The cheapest EA review course, and the cheapest way to the EA
Last checked October 22, 2026 · Sources: Gleim’s and Becker’s own EA pages (Gleim prices as listed; Becker as reported, consistent with its $450 upgrade); Surgent’s own listings; Fast Forward Academy prices from Auburn University (an FFA partner) and review sites; exam fees from the IRS EA FAQ.
The cheapest EA review course is a single package covering all three parts, since prep is sold that way rather than per part. The lowest-priced full courses are Fast Forward Academy’s online course (about $449 to $549, with access until you pass) and Becker Essentials (about $499, 12 months). The catch is that a failed part costs $317 to retake, so the cheapest plan is the one that gets you through first time.
Cheapest EA review course options compared
| Option | Price | What you get | The catch |
|---|---|---|---|
| IRS publications and sample questions | Free | The source material and official sample questions | No feedback or structure |
| Free question banks | Free | Practice questions from independent sites | Quality and tax-year coverage vary |
| Fast Forward Academy Online Course | About $449 (partner list) to $549 (reported) | Audio and video, 3,000+ questions, unlimited practice exams, access until you pass | No refund policy found |
| Gleim Test Bank | $499 | Question bank for all three parts, 12 months | No guided course |
| Becker Essentials | About $499, reported | The full course with 12 months of access | No Pass Guarantee at this tier |
| Surgent Essentials | At checkout (older reports from about $499) | Adaptive course, 18 months of access | Includes a Pass or Money-Back Guarantee |
Prices cover all three parts. Gleim’s are from its own site; the others are as reported or partner-listed, and discounts are common.
Access until you pass and unlimited practice exams.
See prices on FFAAdaptive course with a guarantee even at the entry tier.
See prices on SurgentCutting the exam costs too
- Apply for a scholarship. The NAEA Education Foundation offers scholarships for SEE exam fees and study materials, with application windows in May and October.
- Reschedule at least 48 hours ahead. Inside 48 hours you pay another full $317.
- Look for bundled CE. Some courses include continuing education you will need after enrollment; Gleim Premium includes 72 hours.
- Ask your employer. Some tax firms reimburse the exam and prep.
Where saving money backfires
The exam tests tax year 2025 in this window. Last year's materials will have outdated figures.
Each failed part costs $317. If your tier has no guarantee and a short access window, a retake can cost more than the saving.
Booking before you are ready, then rescheduling inside 48 hours, costs a full exam fee.
Common questions about the cheapest EA prep
What is the cheapest realistic path?
Prepare with free material first and book each part when you are ready, so that you pay for exam fees once. The risk is a retake, which costs $317 per part.
Can I pass using only free material?
It is possible, since the IRS points candidates to the tax code, publications and forms as source material. But it is a large amount of material with no feedback, which is why candidates often add a question bank.
What is the cheapest full EA review course?
Fast Forward Academy’s online course, listed at about $449 by a partner university and reported at $549, with access until you pass.
Which low-cost option has a guarantee?
Surgent, which lists a Pass or Money-Back Guarantee on every tier including Essentials.