2024-25 CPA Review Course Comparison
A CPA review course should be comprehensive, easy to use, and fairly priced so you are set up for success on exam day. Our mission is to bring you engaging and innovative learning solutions to help you reach your CPA goals. Here’s how UWorld CPA Review stacks up against other CPA review course providers.
UWorld CPA vs. Others
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UWorld CPA
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Active Learning MethodologyOur learn-by-doing methodology, known as active learning, enables students to achieve a 90% retention rate across various learning styles and plays a key role in exam preparation. |
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Highest-Quality Practice QuestionsOur experts developed quality questions and paired them with in-depth yet concise answer explanations that include illustrations, breakdowns of why each answer is correct or incorrect, and "things to remember" for each concept. |
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Exceptional InstructionPeter Olinto, CFA, JD, CPA (inactive), and Roger Phillip, CPA, CGMA, are masterful instructors who connect with CPA candidates. Their dynamic energy, clever mnemonics, and signature way of bringing concepts to life continue to be one of our students' favorite aspects of the course. |
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SmartPath Predictive Technology™Our proprietary online learning software guides you to complete a certain number of questions to ensure you are prepared for the most highly tested CPA Exam content. If you achieve your SmartPath targets, there is a 94% probability that you will pass the CPA Exam. |
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Evidence-Based Learning ToolsWe offer evidence-based study tools that no other CPA review course provides: flashcards with spaced-repetition technology and the My Notebook feature. |
Switching From Becker to UWorld: Matt's CPA Success Story
After struggling with another review course, Matt found success with UWorld. In this inspiring testimonial, Matt shares how UWorld's engaging lectures, MCQs, and SmartPath™ Predictive Technology helped him pass all 4 sections of the CPA Exam.
Active Learning Methodology
Our active learning methodology makes us different. This intentional principle ensures that using any of our materials will help you master key concepts you will utilize on exam day and throughout your career.
How Does UWorld Facilitate Active Learning Methods?
Learn by Doing
Active learning centers on the principle that students learn by doing. Practice and repetition enable students to master the concepts tested and retain information. That’s why UWorld's CPA Review features a large volume of questions from which students can create unlimited online practice tests that mimic the real exam.
Our experts write content at or above exam-level difficulty so students practice challenging questions over and over again, boosting their readiness and confidence on exam day.
Focused Learning
Focused learning is another characteristic of the active learning method. Many students struggle with staying organized or keeping up with a study plan over several months. This conflict occurs because they have a hard time deciphering which subjects to focus on and find themselves deliberating how much studying is enough. The problem compounds when students attempt to use too many materials or prep courses.
Simplified Learning
The merits of our active learning method aren’t complete without simplified learning. The CPA Exam is sophisticated and rigorous, requiring hundreds of hours of study time. That’s why our CPA review course simplifies the learning experience. Our in-depth yet concise answer explanations and vivid illustrations make difficult concepts easy to understand.
Highest-Quality Practice Questions
Quality vs. Quantity
What is the best way to pass the CPA Exam? The short answer is to practice by completing multiple-choice questions and task-based simulations. However, let us take a closer look at how to practice effectively.
Our learn-by-doing methodology, known as active learning, enables students to learn and retain more of the information needed to pass the CPA Exam. This evidence-based technique is achieved by delivering the correct quantity of questions with the highest quality.
- Quantity of questions: There is an optimal number of questions to practice before you have diminishing returns in your studying. We have found that practicing from 6,000 to 7,000 CPA questions is ideal for obtaining the right exposure to the most highly tested CPA Exam concepts. Our course provides over 8,000 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and task-based simulations (TBSs), ensuring you have more than enough practice material to cover key topics without overwhelming yourself.
- Quality of questions: We believe this is the most critical aspect of the best CPA review courses. If you do not understand the why behind your correct or incorrect answers, you could do 10,000 questions and still not pass the CPA Exam.
Difficulty At or Above Exam Level
On the CPA Exam, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) typically includes 1 or 2 answer options meant to distract you from the correct answer. Our dedicated team of experts invests thousands of hours in developing statistically valid, high-quality questions that mimic what students will see on exam day.
Content Always Up-To-Date
It is difficult for other CPA review providers to keep up with annual content changes. If you are conducting your CPA review course comparison based on the sheer number of questions they have, you may not be getting the quality questions you need.
Compare Answer Explanations
Our experts put their hearts into developing quality questions and detailed answers. Questions are paired with in-depth yet concise answer explanations that include educational illustrations, breakdowns of why each answer option is correct or incorrect, and "things to remember" summaries of each concept. They ensure the what, why, and how behind each question are directly aligned to something you will need to know on the CPA Exam.
Exceptional Instruction
Research demonstrates that students who are more actively engaged while learning experience better focus and comprehension. There is an element of artistry in how effective teachers connect with students in an online environment that fosters increased understanding. Peter Olinto, CFA, JD, CPA (inactive), and Roger Phillip, CPA, CGMA, are 2 of those masterful instructors who can connect with CPA candidates. Their dynamic energy, clever mnemonics, and signature way of bringing concepts to life continue to be one of our students' favorite aspects of our CPA review program and a standout feature when comparing us to other providers.
Every UWorld CPA course features 100+ hours of on-demand video lectures from our industry-leading instructors.
Compare CPA Exam Review Lecture Video Formats
Instructors from other review courses read the textbooks aloud while dictating what to circle, highlight, and take notes on. As one frustrated student said to us, "When you highlight everything, you highlight nothing." This lecture style is ineffective and leaves CPA students without critical context and knowledge of exam material.
SmartPath Predictive Technology™
Every CPA review program uses different types of technology. For an effective outcome, technology innovations require a deep understanding of what students really need to learn and retain information.
Becker, for example, uses AdaptU Technology built by Sana Labs. It looks like a complex technological platform, but any CPA review provider can implement this plugin by paying Sana Labs a small royalty. Sana Labs approached UWorld, and our team evaluated their technology, digging beyond their platform design. Ultimately, we decided not to use the plugin and create a better system for our students — our SmartPath Predictive Technology.
Surgent uses ASAP Technology®, claiming that their "technology learns about you to build a custom study plan that meets you where you are." While this technology sounds great in theory, it is unclear how it will benefit the user. ASAP Technology assesses your knowledge gaps once you have answered a few multiple-choice questions and generates a static study plan. It doesn’t dynamically adjust or adapt as students progress.
By contrast, UWorld CPA Review's SmartPath Predictive Technology™ is simple yet highly effective. SmartPath helps candidates focus on their studies where it matters most — what is tested on the CPA Exam. Based on actual exam topic weightage, SmartPath guides you to complete a certain number of questions to ensure you are prepared for the most highly tested CPA Exam content. For example, if a topic is rarely tested on the CPA Exam, SmartPath will suggest that you complete fewer questions to save time. For more frequently tested subjects, SmartPath guides you toward completing more questions so you can reach a point of mastery.
Technology Is a Big Part of the UWorld Difference
UWorld has 100+ world-class software engineers onsite full time whose sole focus is building and supporting our digital learning platform. We focus on providing a modern, up-to-date online learning environment. In our CPA review course comparison, none of the other review programs have this technology, talent, or resources.
SmartPath was built in-house and uses exam patterns and pass rate data that we have collected from actual students. We adjust our data-supported targets every time exam content changes. If you achieve SmartPath targets, there is a 94% probability that you will pass the CPA Exam. These targets are realistic and not difficult to achieve.
Compare CPA Exam Review Performance Tracking
UWorld Is an Award-Winning Leader in Education Technology
EY Entrepreneur of the Year® - Southwest
UWorld CEO recognized for leading a high-growth company that excels in innovation and performance
GSV Global EdTech 50 Member
The 50 most transformational high-growth companies in education technology
Entrepreneur Magazine’s Entrepreneur 360™
Top 10% of the Best Entrepreneurial Companies in America
19th Annual American Business Awards®
Stevie Award winner for "Achievement in Product Innovation"
Evidence-Based Learning Tools
UWorld CPA Review offers 2 evidence-based study tools that are being used widely by students in our other exam prep verticals, including:
- Flashcards with spaced-repetition technology
- My Notebook feature
Flashcards with Spaced-Repetition Technology
Most CPA review courses have pre-built flashcards within their course, including UWorld. However, in reality, students generally already know at least 30% to 40% of the information presented on the flashcards. Passively reviewing flashcards does not always help students retain complex concepts. Therefore, we provide students the ability to create customized flashcards directly from our software while working through lectures, textbooks, or questions. This act supports our learn-by-doing methodology, as the very act of creating flashcards ignites learning and retention.
Spaced-repetition technology is proven to enhance information retention and recall. You rate how well you understand the concept behind each flashcard, and our algorithm adjusts the frequency of topics presented based on your proficiency.
My Notebook
The CPA Exam tests an abundance of accounting, audit, and tax content, requiring CPA candidates to memorize a hefty amount of information. In the final days before the exam, it is critical to have a high-level overview of essential topics, calculations, and formulas to review in one convenient area. With UWorld CPA Review, CPA candidates can intuitively create their notes directly from question explanations, textbooks, and videos. Their notes are then easily accessible within the My Notebook feature. Pair this feature with the spaced-repetition technology embedded in our flashcard applications to amplify retention on exam day.
What Students Say About UWorld CPA Review
UWorld...you guys are rockstars! Thank you for helping me achieve this dream! I passed all exams on my first attempt. Yes I did put in a lot of effort and hardwork but UWorld prepared me to handle the exam with confidence. I have been telling people about the program and to trust the process. I really hope this program helps other people just like it helped me. Thank you!
Excellent questions and explanations. The UWorld CPA team did a fantastic job providing thorough explanations on why answers are correct or incorrect within each of the test bank questions. It saves me a tremendous amount of time while studying, by not having to spend additional time researching incorrect questions through the books/online. Additionally, it reinforces my understanding on concepts that I already know.
Roger ended up being my savior as I went 4/4 with his material. He provides great lectures, has great humor, and keeps you engaged.
Smartpath, in my opinion, puts UWorld study material way above others and is a tool everyone candidate should take advantage of.
Cheers to Roger for helping me passing the exam!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which CPA review course has the highest pass rate?
What is the best CPA review course for international students?
UWorld CPA Review believes the U.S. CPA Exam should be accessible to all. Therefore, we provide the best experience for international students with an exceptional customer service team. Additionally, study tools such as closed captioning are ideal for students whose first language is not English
What is the best CPA review course for slow learners?
UWorld CPA is tailored to all learners. The instructions and materials break down even the most difficult CPA Exam concepts so that everyone can understand.
What is the best CPA review course for visual, audio, video, and digital materials?
UWorld CPA Review features the most innovative study tools. Exceptional video content allows learners to grasp even the most complex exam topics. Tables and graphics in all answer explanations help. Digital materials sync across devices so students can study efficiently.
What is the best CPA review course for full-time workers?
When you are working full time, you have limited time. You must be efficient with your study plan. There is no need to memorize 10,000 questions to pass. You can choose which subjects need more time and which only need a little attention. UWorld’s proprietary SmartPath Predictive Technology™ guides you to plan your studies according to importance.
Is UWorld CPA better than Becker?
While students consider both Becker and UWorld to be top-rated CPA courses in their individually conducted CPA review course comparisons, students are turning to UWorld CPA as a superior option. UWorld’s CPA course provides top-quality materials, unparalleled instruction, and innovative learning tools that Becker is unable to replicate.
Resources
Award-Winning CPA Review Courses
See why 94% pass! Our world-class CPA review provides you with everything you need to succeed in your exams.
Read stories of how other CPA review students have achieved their career goals with the help of industry-leading CPA courses.
We partner with universities, firms, and state societies to give their students and accountants the best CPA courses available.
Our CPA Exam Resource Center provides CPA Exam candidates with all the resources needed to prepare and pass the CPA Exam.
