Best CMA Review Course Options

If you plan to pass the CMA exam on the first try, you need two things: a little bit of magic and a genie to grant you unlimited study time! Since that genie part might not happen, you might consider investing in one of the best CMA review course options instead.

But where do you even start?

After all, choosing the wrong CMA review course can hurt your chances of passing the Certified Management Accountant (CMA), dramatically slowing down your professional progress. So when there are so many CMA exam prep providers claiming to be “the best”, how are you supposed to know which one to choose?

Here’s what you need to know:

To start, you need to understand that there is no objective “best” way to prepare for the CMA exam. Everyone learns in different ways, and each course caters to different learning styles. What’s most important is finding a service that focuses on your specific style of learning.

Now, that’s not to say there aren’t A-list CMA review courses and not-so-stellar CMA review options.

Listed below are some of the best CMA prep courses. Each one emphasizes different learning styles, but they’re organized in a way that allows you to find the one that’s the best fit for you. Read on to see the benefits and drawbacks each CMA review course has to offer!

Top 5 Best Certified Management Accountant (CMA) Exam Prep Courses: 2025 Comparison Guide

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2. Gleim CMA Review

Gleim CMA Review offers an extensive range of CMA exam review materials, including thousands of practice questions, dozens of video lectures, and interactive essay problems to prepare for the essay portion. Similar to Surgent, Gleim CMA Premium also provides the option of consulting with a personal counselor to create a study schedule. The course is priced at $1349, and you can opt for one part only or purchase just the test bank for $999.

Gleim CMA Review Features:

• Thousands of Practice Questions with Detailed Answer Explanations
• 45+ Hours of Video/Audio Lectures
• Detailed Performance Results
• Personal Coaching
• Access Until You Pass Guarantee

The Pros:

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Accounting Team Support

Perhaps the biggest draw of Gleim CMA Review is its excellent support team. Any time you have difficulty with a question, you can easily contact Gleim’s accounting team for assistance. Help is always one click away when you’re working on difficult materials; you should never be stuck for too long, thanks to this.

Essay Questions

Unlike other companies, Gleim actually includes interactable essay questions with their CMA review courses. That means that rather than only being prepared for multiple choice segments, you’ll also be ready for the essay portion of the exam. This is a massive selling point for the company as very few services prepare you in this way.

Study Planner

Gleim’s CMA course comes with a fully customizable CMA exam study planner. This allows you to schedule all of your studies to fit your lifestyle and free time. It does this by working with your online review course in order to keep content flexible, so it can be accessed at any time. Using this allows you a greater degree of control over what you’re learning— more so than other study materials offer!

Largest CMA Test Bank

Gleim CMA Review boasts the largest test bank in the industry, offering thousands of practice questions that closely mimic the CMA exam format. Each question includes detailed answer explanations, ensuring you not only understand the correct answer but also why other options are incorrect. This extensive test bank allows for unlimited practice and helps build confidence before exam day.

Performance Feedback System

Gleim includes a performance feedback system that tracks your progress and identifies weak areas as you study. This feature provides detailed analytics, helping you focus on specific topics where you need improvement. With this tailored feedback, you can make the most of your study time and feel confident knowing you’re strengthening the areas that matter most.

The Cons:

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Pass Guarantee

While Gleim does have a pass guarantee, it is unfortunately locked behind the highest tier of courses. This can get pretty expensive because of that, although they are actually on the cheaper side of CMA courses with our Gleim discounts. As a result, it shouldn’t be too hard on your wallet, but it’s important to take note of this anyway.

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3. Surgent CMA Review Course

Surgent’s CMA Review Course combines excellent self-study materials with adaptive learning technology for a more efficient exam preparation. The adaptive technology focuses on areas needing improvement, streamlining study schedules, and eliminating wasted time. With three course options, including the Ultimate Pass with mock exams and 1-on-1 coaching,

Surgent CMA review provides comprehensive and affordable choices, ranging from $699 to $1299. The course offers over 4,000 questions, 65 essay problems, unlimited practice exams, 55+ video lectures, and two private coaching sessions with a Surgent Exam Review expert, all accessible until you pass the exam.

The Pros:

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Unlimited Practice Tests

The Surgent CMA Study Materials include a wide test bank of practice questions that can be organized into an unlimited number of practice exams. These questions have been taken directly from previous exams, so you know you’re always working with accurate representations of the real thing. On top of that, you’ll never need to worry about outdated test prep materials; these questions are constantly updated free of charge with the Surgent CMA Ultimate Pass.

Smart Technology

Surgent’s study program includes patented adaptive learning technology, making it one of the best CMA review courses. Referred to as A.S.A.P., this software attempts to find gaps in all CMA candidates’ knowledge and helps to fill them in. It does this by creating custom study plans based on your performance, as well as optimizing your overall course to speed up your learning. Using this system ensures that you’re always studying relevant subject matter and never wasting time on areas you already know.

ReadySCORE

In addition to customized study plans, Surgent CMA review course technology also provides you with an overall measurement of your exam readiness. ReadySCORE works with the A.S.A.P. system to tell you how well you’ll perform on the CMA exam at any point in your CMA exam prep journey. Consequently, you’ll always know exactly how close you are to your exam goals, and you’ll know immediately when you can pass. This way, you’ll be confident when exam day arrives!

Expert Guidance Support

Surgent CMA stands out by providing 1-on-1 coaching as part of its Ultimate Pass package. This personalized support allows you to connect directly with CMA experts who can answer your questions, provide study tips, and help you navigate challenging topics. This feature is perfect for candidates who benefit from additional guidance beyond self-study materials.

The Cons:

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No Live Content

Although it is one of the best CMA exam prep programs, Surgent CMA Review doesn’t offer a live content option. So, anyone who learns better in a classroom setting may be disappointed with what Surgent has to offer. If you prefer a live learning option, Becker CMA Review is probably the better pick for CMA exam review courses.

Overly Ambitious Timelines

While Surgent CMA’s adaptive learning technology is efficient, some candidates find its suggested study timelines overly ambitious. The program’s pace may feel rushed, especially for those balancing full-time work or other responsibilities. Candidates might need to customize the schedule to avoid burnout or ensure they fully grasp the material before moving forward.

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4. CMA Exam Academy Review

CMA Exam Academy review focuses on live content, with weekly CMA coach contact for progress reports and unlimited personal coaching support. The 16-week Accelerator program offers a structured approach and 2-year access to ensure first-time exam success. Additionally, practice exams take place at a Prometric testing center, providing a valuable real testing environment experience, complemented by a free Prometric Test Drive, a 1-year CPE Flow subscription ($699 value), and an exclusive discount.

The Pros:

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One on One Coaching

CMA Exam Academy’s biggest feature is its usage of one-on-one coaching while studying. CMA Exam Academy students get a complete 16-week Accelerator study plan for each part of the exam to reduce the amount of study time by over 80 hours.

Each week you’ll work with a CMA coach via phone calls, email, or course features. This ensures that you’re being guided toward a good grade at all times. With highly qualified instructors on your side and a 90% success rate, you’ll easily pass the CMA exam.

HD Video Lectures

In addition to the coaching aspects of the course, you’ll also have access to a list of HD video lectures. These will supplement the learning from your coaching time and further diversify your methods of studying. As a result, you’ll find yourself using these to break up lessons into more varied formats in order to keep yourself interested in the CMA exam material.

Print and Online Materials

CMA Exam Academy’s review materials also include a set of printed textbooks. Each of these books has been written by highly qualified CMAs and CPAs. While it may seem like an old-fashioned edition to an otherwise cutting-edge course, the truth is that these study resources are worth recognition due to their high-quality content and presentation.

Not a fan of traditional textbooks? CMA Academy also has digital options. Not only are digital textbooks available, but they also host an iOS & Android Flashcards mobile app to help with studying.

Currently, they are offering their Accelerator option at a discounted rate of $1,997. This fee includes 2-year access to a 4,000+ question test bank.

The Cons:

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Strict Schedule

Whether or not this is really a negative is up to the individual student, but it’s worth mentioning regardless. CMA Exam Academy has a strict weekly schedule for its coaching, with limited access to personal counselors. This is great for anyone who’s looking for some discipline and accountability in their CMA exam review course, but busier students may find this hard to handle. Consequently, you’ll need to decide for yourself if this is something you like before you buy it.

Price Increase

After increasing the number of questions in their test bank, CMA Exam Academy also raised their prices significantly. Priced at the higher end of CMA prep, this makes the review program unaffordable for some.

Limited Brand Recognition

CMA Academy, compared to some other established CMA prep providers, has a lesser-known brand presence in the market. This might lead to potential students questioning the credibility and effectiveness of their course offerings.

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5. UWorld CMA Review

The takeover of Wiley CMA by UWorld has clouded the clarity of the brand’s path forward. At the time this article was written, the Wiley website is still active but some programs cannot be purchase. Therefore, we can’t recommend Wiley at this time.

UWorld CMA Review, previously Wiley CMA Exam Review, presents online CMA prep courses that aim to assist candidates in achieving certification. While they claim an 80% first-time pass rate, it’s important to approach these figures with caution. The acquisition of Wiley Efficient Learning’s exam review portfolio has broadened UWorld’s offerings, but this expansion also raises questions about the consistency and focus of their CMA review courses.

What to Expect from UWorld CMA Review

When you enroll in UWorld CMA Review Courses, you’ll gain access to a variety of study materials and tools, each with its own set of features and considerations. The courses offer an extensive array of over 6,100 practice questions and full-length mock exams, which, while comprehensive, can be somewhat overwhelming and may not be organized in the most efficient manner for optimal learning.

The UWorld CMA Review’s study guides are a highlight, covering all ICMA®’s Content Specification Outlines and Learning Outcome Statements in great detail. These guides are carefully crafted to include every essential topic, providing a thorough understanding of the CMA exam content. However, the over 49 hours of video lectures, while informative, are quite lengthy and may be less engaging for some learners, which could affect the overall effectiveness of the study process.

For those who prefer studying on the go, UWorld offers a mobile app. While this app allows for flexible learning, it might not be as user-friendly or feature-rich as apps from other leading CMA review courses. Additionally, UWorld provides various course packages, such as Elite Unlimited and Premier. While these options cater to different study needs and budgets, they may not suit all learning styles, especially for students who seek more interactive and personalized study methods.

The Pros:

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Strategic Partnership

Wiley Efficient Learning is a Strategic Partner with the Institute of Management Accountants. This means that the top governing body of working professionals have fully vetted this course and endorsed its ability to prepare you for a rewarding career as a management accountant.

High Pass Rates

Thanks to several helpful features and excellent instructors, 8 out of 10 students who enroll in Wiley CMAexcel pass both parts of their CMA exams without any difficulty. This is one of the best ways to ensure you’re prepared for this notoriously difficult exam.

Free Access

If you’re not quite sure whether this is the right choice for your study needs, check out a 14-day free trial of Wiley CMAexcel without making any financial commitment. You’re likely to stick around for the full course, but you’re free to change your mind at any time in that two-week period!

The Cons:

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Limited Instructor Access

While Wiley has been recognized for its comprehensive study materials, one drawback is its limited instructor access. Candidates seeking regular, personalized guidance might feel the pinch as direct communication with experts isn’t as seamless as with some competitors. This could pose challenges for students who often require clarification on complex topics.

Navigation Issues

A few users have noted difficulties navigating the platform and raised concerns about the relevance of practice questions. Moreover, their video lectures, though thorough, can sometimes be lengthy and less engaging. Concerns also arise regarding the frequency of content updates, especially as accounting standards shift.

Also, it’s being shut down. Because of its sell-out to UWorld, it’s unlikely that this course will even be around next year. Therefore, it’s just better to go with a different option.

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6. Hock International CMA Review

Hock offers affordable CMA study materials without the advanced features of top picks like Surgent and Gleim. However, their course includes high-quality essay questions, mock exams, video lectures, and textbooks. Prices vary based on the chosen materials, with options ranging from under $500 for the test bank and exams to around $1,600 for the complete set. The course features experienced instructors, 3,000+ practice questions, private student forums, a step-by-step study guide, and a “You Pass Or We Pay” guarantee.

The Pros:

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Live Classes

Hock CMA’s biggest claim to fame is its live online classes. These are one-hour-long sessions hosted once a week for sixteen weeks. These cover the various topics you’ll see on the exam, as well as additional personal tips. Each class is archived after completion if you missed it or want to re-watch it. Furthermore, each week has live office hours where you can ask questions about what you’ve learned.

Textbook

The core element of Hock’s exam prep is its effective CMA textbook. It comes in both PDF and hardcopy formats and was designed to be easy to understand. That means that even people who have been out of school for a while can easily follow and understand what’s being taught on these pages!

The Cons:

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Cost

Unfortunately, these bonuses do come with a downside. This is one of the pricier options on the list— it doesn’t even offer an above-average quantity or quality to justify it, like with Wiley CMAexcel. However, Hock’s courses are frequently on sale and offer a specialized format that few other courses can match.

Not Well Known

One potential drawback of Hock International CMA is its less recognized brand compared to some of the more prominent CMA review course providers. As a result, candidates might be less familiar with the reputation and credibility of the Hock program compared to industry-leading alternatives, which could influence their decision-making process.

Less Engaging Content

Some users find Hock’s study materials and videos to be less engaging or dynamic compared to other CMA prep courses. The straightforward delivery may not suit candidates who thrive with more interactive or visually appealing content.

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Conclusion

Hopefully, you’ve been able to pick the right CMA course that suits your budget, studying style, and needs. Now, get studying and make sure you know all of the CMA exam requirements when you’re ready to take the exam.