Best EA review courses for the 2026 to 2027 exam
Last checked October 23, 2026 · Sources: Gleim’s, Becker’s and Surgent’s own EA pages; Gleim prices as listed, Becker’s as reported (consistent with its $450 upgrade), Surgent’s Ultimate as listed; Fast Forward Academy from a partner list and review sites; IRS EA FAQ for exam facts. Ratings are our editorial assessment from published details, not hands-on tests. Confirm the live price and the exam year at checkout.
The best EA review course depends on how you want to study and what safety net you want. Four providers cover most EA candidates: Gleim (4.5 / 5), Fast Forward Academy (4.2), Becker (4.1) and Surgent (4.1). Each sells a complete three-part course for a single price, typically $500 to $800, so the choice comes down to practice volume, teaching style and guarantees.
The biggest test bank, six mocks, Access Until You Pass and a refund policy on Premium, which also bundles 72 hours of CE.
Buy now on GleimAccess until you pass, unlimited practice exams and 3,000+ questions at the lowest price.
See prices on FFAA Pass Guarantee and unlimited access on Premium and Pro, live classes on Pro, and a 14-day free trial.
Buy now on BeckerAdaptive practice with ReadySCORE and a Pass or Money-Back Guarantee on every tier; part of UWorld since April 2026.
See prices on SurgentThe best EA review courses at a glance
| Provider | Rating | Price range | What stands out | Safety net |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gleim | 4.5 / 5 | $499 to $799 | Largest test bank claim, 6 mocks on Premium, 30+ hours of video | Premium: Access Until You Pass, plus a refund policy; Traditional gives 12 months of access |
| Fast Forward Academy | 4.2 / 5 | About $449 (partner list) or $549 to $699 (reported) | 3,000+ questions, unlimited practice exams, 155+ audio lectures (older reviews: 100+ video lectures) | Access until you pass; no guarantee found |
| Becker | 4.1 / 5 | About $499 to $949, reported | 3,000+ questions, adaptive practice, AI assistant, live classes on Pro | Pass Guarantee and unlimited access on Premium and Pro; Essentials has 12 months of access and no guarantee |
| Surgent | 4.1 / 5 | Ultimate $999 listed; others at checkout (older reports from about $499) | Adaptive plan, short videos, ReadySCORE | Pass or Money-Back on every tier |
Prices cover all three exam parts. Discounts are common.
How to choose, in four situations
Gleim Premium bundles access until you pass, 72 hours of CE and a refund policy, though the refund has conditions.
Gleim reviewBecker Premium and Pro carry a Pass Guarantee, and Surgent has one on every tier, which matters because a failed part costs $317 to retake.
Becker reviewFast Forward Academy is cheapest with access until you pass; Gleim's test bank is $499 and Becker Essentials is reported near the same. Check what safety net you give up at the cheapest tier.
Compare the cheapest optionsBecker is taught by enrolled agents, with live classes on Pro; Gleim Premium has 30+ hours of video.
Becker reviewHow we rated the best EA review courses
We rate each course out of 5 with the same rubric we use across the site: question bank 25%, practice exams 20%, lectures 15%, platform 15%, support 10% and value 15%, based on providers’ published details. We don’t accept payment for placement and don’t currently earn commissions. See how we rank EA review courses.
Head-to-head comparisons
Most people arrive already down to two. These put each pair side by side.
Also worth knowing
- Match the tax year. The exam in this window tests tax year 2025. Make sure your course is updated for it, and that textbooks are the current edition.
- Free material comes first. The IRS publishes sample exam questions, and free question banks exist. See our free resources page.
- Other providers exist. HOCK sells an EA subscription and Lambers sells an EA course, among others. We have not reviewed them yet.
- Surgent now belongs to UWorld. UWorld acquired Surgent on April 30, 2026, and Surgent still sells its own EA course.
Common questions about the best EA review course
Do I need a review course to pass the EA?
Not strictly. The IRS suggests studying the Internal Revenue Code, Circular 230, IRS publications and forms, and says commercial courses are available. But a failed part costs $317 to retake, which is worth weighing against the price of a course.
Do I pay per part?
Not usually. Prices are for the whole three-part course. Some providers also sell individual parts, so check if you only need one.
Can I use last year's course?
Only if it is updated for the tax year the exam currently tests, which is 2025 in this window. Textbooks and question banks from earlier years will have outdated figures.
Which EA course is rated highest?
Gleim, at 4.5 / 5, for its question bank, six mocks and Access Until You Pass.