- ➫ 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.
Disclosure: I am the founder and owner of Kesler CPA Review, which appears in this comparison. I do not earn affiliate commissions from any of the other supplements listed on this page. I have tested or evaluated each supplement listed. Pricing verified as of February 2026. Full editorial policy.
💡 Bottom Line Up Front
There is no single "best" supplement. If you need mentorship and gamified study tools, Kesler is purpose-built for that. If you want the cheapest complete test bank, NINJA at $67/month is hard to beat. If you learn best by video, i-75 with Darius Clark's lectures may click for you. If you just need better study habits, SuperfastCPA's methodology course costs less than one month of most review courses. Pick based on what's actually missing from your current study setup.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Kesler CPA | NINJA CPA | SuperfastCPA | i-75 CPA | Universal CPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Mentorship Accountability & gamification | Budget Cheapest complete course | Study Method On-the-go mobile review | Video Learner Instructor-led lectures | Full Course Alt All-in-one at lower cost |
| Price | $97/mo ($997/yr) | $67/mo | ~$396 (4×$99) | $999 (full bundle) | ~$649 |
| MCQ Count | 8,000+ | 7,000-8,000+ | Mini-quizzes only | 5,000+ | 3,000+ |
| Video Lectures | 100+ MCQ walkthroughs | Sparring + Blitz videos | PRO methodology course | Full lectures (Darius Clark) | Full lectures |
| Standalone or Supplement? | Both | Both (AICPA-licensed) | Supplement only | Both | Standalone course |
| Mobile App | ✓ iOS + Android | Browser-based | ✓ iOS + Android | Browser-based | Browser-based |
| Mentorship / Coaching | ✓ Full mentorship | ✓ Live Sparring 4×/wk | — | — | — |
| Study Methodology | ✓ 8 mentorship modules | ✓ N.I.N.J.A. Framework | ✓ PRO study course | — | — |
| Flashcards | ✓ 3,910+ & generator | ✓ Digital flashcards | — | — | — |
| Audio Course | — | ✓ Spotify/MP3 | ✓ Audio notes | — | — |
| 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 started as a mentorship-only program in 2015 and has evolved into a full CPA review course with 8,000+ MCQs, 150+ TBS, 3,910+ flashcards, and a gamification system that awards XP, tracks streaks, and unlocks achievements. The Cross-Platform Mapping feature lets you use Kesler alongside Becker, UWorld, Surgent, or Gleim by aligning study plans to match their module structures.
The differentiator is the mentorship layer: 8 structured modules that teach you how to study (not just what to study), an accountability partner program, and unlimited email support. The Study Looping system uses spaced repetition to schedule automatic reviews.
✅ Strengths
Mentorship + course in one package. Gamification keeps you engaged. Fresh professor-made questions not shared with other courses. Works standalone or as a supplement. Mobile apps sync across devices. Lowest monthly cost for a mentorship-included course.
❌ Limitations
No traditional video lectures yet (coming 2026 per the company). Smaller TBS library (150+) than the big courses. Less brand recognition than Becker or UWorld. The gamification style isn't for everyone.
NINJA CPA Review
NINJA is an AICPA-licensed complete course created by Jeff Elliott, CPA. It includes 7,000-8,000+ MCQs and simulations, adaptive learning software, a textbook, condensed Blitz cram videos, audio lectures (Spotify-compatible), digital flashcards, and live Sparring tutoring sessions four times per week.
Originally built as a supplement, NINJA has grown into a standalone option. The N.I.N.J.A. study framework works with any course's materials, which makes it effective as either a primary course or a bolt-on question bank.
✅ Strengths
Cheapest complete CPA course available. Large AICPA-licensed question bank. Audio course for commuters. Live tutoring 4×/week. Monthly subscription with zero upfront commitment. 7-day free trial. 30-day money-back guarantee (conditional).
❌ 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 (~3,000+). 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 February 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 CPA Review at $67/month is the lowest monthly cost for a complete course that doubles as a supplement. SuperfastCPA's Total Bundle is ~$396 as a one-time purchase (or 4 payments of $99). Kesler CPA Review is $97/month with mentorship included. The cheapest option depends on how long you'll need it.
Kesler CPA Review (8,000+ MCQs, 150+ TBS, textbooks available) and NINJA CPA Review (7,000-8,000+ MCQs, AICPA-licensed, textbook included) both position themselves as standalone options. i-75 can work standalone for some candidates, though it has a smaller question bank. SuperfastCPA is explicitly supplemental and is not designed to replace a primary course.
The most important factor for retakers is fresh questions you haven't already memorized. Kesler offers professor-made questions not shared with other courses. NINJA uses AICPA-licensed questions that may overlap with your primary course (Becker, UWorld, Surgent all 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. Bryan owns Kesler CPA Review, which appears in this comparison. He does not earn affiliate commissions from any other supplement listed on this page. Full disclosure.