while the whiteboard question explanations give visual learners another way to review mistakes. For a short retake period, Monthly lets you try that approach without buying another one-time package.
Practice includes 8,000+ MCQs, 600+ TBSs, and 8,000+ flashcards. Every MCQ has a separate Learn N GO whiteboard explainer that teaches the rule, walks the math, addresses distractor traps, and ends with an exam-day takeaway. The lesson lectures build the big picture before practice; Learn N GO provides targeted help after an individual question.
Mentorship helps you organize study and review, while Study Loops bring earlier material back into practice. Ask Kes provides follow-up explanations, and the mobile and desktop web app supports short sessions across devices. All paid plans include the full digital course.
✅ Strengths
Topic lessons teach before practice, and question-specific whiteboard videos help visual learners review mistakes. Mentorship teaches how to study. The same digital course works as a primary course or targeted supplement.
❌ Limitations
Kesler is self-paced. A second course can add workload if you try to complete both in full. Choose it for a clearer explanation or a better review routine, and compare live tutoring separately if that is what you need.
Monthly costs $77/month, Complete costs $697 one time, and Max costs $1,197 one time. Choose Monthly for a shorter study period, Complete for the full digital course without recurring payments, or Max if you will use the printed materials and added support.
Max adds $720 total Print Credit, unlimited personal Ask Kes use for the first 12 months, and a conditional Pass Guarantee. See the plan, access and guarantee comparison before choosing.
Max's retake benefit is for qualifying future attempts after meeting its preparation and coverage requirements. The separate first-purchase refund window is 30 days, reduced by redeemed promotional Print Credit. Read the guarantee summary.
NINJA CPA Review
NINJA is an AICPA-licensed course created by Jeff Elliott, CPA. Its current section listings total 8,300+ MCQs and 350+ simulations across the six offered sections. It also includes Notes, downloadable audio, books, flashcards, CRAM review, section lectures, Sparring group tutoring, study plans, and private study groups.
The $67/month Supplement includes the core study tools; the $87/month Full Course adds the complete lecture path and NINJAi Sensei AI study companion. That makes NINJA both a direct budget competitor to Kesler and a viable standalone option, not merely a bolt-on question bank.
✅ Strengths
Low monthly pricing, a large AICPA-licensed bank, extensive section lectures, downloadable audio, live Sparring, and Sensei AI on the $87 Full Course. Monthly subscription with no long-term contract and a conditional 30-day money-back guarantee.
❌ Limitations
AICPA questions overlap with Becker, UWorld, and other courses (may not provide "fresh" questions for retakers). Platform is less polished than bigger courses. No dedicated mobile app (browser-based). Fewer TBS than Becker or Gleim.
SuperfastCPA
SuperfastCPA by Nate Hansen takes a different approach: instead of giving you thousands more questions, it teaches you how to extract maximum value from the study time you already have. The PRO course covers the "perfect 2-hour study session," active learning models, and retention strategies designed to add 5-10+ points per section.
The supplemental tools (review notes, audio notes, mini-quizzes) are designed for micro-study sessions throughout your day. The audio notes work while driving, exercising, or commuting. Everything is organized to the AICPA exam blueprints.
✅ Strengths
Fills a genuine gap that question banks don't: study methodology. Audio notes ideal for commuters. Mobile app saves your place. Low total cost compared to full courses. Works alongside any primary course.
❌ Limitations
Not a standalone course. No large MCQ bank. No simulations. No live instruction or tutoring. Value depends heavily on whether you actually implement the strategies daily. Less useful if your issue is content gaps.
i-75 CPA Review (Darius Clark)
i-75 is built around Darius Clark's video lectures, which break down CPA exam topics in a straightforward, step-by-step style that many candidates find easier to follow than Becker or UWorld. The course includes video lectures, 5,000+ MCQs, narrated simulations, a final review chapter, and an e-book of 75 "Must Know" questions per section.
Originally a supplement, i-75 has grown into a course that some candidates use standalone, though most pair it with a larger course when they need additional question volume.
✅ Strengths
Darius Clark's teaching style is effective for visual/auditory learners. Updated for 2026 (all 6 CPA Evolution sections). Strong community following. Significantly lower than Becker or UWorld for video instruction. Full bundle doesn't expire.
❌ Limitations
Smaller MCQ bank than NINJA, Kesler, or the big courses. No adaptive learning technology. No mobile app. No mentorship or study methodology training. Pass rate claims (91%) are not independently verified.
Universal CPA Review
Universal CPA Review positions itself as a full review course at a lower price point than the major providers. It includes video lectures, MCQ practice questions, a textbook, and public study groups. Universal covers all CPA exam sections with content mapped to AICPA blueprints.
Universal is less commonly discussed in the CPA community than the other supplements listed here, which makes independent assessment harder. The course works as a lower-cost alternative for candidates who want traditional lecture-based instruction without the price tag of Becker or UWorld.
✅ Strengths
Full course with lectures and textbook at a competitive price. Traditional learning format for structured instruction. Covers all exam sections.
❌ Limitations
Smaller question bank (~5,000+). Less community buzz and fewer independent reviews than competitors. No adaptive technology. No mentorship. No mobile app.
When Does a Supplement Actually Help?
Not every candidate needs a supplement. Here's a framework for thinking about it:
You probably need fresh questions if you've been through your primary course's test bank 2+ times and you're recognizing answer patterns rather than understanding concepts. Kesler (professor-made questions) or NINJA (AICPA-licensed bank) are the strongest options here.
You probably need study methodology help if you're putting in 20+ hours per week but still scoring in the 60s-70s. SuperfastCPA's PRO course or Kesler's mentorship modules directly address how you study, not just what you study.
You probably need a different instructor if the explanations in your primary course aren't clicking. i-75's Darius Clark or NINJA's Sparring sessions can give you a fresh perspective on the same topics.
You probably need accountability if you keep pushing back your exam date or losing study momentum. Kesler's Goal Crusher squads and accountability partner program are specifically designed for this.
You probably don't need a supplement if you haven't yet finished a complete pass through your primary course. Go through the material once before adding anything else.
🔍 How I Evaluated These Supplements
I have direct experience with each supplement listed on this page, though the depth varies. I built Kesler CPA Review, so my knowledge of that product is comprehensive but also inherently biased. For the other four, I have either used the product directly, evaluated it through my mentees' experiences (3,000+ candidates since 2015), or reviewed the publicly available materials and demos.
Pricing was verified directly on each company's website as Of October 2026. Feature claims were cross-checked against product pages, app store listings, and candidate reports on r/CPA. I did not independently verify any pass rate claims made by any company, including my own.
The comparison criteria were selected to cover the features most commonly asked about by CPA candidates I work with: price, question volume, study methodology support, mobile access, and whether the product works standalone or requires a primary course.
What I cannot objectively evaluate: Which supplement is "best." That depends on your budget, learning style, and what's actually missing from your current study setup. The use-case labels above reflect my professional judgment, not controlled testing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily. If you're scoring within 5-10 points of passing and need fresh questions or a different study approach, a supplement can close that gap. If you're far from passing, the issue may be study methodology (how you study) rather than question volume (what you study). Before buying anything new, make sure you've completed at least one full pass through your existing course's material.
NINJA Supplement is $67/month and Kesler Monthly is $77/month. Kesler Complete is $697 one time and Max is $1,197 one time. For a short supplement period, compare the total months you expect to use it rather than assuming a one-time plan saves money.
Yes, if you choose a complete product. Kesler CPA Review 2.0 includes Study Notes, 913 Bite-Sized Lectures, 210 Audio Notes, a textbook, 8,000+ MCQs, 600+ TBSs, 8,000+ flashcards, and mentorship. NINJA's $87 Full Course includes its complete lectures and Sensei AI alongside 8,300+ MCQs and 350+ simulations. SuperfastCPA is explicitly supplemental.
The most important factor for retakers is fresh questions you haven't already memorized. Kesler offers professor-made questions not shared with other courses, and every question includes a Learn N GO whiteboard video that teaches the underlying concept visually rather than through text. This combination of fresh questions plus visual explanations helps retakers who have already been through text-based explanations multiple times. NINJA uses AICPA-licensed questions that may overlap with your primary course (Becker and UWorld use the same AICPA pool). SuperfastCPA focuses on fixing study methodology, which can be the actual problem if you've seen enough questions but aren't retaining the material.
About the Author: Bryan Kesler is a Licensed CPA, founder of Kesler CPA Review, and creator of the CPA Exam Guide. He was named to CPA Practice Advisor's Top 20 Under 40 and has helped 3,000+ CPA candidates pass since 2015.