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Surgent vs Gleim CPA
Head-to-head comparison of the CPA review courses from Gleim and Surgent
Choosing the right CPA review course is a crucial step for aspiring accountants aiming to pass the challenging CPA exam. In this article, we compare the CPA review courses from Gleim and Surgent, two of the most reputable providers in the industry. By evaluating their features, teaching methodologies, and overall effectiveness, we aim to help you determine which course best suits your study needs and preferences.
To start, let’s take a look at the major strengths of the Gleim CPA review courses. This will give you a better idea if their courses match up well with your study needs and preferences.
Value Pricing
Both Surgent and Gleim offer three different course options for accounting students to choose from.
The three courses from Surgent (Essentials, Premier, and Ultimate) cost between $2,500 and $3,800 (MSRP). Gleim, on the other hand, charges between $2,500 and $3,500 for their courses (Traditional, Premium, and Pro).
A look inside the Gleim CPA prep course
Plus, Gleim seems to be more aggressive with sales and discounts as well. For example, you can often find their Traditional CPA review course on sale for less than $1,300, believe it or not.
Therefore, after discounts, expect to save anywhere from $50 to $500 by opting to go with Gleim for your CPA prep needs.
Top-Notch CPA Prep Books
When examining the CPA prep books from Gleim and Surgent, it’s evident that Gleim’s materials shine due to their exceptional quality and longstanding reputation.
With nearly 50 years of refinement, Gleim’s written resources are renowned for being thorough yet concise, rivaling even Becker’s esteemed prep books. Designed in an easy-to-read outline format, Gleim’s books effectively cover crucial details, providing clear explanations and abundant examples in both digital and print versions.
While we like Surgent’s prep books as well, our team thought they weren’t integrated into their courses very well. Surgent really just directs you to read certain sections of the books when you are struggling in a particular area.
Video Lessons
Gleim’s video lessons are designed to be short and easily digestible, aiding long-term retention. They come in two formats: one featuring an instructor lecturing in front of a green screen with accompanying digital notes and graphics, and the other with the instructor in the corner of the screen, focusing on content review and sample problems.
Example video lesson from Gleim
The first half of each video typically reviews material, transitioning into practice problems with two or three examples. This combination of lecture and practice enhances comprehension. The high production quality, clear picture, and well-executed digital effects make these lessons highly effective (similar to the UWorld video lessons).
The Surgent video lessons, on the other hand, are somewhat dry and boring. They lack the engagement factor of the Gleim video lectures.
Quantity & Quality Of Task-Based Simulations
Another key highlight of the Gleim CPA Review course is its vast array of task-based simulations. With over 1,300 practice opportunities, including around 350 with exhibits, Gleim closely replicates the actual exam format.
Example practice question from Gleim
This offering is double that of any other provider and nearly triples the number offered by Surgent. Beyond quantity, the quality of Gleim’s simulations is superb, mirroring the exam-day experience and providing detailed explanations to facilitate learning from mistakes and verifying correct answers.
Now that you have a good idea of what Gleim brings to the table, let’s discuss the advantages of going with Surgent to help you study for the CPA exam.
AI Software Optimizes Studying
For busy professionals and CPA candidates with limited free time, Surgent CPA’s adaptive software is a game-changer. This AI-driven technology focuses on securing the easiest point gains quickly.
A look inside the Surgent CPA prep course
Instead of wasting time on minor improvements, Surgent ensures your study sessions are both efficient and effective, helping you balance work and exam preparation. The software targets the “low-hanging fruit” first, meaning once you excel in a topic, you won’t be revisiting it unnecessarily.
Surgent’s smart algorithms are the standout feature of this prep package, maximizing study efficiency.
Surgent’s performance trackers provide students with invaluable insights into their study progress for the CPA exam. These trackers highlight areas of strength and weakness, allowing students to focus their efforts where needed most.
Example performance report from Surgent
By offering real-time feedback and progress reports, the trackers help students stay motivated and on track. Additionally, the data-driven insights enable more efficient and targeted study sessions, enhancing overall exam readiness.
Mobile App
Surgent’s mobile app offers CPA exam students the convenience of studying anytime, anywhere (Gleim does not offer a mobile app). The app provides access to all study materials, including lectures, quizzes, and practice exams, ensuring continuity in learning.
Its user-friendly interface and offline capabilities make it easy to fit study sessions into busy schedules. Additionally, real-time syncing with the desktop platform ensures that progress and performance data are always up-to-date across all devices.
While Surgent’s CPA review courses offer impressive adaptive technology, and convenient mobile app features, our team ultimately recommends Gleim for CPA exam preparation.
Gleim’s extensive task-based simulations, comprehensive and succinct prep books, and high-quality video lessons provide a robust and immersive learning experience. Additionally, Gleim’s long-standing reputation and commitment to continually refining their resources make them a reliable choice for candidates. Overall, Gleim stands out as the superior option for those aiming to pass the CPA exam with confidence.
Also, it doesn’t hurt that Gleim’s courses are slightly more affordable than those from Surgent net of discounts.
What is the difference between Gleim and Surgent for CPA exam prep?
The main difference between Gleim and Surgent for CPA exam prep lies in their approach and resources: Gleim offers a more traditional, comprehensive study experience with extensive task-based simulations and detailed explanations, while Surgent focuses on efficiency through AI-driven adaptive learning technology that targets areas for quick improvement. Additionally, Gleim provides a larger volume of practice materials, whereas Surgent emphasizes smart, time-saving strategies to optimize study sessions for busy professionals.
Which CPA review course is better, Gleim or Surgent?
In our team’s opinion, Gleim is the superior choice for its comprehensive study materials, extensive task-based simulations, and detailed explanations, making it ideal for thorough exam preparation. Surgent, on the other hand, excels in efficiency with its AI-driven adaptive learning technology, making it a great choice for busy professionals who need to optimize their study time.
