UWorld CMA Review: Worth the Investment?

UWorld is one of the biggest names for CPA exam prep, but how does UWorld CMA Review stack up—not just against the competition, but against their own reputation? Further, can it help you join the prestigious group of over 100,000 CMAs across the globe?

As a professional exam prep course reviewer, I worked through the materials and tried to replicate a student’s experience. Now, I’m here to share those details with you. I’ll outline the necessary elements you need to consider before making your final prep course decision, so you can purchase (or pass on the provider) with confidence.

Is UWorld CMA Review the Best Fit for You?

• If you prefer deep-dive practice tools: You’ll like UWorld’s massive 6,200+ question bank and detailed answer explanations.
• If you value structured tech-driven prep: UWorld’s SmartPath predictive analytics help you focus your study efforts effectively.
• If you want mobile-friendly learning: UWorld’s app makes it easy to study with flashcards, videos, and lessons on the go.
• If you prefer short, fast-paced videos: You may find UWorld’s longer lecture format harder to stay focused on.
• If you want heavy 1-on-1 coaching: UWorld offers group-based support, but not the individualized coaching other courses like Becker provide.

Course Overview: UWorld CMA Exam Review Courses

From the beginning, UWorld’s question bank appealed to me; after reviewing the top CMA prep courses available, UWorld came out on top in terms of practice question quantity, with well over 6,000. Other top prep courses like Becker, Gleim, and Surgent offer between 4,000 and 4,500. The best part, though, was the quality of the questions: similar to IMA sample questions, but with detailed answer explanations, averaging around 370 words each (roughly 1.5 pages in a standard book). I was able to dig really deep to ensure I fully understood each answer before moving on, which I imagine translates well for students actually studying to pass the CMA exam.

Further, UWorld’s mobile app, which seemed to include every feature you can access via the web-based platform, was ideal for learning “out in the world,” whether I was waiting for a Zoom meeting with my coworkers or waiting for a document to print. I tried to replace some of my mindless social media scroll sessions with studying so I could write this piece, and after a week, I definitely felt a positive effect on my mental health. Ultimately, UWorld’s learning materials are solid, but the real value for me was in the quality and quantity of their practice tools, from multiple-choice questions to answer explanations to mobile flashcards.

Pros

Largest CMA Question Bank: UWorld’s 6,200+ questions are the highest quantity of any CMA course out there, with the next closest being Gleim’s 4,500+. That’s a 38% difference.
Stress-Reducing Features: With unlimited access, live support, and a readiness predictor, UWorld’s Elite Unlimited Package feels like it was designed with stress alleviation in mind.
Learning Matches Lifestyles: UWorld’s prep app is one of the best for CMA candidates. I could watch video lectures, read the digital study guide, and work through ReadyDeck flashcard sets.
Affordable Package Upgrade: The difference in price between the “cheaper” and “more expensive” packages is minimal, and both offer monthly financing through Affirm.

Cons

Long Videos: The industry average for prep videos <15 minutes, but after averaging 20 of UWorld’s, their videos are around 24 minutes each. It was difficult to keep focus for that long.
Prolonged Answer Explanations: If you’re after thorough explanations, UWorld’s are by far the longest of any CMA prep course I’ve tested, averaging 376 words each. However, I personally found them a bit excessive.

UWorld CMA Course Package Options

UWorld CMA Premier Package: The Standard Features

UWorld doesn’t state this, but based on my experience in the prep industry, I’d guess that Premier is the more popular CMA prep package of the two. It has everything the average student needs to pass, with thousands of practice questions, professional video lectures, AI technology, and my personal favorite, UWorld’s mobile app for iOS and Android devices.

Package Features

• 6,200+ practice questions, 75+ essay questions
• 150 video lectures covering the CMA exam learning outcome statements
• Digital textbooks, study planners, and flashcard sets
• Full-length mock exams and practice tests
• Mobile study app (4.4 stars on Google Play Store, 4.0 stars on Apple App Store)
• SmartPath Predictive Technology™ and performance analytics

➡️ Best For: Most students, particularly if you want to save a bit of money compared to the Elite Unlimited package

UWorld CMA Elite Unlimited Package: Added Value

Meanwhile, UWorld CMA’s Elite Unlimited Package adds new features like physical study materials, live support options, and unlimited access. Naturally, that comes at a cost, but the difference is only around 15% more. So, if these features speak to you, the upgrade is worthwhile.

Package Features

• Everything in the Premier Package, plus…
• Physical textbooks
• Live boot camps
• The “Eleventh Hour” final review cram course
• Unlimited access until you pass the CMA exam

➡️ Best For: CMA candidates searching for additional support, whether you struggle with tests or want the best chance of passing on your first try

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UWorld CMA Review Course: A Detailed Look

Platform and Practice Tools

We’ve discussed it a bit already, but after working through some question sets and mock exams, UWorld has some of the best practice tools out there. Personally, I found the answer explanations a touch excessive, but I’ve studied the CMA exam a lot over the course of over a dozen top CMA prep reviews; however, I think most students will appreciate the level of depth. And, based on Reddit reviews from other students, I think it’s safe to say that they do:

As far as the platform, I didn’t have any problems with loading speed or broken links, and it was simple to find what I needed thanks to accessible navigation bars. I’m personally partial to Becker’s interface (I just love the design), but I can see UWorld’s polished navy-blue UX appealing to students who prefer a sleek, minimalist style.

Adaptive Technology and Mobile Apps

It seems like every prep course these days tries to incorporate adaptive technology, and SmartPath Adaptive Technology™ is UWorld’s contribution. Basically, the system tracked my performance while I worked through the practice questions, making it easier to identify strengths and weaknesses to better allocate my study time. My favorite part, however, was being able to compare my accuracy and progress with averages set by successful students, so I could see how far I’ve come and how much I had to improve to pass.

Further, I really enjoyed UWorld’s mobile app. I could work through flashcards, watch video lessons, listen to lesson audio, and read the digital study guides. Some of the features worked better than others, however. The virtual textbooks were limited in terms of how much I could annotate and take notes, since that particular feature didn’t always save across platforms. However, being able to make my own flashcards in-app and control videos with speed adjustments and comprehensive captions were beneficial features. The app isn’t perfect, but it’s pretty darn good, especially with so many glitchy, unhelpful prep apps out there.

Video Lectures

UWorld’s video lectures are excellent: professionally produced, with quality audio, slides, and visual aids. They skewed toward the longer side, lasting anywhere from 10 to 35 minutes from my study sample of 20 videos. I tended to prefer the shorter ones, but I also appreciated that more time was dedicated to trickier topics, like Internal Controls and Statements of Comprehensive Income. Plus, the desktop interface was well-organized, letting you watch the video while referencing the corresponding section in the textbook and taking notes.

Live and Personalized Support

I don’t think the boot camps have the best name, because it feels more like a deep dive, collaborative, community-driven Q&A session. There isn’t a set itinerary or lesson topics. Instead, it’s like group coaching, driven by what that particular group of students needs. I appreciated having the opportunity to ask my own questions, but I learned just as much by listening to the instructor’s responses to fellow students. There were three instructors who rotated, and all of them had a CMA and a PhD, so I felt extremely confident that I was spending time with true subject matter experts. All in all: strange name choice, excellent resource.

Otherwise, support was standard, with the ability to call and submit forms to get responses to questions.

Pricing, Packages, and Pass Guarantees

As far as price, UWorld targets the sweet spot right in the middle; they’re more expensive than leaner courses like Surgent, but discounted compared to high-tier options from Becker and Gleim. For everything I got, I think the price is excellent, particularly when considering the question bank, live boot camps, and 150+ videos.

However, I was a little disappointed by the lack of a money-back pass guarantee, since many leading competitors offer one. And, while I appreciate the low difference in price between the two packages available, I’d like to see more options to cater to a wider variety of learners. Even with these slight nicks on UWorld, though, I think the value and materials offered compared to the price is a huge plus.

UWorld CMA Compared to Competitors

UWorld vs Becker CMA

Both UWorld and Becker offer high-quality CMA prep, and having reviewed both, I can confidently say that Becker holds a slight edge overall. Becker’s 4,000 multiple-choice questions and 76 essay questions fall short of UWorld’s 6,200+ MCQs, but it makes up for that with live classes and built-in options for success coaching and tutoring—especially useful for students who thrive with structure or personal feedback.

In terms of video content, both providers offer about 150 lessons, but the experience is quite different. Becker’s videos average ~10 minutes, which made it easier for me to absorb information in shorter study sessions. UWorld’s videos are longer (averaging ~20–24 minutes), which felt more thorough but occasionally tested my focus.

If you’re looking for the most practice-driven experience, UWorld excels. But if you prefer more interactive support and faster, more digestible videos, Becker is the better fit.

UWorld vs Gleim CMA

Gleim slightly edges out UWorld for students who want maximum content diversity. Gleim includes 4,500 MCQs, over 130 essay questions, and what really stood out to me: 570+ short video lessons, most averaging around 7 minutes. As someone who appreciates tightly focused videos, I found Gleim’s pacing ideal for maintaining energy across long study sessions.

While UWorld’s 6,200+ questions represent the largest question bank I’ve tested, Gleim also offers audio lectures and detailed video walkthroughs for both MCQs and essays—formats UWorld doesn’t currently offer. That said, UWorld’s answer explanations go deeper, and I preferred its mobile experience and performance analytics through SmartPath.

In short: UWorld wins for volume and tech-driven prep, but Gleim may be better for multi-format learners who benefit from variety and brevity.

UWorld vs Surgent CMA

Surgent is a more affordable alternative to UWorld, and it gets the job done—but in my testing, UWorld’s materials felt significantly more robust. Surgent provides ~4,000 MCQs, 65 essays, and just over 60 video lessons, which is less than half the video content UWorld offers.

Where Surgent stands out is price. It also offers a money-back pass guarantee across all packages, which I wish UWorld included. But when I compared the learning experience, UWorld’s 150+ videos, detailed answer explanations, live boot camps, and smoother mobile app made studying feel more in-depth and flexible.

Surgent is a good budget-friendly choice, but UWorld offers more for students willing to invest a bit more in tools and structure.

UWorld vs CMA Exam Academy

CMA Exam Academy leans heavily into personalized coaching, offering weekly check-ins, support calls, and a <24-hour turnaround for questions answered by a CMA coach. If you want hands-on accountability, that’s its biggest strength.

However, in terms of sheer content, UWorld takes the lead. It has more video lessons, a larger question bank, and live boot camps that, while less personalized, still offer interactive learning opportunities. The pass guarantee from CMA Exam Academy is appealing, but I found UWorld’s tech platform and content depth more aligned with what I expect from a top-tier prep provider.

If 1-on-1 support is your priority, CMA Exam Academy may be the better fit. But if you prefer a comprehensive, self-paced prep program with occasional live support, UWorld is stronger overall.

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