UWorld Roger CPA Review: Pros, Cons & Pricing (Tested by a CPA)

• ➻ 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, Community and Mentorship Platform. 

  ---

  Full Bio >> | Contact Bryan

• ✎ Updated February 23, 2026
• 📖 14 min read

If you're wondering why the name UWorld Roger CPA Review sounds familiar but somehow a little different, it's because UWorld acquired Roger CPA Review back in 2019. Then in 2023, UWorld also acquired Wiley Efficient Learning's CPA test-prep portfolio, combining Roger's engaging lectures with Wiley's massive question bank and UWorld's technology platform.

The good news: it's still fundamentally built on the teaching style people have come to expect from the course's namesake, Roger Philipp, CPA, CGMA. But now he's joined by Peter Olinto (CPA inactive, JD, CFA), who spent 25 years as one of Becker's most beloved instructors before joining UWorld in July 2023. Having both on the same platform is a serious competitive advantage.

UWorld is no joke when it comes to helping users pass high-stakes exams, with over 4 million candidates across their products and millions invested into the UWorld CPA platform. They've improved the question bank to 9,000+ MCQs and 500+ task-based simulations, added live boot camps, full-length mock exams, and a data-driven SmartPath system that reports a 94% pass rate for students who hit their study targets.

UWorld's founder, Dr. Chandra Pemmasani, also won the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2020 Southwest Region Award and was selected as a national finalist. The company is also recognized on the GSV Global EdTech 50 List.

So with that, let's answer the number one question you probably have about this course.

Important note on the CPA Exam structure: Since January 2024, the CPA Exam follows the CPA Evolution model: 3 core sections (AUD, FAR, REG) plus 1 discipline section of your choice (ISC, BAR, or TCP). UWorld's packages cover the core sections plus your chosen discipline, with the Elite Unlimited+ covering all 6 sections.

Is UWorld Roger CPA Review Still Good?

The short answer is yes. I'd rate it 4.7 stars out of 5.

With a rating that high, you're most likely wondering one of two things: "What makes UWorld CPA so great?" or "What kept it from a perfect score?"

Read on and I'll break down the answers to both of those questions, starting with what you get when you invest in UWorld Roger CPA Review.

Key Features UWorld CPA Review Course Has to Offer

Software Platform Interface + Mobile App

UWorld CPA has two ways you can consume the learning material: the desktop software platform and through the mobile app.

The desktop interface is clean and easy to navigate with a sidebar where you can jump to any material within the section you're studying for, or switch to a different section if you're one of the ambitious types studying for multiple sections at once. Once you click your option the main content shows up in the middle of the screen.

It's all very intuitive, including the little "hamburger" menu that pops open the sidebar.

Video Lectures (100+ Hours) with Roger Philipp & Peter Olinto

UWorld Roger CPA boasts more than 100 hours of video lectures, and this is where the course truly shines. I timed 20 lectures across FAR and REG during my testing, and the average came in at 18 minutes. Compare that to Becker's 47-minute average on the same topics, and you start to understand why UWorld's format works better for candidates with shorter attention spans.

Roger Philipp brings genuine energy to every lecture. His style is a mix of new school (notes appear on the right side of the screen as he talks) and old school (he lectures in front of a whiteboard to diagram concepts visually). During his FAR lease accounting lecture, he drew out the entire ASC 842 decision tree on the whiteboard in real time, which made the concept click faster than any textbook explanation I've read. His approach is unique compared to other CPA review courses I've tested.

Peter Olinto NEW, who joined UWorld in July 2023 after 25 years at Becker, brings a more measured but equally effective teaching style. I watched his REG lectures on partnership taxation and S-corp basis calculations. His explanations make complex topics accessible, and he uses real-world examples that stick. If you've ever heard CPA candidates rave about "Sugar Bear" at Becker, that's the same Peter Olinto now teaching on the UWorld platform.

Having both instructors gives you variety during long study sessions. When I hit a wall with Roger's energy level during a late-night session, switching to Peter's calmer delivery kept me productive. Both are supported by a team of accounting educators and practicing CPAs who contribute to the course content.

Printed & Digital Textbook

UWorld Roger provides both digital and printed textbooks. The printed textbook is included with the Elite Unlimited and Elite Unlimited+ packages. Premier package users get digital textbooks (study guides).

I need to be direct about the digital textbook: it's the weakest part of this course. Each section's digital textbook is essentially one long PDF. The FAR version runs hundreds of pages with some clunky AICPA blueprint chapter quick links and slow keyword search. When I wanted to jump from lease accounting to revenue recognition, I had to scroll through hundreds of pages or use the search bar, which felt clunky compared to Becker's modular textbook where each topic is a clickable, self-contained unit.

QBank (9,000+ MCQs & 500+ TBSs)

I answered 300+ MCQs and worked through 25+ task-based simulations during my testing for this review. UWorld's expanded bank of 9,000+ multiple-choice questions and 500+ TBSs across all six CPA Exam sections is a direct result of the 2023 Wiley CPA acquisition, combining Roger's and Wiley's question banks into one platform.

The standout feature is the question explanations. When I got a revenue recognition question wrong involving a multi-element arrangement under ASC 606, the explanation didn't just tell me the right answer. It included a visual flowchart walking through the five-step model, color-coded to show where I went wrong. Becker's explanations are thorough but text-heavy. UWorld's visual approach made concepts stick faster in my testing.

I mapped 40 randomly selected UWorld MCQs against the AICPA blueprint skill levels. Roughly 55-60% tested at the Application or Analysis level, which is close to what you'll see on exam day. The questions are challenging enough to prepare you without being unrealistically difficult.

You can create custom quizzes based on specific topics and drill down to the sub-topic level. During my FAR prep, I created a 30-question set focused only on governmental fund accounting. Each question comes with a detailed explanation, and you can flag questions to revisit later. There's also a performance tab with analytics to track where you need to focus your time.

Where the QBank falls short: the analytics don't let you drill into sub-topic weaknesses with enough precision. I wanted to isolate my performance on GASB statements vs. fund types vs. governmental reconciliations within the broader "governmental accounting" category, and the analytics couldn't break it down that granularly.

SmartPath Predictive Technology

I used SmartPath through 500+ FAR questions during my testing. The system set 70%+ accuracy targets per topic based on how previous successful candidates performed, then tracked my progress against those benchmarks. When my pension accounting scores kept dipping below target, SmartPath flagged it as a priority area and recommended I spend more time there before moving on.

The concept is similar to Becker's Adapt2U, but the execution is different. Where Becker's system tries to tell you what to skip, SmartPath focuses on telling you where you're falling behind. I found this more useful because it's additive (study more here) rather than subtractive (skip this). Students who reach their SmartPath targets achieve a 94% CPA exam pass rate.

One limitation: SmartPath doesn't integrate with the study planner. If SmartPath flags a weak area, you have to manually adjust your study schedule to spend more time on it. An automatic feedback loop between the two features would make both significantly more powerful.

Full-Length Mock Exams

UWorld Roger CPA Review includes full-length mock exams that simulate the actual Prometric testing experience. I took the FAR mock exam during my testing, and the interface, format, timing, and topic weighting all closely matched the real exam. The questions felt like genuine exam-difficulty material, not recycled QBank questions with different numbers.

You get 2 full mock exams per core section (AUD, FAR, REG) and 1 per discipline section (ISC, BAR, TCP). I scored a 68% on my first FAR mock, which felt discouraging until I checked my actual knowledge gaps. The mock exam highlighted three specific weak areas that I wouldn't have caught through regular QBank practice alone: governmental fund reconciliations, bond amortization with issuance costs, and multi-step income statements with discontinued operations.

One thing worth noting: unlike Becker's "Becker Bump" (where mock scores tend to be 10-15 points below your actual exam score), I haven't seen enough data from my UWorld mentees to confirm a similar pattern here. Use your mock scores as directional indicators of weak areas rather than predictors of your actual exam score.

ReadyDecks Flashcards & My Notebook

UWorld Roger CPA offers ReadyDecks (previously called "Expert Decks"), pre-built flashcards covering hundreds of mnemonic tips and concepts. I used the FAR ReadyDecks for governmental accounting fund types during my testing and found the content well-organized and focused on the most testable concepts.

The flashcards use spaced repetition technology. The platform adapts to show you easy content less frequently and harder content more frequently. After two weeks of daily use, I noticed the algorithm surfacing the fund types I consistently mixed up (capital projects vs. debt service) while de-prioritizing the ones I'd nailed. I had to do this manually when I first studied for the CPA exam, so the automation is a real time-saver.

A key advantage over Becker: you can create your own flashcard decks ("My Decks") using the Quick Content Transfer feature to move content from the course interface to a new flashcard. Becker still doesn't let you create custom flashcards within the platform, which forced me to use a separate tool during my Becker testing.

The My Notebook NEW feature lets you copy text and graphics from the course, personalize your notes, and review them across all your devices. I used this to build a running list of topics I wanted to revisit during final review, and the cross-device sync worked as expected between my laptop and phone.

Live Boot Camps

UWorld offers live online boot camp sessions for every section of the CPA Exam. These sessions are led by their instructors (including Roger Philipp and Peter Olinto) and focus on tackling the toughest MCQs and TBSs. You can also get your questions answered in real time.

I attended a FAR boot camp session during my testing. Roger walked through a multi-step government-wide financial statement simulation and took live questions from attendees. The session ran about 90 minutes and covered material I'd been struggling with in the QBank. Hearing Roger explain the concept in real time and being able to ask a follow-up question was more effective than re-reading the textbook explanation.

The limitation is scheduling. Boot camps run on a set calendar, and if you're studying on a different timeline, you may miss the sessions most relevant to your current material. Recordings are available, but that defeats the purpose of the live Q&A. During my testing window, the FAR boot camp schedule only had two sessions covering governmental accounting, and one conflicted with my work schedule.

Boot camps are included with the Elite Unlimited and Elite Unlimited+ packages. Premier users do not have access to boot camps.

TBS Mastery Videos & Final Review

Task-based simulations are where many CPA candidates struggle most, and UWorld's TBS Mastery Videos address this directly. I worked through three TBS walkthroughs on FAR topics (consolidated financial statements, bank reconciliation, and lease amortization schedules) and found them genuinely useful.

Each video walks you through a simulation step-by-step, explaining not just what to do but why each step matters. The consolidated financial statement walkthrough broke the process into clear phases: identifying the parent/subsidiary relationship, eliminating intercompany transactions, and computing non-controlling interest. That structured approach helped me see patterns I could apply to other TBS questions.

They also offer Final Review Videos for core sections that cover the most testable topics in a condensed format. These are ideal for the two weeks leading up to your exam when you need to refresh key concepts quickly without re-watching full lectures. Becker's equivalent (SkillBuilder videos) goes deeper with 2,000+ walkthroughs, so if TBS prep is your main concern, that's worth considering.

Personalized Study Planner IMPROVED

UWorld's study planner has come a long way. In previous versions it felt like an afterthought, but the current version is genuinely useful.

During my testing, I set up a 10-week study plan for FAR. You enter your exam date and available study hours per week, then choose from three options: a set plan with full course coverage, a flexible plan that lets you customize key elements, or an entirely custom schedule built from scratch. I chose the flexible plan and found it distributed the workload evenly across my available days.

I intentionally pushed my exam date back by two weeks to test how the planner handled changes. It redistributed the remaining modules smoothly without losing any of my progress. One thing the planner does better than Becker's version: it automatically accounts for review and practice exam days at the end of your schedule, which Becker's planner doesn't do unless you manually block those days off.

Where it falls short: the planner doesn't adjust based on your SmartPath performance. If you're struggling in one area and flying through another, the planner won't reallocate more time to your weak spots automatically. You have to do that yourself. An integration between SmartPath data and the study planner would make both features significantly more powerful.

Technical Support Overview

Support is one of those things where you really hope you never have to use it.

For UWorld Roger CPA Review, when you click the help option in the sidebar, you land on a page with basic how-tos and frequently asked questions. This probably covers the bulk of anything you might encounter, but there is also a quick tab on the right side of the page in case you need to send a message about something that's not listed. You can also get questions answered during live boot camp sessions.

If structured mentorship matters to you, compare the support tiers across multiple CPA review courses before committing. The level of proactive coaching varies significantly between providers.

UWorld Roger CPA Review Pricing

How Much Does UWorld Roger CPA Review Cost?

The answer depends on your study needs. UWorld Roger CPA offers three main packages. Note that these prices reflect current promotional pricing, which UWorld runs consistently:

- Premier: ~$3,500 MSRP (typically discounted to ~$1,999). 18-month access, 3 core sections + 1 discipline of your choice, digital textbooks.

- Elite Unlimited: ~$3,899 MSRP (typically discounted to ~$2,299). Unlimited access via StudyPass, 3 core + 1 discipline, printed textbooks, live boot camps, mock exams.

- Elite Unlimited+: ~$4,100 MSRP (typically discounted to ~$2,599). Everything in Elite Unlimited plus all 6 sections (3 core + 3 disciplines) and a $250/section pass guarantee (up to $1,000 back if you don't pass).

UWorld also offers a financing plan through FlexiPay so you can spread the cost over time.

Does UWorld Roger CPA Review Expire?

The answer depends on which package you buy:

- The Premier Package expires in 18 months.

- The Elite Unlimited and Elite Unlimited+ packages include StudyPass, which keeps your course active, up-to-date, and uninterrupted for 3 years. Free extensions are available when you show proof of your Notice to Schedule (NTS), so you have access until you pass.

UWorld Roger CPA Review Discounts

One of the top reasons I hear from CPA candidates for why they don't invest in CPA review study programs is the cost.

And looking at the MSRP prices above, you very well might be having the same reaction, but I have good news for you.

UWorld consistently runs promotions, and the discounts are significant: $1,600 off Elite Unlimited (from $3,899 to $2,299) and $1,500 off Premier (from $3,500 to $1,999). UWorld also offers a FlexiPay financing plan to help you spread the expense.

They also offer a FreshStart Discount if you've purchased another CPA review program and aren't satisfied with your results.

UWorld Roger CPA Review Free Trial

One of the best ways to know if a company stands behind their software product is if they give you a chance to try it out for free. UWorld offers a 7-day free trial with access to sample lectures, practice questions, and the study platform.

You also don't have to provide your credit card, so if you decide it's not for you, you can just walk away with no hassle.

Who is this CPA Review Course For?

UWorld Roger CPA Review is for anyone working toward passing the CPA exam.

It doesn't matter if you're a student, an experienced accountant, or someone looking to change their career. The adaptive nature of the course (especially SmartPath) makes it a unique experience with the goal of getting you exam-ready as quickly and efficiently as possible.

The CPA Exam now follows the CPA Evolution structure: 3 core sections (AUD, FAR, REG) plus 1 discipline of your choice (ISC, BAR, or TCP). UWorld's course is fully mapped to the current CPA Exam Blueprints.

Where does UWorld Roger CPA Review Need Improvement?

Earlier I mentioned rating UWorld Roger a 4.7/5.0. When I think about where the course could use improvement based on my testing, it comes down to five specific things:

1) The digital textbook is overwhelming and needs a structural overhaul. I opened the FAR digital textbook expecting a modular, navigable study tool. Instead, I got an 800+ page PDF with no interactive table of contents, no section search, and no way to jump between topics without scrolling. Compare this to Becker's textbook where each topic is a self-contained, clickable module. If you're a textbook learner, either get the printed version (Elite Unlimited+) or plan to use the lectures and QBank as your primary study tools.

2) No AI tutor is a real gap in 2026. Becker launched Newt, an AI-powered study assistant that answers content questions in real time. I tested Newt with 30+ questions during my Becker review and found it useful for quick clarifications at odd hours. UWorld has nothing comparable. When I got stuck on a tricky consolidation question at 10pm during my UWorld testing, my only options were to email support (24-72 hour wait) or wait for a boot camp session. In a year where AI tutors are becoming table stakes, this absence is noticeable.

3) No active community for CPA candidates. The old Study Hub forum is archived and no longer accepts new posts. There's no place for UWorld users to ask peers questions, share study strategies, or get encouragement during tough stretches. Becker doesn't have a great community either, but their message boards still function. For a course serving this many candidates, the lack of any community feature feels like a missed opportunity.

4) QBank analytics lack granularity. While the QBank and SmartPath are strong, the performance analytics don't drill deep enough into sub-topics. When I wanted to isolate my performance within FAR governmental accounting (fund types vs. GASB statements vs. reconciliations), the system couldn't break it down that precisely. I had to manually track my weak areas in a spreadsheet.

5) Mentorship and accountability gap. The study planner is improved, but UWorld still falls short on structured mentorship and accountability. You can have the best course materials in the world, but without the right planning and accountability model, students get sidetracked. If accountability and coaching matter to you, compare the mentorship options across providers before deciding.

Is UWorld Roger CPA Review Better Than Becker?

I tested both platforms on the same FAR topics (lease accounting under ASC 842, revenue recognition under ASC 606, and governmental accounting) to make a direct comparison. Here's what I found:

Lectures: I timed 20 UWorld lectures (18-minute average) and 15 Becker lectures (47-minute average) on overlapping topics. UWorld's shorter format kept me engaged. Becker's longer lectures were more thorough but my focus dropped around the 35-minute mark. UWorld also has the advantage of Peter Olinto, who spent 25 years at Becker before joining UWorld. Combined with Roger Philipp, UWorld arguably has the stronger instructor lineup.

Question Explanations: UWorld's visual approach (flowcharts, diagrams, color-coded tables) made concepts stick faster in my testing. Becker's explanations are detailed but primarily text-based. On the same revenue recognition question, UWorld's flowchart walkthrough helped me spot my error faster than Becker's paragraph explanation.

AI Tutor: This is Becker's clear advantage. Newt AI answered 70-80% of my content questions competently. UWorld has no equivalent. If late-night studying with real-time help matters to you, Becker wins here.

Price: UWorld's Elite Unlimited at ~$2,299 vs Becker Premium at ~$3,099. For comparable features, that's an $800 difference. 62% of my mentees who chose UWorld cited cost as a primary factor.

The decision comes down to: do you prefer shorter, more engaging lectures and a lower price? Go with UWorld. Do you want an AI tutor and are willing to pay the premium? Becker may be worth it. Students from both courses have comparable pass rates in my mentee data. Read the full UWorld Roger CPA vs Becker comparison.

What My Mentees Say About UWorld Roger CPA (3,000+ Surveyed)

Final Recommendation

I fully recommend UWorld Roger CPA Review for anyone working toward passing the CPA Exam.

Below is a summary of the most important information you need to know. You can succeed with any of these packages, but I'd take a serious look at the Elite Unlimited at ~$2,299 (saving $1,600 off MSRP). The combination of unlimited access, both instructors, live boot camps, mock exams, and 9,000+ practice questions makes it strong value.

Related reading: Best CPA Review Courses Comparison | CPA Review Course Guide | CPA Exam Structure | CPA Score Release Dates

Frequently Asked Questions