How Do I Evaluate And Select The Best CPA Exam Review Course for Me?

Are you thinking about growing your career by becoming a CPA? We are pleased to be posting a series of articles detailing the steps necessary to make this happen. This week’s article features the process of evaluating and selecting the best CPA Exam Review Course.

With so many options available, selecting a CPA Exam review course may seem a little daunting. To assist you in this process, we have identified nine key questions and criteria to help you make an informed decision.

1. What is the exam pass rate for students who have taken the course?

After all, passing the exam is the ultimate reason for enrolling in a review course. Does the course clearly state and publish the exam pass rate of its students? Quality course providers not only know what their pass rates are, they track student performance as a means of evaluating course effectiveness.

2. What is the course providers’ repeat policy?

If they offer a guarantee, is it accompanied by fine print, detailing criteria you must meet in order to use it? If you don’t pass, are there additional fees or hidden costs you must pay to retake the course? Or do they provide free course retakes? Free content updates?

3. Can you preview the course before purchasing?

Does the preview provide a comprehensive demonstration of the course or just an animated presentation? If you must order the preview, how long does it take for you to receive it? (This may be an early indicator about the quality of the provider’s customer service.)

4. What does the course cost? Does it include everything you want?

Compare course costs, pass rates, guarantees and the qualifications of the authors and instructors. Are they college professors who have been honored by their universities and hold endowed chairs? Are they CPA’s? Are they both? Would you rather be taught by 1-4 people who are not professors or an entire faculty of university professors who are subject experts? The qualifications and the experience of the course’s staff is a measure of value.

5. How many hours should you expect to study to be successful?

Does the course give you a clear indication of how many hours it will take? If you plan to take a classroom course, add commuting time to your total.

6. Who wrote the course material?

Does the provider disclose who the authors are? Have they actually taught CPA Exam review classes in universities? Are the authors accessible if you need to ask them a question?

7. Who does the teaching?

Does the course use full-time college professors experienced in working with students and teaching exam review courses? Are these professors accessible if you want to ask questions?

8. What is the most effective way for you to study?

Do you prefer classroom learning or the flexibility of a self-study course? Would a fixed assignment schedule combined with the flexibility of a self-study course work best for you? Can you get what you need from audio or video presentations? Be sure that the course you select lets you study in the way that is best for you, whether that’s through classroom, audio, video, online, guided-seminar, self-study or a combination of the above study methods.

9. Does the course prepare you for the most recent CBT-e Exam?

Is the course classroom, video, paper or computer-based? Does it provide you with the opportunity to learn and practice in the same way that you will be taking the exam?