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Gleim vs UWorld CPA
Detailed comparison of the CPA review courses from Gleim and UWorld (formerly Roger and Wiley)
When it comes to preparing for the CPA exam, choosing the right prep course can make all the difference. This article compares the CPA prep courses from Gleim and UWorld, examining their unique features, strengths, and weaknesses. Notably, UWorld has recently expanded its offerings by acquiring Roger CPA and Wiley CPA, enhancing its position in the market. Let’s explore how these courses stack up to help you make an informed decision on your path to CPA success.
To kick this comparison off, let’s discuss the major advantages of going with Gleim to help you prepare for the CPA exam.
More Affordable Than UWorld
Both Gleim and UWorld offer three different course options for students to choose from.
The MSRP of UWorld’s CPA courses range from $3,500 on the low end to $4,100 on the high end, whereas Gleim’s cost between $2,500 and $3,500.
Therefore, you’ll likely save around $600 to $1,000 by opting to go with Gleim for your CPA prep needs.
Plus, Gleim seems to be more aggressive with sales and discounts too so there is a good chance you’ll be able to save even more.
Incredible CPA Prep Books
When comparing the CPA prep books from Gleim and UWorld, it’s clear that Gleim’s books stand out for their excellence and longevity. Gleim has been refining their prep books for nearly 50 years, resulting in highly rated resources that are both comprehensive and succinct (just as good as Becker’s prep books).
A look inside the Gleim CPA course
Their books are structured like an outline, making them easy to read while covering essential details concisely, and they come in both digital and print formats with clear explanations and numerous examples.
On the other hand, UWorld’s books, while well-organized and generally well-written, lack the depth and insights found in Gleim’s, making them a weaker point of the UWorld CPA Review course.
Task Based Simulations
One of the standout features of the Gleim CPA Review course is its extensive collection of task-based simulations. Gleim offers over 1,300 practice opportunities, including around 350 with exhibits, closely mimicking the exam format. This is twice as many simulations as any other provider and three times more than UWorld.
Example simulation from Gleim
In addition to the quantity, the quality of Gleim’s simulations is excellent. They mirror the exam-day experience and come with detailed explanations to help you learn from mistakes and confirm correct answers.
Practice Problem Explanations
After completing the quizzes in each Gleim study unit, you can review the questions you missed (or all of them if you prefer).
Gleim provides helpful explanations
Gleim’s explanations, much like their questions, are top-notch. They are comprehensive, well-written, and address each answer choice, explaining both correct and incorrect options.
Realistic Testing Interface
Another standout feature of the Gleim course is the final review function available towards the end of your studies for each section. When you’re ready to practice under real test-like conditions, you can take a simulated exam. This mock exam replicates the actual test in both length and interface, helping you prepare mentally and physically for the real thing.
Example problem from Gleim
The questions in the simulated exam are entirely new and not just taken from Gleim’s question bank (unlike many of their competitors in the CPA review space), ensuring a high-quality, realistic practice experience. This resource is incredibly valuable and worth highlighting.
Additionally, after completing the mock exams, Gleim offers a “final review” that focuses on your weakest areas based on performance metrics, providing targeted last-minute study help.
Now that you have a good sense of what Gleim has to offer, let’s turn the tables and discuss the major reasons you may want to consider using UWorld to help you study for the CPA exam. Again, just a reminder, UWorld recently acquired Roger and Wiley and merged them under the UWorld Accounting brand.
Engaging Video Lessons
For years, Roger CPA Review has been renowned for its dynamic video lectures, a tradition that continues even after merging with UWorld. The lessons, led by enthusiastic founder Roger Philipp, and well-known professor Peter Olinto, are highly engaging and educational.
The UWorld video lessons are very engaging
The instructor’s high-energy teaching style, complete with frequent movement, and the use of a whiteboard, keeps viewers captivated and helps simplify complex concepts through anecdotes, analogies, and mnemonics.
The layout of the video lessons is user-friendly, with corresponding eBook sections and segment lists, which can be adjusted for viewing preferences. This method effectively promotes comprehension and retention, making the learning process both enjoyable and effective.
To be clear, our team likes the video lessons from Gleim as well (they are very good in their own right); however, we just prefer the engaging style of the UWorld instructors, namely Roger Philipp and Peter Olinto.
Another attractive aspect of the UWorld CPA courses is their last minute cram course. These intensive review sessions zero in on the most frequently tested topics on the CPA exam, delivering concise lessons on each one.
A look inside the UWorld CPA course
Designed to help you quickly capture the most accessible points, these sessions focus on areas that consistently appear on the exam. Our team found these courses incredibly beneficial, especially when time is short, as they provide a focused and effective way to maximize last-minute studying.
Mobile App
UWorld offers a highly functional mobile app for both iOS and Android, giving students full access to all their course materials. Unlike some test prep apps that only provide limited resources like flashcards or a few practice problems, this app includes the complete set of study materials available on the desktop version.
The app is well-designed, intuitive, and has fast load times, making it perfect for studying on the go. It’s a valuable addition to the core course, offering flexibility and comprehensive content access. For the record, Gleim does not offer a mobile app for its students.
While the UWorld CPA prep courses have their strengths, such as engaging video lectures and a comprehensive mobile app, our team ultimately prefers Gleim.
Gleim’s extensive collection of task-based simulations, high-quality prep books, and realistic simulated exams provide a robust and effective study experience. The structured and succinct nature of Gleim’s study materials makes it easier to grasp complex concepts and retain information.
Additionally, Gleim’s long-standing reputation and continuous updates ensure that their resources are top-notch. Overall, Gleim’s CPA prep courses offer a more thorough and reliable path to success on the CPA exam.
Plus, let’s not forget that the CPA review courses from Gleim are considerably cheaper than those from UWorld.
What is the difference between Gleim and UWorld For CPA Review?
Gleim offers extensive task-based simulations and detailed, outline-style study materials that are easy to understand. In contrast, UWorld is known for its engaging video lectures and its user-friendly mobile app.
Which CPA review course is better, Gleim or UWorld?
While UWorld excels with its engaging video lectures and convenient mobile app, making it a strong choice for interactive and flexible studying, our team believes Gleim is the superior choice thanks to its extensive task-based simulations and detailed prep books, which provide a thorough and well-rounded preparation plan.
