Top 8 Best CPA Prep Courses and Study Materials [2026]

Imagine spending hundreds of hours studying for an exam and failing. It sounds like a nightmare, but it’s a reality for CPA candidates. In fact, experts estimate that a mere 20% of candidates pass every section on their first try.

Luckily, there is a cheat code for exam-day success: finding the best CPA prep course for you.

I spent dozens of hours working through these popular courses. In this guide, I’ll share my top picks for the best CPA review courses and outline their features, pricing, payment plans, guarantees, study materials, mock exams, and so much more.

Best CPA Review Course Comparison

CPA ONLINE COURSES	Editor’s Choice Save $1,350	Save $1,250	Save $1,800	Save $629	No Discounts
Practice Questions	8,800+ MCQs, 500+ TBS	10,000+ MCQs, 1,300+ TBS	9,000+ MCQs, 500+ TBS	9,000+ MCQs, 500+ TBS	700+ per section
Video Lessons	900+ hours	100 hours	1,400 lessons	700+ lectures	Varies
Flashcards
Final Review Course
Money Back Guarantee
Mobile App
Live Online Classes
Support	Phone, Email, Live Chat, Personal Counselor	Phone, Email, Personal Counselor	Phone, Email, Live Chat	Email, Live Chat, Personal Coach (Ultimate)	Email, Phone
Financing Options
Discounts
Pricing	$2,499 – $6,349	$999 – $3,499	$3,499 – $4,099	$2,499 – $3,799	$250 – $999
Get Started	REVIEW	REVIEW	REVIEW	REVIEW	REVIEW

Which CPA Exam Prep Course Is Right for You?

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• Becker – Best for structure, live coaching, and guaranteed results
• Gleim – Best for learners who need lots of practice
• UWorld – Best for visual learners who want great video lectures
• Surgent – Best for time-crunched professionals
• Lambers – Best for budget or supplemental studying

Best CPA Exam Prep Courses

1. Becker CPA Review – Best CPA Prep Course Overall

Becker CPA Review is one of the most well-established names in CPA exam prep and is known for its comprehensive resources. Whether you’re a visual learner who thrives on video content or someone who prefers live instruction, Becker has something for you.

With features like one-on-one coaching and in-person classes, realistic practice tests, flashcards, task-based simulations, and more, it’s especially helpful for students who need more structure and personalized support.

Becker boasts a high pass rate of 94%, which is significantly higher than the national average pass rate of around 50%. This suggests that Becker’s resources, particularly their task-based simulations and coaching sessions, provide an edge in preparing for the CPA exam.

Let’s dive a little deeper into their course offerings and features.

Course Features

Becker CPA’s course offerings are formatted on a tiered subscription model with four options:

• Concierge: Unlimited access to 900+ videos, 8,000+ MCQs, 500+ TBS, printed textbooks, live and in-person courses, 25 coaching sessions, and a money-back guarantee. Plus, you get a License Navigator to help with licensure and a year of CPE courses post-exam.
• Pro+: Everything in Pro plus the Financial Accounting Foundations course.
• Pro: Offers the same unlimited access, 900+ videos, 8,000+ MCQs, and 500+ TBS.
• Premium: Provides unlimited access to 8,000+ MCQs and 400 TBS. Printed textbooks are included, but no coaching or live classes.
• Advantage: Offers the same content as Premium, but offers a 24-month access period and lacks printed textbooks. Still, this is a great lower-priced option for fundamental study tools and materials.

AI Exam Review Chatbot

Newt™ stood out because it made Becker feel more responsive while I studied. If I got stuck on a concept, I didn’t have to leave the platform, search through outside resources, or wait until later to get clarity. I could ask a question from the material I was already reviewing and keep moving without losing the thread of the lesson.

Simulated Exams

Their practice exams for each CPA section have a great user experience that lets you get through each question without any delays or glitches. You can easily bring up a spreadsheet or calculator within the practice exam and move them around to see the question.

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Pros

✅ A Reputation of Success: 60+ years in CPA prep; materials kept current with exam changes.
✅ Try Before You Buy: Interested students can get a free trial with access to video lectures and practice tools.
✅ Lots of Ways to Learn: In-person tutoring, live online courses, textbooks, digital flashcards, 1:1 coaching, on-demand videos, and more.
✅ Stupendous Support: Up to 25 1-on-1 tutoring sessions and up to 25 success coaching sessions.
✅ Pass or Don’t Pay: Full and partial money-back pass guarantees available in Concierge, Pro+, and Pro.

Cons

❌ Limited Access Timeframe: 60-month access countdown; requesting a 12-month extension requires emailing support.

2. Gleim CPA Review – Best CPA Exam Simulation

Gleim CPA Review closely simulates the real exam environment, giving you a feel for the test before you sit for the actual CPA exam. This helps reduce exam-day anxiety and builds confidence, especially when tackling task-based simulations.

That means you’ll be prepared when it’s your turn to take the CPA exam. It will feel just like another Gleim CPA practice test.

Courses

Gleim CPA review offers four-course packages:

• Premium Pro
• Premium
• Traditional
• Mega Bank

Although I will talk a little about each course, Premium Pro is the best fit for the student who wants as much content and as many study tools as possible. It includes access to the following:

Premium Pro Course Features

• Unlimited Access: No time limits on materials.
• Video Hours: 100+ hours of video content.
• MCQs: Over 12,000 MCQs.
• TBS: 1,600+ task-based simulations (the only package with this feature).
• Mock Exams: 8 full-length practice exams.
• Private Study Group: Access to an exclusive group for peer support.
• Printed Textbooks & Flashcards: Both included, plus a money-back guarantee.

Gleim’s Premium package, while less comprehensive, is still a solid CPA course. You’ll still enjoy over 100 hours of video lectures, unlimited access, and access to their extensive practice questions and two mock exams. The main difference between Premium and Premium Pro is the inclusion of TBS’s money-back guarantee and flashcards.

The Traditional package takes a more straightforward approach to CPA exam prep. Once purchased, you’ll have 18 months of access to the extensive question bank, audio courses, one mock exam, and printed textbooks.

Gleim’s Mega Bank subscription is their most basic offering and only includes access to MCQs and printed textbooks. However, their question bank is one of the most extensive and accurate in the industry. That alone may not be enough to help you pass on the first try. That said, it’s still a tool you can take advantage of if the other options aren’t suitable for your budget.

Study Planner Tools

Gleim also has a study planner where you can set up the days of the week you want to study and get a customized plan. They use the same quiz software as Becker and Surgent, along with similar features such as a spreadsheet, calculator, and bookmarking questions.

However, sometimes, there is a slight loading delay when moving along the process and picking the course topics you want to study.

Other study tools include digital books, interactive flashcards with smooth transitions, additional PDF resources, an expansive test bank with practice exams, study sessions that give real-time feedback, and performance stats to track your reports and sessions.

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Pros

✅ Full of Tech Features: SmartAdapt™ builds individualized study plans with in-depth analytics.
✅ Unmatched Support: Personal counselor team; you can choose their level of involvement via the planner.
✅ Comprehensive Video Lectures: Dive deep into CPA Exam Blueprints for exam-day confidence.
✅ Top of the Line Mock Exams: Thousands of MCQs and strong mocks that mirror the real exam.

Cons

❌ Overwhelming QBank: While this is a major selling point for some, it can definitely feel like overkill for others.
❌ Fewer Lectures: Gleim has a decent amount of lectures, but is trumped by Becker’s estimated 200+ hours and UWorld’s estimated 500+ hours of video content.

3. UWorld CPA Review – Best for Engaging Lectures

Following the full integration of Wiley and the introduction of the CPA Evolution exam format, UWorld CPA Review now offers a massive database of over 9,000 MCQs and 500+ task-based simulations in a unified, high-tech interface. The Elite Unlimited+ plan remains the flagship offering, providing lifetime access (until you pass), printed textbooks, digital flashcards with spaced-repetition technology, and a money-back pass guarantee.

What was once a transition period has evolved into a highly integrated system. UWorld’s SmartPath™ Predictive Technology now maps these vast resources directly to the AICPA Blueprints, creating a cohesive and data-driven study path that tells you exactly when you are “exam-ready.”

Course Features

All full-course packages now include over 1,400 video lessons featuring an industry-leading instructor duo: the high-energy Roger Philipp and the legendary Peter Olinto.

• Elite Unlimited+: Lifetime access, 9,000+ MCQs, 500+ TBSs, printed textbooks, digital flashcards, and a money-back pass guarantee ($250 per section).
• Elite Unlimited: Lifetime access, same extensive QBank and video library, includes printed textbooks and flashcards, but excludes the money-back guarantee.
• Premier: 18-month access to all 9,000+ MCQs and 1,400+ videos; does not include printed materials or the pass guarantee.
• Single Section: Targeted coverage for one specific exam section (Core or Discipline) with full access to that section’s specific tools.

Pros

✅ The “Dream Team” of Instruction: With both Roger Philipp and Peter Olinto, students get the perfect balance of engaging mnemonics and deep-dive technical expertise.
✅ Massive, High-Quality QBank: Boasting 9,000+ MCQs, UWorld now offers one of the largest practice banks in the industry, featuring their signature “Active Learning” visual explanations for every question.
✅ SmartPath™ Predictive Technology: This data-driven tool takes the guesswork out of studying by comparing your progress against successful candidates, ensuring you only move on when you’ve mastered a topic.
✅ Superior Visual Learning: Unlike text-heavy competitors, UWorld utilizes vivid charts, diagrams, and flowcards that make complex accounting standards much easier to visualize and retain.

Cons

❌ Overwhelming Volume: With over 500 total hours of video and 9,000 questions, students on a very tight timeline may find the sheer amount of material difficult to finish without a strict schedule.
❌ Premium Pricing: While high-value, the Elite tiers represent a significant financial investment compared to “budget” question-only banks.

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4. Surgent CPA Review – Best for Adaptive Tech & Efficiency

Surgent CPA Review stands out for its use of technology to streamline your study process. Their A.S.A.P.® Technology helps adapt your study plan based on your strengths and weaknesses, while the ReadySCORE™ Indicator gives you an estimate of how prepared you are for the actual exam.

Surgent has an 88% pass rate among users, which is a testament to the effectiveness of their course materials. Plus, they offer a pass guarantee, which ensures you can get your money back if you don’t pass on your first attempt.

Let’s take a closer look.

Course Features

• Ultimate Pass: This top-tier package offers unlimited access to all course materials, including over 700 bite-sized video lectures, 9,000+ MCQs with a 1,000-question bonus bank, 500+ task-based simulations (TBSs), printed textbooks, flashcards, one-on-one coaching, and a pass guarantee.
• Premier Pass: Includes the same comprehensive materials—700+ video lectures, 9,000+ MCQs, and 500+ TBSs—but skips the bonus question bank and lacks one-on-one coaching. However, you still get unlimited course access until you pass.
• Essentials Pass: Offers 30 months of access to a slightly lower number of resources, like 350 mini video lectures, 8,800+ MCQs, and 450+ TBSs.
• Single Course: Ideal for those needing to focus on just one particular section of the CPA exam.

Personalized Study Sessions

When you get started, you’ll be able to choose your study style, competitiveness level, what days of the week you want to study, and when your exam day is so Surgent can create a custom study schedule based on your needs.

Before starting a study session, you can select the number of questions, enable test bank mode, and select questions to be adaptive, questions you haven’t seen yet, or ones that you get wrong.

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Verified

Pros

✅ Ridiculously Easy to Absorb: Bite-sized segments suit busy schedules and help you stay on task.
✅ Reduced Study Time: Adaptive model can cut total study hours by up to 50%.
✅ Innovative Technology: A.S.A.P.® personalization + ReadySCORE™ for real-time readiness visibility.
✅ Comprehensive Course Materials: Coverage across all three Discipline sections (useful if undecided).

Cons

❌ Inconsistent Support: Faster responses for Ultimate Pass; Premier/Essentials may wait several days.

5. Lambers CPA Review – Best for Simplicity & Budget

Lambers CPA Review has been helping candidates since 1966 and focuses on a classic, no-frills approach. Their Advanced Test Prep bundle includes 700+ video lectures and 1,500+ practice questions per section. What sets Lambers apart is their three-mode testing approach—Pre-Test, Adaptive, and Simulated—which adapts your study path based on how you perform.

While the platform feels a bit dated, it can be a solid resource for repeat test-takers or students who want to reinforce weak areas with extra practice and explanation videos. It also includes one-on-one tutoring and a pass guarantee, rare for a course at its price.

Courses

Lambers has two options to choose from:

• Lambers Advanced Test Prep
• Single Course
• Total Number of Questions: 1500+ per section
• Explanation Videos: 700+ per section

With Lambers Advanced Test Prep, you’ll have all the essentials, such as video lectures, digital flashcards, printed textbooks, and, of course, MCQs and TBSs. You can also take advantage of one-on-one coaching and a pass guarantee to protect your investment.

As the name suggests, Lamber’s Single Course subscription level gives you the resources you need to pass a single exam section of your choice.

Pros

✅ A Reputation for Success: In the CPA space since 1966; successfully transitioned to online delivery.
✅ Three-Mode Testing Approach: Pre-Test → Adaptive → Simulated to tailor, target, and rehearse.
✅ Targeted Test Prep: Focus on the basics works well as a complementary tool.

Cons

❌ Outdated Digital Design: Slow-loading/glitchy in spots; can be frustrating.
❌ Limited Content: Less exhaustive than other courses; breadth may be lacking.

6. NINJA CPA – Best Supplemental CPA Prep Course

NINJA CPA Review offers a flexible monthly subscription that includes full access to study notes, audio lectures, MCQs, and simulations. Its “pay-as-you-go” model makes it perfect for candidates on a tight budget or those who need a second resource to reinforce concepts.

While it’s not designed to be your primary course, NINJA has a cult following on Reddit, with many praising its digestible content and Jeff Elliott’s straightforward study strategy. If you’re already using Becker, Gleim, or Surgent, NINJA is a solid add-on to round out your prep.

Compare NINJA to Becker and see if it could supplement your studying.

Course Features

• Monthly Subscription: Provides full access to NINJA’s study tools, including multiple-choice questions, simulations, notes, audio, and more. The flexibility of this plan allows candidates to customize their study schedule without being locked into a longer program.

Pros

✅ Affordable Supplement: Low monthly price for extra materials to boost a main plan.
✅ Popular Among Students: Frequently praised as a helpful add-on (notes/practice).

Cons

❌ Not a Standalone Course: Lacks the depth/structure for comprehensive prep.
❌ Potentially Expensive Over Time: Monthly fees add up if prep drags on.
❌ Limited Pass Record: Fewer passes versus major providers when used alone.
❌ Weak Video Content: Videos aren’t as comprehensive or polished as top courses.

7. Kesler CPA Review – Best for Accountability Coaching

Kesler CPA Review takes a different approach from the typical self-paced CPA study program. Instead of just handing you practice questions and videos, Kesler emphasizes accountability and mentorship through a structured 7-module video course paired with weekly email coaching.

The course is designed to help students stay on track and avoid burnout—particularly useful for repeat test takers or busy professionals who need that extra push. While it doesn’t offer thousands of multiple-choice questions or adaptive learning tech like Surgent or Gleim, Kesler’s core strength lies in providing step-by-step study guidance, a private coaching group, and motivational support from real instructors.

If traditional review courses have overwhelmed or discouraged you, Kesler’s simplified framework and ongoing check-ins might help you reset and rebuild momentum.

Course Features

• Monthly price: This membership provides instant access to all resources, including mentorship, CPA practice questions, a mobile app for studying on the go, and personalized study planners. You can cancel anytime, making it a flexible, budget-friendly option.
• Lifetime membership: This one-time payment unlocks lifetime access to all the same materials, so you can study at your own pace without worrying about recurring fees.

Pros

✅ Alternative Study Approach: Different format may appeal to those tired of traditional methods.
✅ Built-In Accountability: Weekly email mentorship and coaching-style structure.

Cons

❌ Insufficient as a Primary Course: Doesn’t provide the comprehensive resources many need.
❌ Subscription Costs Can Add Up: Can exceed one-time courses over time.
❌ Unverified Success Rates: Limited evidence and testimonials.
❌ Incomplete Coverage: Minimal resources may leave knowledge gaps.

8: AICPA CPA Exam Resources – Best Free Simple Tools

The AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants) is the organization that actually writes the difficult CPA exam, so it’s no surprise that they offer a few prep tools of their own. While it’s not a full-blown CPA review course like Becker, Gleim, or Surgent, the AICPA’s official resources are free and serve as a solid starting point if you’re looking to get your feet wet before committing to a paid program.

These materials include sample tests, blueprints, exam structure guides, and user tutorials—all updated to reflect the latest CPA Evolution changes. If you’re overwhelmed by your course options, this is a low-pressure way to explore the exam layout, understand content weighting, and try a few sample questions.

Course Features

• CPA Exam Blueprints: Updated quarterly, these outline exactly what content is tested and at what skill level for each section.
• Sample Tests: The AICPA provides a full-length digital sample test for each exam section, including multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and task-based simulations (TBSs).
• Tutorials & FAQs: Walkthroughs for navigating the exam interface, using the on-screen tools (like the spreadsheet and calculator), and understanding scoring.
• CPA Evolution Guidance: Materials reflect the 2024 exam redesign and include Discipline section overviews, ideal for candidates unsure of which path to take.

Pros

✅ Created by the Exam Writers & Up-to-Date: Directly aligned with current content and format.
✅ Totally Free & Great for Early Prep: Zero cost, easy way to preview the exam.

Cons

❌ Not a Real Study Program: No lectures, schedules, or instructor guidance.
❌ No Progress Tracking or Analytics: Lacks adaptive tools and planners.
❌ Very Limited Practice: Only small sample tests—no full timed exams or large banks.
❌ No Support or Community: No tutors, instructors, or discussion forums.

How I Ranked the Best CPA Prep Courses

I’ve spent years in the CPA trenches—first as a candidate, then as someone who professionally reviews prep courses. I didn’t just skim the sales pages. I logged into each of these platforms, poked around the dashboards, sampled the questions and videos, and got a feel for what it’s actually like to study with them.

Some courses I used personally during my own CPA journey towards a very lucrative career. Others I tested through demos, free trials, or review access so I could break down exactly what works—and what doesn’t—for today’s candidates.

Here’s what I focused on while evaluating each one:

The weighting focused most on curriculum quality and practice realism, since those determine how ready a student actually feels on exam day. Courses with modern adaptive technology and well-designed platforms earned high marks for efficiency and usability, while instructor quality and support separated the good programs from the great ones.

This blend naturally placed Becker, Gleim, and Surgent at the top—each combines expert instruction with strong tech and clear structure. Lambers and NINJA scored high for affordability and simplicity, and Kesler earned recognition for its accountability-driven model. Every ranking reflects how the courses performed in action—not just what they promise on paper.

Final Verdict

Choosing the right CPA review course is crucial for success. If you need structured guidance with live instruction and personalized coaching, Becker is an excellent option. Surgent stands out for those looking for adaptive technology that optimizes study time. Gleim offers an affordable, test-simulation-focused approach, while NINJA is a great supplement for those using other primary courses. Ultimately, consider your learning style, budget, and the level of support you need to find the course that best fits your path to passing the CPA exam.

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