Top 11 Best CPA Review Courses

I’ve personally tested 15+ of the best CPA review courses using a rigorous, data-driven testing process, including both full-length programs and streamlined crash courses.

My picks for the best CPA prep courses are based on performance benchmarks, student results, and in-depth research to highlight the top-performing prep options available today.

Best CPA Review Course Comparison
Save $1,346	Overall Rating: 9.28 Delivery Format: In-Person, Live Online, On-Demand Price: $3,799 (Pro) Practice Questions: 8,000+ MCQs, 500+ TBSs Practice Exams: 12 Mini, 8 Full-Length, Unlimited Video Lectures: 900+ videos Technology: Newt™, Mobile App, Adapt2U	Start Now
Save 40%	Overall Rating: 9.21 Delivery Format: On-Demand Price: $3,499 (Premium Pro) Practice Questions: 11,500+ MCQs, 1,600+ TBSs Practice Exams: 8 Full-Length (2 per section), Unlimited Video Lectures: 100+ hours Technology: Prep Pal™, SmartAdapt™	Start Now
Save $1,600	Overall Rating: 9.20 Delivery Format: On-Demand Price: $3,899 (Elite Unlimited) Practice Questions: 9,000+ MCQs, 500+ TBSs Practice Exams: 2 Full-Length per Core, 1 per Discipline, Unlimited Video Lectures: 1,400+ videos Technology: SmartPath™, My Notebook, Mobile App	Start Now
Save $629	Overall Rating: 9.03 Delivery Format: On-Demand Price: $1,699 (Ultimate Pass) Practice Questions: 9,000+ MCQs, 500+ TBSs Practice Exams: Unlimited; no full-length mocks Video Lectures: 700+ videos Technology: ReadySCORE™, AI Adaptive Technology	Start Now
Save 30%	Overall Rating: 8.83 Delivery Format: On-Demand Price: $999 (Test Prep Bundle) Practice Questions: 4,400+ questions Practice Exams: Unlimited; no full-length mocks Video Lectures: N/A Technology: Test Prep Software	Start Now

Best CPA Prep Course Providers

• Best Overall & Most Reliable: Becker CPA Review
• Best for Practice & Retakers: Gleim CPA Review
• Best for Visual Learners: UWorld CPA Review
• Best for Efficiency & Busy Professionals: Surgent CPA Review
• Best for Traditional Learners: Lambers CPA Review
• Best Supplemental Subscription: NINJA CPA Review

1. Becker CPA Review – Best CPA Prep Course Overall

Overall Rating: 9.28

From my performance evaluations, Becker CPA Review consistently ranks near the top. With an overall score of 9.28, it’s the #1 rated full-length CPA course in my testing; it’s the only course to earn perfect scores in three categories: Ease of Use, Instruction, and Technology. Thanks to features like Newt™ (a 24/7 AI study assistant), hyper-focused adaptive learning technology, and instructors with nine different certifications—including PhDs, JDs, MBAs, and CPAs—my research inside the course felt more efficient, trustworthy, and high-quality than with any other competitor.

My Review

Becker CPA Review is a full-length prep program that blends digital textbooks, adaptive practice tools, and live or on-demand lectures. The course includes 8,000+ multiple-choice questions, 500+ task-based simulations, and over 900 video lectures taught by experienced instructors. In particular, being able to sort questions by those with video walkthroughs made learning more efficient for me as a visual learner and made it easier for me to grasp concepts.

Compared to lighter-weight courses like Lambers (4,400 MCQs) and Ninja (7,000+ MCQs, 300+ TBSs, and 230+ video hours), and heavier courses like Gleim (11,500+ MCQs and 1,600+ TBSs), Becker ranks 4th for both video lecture and practice question volume and 6th for answer explanation length (151.3 words on average). So, compared to other courses, Becker felt extraordinarily balanced, really achieving the “sweet spot.” I felt less tired and more energized using Becker’s materials, without feeling like we didn’t dig deep enough—such as with Maxwell’s 98-word average answer explanations.

Becker provides one comprehensive format, with five unique tiers (Advantage, Premium, Pro, Pro+, and Concierge), all sharing the same core content but differing in access time and extras (like live classes or final review). The study load aligns with a medium-to-heavy curriculum, making it most comparable to Surgent CPA (9,000+ MCQs, 500+ TBSs, but 200 fewer video hours).

The Becker Pro package costs $3,799, which is roughly 72% higher than the average price of complete, pay-in-full courses on this list ($2,199). However, that number includes much smaller competitors; if only considering the top five most popular options, Becker is instead 37% more than the average of $2,779. While more expensive, Becker’s combination of scale, support, and proven track record makes it one of the most reliable—if demanding—options for CPA candidates. Further, discounts can be generous, easily making Becker Pro one of the more affordable options.

Find out more about Becker and their highest-rated course in this review of Becker CPA.

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2. Gleim CPA Review – Best CPA Question Banks

Overall Rating: 9.21

Gleim CPA Review is an excellent choice for students who value practice, earning a perfect score for the Practice Tools category thanks to their 11,500 multiple-choice questions and 1,600+ task-based simulations. Though their answer explanations are on the lighter side, ranking 9th out of 10 competitors in length (119.5 words on average), the simplicity may be appealing to students who want a quick description of where they went wrong, allowing more time for additional questions.

Pros

Most extensive question bank
Helpful AI study assistant
Personal counseling
Recently updated videos
Full refund pass guarantee

Cons

On-demand only
No mobile apps

My Review

Gleim is a bit like Becker in the sense that they’re both giants in the space, but Gleim offers 30% more MCQs and nearly 70% more task-based simulations (these numbers grow when compared to other providers as you move down the list). Gleim also has the edge in having a 100% money-back guarantee, compared to Becker’s $1,000 back, closer to a ~25% money-back guarantee. However, Becker’s ten personalized coaching and tutoring sessions give them a serious boost, along with their unmatched tech tools and top-rated mobile apps.

Gleim’s interface certainly wasn’t my favorite, purely because it wasn’t as aesthetically pleasing as Becker’s polish, Ninja’s simplicity and dark mode feature, or Universal’s fun, colorful design. However, it was just as easy to navigate as other CPA review courses. Further, the questions are similar in difficulty to Becker’s (if not 10% more challenging, particularly due to more obscure topic coverage), and though the answer explanations were less detailed than those of other competitors, I appreciated how wrong answers linked directly to the place in the book where the correct answer was discussed.

As for Gleim’s videos, I generally enjoyed them, particularly in the way they were laid out. Each section had an overview video discussing the topics, followed by 1-5 question walkthrough videos, a written outline, and a handful of questions reviewing what I learned. Some competitors, like Ninja, felt a little more disparate. Gleim, however, made it exceptionally easy to maneuver each section, earning a 9.5 for Ease of Use. Plus, with sections lasting ~30 minutes on average (and the videos lasting 5 minutes and 24 seconds), it was much easier to get through the material quickly than competitors like UWorld, whose 21:30 average video length made my experience more of a slog.

All of this said, Gleim’s selling points are bold and transparent: 11,500+ multiple-choice practice questions and 1,600+ task-based simulations, plus a large bank of full-length mock exams, all modeled after the Prometric interface you’ll use to take the exam. That familiarity can help breed success, and if you fail, so long as you follow Gleim’s terms, you’ll be eligible for a complete refund.

Learn more about Gleim CPA in this review.

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3. UWorld CPA Review – Best Video Instructors

Overall Rating: 9.20

UWorld CPA Review is the best choice if you want access to top instructors like Peter Olinto and Roger Philipp, and if you don’t mind only seeing them around 50% of the time over the course of a whopping 1,400-video library, stretching an estimated 502 hours of content. If you have a lot of time to spend, UWorld could be a great fit. If you’re willing to put in the work, I believe UWorld offers a strong chance to pass (even without the pass guarantee).

Pros

Top lecturers like Roger Phillipp and Peter Olinto
Over 1,400 video lectures
Access until you pass

Cons

Fewer appearances than expected from top instructors
No pass guarantee
Not live and minimal support, despite a higher price

My Review

UWorld is the most expensive course on the list and, though only by a <5% difference, it’s worth considering. UWorld has an impressive question bank, equal to Surgent’s, placing both in the 90th percentile of courses on this list. However, the most impressive aspect is UWorld’s two lead instructors, Peter Olinto and Roger Philipp (the latter after acquiring Roger CPA Review). They’re both lively, engaging, and conversational, though Philipp is definitely the stronger Energizer Bunny of the two, while Olinto is more relaxed. However, each instructor seems to only appear in around 25% of the lectures, for a combined 50%. The other 50% consists of qualified professionals in the sense of having CPA licensure, but the presentation quality definitely takes a nosedive.

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However, UWorld does have the largest video library, building on Becker’s 900 videos with a 36% increase to reach 1,400. However, that takes a lot of time to go through, and with only 50% of them being both interesting and detailed enough to keep my interest and help me learn, I had to supplement my studies with a lot of reading as a result, which slowed down my progress quite a bit.

Further, assuming you watch every video, with each lasting an average of 21 minutes and 30 seconds, you’re in for over 502 estimated hours of video alone. That’s over 300 more hours to go through than the average competitor, which features 179.7 hours of video on average. That’s a lot of numbers; what I’m trying to say is, UWorld prepares you well, but it’s going to take a lot longer to get through the content than it would with other courses.

See how UWorld compares to Becker to see which is right for you. Or dive deeper into this UWorld CPA review.

4. Surgent CPA Review – Best Answer Explanations

Overall Rating: 9.03

Surgent CPA Review is tied with UWorld for the second-largest question bank on the list, but more importantly, Surgent offers the best answer explanations on the market, featuring what percentage of students answered the question correctly on the first try, video links, direct links to reference material to refresh the subject, and key terms. For students who learn best from understanding why they got a question wrong rather than video lessons or sheer question volume, Surgent is a smart pick.

Pros

Half the price of competitors
Unlimited access and 100% money-back pass guarantee
ReadySCORE™ tool has 98% accuracy
Shortens study time by 10-50%

Cons

Videos can be monotonous
Less personalized support

My Review

Luckily for this data-driven guide, Surgent seems to build their course around data and efficiency, suggesting that their course can shorten CPA study time by up to 50%. While I do think Surgent can shorten study time, I’d expect that’s only for students with excellent attention spans (more on that later), and the actual time saved is likely closer to ~20%. I’m basing this figure on comparing Surgent’s 9,000 multiple-choice questions, 500 task-based simulations, and ~78 video hours to the average of 7,030 MCQs, 529 TBSs, and 179 video hours. So, you may save 101 video hours, but you’ll have to spend anywhere from 33 to 100 more hours answering additional questions (assuming you spend 1-3 minutes each).

One of Surgent’s most noteworthy features is its ReadySCORE™ exam score indicator, which judges how ready you are to take the CPA exam of any given section and pass. The indicator has a reported 98% accuracy, ensuring students can feel more confident in their studies. However, based on numerous Reddit threads, the value isn’t necessarily in knowing what score you’ll get as much as knowing the score you won’t. Of 20 data points chosen across three threads, 75% of students scored higher than their ReadySCORE™. 25% had a score decrease, the lowest being a decrease of 6 points, and the highest being an increase of 34 points (not a typo!). So, all you have to do is shoot for a ReadySCORE™ around 80, and chances are, you’ll probably pass.

Further, Surgent has over 10% more practice questions than Becker, and the detailed answer explanations are some of the best I’ve seen, featuring the first-time answer accuracy percentage across all students, video links, relevant terminology, authorities, and reference links. While Surgent ranks 4th for answer explanation length at 166.1 words, they offered more valuable data—and in my opinion, readability and digestibility—than any other provider.

Where Surgent really struggles is in the video lesson department. Several of the instructors came across as pretty dry; when trying to gauge my own focus throughout the videos, I frequently found myself picking up my phone at the 30-minute marks of my study sessions, and, though I don’t have a statistic to prove it, I’m certain I was more likely to do so than with livelier options like Becker and Gleim. Nevertheless, the videos get the job done—and for only $1,699, a price in the lower 40% of the top five courses, its pros looked a lot more appealing, and its cons less of a detraction.

Read my Surgent CPA review to find out more about their adaptive technology.

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5. Lambers CPA Review – Best Testing Software

Overall Rating: 8.83

Lambers CPA Review isn’t perfect for everyone, but if you’re a seasoned professional or looking for the best testing software available, Lambers exceeds expectations. While video lectures are noticeably unavailable, Lambers’ CPA study materials are intended to be for practice, operating through three testing modes to build an efficient strategy and improve test-taking skills before the big day.

Pros

Focused practice-style prep
Quick study period
Ideal for seasoned industry pros
Low price

Cons

Not a complete course
Minimal 1:1 support
No video lessons

My Review

Lambers CPA Review is unique in that it isn’t a complete prep course. You’re not getting video lessons, full-length textbooks, or a study calendar here. Instead, you’re getting access to Lambers’ test prep software, built on the back of their three-stage test prep methodology. And, though the content load is light, so is the price tag, approximately 41% lower than the second-most affordable course in the top five (Surgent), and that’s before any discounts are applied.

Though Lambers is best used as a supplemental tool to your existing course, seasoned professionals in the industry may be able to use Lambers as their sole prep tool, used only to grind through 4,400+ multiple-choice practice questions modeled after the actual CPA exam content. Personally, the strategy of the software impressed me the most.

The Pre-Test Mode served as a diagnostic stage, where the program could accurately identify where I was already strong and where I needed the most work. Next, the Adaptive Mode is for drills and learning, complete with the rationale behind correct and incorrect explanations. I’ll be honest, I expected Lambers to have relatively weak answer explanations as a result of the price, but they sit proudly in the middle of the pack with 159.6-word explanation lengths—just over the 155.5 median. Finally, the Simulated Mode is all gloves off: just you, the timer, and the questions, one after the next. You practice as though you’re taking the real thing, so you can maximize your comfort with the format and topics before the exam.

Lambers isn’t a good course on its own, but as a practice tool, it’s one of the best available. One reviewer explains:

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6. Ninja CPA Review – Best Subscription Supplement

Overall Rating: 8.53

Ninja’s CPA subscription isn’t my #1 option for a standalone course, but as a supplement, Ninja offers strong value. Costing just $87 a month, Ninja’s 7,000+ MCQs, 300+ TBSs, and 230+ video hours are a smart addition to a complete package—in particular, based on research of reviews from other students, Ninja seems to pair especially well with Becker’s Pro Package. While Ninja shouldn’t be your only prep purchase due to less depth and fewer practice tools, if you want more practice and explanations alongside a more complete choice, Ninja may be a wise investment.

Pros

Affordable monthly subscription
7,000+ MCQs, even with low cost
Accessible supplemental tool

Cons

Best as a supplement, not complete
Lower levels of technology than competitors
Less coverage and depth
No pass guarantee

My Review

Ninja CPA has a lot going for it, like a low price tag (the most expensive package being $87 a month), a flexible monthly subscription, an easy-to-use interface, and a surprisingly large library of CPA test prep tools with that price in mind. However, in testing the practice questions, I found them substantially less difficult than questions from competitors like Becker and Gleim—in comparing my higher MCQ accuracy percentages, to the tune of 30%. While that might make them closer to the exam difficulty, it actually may hurt your preparedness. The strategy behind difficult questions is to ensure that, rather than exam questions being difficult, they become easy in comparison to your mastery of the topic—and all of the industry’s “top four” (Becker, Gleim, Surgent, and UWorld) use this strategy.

I was also frustrated by the answer explanations, which were some of the shortest (124 words on average compared to the cumulative average of 178 words). While short explanations make sense with Gleim, where you have 11,500 MCQs to grind through and the explanations link directly to longer explanations in outlines, with 40% fewer MCQs, Ninja has less of an “excuse.”

However, due to its low price, it’s an impressive supplement; it’s tough to really argue against getting 7,000 additional practice questions, 300 bonus task-based simulations, and 230 more hours of video for under $100 a month. In testing the live sessions, I was pleasantly surprised by the amount and depth of support available, like virtual group tutoring that takes place over webinar multiple times each week. Hour-long sessions, and sometimes multiple, may not work for everyone, but if you appreciate digging deep without a full-blown marathon like I do, I think you’ll enjoy the live content.

That said, when examining both the responsiveness of non-live support, I was a bit less impressed; it took closer to 24 hours for a response, whereas other providers often had same-day replies within a few hours of sending my messages. Further, there is a lot of value in the sparring sessions for some, based on researching other reviews; that said, I personally found them to drag a bit, and it was difficult for me to pay attention, particularly when compared to engaging live classes from providers like Becker. All in all, while Ninja isn’t a great pick as a standalone prep product, it’s an incredible deal for a supplemental tool.

Check out this comparison of Ninja and Becker to find out which is right for you.

7. AICPA Blueprints – Best Free Study Material

Overall Rating: 8.13

AICPA isn’t a traditional CPA review course like the other entries on the list. Instead, as the creator of the CPA exams, they offer free study materials like the CPA exam blueprints that outline topics covered on each exam, sample multiple-choice questions, and task-based simulations from prior exams, testing tips, and much more, all for free. As a result, their resources are a must for any CPA candidate looking to boost their chances of first-time success, even though this is a supplemental resource only.

Pros

From the creators of the CPA exam
Realistic study materials

Cons

Minimal tools to work with
Not in-depth
Mostly long documents to read
Written materials only

My Review

The AICPA Blueprints are in a category of their own. They aren’t a prep course, but rather the official documents from the organization that writes the CPA exam. As such, they’re an unmatched reference point. When I compared them against Becker’s content, the alignment was nearly perfect—Becker’s curriculum tracked almost line-by-line with the competencies AICPA outlines. But it isn’t just Becker; providers like Gleim, Surgent, and Lambers, among others, also model their curricula off of AICPA guidelines. So, while the blueprints set the standard, it’s really up to the other CPA online courses to follow their lead in a more actionable way that appeals to unique learning styles.

But beyond validation, the blueprints don’t offer much as a study tool. There are retired TBSs and a 2-hour practice test to give you an idea of the kind of questions you’re in for, but for the most part, you’re getting dense, information-packed PDFs. I mostly used them to compare other courses against, but I still recommend using them. They’re free and essential for accuracy, but on their own, they don’t prepare you to pass. Similar to these free CPA resources, they should be used as supplemental study material.

8. Kesler CPA Review – Best for Self-Study

Overall Rating: 8.02

Kesler CPA Review stands out as an affordable, complete package, delivered through a $197 monthly subscription. With 7,400+ practice questions and the longest answer explanations of the group (297.8 words on average, ~43% longer than the overall average of 178 words), Kesler has comprehensive practice tools. However, Kesler doesn’t offer a pass guarantee, lacks live classes, and reserves videos for broader tutorials and overviews—not lessons. That said, Kesler is still a solid selection for self-study students on a strict budget.

Pros

Helped a 15-year-old pass the CPA exam
One of the most affordable options

Cons

Lower-quality questions
No live classes
No pass guarantee
Support is primarily email-based
Minimal student feedback

My Review

Kesler’s biggest appeal is affordability: a monthly subscription instead of a multi-thousand-dollar package. Compared to UWorld’s $3,899 price tag, $197/mo is a massive discount if you’re trying to keep costs down. However, that means one year of Kesler costs around $2,400, which is roughly the same price as Becker Pro’s discounted price ($2,469) and 41% more expensive than Surgent ($1,699). So yes, it’s affordable, but the tradeoff shows in the details. Kesler offers 7,400+ practice questions, which sounds strong until you stack it against Gleim’s 11,500+ or Becker’s 8,000+.

In testing, I found Kesler’s questions adequate but not always as exam-authentic. However, I really appreciated the longer explanations (the longest of the group, 43% longer than the average length). However, with easier questions, I didn’t need the explanations as much. On the tech side, Kesler’s tools scored 7.8/10 in my breakdown—functional and mobile-friendly, but less polished and predictive than the standard. Support is lighter: mostly email-based with slower turnaround than Surgent’s coaching or Becker’s tutoring.

My biggest gripe with Kesler is the near-complete lack of videos, used only for tutorials on using the platform or for motivation, plugged into the onboarding at the beginning of the course. On average, that’s 179.7 hours of missing context. As a result, my visual brain struggled to connect with the content—particularly the textbooks, which felt repetitive. After reading the sixth section of “Kesler Brain Boosters” in a row, though the material itself was helpful, I felt a little tired and frustrated. If you crave novelty and variety like I do, the lesson plan of textbook + flashcards + quiz will feel tedious after a while.

However, Kesler’s innovative tools stood out. A clean, usable mobile app, a Pomodoro timer for ADHD-friendly study sessions, and even a game modeled after the FPS classic DOOM, with the opportunity to choose between a story-driven campaign mode or a question-driven survival mode. Transparently, I’d love to see tools like this in other courses, but without the depth and study tools to back it up, Kesler places lower on the list.

Kesler isn’t on par with the top programs, but it fills an important niche for CPA candidates: a low-cost entry point or supplement if you can’t commit to a full package.

9. Universal CPA Review – Best for Visual Learners

Overall Rating: 7.67

Universal CPA Review stands out as the best choice for visual learners. In particular, I enjoyed their fun, colorful interface and bite-sized video lessons packed with visual aids, averaging just 5 minutes and 20 seconds (the shortest of the bunch). That said, the price paid for shorter and fewer videos is less depth, ranking 7th on the list for the amount of practice questions, with only 5,000 MCQs and 200 TBSs. Consequently, while Universal could be a complete option for an experienced CPA candidate, I’d argue it’s best used as a supplement for most.

Pros

Engaging content for visual learners

Cons

Lacks comprehensive coverage
Slides can be busy and distracting
Mixed reviews, tough to tell which are “real”
No refunds, regardless of reasoning
Several website glitches

My Review

The Universal CPA Review program takes a different approach: it’s designed around visual learning, with 100+ hours of slide-based video content. For me, this was refreshing at first. Topics like consolidations and governmental accounting were easier to grasp with flowcharts and color-coded breakdowns. Plus, having an average video length of just 5 minutes and 20 seconds (nearly identical to Gleim’s 5 minutes and 24 seconds) meant I could consume more content with less study fatigue.

But the limits became clear quickly. With only 5,000+ MCQs and 200+ TBSs, Universal’s practice bank has 2,030 fewer multiple-choice questions than the average of 7,030 and 329 fewer sims than the average of 529. Worse, there are no full-length mock exams, which makes it tough to build real test stamina. The slide design also bordered on cluttered at times, and a couple of progress-tracking glitches interrupted my workflow. The no-refund policy is another risk if you’re on the fence.

That said, I do like a few things about the practice questions. For example, Universal offers substantial answer explanations, ranking third of the ten (AICPA wasn’t considered for this feature) with an average of 198.2 words, behind Kesler’s 297.8 and UWorld’s 285.8. Further, every answer explanation includes some sort of graphic, and many have a video walkthrough. While I appreciate the attempt to add these graphics, the majority of them feel more like a set of bullet points that didn’t truly explain the answer or add to my understanding. In the same way I feel about Kesler, there’s a lot of unique, clever innovation here, but due to Universal’s smaller budget (I’m assuming, at least, compared to giants like Becker and Gleim), the execution didn’t totally pan out.

To summarize: with an annual price of under $1,000 per year, Universal CPA Review is affordable and could be useful if you’re a strongly visual learner. But from my experience, I don’t think it’s a comprehensive solution, and would consider it best used as a supplement for learners who value visual aids above all else.

10. Farhat Lectures CPA Review – Cheapest Monthly Supplement

Overall Rating: 7.61

At just $29.99 a month, Farhat Lectures’ CPA subscription is easily the most affordable supplement out there worth considering, offering content libraries modeled to accompany providers like Becker, Gleim, Surgent, UWorld, and Miles Education. While there’s a ton of content for a low price, it’s overwhelming and—in my opinion—disorganized. When you add on a supplement, you’re not looking to double or triple your study time, but with approximately 424 hours of video—averaging 16:58 each—and 5,000 MCQs (featuring short explanations, errors, and inconsistent formatting), Farhat is worth a shot for the price, but I frequently felt it was more work than it was worth.

Pros

Affordable coverage for every exam

Cons

Less complete than competitors
Less than half the practice question count
Best for supplemental study only
Have to purchase sections separately
Monthly costs can add up quickly over time
1,500+ lectures feel like a lot on top of a complete course

My Review

Farhat Lectures is another budget-friendly option for CPA exam prep courses, costing the least of any provider on the list at $29.99 a month. The catalog of 1,500+ recorded lectures is massive, and I did find some of the breakdowns helpful for tricky REG tax areas and FAR topics. That said, based on averaging the lengths of the first 20 videos I accessed, that means there’s an estimated 424 hours of video on the platform. Personally, I prefer my supplemental material to focus on additional practice rather than more learning, and having so much extra content to get through made me feel more overwhelmed than properly prepared more than once.

However, it’s worth saying that, though 5,000 practice questions is much lower than the average of 7,030 (by ~29%, roughly one-third), if the answer explanations were better, I’d have no problem putting Farhat near the top of the list. My real problem isn’t what’s included; it’s that what is included is difficult to use, with menus not loading properly and messy sidebars that were difficult to navigate.

But more on the explanations: the 132-word average answer explanations, ranking 7th out of 10, felt verbose and sometimes low effort. The typos, grammatical errors, and even the text changing colors between black and blue made it difficult to focus. The length varied wildly, too, from as few words as 52 to as many as 232. The lack of clarity made the descriptions all the more confusing.

Further, while I appreciated the idea of the Farhat.AI widget, it got in the way more than it helped—and I mean that literally. It would cover up the answer explanation, so it was difficult to use both at the same time, and it often took 5+ seconds to load. Further, all three query options (Explain the Topic, Explain Correct & Incorrect Answers, and Create a Similar MCQ) essentially just regurgitated the answer explanation or went off-topic, neither of which enriched my understanding.

11. Maxwell CPA Review – Best Small-Scale Choice

Overall Rating: 7.27

Maxwell CPA Review is a decent entry-level choice if you’re looking for an instructor-led feel at a lower price point, though it’s not as comprehensive as most providers, including those with lower prices like Ninja, Universal, and Farhat. It ranks 10th of 10 on the list of video library size, answer explanation length, and number of practice questions; however, I enjoyed the straightforward “click to move forward” layout, the fast loading speed, and the instruction quality. There are better options, but Maxwell still deserves a mention on this list.

Pros

Experienced tutor and instructor, actual CPA

Cons

Expensive for a small package
Lacks comprehension and coverage
Small question bank
Low video hours
Video/audio quality lower than that of competitors

My Review

Maxwell CPA Review is one of the smallest programs I tested, and it feels that way in both scope and design. The pay-in-full price is significantly lower than Becker or Gleim at just $799, but expensive for what you get: just 4,000+ MCQs, 100+ TBSs, and around 35 hours of video (57%, 20%, and 19% of the averages, respectively). Further, while I do appreciate the option to either pay in full or pay through a monthly subscription, the $49/mo pricing felt high compared to budget options with similar content banks, like $29.99/mo for Farhat or $87/mo for Ninja.

Let me be perfectly clear: it isn’t that Maxwell isn’t a good course, or it wouldn’t be on this list. It’s that it’s weaker in comparison to the competition. For context, Gleim’s question bank is 290% larger, and Ninja, a comparatively priced course, has 657% the number of video hours. Unfortunately, Maxwell ranked tenth in all three data-heavy categories I covered: videos, practice questions, and answer explanations, even though the price is in the middle of the pack.

The instruction itself isn’t bad—it’s led by an experienced CPA, and in my testing, the explanations were straightforward and accurate. In fact, I actually really enjoyed his teaching style, and his voice was great for a presenter: engaging, friendly, and easy to understand. Sometimes my hearing takes a few seconds to process things, but with Maxwell’s lectures, that was never a problem.

However, the video/audio quality lagged behind top-tier providers, and the small library meant I was recycling material far too soon. While the custom quiz platform worked reliably (earning a 7.2 in tech), the overall package felt dated, with a website that didn’t always inspire confidence. On that last point, the website still has sections for BEC, which was phased out in January 2024—and this is not exclusive to Maxwell CPA; so many providers need to update their websites!

Ultimately, Maxwell has its place, especially if affordability and an instructor-led format are your priorities. That said, its resources are more limited compared to the other options in this roundup.

CPA Course Quiz: Which is Right for You?

Which CPA prep course is for you?

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Comparison of CPA Course Features

Multiple-Choice Questions

Quantity matters, but not always the way you’d think. Gleim’s 11,500+ MCQs give you endless reps, though I often found the volume overwhelming and the difficulty slightly inflated compared to the real exam. Becker and Surgent sit in the “just right” range, where practice feels thorough without dragging. Meanwhile, Ninja and Kesler look good on paper but trend toward easier questions, which can give a false sense of confidence if you rely on them exclusively.

The real insight?

Choose based on how much drilling you can realistically handle—more isn’t always better if it burns you out before exam day.

Task-Based Simulations

Simulations separate the casual student from the exam-ready candidate, and this is where Gleim stands in a league of its own with 1,600+. But the trade-off is diminishing returns—I rarely needed that many unique scenarios to feel prepared. Becker and Surgent’s 500 simulations each were more than enough for me to get comfortable with the exam’s problem-solving style.

If you’re weak in application skills, Gleim’s bank can build endurance, but for most, it’s about finding a course that teaches you how to think through sims, not just grind them endlessly.

Video Lectures

The video libraries reveal a divide between marathon learning and efficiency. UWorld’s 500+ hours are impressive, but slogging through that much content felt more like a second degree than targeted prep. Becker hits a sweet middle ground: enough lectures to give context, but not so much that you drown in them. Gleim and Universal keep videos short and digestible, which I found better for reinforcing material quickly. If you thrive on visuals, Universal’s style can be a game-changer, while self-starters may prefer less video and more question time.

Answer Explanations

Here’s where teaching philosophy shows. UWorld and Kesler treat every missed question like a mini-tutorial—great if you learn by reading, but time-consuming. Surgent and Becker are the standouts here: not the longest explanations, but the smartest, layering in stats, references, and context that let me immediately understand why I missed something. Gleim and Ninja flip the script with shorter explanations, betting you’ll figure it out through repetition.

The real trick is knowing your own learning style: if you need clarity to move forward, pick Surgent, Becker, or UWorld; if you’re more of a volume grinder, Gleim or Ninja will keep you moving.

Average Calculations

On average, a CPA review course gives you about 7,000 MCQs, 500 sims, and nearly 180 hours of video—a hefty load by any standard. The key takeaway is that most top programs cluster around these benchmarks, so if a course falls far short, you may risk under-preparing, while anything far above could be overkill unless you thrive on extra practice. The sweet spot usually isn’t about chasing the biggest numbers—it’s about whether the questions, sims, and explanations actually help you learn faster and stick longer.

Other CPA Courses Reviewed

• CPA Exam Coach
• I-75 CPA Review
• Study.com
• Varsity Tutors (Tutoring)
• Yaeger (update: discontinued)

CPA Course Ranking Methodology

Each CPA review course was personally tested and compared using a mix of hands-on experience, student feedback, and feature benchmarks. I worked through practice questions, watched video lectures, and used the adaptive tools myself to see how they actually performed under exam-style pressure. The overall scores reflect not just data points, but how each platform felt to use day after day—how efficiently I could study, how engaging the content was, and how much confidence it built leading up to exam simulations.

Practice tools carried the most weight since mastering question types is the clearest predictor of real CPA success, while instruction quality, tech performance, and usability determined which courses felt like a genuine study advantage versus just another test bank. This balance is why Becker’s mix of expert instruction, clean interface, and powerful AI tools landed it at #1—barely edging out Gleim’s massive question bank and Surgent’s adaptive efficiency.

Final Verdict

After testing over a dozen CPA courses, Becker, Gleim, UWorld, and Surgent reigned as the best CPA prep courses available for different reasons. Whether you’re searching for a comprehensive course to help you reach the 99th percentile of passers or you’re an accounting professional who just needs a supplemental tool to push you over the edge of passing, there’s a course for you on this list. I hope this helped you find the right fit. Good luck passing the CPA exam!

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