CPA Exam
Resources
Official materials, affordable supplements, and free tools to support your CPA journey. Need help choosing a primary review course? See our Best CPA Review Courses (2026) ranking.
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Supplement Your Course
Topic Supplement — Not a full CPA review courseStruggling with tough FAR topics? These targeted courses from Pass with Jack work alongside any primary review course. Excel-based visual teaching that breaks down the hardest concepts.
FAR so Far Bundle
~$155
All 7 FAR topic courses in one bundle: Consolidations, Leases, Bonds, Stocks & EPS, Deferred Taxes, Inventory, and Dollar-Value LIFO. Best value for candidates struggling with multiple FAR topics.
View Course(Affiliate link)Individual Topic Courses
$15–$50 each
Pick the specific FAR topics giving you trouble. Available: Consolidations, Leases, Bonds, Stocks & EPS, Deferred Taxes, Inventory, and Dollar-Value LIFO.
View Course(Affiliate link)CPA Spreadsheet Course
Free
Master the Prometric spreadsheet tool before exam day. Covers formulas, formatting, and shortcuts you will actually use on the CPA exam.
Start Free Course(Affiliate link)AICPA Official Resources
The AICPA provides free materials that every candidate should use regardless of their review course. These are the only resources that come directly from the exam creators.
Free practice exams for all 6 sections (AUD, FAR, REG, BAR, ISC, TCP) using the same Prometric software interface. Not scored, but familiarize you with the exam format and tools.
Free PDF download detailing the minimum knowledge and skills tested on each section. Updated 1-2 times per year. Essential for understanding what is and is not tested.
~140 actual retired exam questions available through Another71 and other aggregator sites. The closest thing to real exam questions you will find for free.
Provider Free Trials
Every major CPA review provider offers some form of free access. Take advantage of these to compare teaching styles and features before committing.
14-day free trial with one full unit per section (all 6 sections), Newt AI assistant, and FAF1 diagnostic assessment.
7-day free trial (extendable +7 days via support). Sample MCQs, TBSs, lectures across all sections. No credit card required.
3-day free trial of their adaptive learning platform (A.S.A.P. technology). 10-day money-back guarantee on paid purchase.
Unlimited free demo with one complete study unit per section. Includes video lectures and practice questions.
7-day free trial with NINJA Notes, audio review sample, and test bank demo.
7-day free trial of the visual-learning platform with animated explanations.
100 free practice questions available on their website.
Full platform access during free beta — 6,000+ MCQs, 500 TBS, adaptive learning, and study guides. No credit card, no time limit. (Same ownership as Atlas CPA Index — see disclosure.)
YouTube Channels
YouTube is an underrated resource for CPA exam prep. These channels offer free lectures, question walkthroughs, and study strategy advice.
1,500+ videos. College-level accounting mapped to [Becker](/reviews/becker)/Wiley/Gleim. Best for FAR and AUD.
CPA exam advice, section breakdowns, motivational content. Best for REG and FAR strategy.
800+ business tutorials by Michael McLaughlin, PhD, CPA. Clean academic explanations. Best for FAR intermediate/advanced topics.
Engaging lecture clips from Roger Philipp. High-energy concept explanations across all sections.
Study strategy and process optimization. Interviews with successful candidates. Companion podcast.
FAR topic deep-dives in Excel format. Bonds, Leases, Consolidations, EPS. Best for visual learners struggling with FAR.
Podcasts
Podcasts are useful for passive study — listen during commutes, workouts, or breaks. They cover strategy more than content.
175+ episodes of real candidate interviews averaging ~51 minutes. Study strategy breakdowns and motivation.
Official AICPA podcast. Good for exam updates and policy changes.
Solo advice episodes focused on passing while working full-time.
Q&A and strategy from the NINJA CPA Review creator.
Weekly guest interviews on careers in finance.
Online Communities
Connecting with other candidates provides accountability, answers to specific questions, and emotional support during the exam journey.
The most active CPA exam community. Score release threads, section-specific advice, course reviews, study tips.
Broader professional discussions with frequent CPA exam threads.
600K+ archived posts. No longer actively moderated but still searchable for historical advice.
Active real-time chat server for accounting students and CPA candidates.
Growing content from creators like @passwithjack with quick concept reviews and study tips.
Expert Insights
Articles featuring advice from professionals who passed high-stakes certifications, with strategies that apply directly to CPA exam preparation.
Six professionals across law, cybersecurity, HVAC, sports performance, investment management, and fulfillment share how their credentials changed their work and why it matters for CPA candidates.
Four professionals share the specific study techniques — active recall, verbal rehearsal, targeted memorization — that got them through difficult certification exams.
A CPA, an IRS Revenue Officer, and a bookkeeping manager on the gap between what they expected and what the job actually demanded.
From $47,000 in underpriced services to $12,500 compliance fines, eight professionals share the specific dollar amounts behind their costliest early-career mistakes.
Atlas Articles
Original guides and analysis published by Atlas CPA Index to help candidates make informed decisions about exam prep.
An in-depth look at NINJA, Meridian, and Pass with Jack for candidates paying out of pocket.
Study Plan Tools
A good study plan is free and just as important as the content itself. These tools help you build and track a realistic schedule.
Used by 200,000+ candidates. Tracks study hours, benchmarks mock scores, shows topic focus by exam weighting. Free.
Free standalone tool that builds a study schedule around your personal commitments.
Customizable study plan tied to your exam date with alerts if you fall behind. Free download.
Build a timeline based on your weekly availability, background, and target sections.
When Free Is Not Enough
Free resources have limits. If you find yourself scoring below 60% on practice questions consistently, or struggling with time management, a structured review course pays for itself through fewer retakes.
- •Each retake costs $262.64 in exam fees alone — a single failed section can cost more than a budget review course
- •Budget options like NINJA ($67-$87/month) and Surgent (frequently discounted) provide structured review at low cost
- •Many employers cover review course costs — check our employer reimbursement guide before paying out of pocket
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to choose your course?
Take our free LIFTS assessment to find the CPA review course that matches your learning style, budget, and schedule.
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