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CPA Exam Study Materials

What you need to pass the CPA exam

A structured review course is essential for most candidates
Quality matters more than quantity of materials
Supplement based on your specific weak areas
Practice questions are your most important resource

The right study materials make CPA exam preparation more efficient and effective. This guide covers essential and optional resources, from review courses to supplemental materials.

Last updated: July 27, 2026

Brennan KolarBy Brennan KolarFounder, Atlas CPA Index

Essential: CPA Review Course

A comprehensive CPA review course is the foundation of successful preparation. Review courses provide structured content, practice questions, simulations, and study schedules. For a complete ranking of all 9 major providers, see our Best CPA Review Courses (2026) page, or browse by candidate profile for recommendations tailored to your situation.

  • Premium options (Becker, UWorld): $2,000-$6,400, most comprehensive — see Becker vs Gleim for a pricing breakdown
  • Mid-range options (Surgent, Gleim): $800-$3,500, practice-heavy and adaptive
  • Budget options (NINJA $67/mo, Meridian free in beta): $0-$1,500, solid core content
  • All major courses cover full exam content—differences are in delivery and support

Essential: Practice Questions

Access to a large bank of quality MCQs and TBS is non-negotiable. Most review courses include sufficient questions, but some candidates add supplemental question banks.

  • Your review course typically includes 4,000-12,000+ questions
  • Gleim has the largest MCQ bank (12,000+ questions)
  • NINJA CPA is a full standalone course at $67/month — also popular as an add-on
  • Aim to complete 2,000-4,000 MCQs per section

Optional: Supplemental Materials

Based on your learning style and weak areas, consider these additions. For FAR specifically, Pass with Jack offers individual topic courses on the hardest concepts (consolidations, leases, bonds) for $15-$50 each.

ItemValueNotes
NINJA CPAFull course / add-on$67/month, works as standalone or alongside another course
Pass with JackFAR topic courses$24.99-$34.99 per topic (consolidations, leases, bonds, etc.)
FlashcardsQuick reviewDigital (Anki, Quizlet) or physical
AICPA Practice ExamsOfficial practiceFree, highly recommended
TutoringPersonalized helpFor specific stuck points

Limited-time offer

Ends tomorrow

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Up to 35% off Pro and Pro+ — Pro $2,499 (MSRP $3,845), Pro+ $2,698 (MSRP $4,044). Labor Day Sale, 8/18 through 9/8, extended through 9/14. No promo codes needed, auto-applied via affiliate link. Becker's on-site fine print currently states 9/8/26 at 11:59pm CST; the extension to 9/14 is confirmed on Becker's affiliate promotion schedule.

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What to Avoid

More materials isnt always better. Avoid these common mistakes.

  • Dont buy multiple full review courses—master one thoroughly
  • Avoid outdated materials (pre-2024 courses miss CPA Evolution)
  • Skip unnecessary supplements if your main course is sufficient
  • Dont substitute social media "tips" for structured study

Recommended CPA Review Courses

Becker

The industry standard for CPA exam prep

$2,499–$4,999View Review

Surgent

Adaptive learning that reads your needs

$799–$1,699View Review

NINJA CPA

Affordable flexibility with monthly pricing

$67–$87/monthView Review

Gleim

The largest question bank in CPA review

$2,499–$3,499View Review

UWorld

Visual learning meets adaptive technology

$1,999–$2,899View Review

Related Exam Guides

FAR
FAR
Section Guide
AUD
AUD
Section Guide
REG
REG
Section Guide

Build a Personalized Study Plan

FAR
FAR Study Plan
5 questions · free
AUD
AUD Study Plan
5 questions · free
REG
REG Study Plan
5 questions · free

Best For Your Situation

Best for Budget-Conscious Candidates
Getting CPA certified shouldn't break the bank. You're looking for quality preparation at an affordable price, whether that means lower upfront costs or flexible payment options.
Best for Working Professionals
Balancing a full-time job while studying for the CPA exam requires maximum flexibility and efficient study methods. You need a course that fits your schedule, not the other way around.

Frequently Asked Questions

While technically not required, a structured review course dramatically increases your pass probability. The vast majority of successful candidates use one. Self-study using only textbooks and free resources is possible but much harder and takes longer.
Not recommended. The 2024 CPA Evolution significantly changed the exam structure. Materials from 2023 or earlier are missing critical content changes and include obsolete BEC content. Always use current-year materials.
If youre consistently scoring 70-75%+ on your main courses practice questions, you likely dont need supplements. If struggling in specific areas, targeted supplements (like extra MCQs) can help. Dont add materials just to add them.

Further reading

Recommended Courses & Profiles

Related Reviews

Becker4.4/5$2,499–$4,999Surgent4.1/5$799–$1,699NINJA CPA4.3/5$67–$87/monthGleim3.9/5$2,499–$3,499UWorld4.3/5$1,999–$2,899

Best For

Budget-Conscious CandidatesGetting CPA certified shouldn't break the bank. You're looking for quality preparation at an affordable price, whether that means lower upfront costs or flexible payment options.Working ProfessionalsBalancing a full-time job while studying for the CPA exam requires maximum flexibility and efficient study methods. You need a course that fits your schedule, not the other way around.

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Brennan Kolar

Brennan Kolar

Founder, Atlas CPA Index

Brennan Kolar is the founder of Atlas CPA Index, an independent CPA review comparison platform covering all 55 U.S. jurisdictions. With over 10 years of experience with CPA review, he built Atlas to help candidates find the right review course based on how they actually learn, not which provider has the biggest ad budget.

Learn more about the author

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