5 Best CMA Review Courses for the 2026 CBQ Exam

Decision summary

Our five best-fit CMA review choices for August 2026

These labels describe the clearest documented use case for each product. They are not claims that one course is universally best, and this comparison does not claim a hands-on lab test that was not performed.

Affiliate disclosure: CPA Exam Guide may earn a commission if you purchase through some links on this page, at no additional cost to you. That relationship does not change the comparison criteria. Affiliate links are marked as sponsored, and non-affiliate providers are included where their current product merits comparison.

Best for deep practice

1. Gleim CMA Review

120+ case-based questions, extensive videos, SmartAdapt, personal support, and an access-until-you-pass option in Premium.

Review Gleim

Best explanations

2. UWorld CMA

Formerly Wiley CMA. Large QBank, visual answer explanations, 2026-2027 alignment, SmartPath, mobile access, and current CBQs.

Review UWorld

Best live ecosystem

3. Becker CMA

Strong fit for candidates who want a familiar CPA-review-style platform, live instruction in Pro, academic support, an AI assistant, and CBQ practice.

Review Becker

Best accountability

4. CMA Exam Academy

A coaching-led 16-week-per-part plan with weekly calls, assignments, textbooks, questions, and a two-year access period.

Review the Academy

Best subscription value

5. HOCK International

Cancel-anytime monthly access, 4,600+ MCQs, 45+ CBQs, six mocks, expert support, and a substantial free preview.

Review HOCK

Verified CMA course features at a glance
Provider	Current CBQ evidence	Access model	Best for	Try before buying
Gleim	120+ CBQs listed	18 months Traditional; Access Until You Pass in Premium	Large, structured practice system	Demo
UWorld	57+ CBQs on current course/QBank page	Package-dependent; unlimited option available	Detailed explanations and integrated digital tools	7-day trial
Becker	40+ CBQs listed	24 months Advantage; unlimited Pro	Live classes and higher-support packages	14-day trial
CMA Exam Academy	35+ CBQs listed	2 years	Coaching, assignments, and accountability	Free training/material samples; verify checkout terms
HOCK	45+ CBQs listed	Monthly, cancel anytime	Flexible low-commitment access	Free membership preview

Feature counts are provider-published and were observed August 9, 2026. Providers may count or categorize questions differently; counts are not direct quality scores.

How we compared

A current-format gate comes before price or popularity

A provider could enter the main comparison only if an official product page showed a purchasable current course, active support, current syllabus coverage, and specific practice for the 2026 case-based format.

1. Exam alignment

Current ICMA learning outcomes, MCQ coverage, CBQ quantity or explicit CBQ support, mock-exam format, and update policy.

2. Learning fit

Videos, books, adaptive tools, planning, mobile access, live instruction, academic support, coaching, and trial access.

3. Terms and value

Access length, current displayed price model, update guarantees, refund/pass-guarantee conditions, and the risk of promotional pricing expiring.

No invented scores: provider question counts and guarantees come from provider pages. We do not convert those marketing claims into a numerical rating, and we do not report a pass rate as independently validated unless the governing body confirms it.

Detailed comparisons

Which CMA course matches your study style?

1

Gleim CMA Review

Best for candidates who want deep practice and a highly structured self-study system.

Deep practice

Gleim's current Traditional and Premium courses both list 120+ case-based questions and thousands of practice questions. SmartAdapt organizes the learning sequence around performance, while the current Premium package adds 70+ hours of video, expert/accounting support, downloadable audio, flashcards, and Access Until You Pass.

Specific, high-volume CBQ practice is clearly documented.
Full-length mocks and final review support exam stamina.
Personal Counselor support helps candidates maintain a plan.
Traditional ($1,499 displayed) and Premium ($1,799 displayed) provide distinct access/support levels.

Sponsored link; preserves the existing Gleim tracking token and click event. Check Gleim CMA options

2

UWorld CMA Review (formerly Wiley CMA)

Best for candidates who learn from detailed answer explanations and an integrated digital platform.

Explanations

Wiley CMA Review joined UWorld in 2023, so the old Wiley listing on this page is now UWorld CMA. Its current 2026-2027 course page lists 6,200+ MCQs, 57+ CBQs, 150 video lectures, study guides, mock exams, SmartPath targets, UAsk AI, flashcards, a study planner, and mobile access.

Current CBQ coverage is explicitly included across the main packages and QBank.
Explanations address why each answer option is right or wrong.
Elite-Unlimited adds boot camps, final review, and access-until-pass terms.
A 7-day no-credit-card trial covers samples from both parts.

Sponsored legacy Wiley endpoints retained for UWorld; confirm the landing page before checkout. Check UWorld CMA offers Try UWorld CMA

3

Becker CMA Review

Best for CPA candidates who want a familiar platform with live and high-support options.

Live ecosystem

Becker's current comparison lists 4,000+ MCQs, 40+ CBQs, digital books, videos, practice tests, simulated exams, an Adapt2U study system, Newt AI, and academic support. Advantage provides 24-month access; Pro adds unlimited access, LiveOnline classes, printed books, tutoring, success coaching, and a pass-guarantee benefit subject to terms.

Clear April 2026 course update for the CBQ transition.
14-day trial includes CBQs, textbooks, videos, flashcards, and practice tests.
Strongest high-touch option here if you will use the Pro services.
Useful continuity for candidates already comfortable with Becker's CPA platform.

Non-affiliate official provider link. Visit Becker CMA

4

CMA Exam Academy

Best for candidates who want a scheduled coaching program and accountability.

Coaching

CMA Exam Academy organizes each part into a 16-week plan with weekly coaching calls, assignments, accountability check-ins, instructor support, video/audio lessons, printed and digital books, formula guides, 4,000+ MCQs, 35+ CBQs, and two years of access to the two-part combo.

Most structured human-accountability model in this comparison.
Useful for candidates who repeatedly fall behind in self-paced courses.
Includes an accounting-fundamentals text for candidates needing a refresher.
Provider-listed refund/pass promise requires compliance with its detailed terms.

Sponsored referral link; the provider displayed $1,394 one-pay pricing when checked August 9, 2026. Check CMA Exam Academy

5

HOCK International CMA

Best for candidates who prefer flexible monthly access and a substantial free preview.

Subscription value

HOCK's current membership lists 60+ video hours, 4,600+ MCQs, 45+ CBQs, six full mock exams, online textbooks, a Prometric-style interface, expert support, PassMap planning, readiness tracking, and a professional community. Paid access is monthly and cancel-anytime.

Low commitment for a candidate who can study on a defined schedule.
Free membership includes early units from both exam parts.
Current CBQ guidance and practice are explicitly documented.
Good fit for international candidates and self-paced learners who value support.

Non-affiliate official provider link. Explore HOCK CMA

Legacy listing under review

Why Surgent is not in the five main picks yet

Surgent is active, not defunct. UWorld acquired Surgent Accounting & Financial Education on April 30, 2026, and Surgent still sells CMA packages. However, the official product catalog checked August 9 listed 4,000+ MCQs and “65+ Essay Questions” without clearly documenting current CBQ practice. Because CBQs become the standard in most regions in September 2026, candidates should obtain written confirmation of CBQ quantity, interface, and package availability before purchasing.

The existing affiliate destination is preserved here, accurately labeled, instead of being attached to a different provider or presented as verified CBQ-ready.

Check Surgent CMA's current format details (sponsored link).

Buying guide

What a CPA candidate should check before adding CMA prep

Confirm the credential ROI

Read the CPA vs. CMA comparison first. If target roles do not value CMA knowledge, a second full exam program may have a lower return than work experience or targeted CPE.

Demand current CBQ practice

Ask how many case-based sets are in your exact package, whether they use the current response types, and whether full mocks reproduce the post-transition exam.

Calculate access risk

A cheap monthly plan can become expensive if study drifts. A premium unlimited plan wastes money if you need only a QBank. Match access to a written testing calendar.

Use the trial like an audit

Attempt one weak-topic lesson, several MCQs, one CBQ, and a support question. Test mobile/offline behavior and the study planner instead of watching only a polished demo.

Read guarantee conditions

Most guarantees require course completion, readiness scores, documentation, deadlines, or a paid retake. “Pass guarantee” rarely means an unconditional refund.

Verify the checkout date

Prices and promotions change quickly. This page records an August 9 research snapshot; the provider checkout and terms control your purchase.

Candidate questions

CMA review course FAQ

Does my CMA course need case-based questions for a September 2026 exam?

Yes. IMA states that case-based questions become the standard English format in most regions beginning with the September/October 2026 window. China, Taiwan, and Japan have stated exceptions. Confirm the rule for your test region and the CBQ coverage in your exact course package.

Is Wiley CMAexcel still available?

Not under the old standalone Wiley branding. UWorld acquired Wiley Efficient Learning's exam-prep portfolio in 2023, and the current product is UWorld CMA Review. Existing Wiley users should use UWorld's support and account-transition information.

Which CMA review course has the most case-based questions?

Among the public pages checked, Gleim listed 120+ CBQs, UWorld 57+, HOCK 45+, Becker 40+, and CMA Exam Academy 35+. Counts can change and do not measure realism or explanation quality, so test samples where available.

What if I only need practice questions?

Compare standalone QBank/test-bank products before buying a complete course. Gleim and UWorld advertise separate practice-focused options. Confirm that the product includes both parts and current CBQs.

Should I buy CMA prep while studying for the CPA Exam?

Usually not at the same time. Both are demanding programs with deadlines and recurring updates. Unless an employer or deadline requires overlap, finishing one testing path before paying for the next reduces access-expiration and divided-attention risk.

Primary research

Sources

Reviewed by Bryan Kesler, CPA

Bryan Kesler is the founder of CPA Exam Guide. Course features are provider-published and should be confirmed at checkout; IMA controls the CMA program and exam. About Bryan · Report a change

Substantively updated and verified August 9, 2026.

Best CMA Review Courses for the New Case-Based Exam