Do I need discipline for self-paced study?

Yes, self-paced study requires internal motivation. Without scheduled classes, you must set your own study routine and stick to it. Tools like study planners, calendar blocking, and accountability partners can help.

Which self-paced course is most flexible?

NINJA offers the most flexibility with month-to-month billing—pause when you need to and resume when ready. Surgent and UWorld provide 24-month access with no expiration pressure. Meridian offers affordable lifetime access.

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Flexible Study on Your Schedule

Best Self-Paced CPA Review Courses

Self-paced courses give you complete control over when and how you study. Ideal for working professionals with unpredictable schedules, these courses let you progress at your own speed without mandatory class times or rigid deadlines.

4Courses Compared

Updated February 2026

Study anytime, anywhere at your own pace

No mandatory class times or schedules

Pause and resume as life demands

Perfect for unpredictable work schedules

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Additionally, one or more providers shown are owned by the same entity as Atlas CPA Index.

Courses in This Category

Surgent

Adaptive learning that reads your needs

4.3

Price$999–$1,999

Best ForEfficient studiers

AccessUntil pass

Pass GuaranteeYes

Key Strengths

True adaptive technology adjusts to your level
Efficient study paths save time
Excellent value for mid-range budget

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NINJA CPA

Affordable flexibility with monthly pricing

4.0

Price$67–$87/month

Best ForBudget-conscious

AccessMonthly

Key Strengths

Flexible monthly subscription ($67/month)
No long-term commitment required
Great supplemental resource

Read Full Review

Meridian CPA ReviewDisclosure

The most affordable complete CPA review course

4.0

Price$199–$299

Best ForBudget-conscious candidates

AccessUnlimited

Key Strengths

Lowest total cost of any CPA review course
Unlimited access (no expiration)
AI-powered adaptive learning

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UWorld

Visual learning meets adaptive technology

4.4

Price$2,299–$4,100

Best ForVisual learners

Access18 months

Pass GuaranteeYes

Key Strengths

Exceptional visual explanations
Strong question bank with detailed rationales
Intuitive adaptive learning platform

Read Full Review

Feature Comparison

Feature	Surgent	NINJA CPA	Meridian CPA Review*	UWorld
Price Range	$999–$1,999	$67–$87/month	$199–$299	$2,299–$4,100
Overall Rating	4.3	4.0	4.0	4.4
Access Duration	Until pass	Monthly	Unlimited	18 months
Pass Guarantee	Yes	No	No	Yes
Mobile App	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Free Trial	No	No	No	7 days
MCQs	8,000+	6,000+	6,000+	6,000+
Video Hours	350+	70+	0	100+
Live Classes	Yes	No	No	No
1-on-1 Tutoring	No	No	No	No

* Meridian CPA Review is owned by the same entity as Atlas CPA Index.

Our Recommendation

Top Pick

UWorld

Visual learning meets adaptive technology

$2,299–$4,1004.4 / 5.0

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Who Should Choose This Category?

Working professionals with irregular hours
Busy season accountants
Parents balancing family and study
Self-motivated learners

Also Worth Considering

Surgent4.3

$999–$1,999

NINJA CPA4.0

$67–$87/month

Meridian CPA Review*4.0

$199–$299

Not Sure Which Course Is Right for You?

Take our free LIFTS assessment to get personalized recommendations based on your learning style, budget, and schedule.

Take the Assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

Most candidates take 12-18 months to pass all four sections with self-paced study while working full-time. The average per-section study time is 100-150 hours. Self-paced allows you to accelerate during slow periods and slow down during busy times.

Affiliate Disclosure: Atlas CPA Index contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission when you purchase through our links. Meridian CPA Review is owned by the same entity as Atlas CPA Index. Our comparisons are based on the LIFTS framework methodology, not commission rates.