Gleim vs Becker CPA Review: Which Prep Course Is Better?

Gleim and Becker CPA Review get talked about a lot, but they are not one-size-fits-all. Different students need different things. I have seen plenty of candidates assume all major courses work the same, then struggle because the format did not match how they actually study.

The CPA Exam changed in 2024, and the results show it. With Core section pass rates sitting in the low 40s and wide swings across the Discipline sections, how you prepare matters more than it used to.

In this breakdown, I walk through Gleim CPA Review and Becker CPA Review based on hands-on testing. I focus on how each platform actually works day to day, who each one helps most, and how to choose the option that fits your learning style under the new CPA exam.

How To Choose Between Gleim and Becker CPA

• If you learn best by answering questions:
  Gleim CPA Review centers prep around quizzes, simulations, and active practice.
• If you want lessons to guide your studying:
  Becker CPA Review leads with structured video lectures and readings.
• If you study in short, focused sessions:
  Gleim works well for targeted drills and flexible study time.
• If you want a set study plan and accountability:
  Becker provides built-in schedules, checkpoints, and pacing tools.
• If you want instructor access and coaching support:
  Becker includes live classes, tutoring, and success coaching in higher tiers.

Gleim CPA Review: Practice-Driven And Flexible

With Gleim CPA Review, the focus is firmly on learning by doing. Most of my sessions kicked off with a quick SmartAdapt quiz, followed by deep dives into the explanations — and that’s where the real progress happened. The answer breakdowns are designed to slow you down just enough to help you spot those subtle wording traps, which is especially useful on task-based simulations.

While video content is included in the higher-tier packages, it’s more straightforward than flashy. The tone is calm and clear—great for when a concept still isn’t landing after practice—but not necessarily the kind of content you’d binge. Think of it as a quick reset button, not a full lecture series.

One of Gleim’s biggest strengths is flexibility. There’s no rigid structure or forced progression, so if you realize you’re weak in a certain area, it’s easy to jump right into that topic, skim the digital book, and head straight back to the questions. Navigation is smooth, and everything’s easy to access.

The trade-off? Self-discipline matters. Gleim doesn’t push you with live sessions or daily to-do lists, so staying consistent relies on your own accountability. But if you’re self-motivated and like having control over your study plan, that freedom can actually be a big advantage.

Gleim CPA Package Options 

• Traditional CPA Review: Includes SmartAdapt practice, digital textbooks, simulations, limited mock exams, and audio lectures.
  ➡️ Best for self-directed candidates who want strong practice without video instruction.
• Premium CPA Review: Adds video lectures, flashcards, final review tools, and extended access to the core platform.
  ➡️ Best for most CPA candidates who want instruction paired with deep practice.
• Premium Pro CPA Review: Includes AI study, expanded discipline access, and additional expert assistance.
  ➡️ Best for candidates who want more flexibility and higher-touch support.

Course Highlights

• 12,000 plus CPA exam practice questions
• 1,600 plus task-based simulations
• SmartAdapt adaptive technology
• Prometric-style testing interface
• Exam-weighted mock exams
• Detailed explanations for all answers
• Digital and printed study materials
• Performance tracking by topic
• Personal counselors 

Pros

Huge Practice Bank: 12,000+ MCQs and 1,600+ simulations.
Detailed Explanations: Strong focus on learning from mistakes.
Flexible Study Flow: No forced schedule or topic order.
Realistic Exam Feel: Prometric-style interface and mocks.
Lower Cost Option: More affordable for practice-first prep.

Cons

Limited Live Teaching: Few live classes or tutoring options.
Self-Managed Pacing: Requires discipline and planning.

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Becker CPA Review: Structured And Exam-Focused

Using Becker CPA Review, everything feels laid out from the start. Once I picked a study plan, the platform laid out exactly what I needed to work on next, so I wasn’t guessing or bouncing around. Lessons track the CPA Exam Blueprint closely, which makes it feel hard to miss something important.

Videos are a big part of the experience. Instructors explain concepts step by step, and tools like ExamSolver videos and Deep Dive Workshops help when something just is not clicking. Live online classes and scheduled sessions add structure and keep momentum going.

Overall, the pace feels steady and guided. Checkpoints and progress tracking keep things moving, and access to instructors, tutoring, and coaching is built into higher tiers. It favors consistency over speed, which works well if you want a clear path instead of figuring everything out on your own.

Becker CPA Package Options

• Advantage: Includes core digital textbooks, practice questions, and CPA exam content without live instruction.
  ➡️ Best for candidates who want Becker’s curriculum and structure at a lower cost.
• Pro: Adds full video lectures, printed textbooks, and exam readiness tools to the core platform.
  ➡️ Best for candidates who want guided instruction without coaching or tutoring.
• Pro Plus: Builds on Pro with success coaching, one-on-one tutoring sessions, and deeper support.
  ➡️ Best for candidates who want help staying accountable and fixing weak areas faster.
• Concierge: Includes everything Becker offers, with live classes, tutoring, and career-focused support.
  ➡️ Best for candidates who want the highest level of structure and hands-on guidance.

Becker CPA Course Highlights

• Unlimited personalized practice tests powered by Adapt2U
• Up to 8 full-length CPA mock exams per section
• 100+ hours of expert-led video lectures
• 1-on-1 tutoring sessions are included in the upper tiers
• Success coaching sessions for accountability
• ExamSolver videos for step-by-step problem walkthroughs
• Deep Dive Workshops for high-difficulty topics
• Exam Day Ready toolkit aligned to the AICPA blueprint
• Newt AI exam review assistant
• Money-back pass guarantee

Pros

Strong Instructor Support: Live classes, tutoring, and coaching in higher tiers.
Clear Structure: Study plans and checkpoints reduce planning stress.
Deep Instruction: 100+ hours of lectures with ExamSolver and workshops.
High-Value Extras: Printed books, Final Review, and optional CPE included
Pass Guarantees: Money-back and cash pass guarantees

Cons

Higher Cost: Having full support comes at a premium price.

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Becker vs Gleim CPA Comparison Chart

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Head-To-Head: Gleim vs. Becker CPA

Study Approach

• Becker uses a lesson-first system built around a full 4-part CPA course that always matches the AICPA blueprint. Candidates move through structured lectures, ExamSolver videos, workshops, and guided practice, with AI support from Newt to reinforce readiness before test day.
• Gleim starts with practice instead. Most studying happens inside SmartAdapt using 12,000+ MCQs and 1,600+ simulations, then learning kicks in through detailed explanations. Lectures exist in higher tiers, but questions drive the workflow.

🏅 Winner: Becker for candidates who want concepts taught before testing.

Practice Questions & Tools

• Becker uses practice to reinforce instruction. Adapt2U builds unlimited personalized practice tests, and up to 8 mock exams per section are placed around Exam Day Ready milestones. Practice here is designed to confirm coverage and readiness rather than drive the entire study process.
  Gleim is built around practice from the start. Every package includes 12,000+ MCQs, 1,600+ task-based simulations, unlimited practice exams, and exam-weighted mocks. Questions and explanations are the main teaching tools, making repetition central to how candidates prepare.

🏅 Winner: Gleim for candidates who want practice-first exposure.

Structure vs. Flexibility

• Becker is highly structured. Study plans, Exam Day Ready milestones, Final Review capstones, and success coaching sessions keep candidates on a clear path. With Adapt2U building unlimited personalized practice tests, there is guidance without guessing what to do next.
• Gleim is more flexible. SmartAdapt™ identifies weak areas, but you decide pacing, order, and focus. This works well if you already know how you study best and want freedom to jump between topics without a fixed calendar.

🏅 Winner: Becker for structure, pacing, and accountability.

Explanations & Feedback

• Becker’s explanations are concise and lesson-aligned, often paired with ExamSolver videos, Deep Dive Workshops, and Final Review sessions that reinforce why answers work. Feedback is designed to support instruction rather than replace it.
• Gleim’s explanations are longer and more technical. Every question explains why incorrect answers fail, which helps surface recurring mistakes quickly. This approach works especially well for candidates retaking sections.

🏅 Winner: Gleim for detailed, mistake-driven feedback.

Instructor Support, Tutoring, & Coaching

• Becker includes up to 25 one-on-one tutoring sessions, 25 success coaching sessions, live online CPA classes, in-person classes in select locations, InstructorLink, and webinars. Support is layered and proactive.
• Gleim offers personal counselors, accounting expert assistance in higher tiers, and private study groups, but tutoring and coaching are far more limited and not the core experience.

🏅 Winner: Becker for tutoring, coaching, and instructor access.

Overall Value, Guarantees, And Extras

• Gleim offers strong value through access until you pass on Premium tiers, adaptive practice, and lower pricing relative to support-heavy programs. It is efficient and cost-conscious for independent learners.
• Becker stacks value through exclusive guarantees and tools, including a 100% Money-Back Pass Guarantee, Newt AI, Exam Day Ready Toolkit, best-in-class printed textbooks, Deep Dive Workshops, and unlimited course access.

🤝 Winner: Becker for their combination of pass guarantees, built-in coaching, tutoring, and exam-day tools.

Bottom Line: Which Course Is Really Worth Using?

Both courses bring something solid to the table. Gleim works best for candidates who learn by fixing mistakes and want flexibility in how they study.

Becker stands out for structure, instructor support, and consistency, especially for first-time CPA candidates.

If you want freedom and deep practice, Gleim is a strong option.

If you want guidance, pacing, and a clear path from start to finish, Becker remains the best choice.

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