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Gleim EA Review: The Pros, Cons, and Final Verdict

Updated January 20, 2026

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Did you know that emotions affect our ability to learn?

It’s true, and according to research, the worst emotional states for the learning process are stress, anxiety, fear, and shame. Confidently investing in a prep course with a proven track record and positive reviews can alleviate some of these feelings, help you learn more effectively, and boost your chances of passing the EA exam.

To some, Gleim EA Review is one such course. But is Gleim right for you?

In this guide, I’ll explain every need-to-know aspect of the Gleim EA prep course packages, including pricing, guarantees, practice materials, pros and cons, and a final verdict. My hope is that, by the end of this article, you’ll feel a little more confident about choosing the perfect EA review course for you.

Gleim EA Review: Pick or Pass?

  • Pick Gleim if you want the biggest test bank. With 3,500+ multiple-choice questions, Gleim offers more practice than most competitors, ensuring you’re fully prepared.
  • Pick Gleim if you want unlimited practice exams. Gleim lets you take as many exams as you need, including up to six full-length mock exams that mimic the real EA test.
  • Pick Gleim if you want long-term access. The Premium EA Review System includes the Access Until You Pass® guarantee, so you never have to worry about course expiration.
  • Pick Gleim if you want engaging video lectures. Instructor Nate Wadlinger uses humor, analogies, and real-world examples to make tax concepts easier to understand.
  • Pass on Gleim if you want the cheapest option. While Gleim offers excellent value, the Gleim EA Premium Course is more expensive than some competitors, like Surgent’s Essentials Pass.
  • Pass on Gleim if you prefer easier practice questions. Some students find Gleim’s questions tougher than the actual EA exam, which can be discouraging at first.

Overview: Gleim EA Review Course

Gleim

Gleim just celebrated their 50th anniversary. In the past 50 years, they’ve cemented themselves as one of the industry’s top EA exam prep providers, reporting that “More candidates pass the Enrolled Agent exam with Gleim than any other review provider.” But wait, there’s more: Gleim is the preferred provider of the National Association of Tax Professionals.

Plus, if you purchase Gleim’s Premium EA Review System, you can receive a 100% refund if you don’t pass the EA exam on your first try. Also included with the Premium package is the Access Until You Pass® Guarantee, ensuring you can continue using your study materials until you achieve passing scores on all three parts.

The bottom line? Gleim is a provider you can trust who cares about the success of their students.

Gleim EA

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Content
Value
Support

Gleim EA Prep Course Features

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Course Content and Structure

Gleim’s EA course relies on on-demand materials such as video lectures, audio lectures, digital and printed textbooks, and SmartAdapt™ technology.

As for practice materials, you can expect over 3,500 exam-quality questions, unlimited practice exams, and up to six full-length mock exams created to mirror the format, timing, and feel of the actual EA exam. Some students say the practice questions are particularly tough, which can feel stressful as you begin your study plan. However, many see this as a positive feature, as it leads to being overprepared for exam day:

“I passed Exam 1 last month after using Gleim. The week leading up to the test I was super stressed feeling like I was not prepared. Turns out I was over prepared. […] Get through all units, follow the prompts, and you’ll be ready.”

SmartAdapt™ Technology

Gleim describes their SmartAdapt™ Technology as “Groundbreaking technology designed to help you build the confidence you need to pass the EA exam on the first try.” But what does that mean? How does it help you pass?

Gleim EA Dashboard

The technology helps identify student strengths and weaknesses, making custom recommendations and offering practice exams to help students earn extra points on exam day. Plus, it reduces study time by ensuring that you aren’t wasting precious hours researching topics you’ve already mastered.

Video and Audio Lectures

If you’re an audiovisual learner, Gleim’s virtual study library contains 30+ hours of video lectures led by Professor Nate Wadlinger, a CPA, attorney, and beloved lecturer. Get ready for entertaining, engaging videos with some humor thrown in for good measure.

Though Wadlinger himself is clearly passionate about the topic, he realizes that not every student agrees with that perception. As a result, he’s dedicated to making tax enjoyable with relatable analogies, music, and even costumes.

And, with a nearly perfect 4.8-star rating on Rate My Professors, his innovative ideas are working. His top tags include “Hilarious,” “Caring,” and “Amazing Lectures.” One student left the following review, giving a beautiful summary of their experience:

“One of the best teachers I’ve had at UCF. You can tell he really loves what he does and cares about students. Overall amazing guy and teacher. I wish I could take him again.”

If you’re looking for video and audio lectures that teach the content effectively without putting you to sleep, Gleim EA is a phenomenal choice.

Access and Support

Customers can access the Gleim EA Test Bank and Traditional EA Review System for 12 months each. Meanwhile, the Premium EA Review System features the Access Until You Pass® Guarantee.

As for support, every package entitles you to unlimited support via phone, email, and chat channels. When you level up to the Traditional EA Review package, you’ll unlock personal counselors who’ll coach you through the process. Develop an effective study schedule, set (and achieve) your goals, hold you accountable, and encourage you on your way to the finish line. Finally, the Premium EA Review course includes an open line to accounting experts ready to answer your most challenging EA exam questions and get you unstuck in your studies.

As you can probably already tell, if support and access are important to you, the Premium course has your name all over it.

Price and Value

Finally, let’s talk money.

Gleim’s courses range from $499 to $799, priced right in the middle of their two closest competitors: Becker for $499 and Surgent, ranging between $499 and $999.

However, when it comes to value, Gleim over-delivers. The Premium System’s Access Until You Pass® Guarantee and 100% money-back promise ensure students can study with confidence instead of stressing over their finances. Further, their top-notch video and audio lectures, comprehensive support, unlimited practice exams, six full-length mock exams, and best question bank on the market lead me to conclude that it’s difficult to go wrong with Gleim.

One reviewer, CPUWiz, agrees,

“I used Gleim, and it was great. I passed all my exams the first time with max scores.”

Gleim EA Discount Code

Save $349 on your enrolled agent exam prep. Gleim offers one of the most comprehensive study packages, and with our exclusive Gleim EA coupon code, you can get it at the best possible price.

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Save $349 on Gleim EA Traditional Course

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Get $250 Off Gleim EA Premium Course

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Pros

  • Premium Perks: With the Gleim Premium EA Review System, students get unlimited access, a money-back pass guarantee, video lessons, and personalized support from accounting experts.
  • Largest Test Bank: If you learn best from flexing your newfound knowledge, you’ll love Gleim’s expansive test bank, holding over 3,500 multiple-choice practice questions.
  • Adaptive Learning Platform: Want to save time when you study? Gleim’s adaptive learning tech ensures you’ll spend time strengthening your weaknesses, not reviewing your strengths.
  • Extensive Support Options: Need help? Gleim features support channels like email, phone, chat, tech support, personal coaching, and accounting experts to help you thrive.
  • Final Review: Not every EA prep course offers final review materials for a last-minute refresher of everything you’ve learned. Gleim does, and it’s a fantastic tool for finishing your studies.

Cons

  • Gleim EA Premium is the Pick: If you want to use Gleim for your EA review course, you almost have to buy the Premium course as it’s the best choice. However, that means a higher cost.
  • Tough Questions: Gleim questions can be complex and tricky, much more so than what you’ll find on the actual exam. When you start, you’ll get a lot of wrong answers, which can feel disheartening.

Bottom Line

Gleim has everything you need—and more—to pass the EA exam with flying colors on your first try.

Worried about passing on a specific schedule? The 100% money-back guarantee and Access Until You Pass® promise should calm your nerves.

Love videos, but you’re tired of stick-in-the-mud lecturers boring you to tears? Check out Gleim’s 30+ hours of compelling, entertaining video and audio lectures you’ll actually learn from.

Know that practice is one of the most important aspects of exam prep that works? Overprepare with over 3,500 multiple-choice questions, unlimited practice exams, and six full-length mock exams so the real thing will be a breeze.

The bottom line? You’ll pass with Gleim, and you’ll enjoy the journey.

FAQs

What are the top enrolled agent prep courses?

Becker is the best choice for structured learning and expert-backed content, Gleim excels with its massive test bank and in-depth coverage, and Surgent is great for adaptive learning and efficient study plans.

Is Gleim EA worth it?

Yes! Gleim EA offers 3,500+ practice questions, unlimited exams, engaging video lectures, and a money-back guarantee, making it a top choice for serious candidates.

Is Fast Forward Academy better than Gleim?

Gleim is the better option for most candidates, as it has more practice questions (3,500+ vs. ~2,600), deeper content coverage, and a money-back pass guarantee.

What is the pass rate for Gleim EA?

Gleim doesn’t publish a specific pass rate, but they claim more EA candidates pass with Gleim than any other provider, and their students report high first-time pass success.

Can you self-study for the EA exam?

Yes, but using a structured prep course like Becker, Gleim, or Surgent significantly improves your chances by providing practice questions, expert guidance, and exam simulations.

Bryce Welker is a regular contributor to Forbes, Inc.com, YEC and Business Insider. After graduating from San Diego State University he went on to earn his Certified Public Accountant license and created CrushTheCPAexam.com to share his knowledge and experience to help other accountants become CPAs too. Bryce was named one of Accounting Today’s “Accountants To Watch” among other accolades.

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