Best CPA Review Courses Compared (Tested & Ranked by a CPA)

• ✎ Last Updated: February 25, 2026
• ➫ Author: Bryan Kesler, CPA

I've spent 100+ hours inside every major CPA review platform on this page, studying real FAR, AUD, and REG content the same way you would. I timed how long I could focus on video lectures before zoning out. I deliberately answered questions wrong to see how each adaptive algorithm responded. I submitted support tickets and timed the responses. I compared the same lease accounting topic across all five courses to see who explained it best.

After all that testing, plus feedback from 68,000+ CPA candidates I've served since 2012, here are the best CPA review courses for passing the CPA exam.

Which course is best for you? That depends on how you learn, what you can spend, and whether you need someone to hold you accountable or prefer to grind solo. The breakdowns below will help you figure that out.

Ultimately, it all depends on your learning style, budget and existing knowledge of the topics tested on the CPA exam.

You will find a breakdown of all of this below in my side-by-side comparisons and reviews of the top CPA prep courses.

Feel free to contact me at bryan[@]cpaexamguide.com if you have any questions - happy to help!

Overview & Evolution of Kesler CPA Review

Kesler CPA Review was founded by Bryan Kesler, CPA (that's me!) in 2015 as the world's first CPA exam mentorship program.

After helping 3,000+ CPA candidates pass their exams, we've evolved into a comprehensive CPA review course that combines cutting-edge learning science with proven mentorship methodologies.

Today, Kesler is the ONLY CPA Review Course that offers:

• Complete study materials (235 lessons, 8,000+ MCQs, 150+ simulations)
• Gamification system that makes studying addictive (XP, levels, achievements)
• Cross-Platform Mapping to seamlessly integrate with ANY major course
• Science-based study tools (Pomodoro timer, Study Looping, Goal Crusher)
• Proven mentorship program that teaches you HOW to pass, not just WHAT to study

At just $97/month, it's the most innovative and affordable complete CPA review solution available.

What Makes Kesler CPA Review Different

1. Gamification That Actually Works: We use behavioral psychology to make studying engaging:

• Earn XP for every question answered
• Level up from 1 to 100 with visual milestones
• Unlock bronze, silver, gold, and platinum achievements
• Build daily streaks for multiplier bonuses (up to 2x XP)
• Play study break games like "CPA Exam Survival"

2. Revolutionary Cross-Platform Mapping: Use Kesler with ANY course you already have:

• Automatically maps to Becker modules
• Syncs with Wiley CPA lessons
• Aligns with UWorld CPA Review content
• Works with Gleim, Surgent, and more
• All content mapped to AICPA blueprints

3. Science-Based Study System: Tools that optimize how your brain learns:

• Pomodoro Sprint Clock: 25-minute focused study sessions
• Study Looping: Automatic review scheduling to prevent forgetting
• Goal Crusher: Weekly accountability with 95% success rate
• KeslerCards: Intelligent flashcards that adapt to your learning

Is Kesler CPA Review Worth It?

My Testing Experience (yes, I test my own course): I built Kesler, so obviously I'm biased. But I also know where it falls short better than anyone, and I think being upfront about that is more useful than pretending it's perfect.

Here is what actually works well based on my own use and student feedback: The gamification system (XP, streaks, levels) genuinely keeps people studying when they would otherwise quit. I've tracked this across 3,000+ mentees. Candidates using the streak system study an average of 22% more days per month than those who don't. The Pomodoro Sprint Clock and Study Looping tools are based on spaced repetition science, and the data from our students shows 10-15 point score increases for candidates who follow the system.

Where Kesler falls short and I know it:

• No video lectures (yet). This is the single biggest gap. If you're a visual/auditory learner who needs an instructor walking you through concepts, Kesler alone won't cut it. Video lectures are coming in 2026, but they're not here today. The textbook is comprehensive (3,200+ pages, 235 lessons), but reading isn't how everyone learns best.
• Smaller TBS library. At 150+ simulations, Kesler has fewer task-based simulations than Becker (500+), Gleim (1,300+), or UWorld (400+). We're adding monthly, but if TBS volume is your priority, Gleim or Becker will serve you better right now.
• Gamification isn't for everyone. Some candidates find the XP and level system motivating. Others find it distracting or childish. If you're someone who just wants to grind through material without game mechanics, Kesler's personality may rub you wrong.
• The cross-platform mapping works, but it's not magic. It aligns Kesler's content with Becker, UWorld, etc. by AICPA blueprint, which is genuinely useful. But it doesn't sync your progress between platforms or merge question banks. It's a content alignment tool, not a platform integration.

Bottom line on Kesler: At $97/month, the risk is low. It's the only course you can try for a month and walk away if it doesn't fit. For candidates who need mentorship, accountability, and a system that keeps them showing up daily, it delivers. For candidates who need video lectures and a massive TBS library, pair it with Becker or UWorld, or choose one of those as your primary course instead.

How Kesler Compares to Other CPA Courses & Supplements

vs Traditional Courses (Becker, Wiley, Roger):

• Price: $97/month vs $2,500-4,000+ for traditional courses
• Approach: Gamified and engaging vs traditional lecture format
• Flexibility: Works standalone OR enhances any existing course
• Innovation: Cutting-edge tools vs conventional study methods

vs Other Supplements (Ninja, i75, SuperFast):

• Complete Course: Kesler is a full course, not just a supplement
• Unique Questions: 8,000+ original MCQs (others use recycled AICPA questions)
• Gamification: Full XP and achievement system (others have none)
• Cross-Platform: Maps to ANY course (others are standalone only)
• Mentorship: Complete video-based mentor program included (others offer basic support)

Who Should Use Kesler CPA Review?

Perfect as Your PRIMARY Course if you:

• Want a complete course for just $97/month
• Learn better through gamification and interactive tools
• Need motivation and accountability to stay on track
• Value innovation over tradition

Perfect to ENHANCE Your Current Course if you:

• Already have Becker, Wiley, Roger, or another course
• Want unique practice questions and better explanations
• Need gamification to stay motivated
• Failed sections and need a fresh approach

Our Cross-Platform Mapping ensures one to one topic mapping with UWorld CPA Review, Becker CPA, Surgent CPA, and Gleim CPA Review.

My Personal Recommendation

As the founder of Kesler CPA Review, I built this platform to be the course I WISH I had when studying for my CPA exam.

After personally failing 5 CPA exam sections with traditional methods, I learned it's not about studying harder - it's about studying smarter.

That's why Kesler CPA Review focuses on:

• Engagement over exhaustion (gamification keeps you motivated)
• Quality over quantity (8,000+ unique questions that actually prepare you)
• Science over tradition (tools based on learning psychology)
• Community over isolation (accountability and support when you need it)

Whether you use Kesler as your complete course or to enhance what you already have, you're joining 3,000+ successful CPAs who discovered a better way to study.

Overview and CPA Exam Guide Ranking

UWorld CPA Review was founded in 2001 and is by far one of the easiest platforms to use. Backed by UWorld's award winning software platform it is perfect for CPA learners on the go with their mobile app that syncs to their desktop software.

They also offer the most engaging video lectures in the industry and have some of the most comprehensive practice questions explanations.

My Hands-On Testing (22 hours logged): I studied FAR lease accounting (ASC 842) and REG individual taxation through UWorld's full platform over 3 weeks. Here is what I found:

The SmartPath Predictive Technology is the real differentiator. After answering about 200 MCQs in FAR, SmartPath showed me a heat map of my performance against candidates who had already passed. I could see exactly which subtopics I was tracking below passing candidates. That kind of comparative data is something no other course offers in the same way.

The question explanations are the best I've seen across all five courses. UWorld doesn't just tell you the right answer. Each explanation includes a visual breakdown showing exactly why each wrong answer is wrong, with diagrams and flowcharts. When I compared the same lease accounting MCQ explanation across all platforms, UWorld's was the only one that included a visual timeline of the lease payments alongside the journal entry. That level of detail matters when you're trying to understand the concept vs. just memorize the answer.

The mobile app is excellent. I studied exclusively on my iPhone for 3 days during my mobile testing phase and completed 150+ MCQs without any sync issues or interface frustrations. The app mirrors the desktop experience almost perfectly.

Where UWorld disappointed me: The textbook is a bit overwhelming, it's one long digital PDF. It can take a bit to get used to navigating and remembering where you left off. There also is a lack of community feel from the platform, no forum is available.

After testing the platform extensively and seeing the results our mentees get, UWorld CPA Review earns high marks for its combination of outstanding question quality, SmartPath analytics, and mobile experience.

What To Expect With UWorld CPA Review

Unless you invest in the UWorld CPA Review Ultimate bundle, you won’t be given much guidance on where to start with the CPA Exam other than a spreadsheet with recommended modules to complete. Be sure to find a CPA exam mentor first if you plan to use UWorld CPA Review.

Once you figure out scheduling, diving into the study materials is a breeze and they will help you efficiently bounce back and forth between the practice questions and learning materials.

The SmarPath will also be a crucial tool to your success as it compares your results against other candidates who have already passed.

Is UWorld CPA Review Any Good?

Absolutely, we have seen hundreds of candidates find success using only UWorld CPA Review. The key is to learn HOW to study the right way and find help with scheduling and planning due to the limited support offered compared to other courses.

How Does UWorld CPA Review Compare To Other CPA Test Prep Platforms?

UWorld CPA Review vs Becker CPA: UWorld CPA Review hands down has better lecturers to keep you engaged. They also focus on shorter lectures compared to Becker’s 50+ minute lecture run times. Becker CPA Review has more questions but we observed that UWorld CPA Review has invested in more comprehensive question explanations and visual guides.

Note on Wiley CPAexcel: UWorld acquired Wiley CPAexcel in 2023 and merged all Wiley content into the UWorld CPA Review platform. Wiley CPAexcel no longer exists as a standalone product. If you previously used Wiley, your closest equivalent is now UWorld CPA Review.

UWorld CPA Review vs Kesler CPA: These two courses solve different problems. UWorld is a full-service course with the best video lectures, detailed question explanations, and SmartPath predictive analytics. Kesler focuses on mentorship, gamification, and teaching you HOW to study. UWorld is the stronger standalone course for self-directed learners. Some candidates use both together, but UWorld alone is sufficient to pass if you follow the study plan and put in the hours.

Does UWorld CPA Review Offer Any Discounts And Promo?

UWorld CPA Review typically has discount promotions available for CPA candidates.

What’s The Expert Recommendation:

If you want a top CPA prep course that is easy to use, has engaging lectures, an option to add mentorship and tutoring, and a powerful mobile app that syncs with the desktop software then UWorld CPA Review has the best CPA study materials program for you.

Overview and CPA Exam Guide Ranking

Becker CPA Review has been around since 1957 and is by far the most popular CPA review course in the industry. That being said, just because it’s the most popular does not mean Becker CPA Review is the best CPA prep course for you after our research.

My Hands-On Testing (25 hours logged): I purchased the Advantage package and studied FAR (lease accounting, revenue recognition) and AUD (audit sampling) over 4 weeks. Here is what stood out:

Becker’s question bank is strong. Their 9,200+ MCQ library covers AICPA blueprints thoroughly, and their SkillMaster videos for task-based simulations are the best TBS explanation tool in the industry. I completed 15 TBS in FAR and the video walkthroughs genuinely helped me understand the approach, not just the answer. No other course does TBS explanations via video at this scale.

The Newt AI assistant is useful but limited. I tested it by asking about the difference between operating and finance leases under ASC 842. It gave a correct, textbook-quality answer. But when I asked a follow-up about transition guidance for existing leases, Newt gave a generic response that missed the specific nuance. Good for basic concept Q&A, not for deep-dive explanations.

Where Becker frustrated me: The video lecture format is the biggest issue. Becker lectures run 40-60+ minutes and consist of an instructor walking through the textbook page by page, telling you what to highlight. During my engagement testing, my genuine focused attention dropped noticeably after the 15-minute mark. For comparison, UWorld’s lectures kept me engaged for 20+ minutes because they’re shorter and more dynamic.

The platform also has UX friction: you can’t copy and paste any text (anti-piracy measure), digital notes are locked to individual modules with no global search, and support response times averaged 48-72 hours when I tested. For a $2,499+ product, these friction points add up.

The “Becker Bump” is real though. Multiple candidates in my mentorship program report scoring 5-10 points higher on the actual CPA exam than their Becker practice exam scores predicted. Becker’s practice questions tend to be slightly harder than the real exam, so if you’re consistently scoring 65-70% on Becker MCQs, you’re likely in passing range on exam day.

There are tons of features that Becker gets right but like every CPA review course there are flaws.

What To Expect With Becker CPA Review

Becker CPA Review is a big-box CPA exam course so expect the materials to be high quality, the support to be a bit slow and for them to lock their platform down in a way that makes it harder to use.

The Becker format focuses on watching video lectures that walk you through the textbook page by page with recommended highlights and notes. You can also take digital notes inside each lecture but there isn’t a single place that you can search all your notes at once which makes the feature pretty much useless.

In my experience using Becker to study plus the feedback we see on the Becker forums is that this style of teaching isn’t very effective, especially if you are someone who struggles with focusing.

That being said, the best part of Becker CPA Review is their test bank which includes high quality question explanations, question analytics and SkillMaster videos for their 400+ Task Based Simulations. Sadly, they lock the question explanations down by disabling copying any text. This is obviously done to prevent pirating but makes it harder for students to make notes quickly.

Is Becker CPA Review Any Good?

Absolutely, Becker CPA Review gets passing results for CPA candidates who understand the limitations and design roadblocks inside of the Becker platform. Becker CPA Review is by far the biggest CPA review course and helps the most CPA candidates pass but they also have the most candidates who fail.

The thing that irks me about Becker CPA Review (and other courses) is that they claim to have a 94% pass rate for their users, but you need to read the fine print that this is not scientific and they rely on their students to self-report.

It’s crucial that if you use Becker that you understand how you learn best and make Becker work for you and not the other way around.

If you want to increase your odds of passing the CPA Exam with Becker I do recommend finding a CPA exam mentor to help you get started on the right foot and help you understand how to overcome the Becker design frustrations.

When you have this, it can get you great results with the platform!

Not sure Becker is right for you? Read my full analysis: Is Becker CPA Review Worth It in 2026? or explore Becker CPA Review alternatives.

How Does Becker CPA Review Compare To Other CPA Exam Review Courses?

Becker CPA Review vs UWorld CPA Review: Becker CPA Review and UWorld CPA Review are neck and neck in terms of ease of use and course design. Both courses have excellent mobile apps, question analytics and textbooks. The biggest difference is in the video lecture teaching style which I believe UWorld CPA Review is slightly better over Becker.

Becker CPA Review vs Kesler CPA: Becker is a full-service course with comprehensive video lectures, the largest simulated exam library, and Big 4 credibility. Kesler focuses on mentorship, gamification, and study methodology at a fraction of the cost. They solve different problems. Becker alone is sufficient to pass the CPA exam if you follow the study plan and put in the hours. Some candidates who struggle with motivation or study structure add Kesler for the accountability system.

For a full breakdown of every major Becker competitor including pricing, features, and trade-offs, see 6 Best Becker CPA Review Alternatives.

Does Becker CPA Review Offer Any Discounts And Promo?

Becker CPA Review does run $1,000+ off promotions and discounts from time to time. Check out the latest promotions below before buying!

What’s The Expert Recommendation:

If your firm is paying for your study materials then Becker CPA Review will be one of your best options, but I would compare it to Kesler CPA Review and Gleim CPA Review first. I would also consider adding a CPA exam mentor to your study toolset as well to ensure you use Becker CPA review efficiently.

Overview and CPA Exam Guide Ranking

Gleim CPA Review has been around since 1974 and I wouldn’t be a CPA today if it wasn’t for their test bank. It was the missing piece to my study materials that helped me increase my failing scores. But how is their full CPA review course? Does it compare to the competition?

My Hands-On Testing (20 hours logged): I purchased Premium Pro and studied FAR (lease accounting, governmental accounting) and REG (individual taxation) over 3 weeks. Here is what I found:

Gleim’s test bank is the most granular in the industry. With 10,000+ MCQs and 1,300+ TBS, you will encounter questions on subtopics that other courses don’t even touch. When I studied governmental accounting in FAR, Gleim had questions on specific GASB pronouncements that neither Becker nor UWorld covered at that level of detail. If you’re the kind of person who wants to be prepared for literally anything the exam could throw at you, Gleim’s question depth is unmatched.

The question analytics are also excellent. After answering 300+ MCQs in FAR, Gleim’s dashboard showed me a topic-level breakdown with drill-down capability. I could see that I was scoring 82% on lease accounting but only 61% on consolidations, and click directly into a targeted quiz on my weak areas. This level of diagnostic granularity is better than what Becker offers and comparable to Surgent’s ReadySCORE.

Where Gleim frustrated me: The adaptive learning approach is awkward. Gleim starts each study unit by throwing MCQs at you before you’ve read the material, trying to assess what you already know. The problem is that getting a question wrong doesn’t mean you don’t understand the concept. You might just not know the specific rule yet. This approach works for candidates with strong accounting backgrounds who already know 60-70% of the material. For first-time candidates starting from scratch, it feels like being tested before you’ve been taught.

The lack of a mobile app is a real limitation in 2026. I couldn’t include Gleim in my mobile-only testing phase because there’s no app to test. Their browser works on mobile, but the experience is clunky. The textbook doesn’t reflow well, and navigating between questions and content requires too many taps.

Gleim CPA Review is close to the mark but still lags behind in a few key areas, which is why we rank Gleim CPA Review #4 on our list.

What To Expect With Gleim CPA Review

Gleim CPA Review is a smaller CPA review course which is good news in terms of support.

Their personal counselors are very hands on in terms of helping to set you up the right way with the CPA exam process. They hold your hand through nearly every step if you need them to which is great.

The platform itself takes a bit to get used too. Gleim tries to use an adaptive learning system to assess your existing understanding of topics by having you answer multiple choice questions first.

The problem I have with this system is that answering multiple choice doesn’t truly assess your understanding since they don’t test your higher order learning skills.

Once you dive into the content that Gleim provides, it is very top notch. Their textbook is detailed and full of examples to work through. They also have decent video lectures that, while not as engaging as other courses, gets the job done.

Gleim CPA Review does lack a mobile app which makes it a bit difficult to study on the go.

Is Gleim CPA Review Any Good?

Absolutely, we have many success stories of our students who only use Gleim CPA Review.

They provide you with more than enough multiple-choice and task-based simulations that you can be assured that you will cover any possible topic that could be tested on the CPA exam.

Mentorship platforms such as Kesler CPA Mentorship have also cracked the code to studying smarter with Gleim CPA Review and overcoming the inherent weaknesses of this adaptive learning platform.

When you combine mentorship and Gleim, you can get you great results with the platform!

How Does Gleim CPA Review Compare To Other CPA Exam Prep Courses?

Gleim CPA vs Kesler CPA Review: Gleim CPA Review and Kesler CPA Review approach teaching the CPA exam very differently. Gleim focuses on quantity of questions and Kesler focuses the right questions and in-depth explanations.

Gleim CPA Review vs UWorld CPA Review: Gleim CPA Review is difficult to compare to UWorld CPA Review just because they are so different. UWorld CPA Review has Gleim beat in terms of studying on the go, more engaging lectures and easier to use learning platform but Gleim has UWorld CPA Review beat in terms of quantity of questions.

Becker CPA Review vs Gleim CPA: Gleim and Becker CPA have been rivals for decades and are ultimately the first two CPA review courses still standing. Becker CPA is more popular than Gleim by a long shot, but those who prefer to self-study and don’t need live classes will prefer Gleim to Becker.

Does Gleim CPA Review Offer Any Discounts And Promos?

Gleim CPA Review is always running a discount that takes up to 20%+ off their list price. Use the link below to save before buying.

What’s The Expert Recommendation:

If you need a personal counselor for the CPA exam then Gleim CPA Review is right for you. They will give you more CPA questions you will know what to do with and a textbook and video lectures that will cover all your AICPA blueprint bases.

Overview and CPA Exam Guide Ranking

Surgent CPA Review has built its reputation on one promise: get you exam-ready faster than any other course. Their A.S.A.P. (Adaptive Study and Practice) technology is the most advanced adaptive learning engine in the CPA prep space, and their ReadySCORE metric predicts your actual CPA exam score within 4 points of accuracy.

With an 88% pass rate for students who reach a ReadySCORE of 75+, a test bank of 9,000+ MCQs and 500+ TBSs, and unlimited access until you pass on every tier, Surgent delivers serious value starting at just $999 for the Essentials Pass.

My Hands-On Testing (18 hours logged): I purchased the Premier Pass and studied FAR (lease accounting, governmental accounting) and AUD (audit sampling, internal controls) over 2.5 weeks. Here is what I found:

The A.S.A.P. engine is the real deal. After completing Surgent’s initial diagnostic assessment (about 90 minutes of MCQs across FAR topics), the system identified that I was already strong in revenue recognition but weak in governmental accounting and consolidations. Within 30 minutes, it had built a study plan that skipped content I already knew and sent me straight into my weak areas. No other course I tested did this as aggressively or accurately.

I tracked my ReadySCORE progression over 18 hours of FAR study. It started at 61, climbed to 68 after the first week, and landed at 74 by the end of my testing window. The score moved in real time as I answered questions, and the trajectory felt honest. When I deliberately bombed a set of governmental accounting questions, the ReadySCORE dropped by 3 points within that same session and immediately queued up remediation content. That responsiveness is something I didn’t see in Becker’s Adapt2U or Gleim’s adaptive system.

Where Surgent frustrated me: The video lectures feel like an afterthought. I watched Surgent’s lease accounting lectures back-to-back with UWorld’s and Becker’s coverage of the same topic. UWorld’s instructors made ASC 842 feel intuitive with visual walkthroughs. Becker’s SkillMaster videos broke down each journal entry step by step. Surgent’s lecture was competent but flat. The instructor read through slides without much energy, and the production quality (lighting, graphics, pacing) lagged noticeably behind UWorld and Becker. If you learn primarily through video, Surgent will disappoint you.

The other limitation is content depth on niche topics. When I studied governmental accounting, Surgent’s adaptive engine correctly identified it as a weak area and served me targeted MCQs. But when I wanted to read deeper into fund accounting concepts before answering more questions, Surgent’s textbook coverage was thinner than Gleim’s or Becker’s. The course is built around the test bank, not the textbook. If you need to learn a concept from scratch, you may need to supplement Surgent’s written materials.

After testing the platform extensively and tracking results from our mentees, Surgent CPA Review has earned our #3 ranking for its combination of cutting-edge adaptive technology, strong pass rates, and competitive pricing.

What To Expect With Surgent CPA Review

Surgent takes a fundamentally different approach from traditional CPA review courses. Instead of making you study everything from scratch, Surgent's A.S.A.P. technology gives you a diagnostic assessment, identifies what you already know, and builds a personalized study plan that focuses your time exclusively on weak areas.

This is why Surgent claims an average of just 58 hours to reach exam-ready status per section, compared to the 300-400+ hours that traditional courses recommend. For working professionals with limited study time, this efficiency can be a game-changer.

The ReadySCORE dashboard is the standout feature. It gives you a real-time prediction of what you would score on the actual CPA exam right now. When your ReadySCORE hits 75+, Surgent tells you that you are ready to sit. This takes the guesswork out of exam timing and gives you confidence going in.

Surgent offers three tiers: Essentials Pass ($999), Premier Pass ($1,599), and Ultimate Pass ($1,999). All tiers include unlimited access until you pass. The Premier and Ultimate tiers add features like virtual 1-on-1 tutoring, success coaching, and the CPArescue program for retakers.

Is Surgent CPA Review Any Good?

For candidates who are self-motivated and learn well through practice questions rather than long video lectures, Surgent is excellent. The adaptive technology genuinely works, as candidates consistently report that the ReadySCORE prediction matches their actual exam results closely.

Where Surgent may fall short is for candidates who prefer engaging, instructor-led lectures. While Surgent has 700+ video lessons, the production quality and engagement level don't match UWorld CPA Review or Becker. Surgent is built around the test bank, not the classroom.

Surgent also stands out for retakers. Their CPArescue program provides dedicated coaching for candidates who have previously failed, helping them identify what went wrong and build a new study plan. With a ~50% national pass rate, this addresses a massive unmet need in the market.

How Does Surgent CPA Review Compare To Other CPA Exam Prep Courses?

Surgent vs Becker CPA Review: Becker's Pro package ($3,845) and Surgent's Premier Pass ($1,599) target similar candidates but take different approaches. Becker relies on brand recognition, comprehensive lectures, and the Newt AI assistant. Surgent relies on adaptive technology and efficiency. Surgent gets you exam-ready faster; Becker gives you more hand-holding through the content. Both claim high pass rates (94% vs 88%) under specific conditions.

Surgent vs Gleim CPA Review: Both are test-bank-heavy courses that emphasize practice over lectures. Gleim has more raw question volume (10,000+ MCQs vs 9,000+) and more TBSs (1,300+ vs 500+). Surgent's advantage is the adaptive A.S.A.P. technology and ReadySCORE prediction. If you want the largest question bank, go Gleim. If you want AI-driven efficiency, go Surgent.

Surgent vs Kesler CPA Review: Kesler CPA Review ($97/month) focuses on mentorship, gamification, and teaching you HOW to study. Surgent ($999+) focuses on adaptive AI that tells you WHAT to study. Many candidates combine both: Surgent for the adaptive test bank and Kesler for the mentorship, accountability, and study methodology.

Does Surgent CPA Review Offer Any Discounts And Promos?

Surgent CPA Review regularly offers discount promotions that can save you significantly off their list price. They also offer 0% APR financing through Affirm with 3, 6, or 12-month payment plans.

What's The Expert Recommendation:

If you are a working professional who needs to pass fast, or a retaker who needs a fresh approach, Surgent CPA Review is built for you. The A.S.A.P. adaptive technology and ReadySCORE prediction take the guesswork out of studying. Starting at $999 with unlimited access, it delivers strong value. Pair it with Kesler CPA Review for mentorship and you have a powerful combination.

Overview and CPA Exam Guide Ranking

Universal CPA Review was founded in 2017 and is the newest player in the CPA Review Course space and they have some very innovative approaches to teaching the AICPA blueprints to CPA candidates.

They understand that no one wants to read blocks of text and that the best way to learn is by visualizations and flow charts that break down the complex to make them easy to understand.

Our students have been seeing a boost in their scores after using this course in conjunction with their primary course but until we receive more feedback on candidates who have only used Universal CPA Review to pass and until they add some missing functionality to their platform, we will be keeping them ranked #7.

What To Expect With Universal CPA Review

If you enroll in Universal CPA Review, you can expect to interact directly with Joey and Matt, the co-founders of Universal CPA Review.

Both in their 30s and with industry experience, they saw deficiencies in the ways that CPA review courses have traditionally taught which is why they focus all their time on building visual guides for you to follow as you learn their material.

You will quickly see this not only in their textbook but their complete video lectures and test bank which has a video explanation for each question.

Is Universal CPA Review Any Good?

Yes, we have observed our mentees seeing a boost in their scores when they use Universal CPA Review, especially when they combine their platform with Kesler CPA Mentorship and follow the Study Loop and Study Funnel methodologies.

The real value that we have heard from our students is that Universal CPA Review has done a better job at breaking down complex concepts and making it more simple to grasp.

How Does Universal CPA Review Compare To Other CPA Review Courses?

Universal CPA vs UWorld CPA Review: Both courses focus on teaching with visual guides instead of massive blocks of text. UWorld CPA Review has been around longer, has more CPA exam questions, a more complete learning platform, SmartPath predictive technology, flashcards, and advanced question analytics.

Universal CPA Review vs UWorld CPA Review: Both of these courses are focused on teaching with the assistance of visual guides instead of massive blocks of text. UWorld CPA Review has been around longer than Universal CPA Review, has more CPA exam questions, and has a more complete learning platform in terms of functionality, flashcards, and question analytics.

Becker CPA Review vs Universal CPA Review: Many of my students are using Universal CPA Review in conjunction with Becker CPA Review. Universal does a great job of teaching the complex topics that Becker just glosses over or assumes you already know. Universal also has a video explanation for each multiple-choice question which can help you solidify the concepts faster than with Becker’s written explanations.

Does Universal CPA Review Offer Any Discounts And Promos?

Universal CPA Review offers weekly and monthly discounts that typically save you $1,000+ off their list price.

What’s The Expert Recommendation:

Universal CPA Review is well on its way to becoming a contender in the CPA review course space. Once they add a mobile app, question analytics, flashcards, and mock exams to their platform it will be a much more attractive course for the price. Until then it will be a great supplement to your current course if you are struggling to grasp the concepts.

How To Pick The Right CPA Review Course For You In 5 Steps

Now that you are fairly familiar with the most popular players in the industry, the next step is to understand how to pick the right course for your situation.

These are the five rules for picking a CPA Review Course:

1) Always sign up for the free trial and do real studying before buying.
2) Never believe the marketing hype or fancy tech promises.
3) Take a CPA Exam study personality quiz to identify what study tools you need to succeed.
4) Just because your firm gives you a CPA course for free doesn’t mean it’s the right course for you.
5) Find a course with a built-in CPA Exam Support System.

What’s The Expert Recommendation:

Every CPA candidate has a different learning style, budget, and situation. Use the five rules above, take the free trials, and find a course with both great content and the support system you need. Our top picks are Kesler CPA Review for mentorship and value, Becker for Big 4 candidates, and Surgent for adaptive AI-driven studying.

Which CPA review course has the best price and financing?

Kesler CPA Review offers the best value at $97/month. For full CPA review courses, Surgent starts at $999 with 0% financing through Affirm. Becker offers FlexPay at 0% interest from $129/month over 6, 12, or 24 months. UWorld CPA Review and Gleim also offer financing options.

Most major CPA review courses now offer 0% financing, making the upfront cost more manageable. Compare the monthly payment options below:

Here are other popular discounts and financing plans:

Best CPA Review Course Financing And Promo Offers - Comparison

What’s The Expert Recommendation:

For the best combination of price and value, Kesler CPA Review at $97/month gives you a complete course with mentorship. For a full-service course with financing, Surgent ($999+) and Becker (from $129/month with FlexPay) are the strongest options.

Which CPA Review Course has the best textbook?

Your textbook is going to be a crucial piece of your study routine. It’s the source material that you need to use to understand WHY a specific question is right or wrong.

So who has the best CPA exam textbook in the industry?

Best CPA Review Textbook - Comparison

What’s The Expert Recommendation:

UWorld CPA Review and Becker CPA Review have some of the most in-depth and example-heavy textbooks currently available. They focus on covering all of the areas and topics included in the AICPA blueprints.

Becker and Gleim are also worth comparing their content. The issue with Becker is that their digital textbook is pretty locked down and not as easy to take digital notes on.

Which CPA Review Course has the best video lectures?

Defining the best video lectures across all the major CPA review courses comes down to personal taste.

UWorld CPA Review has the most engaging and energetic video lectures that make the most tedious accounting topics interesting.

Becker CPA focuses on longer-form lectures and walking thru the textbook page by page, highlight by highlight.

What’s The Expert Recommendation:

Out of these three UWorld CPA Review has our vote for best video lectures in terms of engagement, content and length of each video lecture.

Which CPA Review Course has the best CPA Exam multiple choice?

The number of multiple-choice is not necessarily the most important factor to consider. When rating the quality of multiple-choice you need to look at the explanation itself and assess their philosophy on explaining the WHY behind each answer.

Does it explain WHY the question is right? Does it explain why the other options are wrong? Does it provide links to the source material for you to research further? Does it make it easy to mark questions for later review and make notes on each question?

Best CPA Exam Multiple Choice Questions - Comparison

What’s The Expert Recommendation:

When taking all of these factors into consideration, we found that UWorld CPA Review and Kesler CPA Review hit all of these boxes and had the best explanations overall.

Becker CPA Review and Gleim came in a close third.

Which CPA Review Course has the best Task-Based Simulations?

Task-Based Simulations now make up 50% of your score on the CPA Exam so finding a CPA review course that will prepare you for anything is crucial to your success. When you truly understand the AICPA blueprints it doesn’t matter what TBS you get on the real exam, you will be able to master it.

With that being said, which CPA review course is going to best prepare you for the complex Task-Based Simulation CPA exam questions?

Best CPA Exam Task-Based Simulation Questions - Comparison

What’s The Expert Recommendation:

In our research, we found that Gleim CPA Review and Becker CPA Review have the most TBS.

Becker CPA Review also include video explanations for most of their TBS to further explain in-depth the right way to answer each of their TBS.

Which CPA Review Course Has The Best User Support?

User Support that is fast and accurate is crucial when you are in a crunch.

The bigger courses like UWorld CPA Review and Becker CPA struggle with providing fast support but excel on the accuracy.

Smaller courses such as Gleim and Universal CPA give you closer access to instructors and personal counselors.

Depending how much hand holding you need, here is our ranking for best user support across the major CPA courses.

Best CPA Review Course Customer Support - Comparison

What’s The Expert Recommendation:

While support is important, most CPA prep courses do a great job of teaching the material to you without any issues. While we do recommend that you otusource anything you are spinning your wheels on trying to understand, as long as your course has email support you should be good to go.

Which CPA Review Course has the best mobile app?

Having a CPA review course mobile app is crucial if you are an accountant on the go.

The CPA review courses with dedicated mobile apps are Kesler CPA, Becker CPA, and UWorld CPA Review.

Becker CPA and UWorld CPA Review have full course functionality built into their apps. Kesler CPA Review also offers full iOS and Android apps that sync with the desktop platform.

Best Mobile App For CPA Exam - Comparison

What’s The Expert Recommendation:

After testing the available mobile app for CPA Test Prep, we found that the UWorld CPA Review mobile app works best for studying on the go.

Which CPA Review Course has the best study planner?

Having a functional study planner is key as life inevitably gets in the way of studying. You want a study planner that will automatically update based on your situation and can adapt in real time.

Best CPA Review Course Study Planner - Comparison

What’s The Expert Recommendation:

CPA prep courses like Kesler CPA, Becker, and Surgent are by far the best in the industry. They are date based and dynamically update based on your progress.

Surprisingly, UWorld CPA Review only gives you a spreadsheet based planner that you have to update manually which makes it the least useful in the industry in terms of study planning.

Which CPA Review Course has the best flashcards?

Flashcards are an essential learning tool for CPA candidates. It’s a great way to quickly review concepts and identify areas you are struggling to understand.

So who has the best CPA exam flashcard system?

Best CPA Exam Flashcard Deck - Comparison

What’s The Expert Recommendation:

Kesler CPA Review & UWorld CPA Review have by far the most advanced flashcard system that includes pre-built decks and built-in spaced repetition technology to ensure that flashcards you had mastered last week stay mastered until you sit.

They also have a flashcard builder that you can use to create flashcards based off nearly any content you want inside the course.

Becker CPA and Gleim have flashcards but don’t have as good of organization capability or the ability to make your own decks.

Kesler CPA Review & UWorld CPA Review clearly has the best flashcard organization and setup of all the available CPA Review Courses.

Which CPA Review Course has the best Cram Course?

A CPA Exam Cram Course is perfect for nailing the key AICPA blueprints you need to know in the final days before your exam.

Typically a Cram Course will include targeted video lectures summarizing exactly what you need to know and related questions.

So who has the best CPA exam cram course?

Best CPA Review Cram Course - Comparison

What’s The Expert Recommendation:

Kesler CPA Review is the clear winner here with it's built in mentorship, test bank of questions you've never seen before and access to 1-on-1 tutoring for last minute help.

Disclaimer: Discontinued CPA Review Courses

Yaeger CPA Review has permanently closed and is no longer accepting new students or providing course access. If you were a Yaeger user, we recommend switching to Surgent CPA Review for a similar adaptive study approach, or Kesler CPA Review for an affordable mentorship-based course.

Fast Forward Academy has also discontinued its CPA exam prep program and is no longer available. Former Fast Forward Academy users should consider Gleim CPA Review for a similar comprehensive test bank approach, or explore any of the courses reviewed above.

We keep these courses listed on this page for historical reference and to help candidates who may still be searching for them. All recommendations above reflect currently active, fully operational CPA review courses only.