Of all the finance designations available, becoming an enrolled agent with the IRS is one of my top recommendations. It offers quick career advancement and the ability to represent clients directly before the IRS, opening up many tax preparation and consulting opportunities.
It’s also an excellent choice for fast career growth in finance and a good salary, but before you can earn a good salary, you’ll need to pass the EA exam.
To do this, you’ll need an EA review course.
I’ve test-driven them all, from Lambers EA review to Fast Foward Academy EA exam review courses and everything in between. If it’s related to the Enrolled Agent exam, I’ve explored it. At the end of the day, few can top the two I’m talking about in this article.
But which one is the best EA review course? Surgent vs. Gleim EA?
Spoiler alert: I prefer Gleim EA exam review of the two, but overall, Becker is my #1 choice. For some EA candidates, however, it’s better to try Surgent EA training courses. Keep reading to find out which category you fall into and what actual Enrolled Agents have to say about these top EA exam review courses.
Key Takeaways
- Overall Winner: Gleim surpasses Surgent in EA exam prep with its expansive, high-quality question bank, SmartAdapt™ adaptive course, and comprehensive support.
- Course Offerings: Surgent offers three-tiered courses priced from $499 to $999, while Gleim provides in-depth materials between $499 and $799.
- Technology Advantage: Gleim’s SmartAdapt™ course and mobile-optimized content cater to modern learners. Surgent’s A.S.A.P.® Technology is equally exceptional.
- User Support: Both platforms offer robust support, but Gleim’s support across every channel you could think of makes it a more reliable choice.
- Value for Money: Gleim offers a slightly lower price on their top-tier course, allowing students to save $200 and gain the Access Until You Pass® Guarantee!
EA Course Options
Surgent EA Exam Prep
With Surgent, there are three EA review courses available. They are:
- Ultimate review course ($999)
- Premier EA course ($699)
- Essentials online course ($499)
Surgent’s course material leverages its proprietary A.S.A.P.® Technology to offer a tailored and efficient learning experience. With over 2,000 multiple-choice questions and detailed answer explanations embedded in its platform, Surgent ensures that every minute spent studying is highly productive.
Surgent EA review course materials include up-to-date IRS publications and a blend of video lectures and text-based content that are accessible through its intuitive mobile app, making it easy to study on the go.
Surgent EA Course Discount
“I bought the ultimate one, and It was enough for me. I passed on my first try.”
u/Yesthafeys
Gleim EA Review
Gleim has three EA review course offerings:
- Premium EA review course with SmartAdapt™ ($799)
- Traditional EA review ($699)
- EA Test Bank ($499)
Gleim is renowned for its comprehensive and detailed study materials covering every aspect of the EA exam. The Gleim EA test bank is the most extensive in the industry, offering thousands of practice questions that closely mimic those on the actual exam.
Gleim provides both digital and printed books, detailed explanations of answers, and over 30 hours of high-quality video lectures. The materials are designed to build a deep understanding, catering to various learning styles with audio lectures and visual aids.
Gleim EA Course Discount
Verdict: Tie
Deciding between Surgent and Gleim EA review courses on a surface level only results in a tie, as each caters to different needs. To generalize, Gleim is ideal for students who want a deep understanding of the material. If you want to not only pass, but pass with flying colors, Gleim is a safe option thanks to their extensive practice materials. However, Surgent’s A.S.A.P.® Technology and their focus on efficiency makes them a great choice for modern learners with hectic schedules.
To really decide on Gleim vs Surgent, we’ll need to look at individual parts of their prep.
Course Content and Video Lectures
Surgent EA Review
Surgent’s EA Review excels in the video content department by offering over 60 bite-sized, easily digestible video lectures, ranging between 5 and 25 minutes long each. While Gleim offers fewer videos, they offer 30+ hours, so the total length is comparable. This extensive video library is ideal for students who prefer visual and auditory learning methods. The videos cover all of the EA material, ensuring you’re ready for the SEE exam.
Surgent provides both printed and digital textbooks in addition to video lectures. The inclusion of spiral-bound flashcards complements the learning experience, allowing for quick review and reinforcement of key concepts. Surgent’s audio lectures further enhance the auditory learning component, making it easy for students to study during commutes or other times when video content is not feasible.
Gleim EA Review
Gleim EA Review is renowned for its detailed and comprehensive study materials, offering over 30 hours of high-quality, expert-led instructional videos. Like Surgent, Gleim breaks their videos down into easily digestible clips, and I am thrilled with both companies for this modern approach! Gleim’s video lectures are integrated with their SmartAdapt™ technology, making them part of a cohesive and adaptive learning system that tailors content to the learner’s needs.
Gleim also excels in providing a variety of book options. They offer always up-to-date digital books and the option for printed books on demand, catering to different study preferences. Their audio lectures complement the video content, providing another layer of support for students who benefit from auditory learning, ensuring that all key topics are covered comprehensively.
“…I used Gleim for the review. It’s a self-paced review, so discipline is the key. No one will check on you except you…”
u/justmeonmybare
Verdict: Gleim EA Review Course
While both offer a similar amount of content, I prefer Gleim’s videos. Gleim’s video and audio lectures integrate seamlessly with their SmartAdapt™ course content, creating a holistic experience that works for every learning style. Further, Gleim integrates their top-notch practice questions within their videos and emphasizes repetition for retention, making it easy to build understanding that you’ll take to exam day and beyond.
Adaptive Learning Technology
Surgent
A.S.A.P.® Technology stands out by not only adapting to your learning progress but also by predicting your exam readiness with its ReadySCORE™ feature. This tool gives you an accurate representation of what you would score on the EA exam based on your current preparation level, with a reported 98% accuracy rate.
Here’s what a few EA candidates had to say about the Surgent EA review course tech:
“Surgent has been really good to me so far. The adaptive technology makes it easier for me to keep my focus and not get distracted. I usually wait a few extra hours to take my meds that way they’ll still be in effect when I get off work, and I study 2 hours, cook, and then study another hour or so every day after work.”
atdunaway
” I used Surgent for the EA exam and passed all parts within 2.5 months on the first try. I liked it so much that I bought the CPA program and passed REG on my first try after 20ish days.”
MBunch09
Gleim
SmartAdapt™, Gleim’s adaptive platform, effectively directs your study, focusing on areas for improvement. This technology helps to optimize your study time and ensures you spend the right amount of time on each topic.
Here are a few reviews from successful EA candidates who used Gleim:
I followed the Gleim recommended study guide pretty closely; did the assessments blind, read the chapters, did the book questions, took the quizzes until satisfied, then moved on. It worked wonders and is a great program!
gagethesage
I used Gleim, and it was great. I passed all my exams the first time with max scores.
CPUWiz
Verdict: Surgent EA
Gleim offers phenomenal adaptive learning technology, but in creating my reviews, it’s important to learn about the experience of candidates who used these tools for their prep. Obviously, people had incredible things to say about Gleim, but when students praised Surgent, they often included details about their tech within the review itself. Surgent’s ReadySCORE™ technology is the star of the show tech-wise, and students love it. As a result, Surgent earns a win here.
Practice Exams and Question Banks
Surgent EA
In my opinion, this is one of the most important categories of EA exam prep. I’ve found that two things are really important with EA exam prep, in particular: exam-like practice questions and unlimited practice exams.
So, how do these two best EA review courses compare?
Surgent EA review courses stand out with an adaptive test bank that includes over 2,000 multiple-choice questions. This feature is designed to tailor the difficulty and focus of questions based on your performance, ensuring that you concentrate on areas where improvement is needed.
“Surgent was excellent. One month of studying for each part. I just repeatedly did the multiple-choice questions and took notes on every explanation it gave. Also – some of the questions on Surgent appeared verbatim on the EA exams… but I’m not complaining lol.”
u/coconutsrule
Like in Gleim’s courses, the adaptive nature of Surgent’s exams makes your preparation highly efficient as the questions evolve with your learning progress. Surgent also ensures that their question bank is continually updated to reflect the latest tax regulations, providing you with the most relevant and current material.
However, it’s important to note that while Surgent offers unlimited practice exams, they do not offer mock exams or simulated exams in their EA packages at this time.
Gleim EA
As with their CPA review course, Gleim EA is known for boasting the most extensive test bank in the industry, although they do not specify the exact number of questions available. Further, many students emphasize the sheer difficulty of Gleim’s questions, but they’ll assure you it’s a major plus! This difficulty helps students feel overprepared and know more than they need, making exam day a breeze.
I did Surgent and Gleim. I would highly recommend Gleim over Surgent for test 2 & 3. For part one I would recommend both. Gleim is more in line with how the test looks and feels in my opinion. Surgent was great to fill in the one off questions. I passed all three on first try.
Ok_Bus5113
I used Gleim and was averaging in the 70’s for the study units for Part 1, and got a 69% on Mock Exam 1 and like 68% on Mock Exam 2 and passed the actual exam on the first try. Gleim definitely over prepares you.
Witty_Somewhere7
Gleim’s practice exams are highly regarded for closely mimicking the actual exam environment, which can greatly assist candidates to become comfortable with the EA exam format.
Gleim also provides mock exams so you can learn the material and prepare for exam day. With Gleim’s mock exams, you’ll experience the actual EA exam process. This can make a huge difference in pass dates.
Verdict: Gleim EA
As many candidates will tell you, the most important part of effective study is a large, true-to-the-real-thing question bank. Not only does Gleim offer one of the largest EA question banks available, they also offer up to six mock exams, which Surgent lacks. Surgent and Gleim are both excellent options, but here, Gleim easily outshines the competition.
User Support and Experience
Both Gleim and Surgent excel in customer support but tailor their offerings to suit different preferences:
- Gleim: Best for students who value a structured support system with personal counselors and expert guidance, paired with a strong Access Until You Pass® Guarantee in their Premium package. Access materials as long as you need!
- Surgent: Ideal for students who prefer dynamic, personalized instructional sessions with experienced instructors. They also promise students unlimited course access in their Premier and Ultimate packages.
Gleim
Gleim offers extensive support through personal counselors and access to a team of EA experts. These counselors are available to assist students throughout their study process, offering personalized advice and answering any questions related to the EA exam. This setup is particularly beneficial for students who appreciate having a consistent point of contact to guide them through their preparation journey.
Gleim’s highly knowledgeable EA experts can provide detailed explanations and strategies for passing the exam. Moreover, Gleim stands behind its materials with an “Access Until You Pass®” guarantee, ensuring students have continuous access to resources until they achieve exam success.
Surgent
Surgent also emphasizes personalized support but takes a slightly different approach by offering 1-on-1 coaching sessions. These sessions are conducted by experienced instructors who tailor their teaching to the student’s specific needs, focusing on areas that require additional attention. This type of support is ideal for learners looking for a more customized interaction that directly addresses their individual weak spots.
Like Gleim, Surgent provides an access guarantee in some packages, which is a testament to the confidence they have in their instructional methods. This guarantee ensures that students can rely on Surgent’s resources to help them pass the EA exam without getting re-charged to access the same materials.
Verdict: Tie
While both platforms offer strong support, Surgent EA Review edges out as the superior choice due to its highly personalized coaching approach. The ability to have direct and tailored guidance from experienced instructors can make a significant difference in understanding complex topics and effectively preparing for the exam.
However, if your support concerns revolve around building study schedules, staying accountable, and getting help around the clock in a less “up close and personal” way, you may prefer Gleim’s support options. Whether you prefer phone, chat, or email, Gleim’s got you. If you need help with understanding complex concepts, being held accountable to your study plan, or tech help, Gleim is there.
So, choosing a winner is impossible because it depends on what you need to succeed.
Cost and Value
Analyzing the cost and overall value of Surgent and Gleim EA Review courses is key to understanding which offers the best return on investment, considering both the pricing and the range of features offered.
Surgent
Surgent provides various pricing tiers to accommodate different learning needs and budget constraints. The Ultimate review course is priced at $999 and is packed with a comprehensive set of learning tools, including the advanced A.S.A.P.® Technology, which customizes the learning experience based on individual performance metrics.
For those looking for a more affordable option, the Premier EA course is available for $699, while the Essentials online course, perfect for those who already have a basic understanding of EA concepts, is offered at $499. Each of these courses comes equipped with over 2,000 multiple-choice questions complete with detailed explanations, and some packages offer the benefit of unlimited access until you pass. This makes Surgent an economically sensible and effective option for EA exam preparation.
Gleim
Gleim also presents significant value through its tiered course offerings. The Premium EA Review, costing $799, integrates SmartAdapt™ technology to tailor the study path dynamically based on the user’s performance. Save on the Premium Course with a Gleim EA promo code. Gleim also offers the Traditional EA Review for $699 and an EA Test Bank for $499, catering to varying preparation needs and financial situations. The top-tier course option includes the “Access Until You Pass®” guarantee, ensuring that students can continually access the study materials until they successfully pass their exams.
Verdict: Gleim EA Review
Gleim is a clear winner on value due to their exceptional question bank, wide variety of support options, and naturally, a $200 savings on their premium course compared to Surgent’s. As a bonus, they offer their EA Test Bank package for just $499, so if you know the content and just want to practice nonstop until exam day, you can save even more with Gleim.
Enrolled Agent Promo Codes
Final Verdict
In evaluating Surgent and Gleim EA Review courses, Gleim takes the lead with its outstanding practice materials and integrated suite of study tools. Priced between $499 and $799, Gleim’s EA course collection is designed to accommodate different learning styles and financial situations. From their SmartAdapt™ technology to their wide variety of personalized support options, Gleim offers a tried-and-true approach to ensure EA exam success.
FAQ
To become an Enrolled Agent, you must apply for PTI from the IRS and pass all three parts of the SEE exam. Alternatively, individuals with relevant experience as former IRS employees may be eligible without taking the exam.
The preparation time can vary significantly based on your background in tax law and your study pace. Most candidates spend about 3 to 6 months preparing for the EA exam when using a review course, dedicating approximately 100-150 hours of study time.
Yes, many EA review courses are designed to help you pass the EA exam and offer Continuing Professional Education credits. Check with the specific course provider, as they usually indicate the number of CPE credits you can earn and how to report them.
The EA exam, or Special Enrollment Exam (SEE), is split up into three parts. Part 1 covers Individuals, Part 2 covers Businesses, and Part 3 covers Representation, Practices, and Procedures. Each part is administered in a multiple-choice format, consisting of 100 questions that must be completed within a 3.5-hour session.
There are tons of EA review courses on the market, from Fast Forward Academy EA review to Lambers EA review course. But if you’re looking for the best of the best, I recommend, in order: Becker, Gleim, and Surgent.
