As trusted experts on the best CMA review courses, our CPA Exam Guy team has been busy researching Certified Management Accountant exam prep and compiling a list of the best of the best. After all, being able to pass the CMA exam on your first try is essential for anyone pursuing a career in accounting.
However, doing so is easier said than done. In the past, the numbers have been fifty-fifty. About half of those who take the exam don’t make the cut. But over the past couple of years, the IMA has certified a record number of candidates.
Candidates have obviously gotten serious about using the best CMA study materials.
And, if you choose one of the best CMA exam review courses listed below, you’re sure to join the ranks.
Which CMA Course Is Right for You?
This short questionnaire will help you decide what is the best option for you when it comes to preparing for the CMA exam.
Best CMA Exam Prep Courses: Which Should You Choose?
Becker – Best for Complete Support
Becker offers everything from adaptive tech and live virtual classes to an AI study assistant and CPE access. If you want an all-in-one solution with structure and flexibility, Becker checks all the boxes.
Gleim – Best for Accelerated Studying
With more than 3,000+ practice questions, unlimited test simulations, and SmartAdapt™ analytics, Gleim is a smart choice if you’re on a tight timeline and want to focus hard and fast.
UWorld – Best for Practice-Heavy, Self-Guided Learning
With some of the longest answer explanations and a hefty question bank, UWorld offers an impressive option for self-studying students seeking a guided practice path.
Surgent CMA – Best for Personalized Learning
Surgent’s ReadySCORE™ engine builds a fully customized path based on your strengths and weak areas. It’s ideal for busy professionals who want a shortcut to the finish line without sacrificing quality.
CMA Exam Academy – Best for Hands-On Guidance
This program provides weekly study plans, live coaching, printed textbooks, and direct access to instructors. If you do best with structured timelines and accountability, this is your go-to.
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Course Rank |
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Cost |
$2,199 | $1,799 | $1,499 | $1,299 | $2,497 |
# of Practice Questions |
4,000+ | 4,000+ | 6,200+ | 2,900 | 4,000+ |
Discount |
Save $1,100 | Save $600 | Save $300 | Save $600 | Save 20% |
# of Practice Exams |
Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | 40 | Unlimited |
Access Period |
1 Year | 18 Months | Until Exam is Passed | Until Exam is Passed | 2 Years |
Textbook Type |
Printed and Digital Textbooks | Printed and Digital Textbooks | Print and E-book | Print and E-book | |
Additional Guidance |
Personalized Study Plans | Custom Study Plans | Personalized Study Plans | N/A | Weekly Course Outline |
Academic Support |
Success Coaches and Automatic Updates | Content Updates | Live Boot Camps | Personal Online Counseler | Online Coaching |
Refund/Pass Guarantee |
Yes | Yes | Access Until You Pass | Access Until You Pass | Yes |
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Becker CMA Review – Best for All-in-One Study Power
Becker CMA exam review stands out with its focus on understanding concepts rather than memorization. The personalized review sessions and tailored courses ensure exceptional performance on the CMA exam and in professional careers. The course options, Review Advantage and Review Pro, offer essential features and additional support.
Though priced higher, potential discounts can make it more affordable. Becker Pro CMA Exam Review Course includes valuable features, such as digital and printed textbooks, lecture videos, flashcards, multiple-choice questions, unlimited practice tests and essays, five 1-on-1 academic tutoring sessions, and a 1-year CPE subscription, providing candidates with comprehensive resources to excel in their CMA preparation.
Pros + Cons
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Proven Track Record: When it comes to CMA exam prep, the Becker CMA review is the best of the best. With a proven track record of success, Becker’s CMA review has helped countless candidates achieve high pass rates and excel on their CMA exams, solidifying its reputation as a top-tier, reliable choice for CMA exam preparation.
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User Experience: Every Becker course is extremely easy to use and navigate through. Additionally, the interface has been streamlined to make learning simple and fun—which will help you stay engaged throughout the process. If you want to avoid burning out while studying, Becker’s CMA review is the way to go!
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Expert Instructors: Becker employs a team of highly experienced CMAs to teach their courses. That way, they can leverage their decades of experience when preparing you for the exam. Plus, you can use that experience to avoid common pitfalls when you start work as a CMA.
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Mobile-Friendly Platform: With a fully mobile-compatible platform, Becker lets you study anytime, anywhere, making preparation flexible and accessible. Plus, Newt™, Becker’s AI study assistant, now connects to most study materials and the mobile app.
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On the Spendy Side: Becker’s premium course tiers aren’t cheap. You get what you pay for, and sometimes that means spending more for quality.
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Average Answer Explanations: I found the answer explanations more than sufficient to learn from, but they weren’t nearly as thorough or as visually-driven as those I got from a program like UWorld.
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Partial Pass Guarantee: The Pass Guarantee provides students with a partial refund, not a full one (as with Surgent), if they fail after using the materials and meeting the requirements.
Bottom Line: Becker CMA exam review stands out with its emphasis on understanding concepts, offering personalized review sessions, and tailored courses for exceptional CMA exam performance. With a proven track record, user-friendly interface, full coverage of ICMA Learning Outcome Statements, and expert instructors, Becker is a reliable and top-tier choice for CMA exam preparation.
Gleim CMA Review – Best for Mastering the Material Quickly
Gleim CMA Review is a trusted and comprehensive CMA review course with over 40 years of experience. It offers a blend of traditional and modern teaching methods, providing candidates with a well-rounded study experience. The course offerings include thousands of practice questions, video/audio lectures, personalized coaching support, and a structured study plan to ensure success in the CMA exam. With unlimited access to course materials, candidates can study at their own pace and receive the resources needed for exam readiness.
One of my favorite things about Gleim continues to be their attention to detail and their video walkthroughs. Being able to navigate over 120 CBQs (more than double any other provider at the time of writing) and watch dozens of video walkthroughs for real CBQ problems made a real difference in my understanding. As for detail, I think it’s clear they really cared about designing a curriculum for the modern learner. Lessons were quick, usually between 5 and 10 minutes long, and mixed with a variety of formats: videos, MCQ and CBQ walkthrough clips, written outlines, and practice questions.
Pros + Cons
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SmartAdapt Technology: Much like Surgent, Gleim focuses heavily on adaptive learning technology. Their SmartAdapt system ensures that you’re always working on your weak areas and reinforcing your general CMA knowledge. Doing so helps you truly understand CMA concepts rather than just memorizing terms.
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Gleim Instruct Videos: One of the most effective parts of this course is the Gleim Instruct video series. Each of these breaks down complicated concepts into easy-to-understand parts. Each part comes with a detailed walkthrough that ensures you understand how to apply what you’ve learned before moving on.
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Largest Test Bank: Gleim CMA offers the most extensive test bank available, with thousands of exam-style questions and detailed explanations to ensure comprehensive practice and mastery of every topic.
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Access to Personal Counselors: Gleim provides personal counselors who guide candidates through their study journey, offering support, motivation, and tailored advice to ensure exam readiness.
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Price Gating: Sadly, the best materials Gleim offers are locked behind its highest payment tier. Luckily, Gleim isn’t as expensive as some of the other courses on this list, but it’s still disappointing for anyone trying to save money.
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Intimidating Library: Gleim has many questions, and they are notably more difficult than those on the actual exam. For some, this is peace of mind. For others, it can be overwhelming.
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Not for Long Deep Dives: If you like to dive deep and stay on task for extended periods, Gleim probably isn’t the right fit. It’s best for someone who craves novelty, variety, quick lessons, and a mix of formats.
Bottom Line: Gleim CMA Review is a trusted and comprehensive course with over 40 years of experience, offering a blend of traditional and modern teaching methods. Their SmartAdapt technology ensures personalized learning, while the Gleim Instruct videos simplify complex concepts. However, some of their best materials are locked behind the highest payment tier, which may be a drawback for budget-conscious candidates.
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UWorld CMA Review – Best for Practice-Heavy, Self-Guided Learning
UWorld CMA Review has quickly earned a strong reputation in the CMA space, and it’s easy to see why. The course feels modern, polished, and thoughtfully built. From the video production quality to the depth of its question explanations, everything feels intentional. It’s clear a lot of care went into designing a platform that doesn’t just present information but actually teaches it.
The question bank is extensive, and the answer explanations are especially strong. They don’t just tell you which answer is correct; they walk through the reasoning in a way that reinforces the underlying concept. The instructors are engaging without being over-the-top, and the videos feel professionally produced. If you learn best when someone thoroughly explains the “why” behind a topic, UWorld does that very well.
The only thing to be aware of is that the course leans into depth. The videos and explanations can run longer than some competitors’, which isn’t necessarily a downside—but it does mean study sessions can stretch a bit if you’re not mindful of time. For many candidates, that depth is exactly what makes the course valuable.
Overall, UWorld CMA feels comprehensive, well-built, and committed to thoroughly preparing candidates for the exam.
Pros + Cons
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In-Depth Answer Explanations: UWorld’s explanations go well beyond simply identifying the correct answer. They walk through the reasoning behind each option, helping to reinforce concepts rather than encourage memorization.
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Engaging Video Instruction: The video lectures are professionally produced and easy to follow. Instructors break down complex topics clearly, making long study sessions feel more manageable.
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Robust Question Bank: With thousands of practice questions available, there’s more than enough repetition to build confidence before exam day.
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Detailed Performance Analytics: UWorld’s tracking tools make it easy to see which topics need more work, helping you study more efficiently instead of guessing where to focus.
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Longer Study Sessions: Because the videos and explanations are thorough, lessons can take longer than expected if you’re trying to move quickly.
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Content Volume Can Feel Heavy: The sheer amount of material is a strength, but some candidates may need to be intentional about pacing to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
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Long Explanations: This is a pro for many, but a con for some. If you can easily suss out why you got something wrong in a few words, these may feel drawn-out to you.
Bottom Line: UWorld CMA Review delivers comprehensive study materials and detailed answer explanations, making it a strong choice for candidates who value depth and thorough preparation. Its extensive question bank and performance analytics help pinpoint weaknesses and reinforce understanding throughout the study process. While the content leans toward the thorough side, many candidates will appreciate that added clarity and reinforcement when preparing for exam day.
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Surgent CMA Review – Best for Personalized, Time-Saving Prep
Surgent’s CMA Review Course combines top-notch self-study materials with adaptive learning technology for efficient exam preparation. The adaptive technology identifies weak areas, optimizing study schedules and reducing time wastage.
With options ranging from $699 to $1299, Surgent CMA Review positions itself as one of the most affordable choices and best CMA review courses. Offering over 4,000 questions, 65 essay problems, unlimited practice exams, 55+ video lectures, and two private coaching sessions with an expert until you pass the exam, this CMA exam prep provider is an elite selection.
Pros + Cons
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ReadySCORE: Each Surgent CMA review course offering includes a program called ReadySCORE. It tracks your progress throughout the course and calculates how close you are to a passing score on the CMA exam.
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Unlimited Practice Exams: Practice makes perfect, which is why Surgent CMA Review includes a test bank with over 4,000 practice exam questions in its CMA review course.
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Customized Study Schedules: Surgent CMA Review lets you create personalized schedules that fit your availability and timeline. This flexibility ensures you can prepare for the exam at your own pace while staying on track to meet your goals.
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Mobile-Friendly: All of Surgent’s materials are available across multiple platforms, so you can take your work on the go and study when it’s most convenient for you.
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Limited Live Learning Options: Unfortunately, Surgent’s live content isn’t very impressive. They offer 1-on-1 coaching but no live lectures or classroom sessions in their CMA prep courses.
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Dry Presentation Style: Some students find Surgent’s study materials and video lectures less engaging than those of other CMA review courses. The content, while thorough and effective, is presented in a straightforward and technical manner that can feel monotonous over time.
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Decentralized Layout: Compared to something like Becker or Gleim, where you click to the next activity and it’s all laid out for you, Surgent’s layout feels less like a step-by-step guided experience.
Bottom Line: Surgent CMA Review offers top-notch self-study materials and adaptive learning technology, making it a cost-effective and elite CMA exam prep choice. The ReadySCORE feature tracks progress, ensuring readiness for the exam. However, limited live content may not suit those seeking a more personalized study experience.
CMA Exam Academy Review – Best for Structured Coaching and Accountability
CMA Exam Academy offers a guided CMA exam review with one-on-one coaching by founder Nathan Liao. The 16-week Accelerator program provides a structured study plan, HD video lectures, and printed and online materials. The course includes a free Prometric Test Drive, a 1-year CPE Flow subscription, and exclusive discounts. The “Access Until You Pass” guarantee ensures candidates have the resources for exam success.
Pros + Cons
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Guided Program: Unlike the other courses, CMA Exam Academy’s Accelerator course is on a 16-week guided schedule. This allows them to emulate the classroom experience. Plus, it ensures that you’re kept on task and accountable when studying for the CMA exam.
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In-Person Exam Rehearsal: They recreate the test environment for an in-person rehearsal. That way, you can get comfortable with the testing experience while seeing how far you’ve come during the course.
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Lots of Resources: All CMA Exam Academy lectures come in multiple formats, so you can choose to learn in a way that’s more comfortable for you.
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Endless Support: There are personalized touchpoints with real experts at every point in the CMA Exam Academy program, with weekly coaching calls, homework assignments, and help when you need it.
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Limiting Structure: One of the biggest CMA Exam Academy selling points can actually be a negative if you prefer self-paced materials. When using CMA Exam Academy’s program, you’ll be on a strict schedule— which can be tough for anyone with a heavy workload.
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Not Cheap: With extensive 1-on-1 coaching and interaction comes a substantial price tag. While it’s worthwhile for many, it’s worth considering how it will fit into your budget.
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Limited Access: Unlike other courses, which promise access until you pass, CMA Exam Academy has a defined access period of around 2 years for materials.
Bottom Line: CMA Exam Academy is the perfect course for anyone who prefers a CMA exam prep course with a strict study schedule. However, you’re better off with Becker or another CMA premium course if you have a lot of other time commitments or need a more flexible study plan.
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How I Picked the Best CMA Prep Courses
I didn’t just throw darts at a list of CMA prep providers. I dug deep—comparing each course as if I were actually preparing to take the CMA exam (because I’ve been there).
Here’s what I personally looked at before deciding which CMA review courses are actually worth your time and money:
- Content coverage that actually matches the ICMA blueprint — Some providers gloss over key concepts. The best ones hit every learning objective with clarity and depth.
- Practice materials that go beyond the basics — I focused on courses with thousands of MCQs, solid essay support, and full-length mock exams.
- Real teaching support — Whether it’s live classes, coaching calls, or tutoring, I gave extra points to providers that help you feel less alone in the process.
- Study tech that works for humans — I tested platforms for usability, customization, and tools such as AI-driven planners and progress trackers.
- Price-to-value ratio — Budget matters. I compared what you get at each price point and considered refund policies and guarantees.
- Social proof that actually holds weight — I combed through verified user reviews, pass rate disclosures, and third-party testimonials.
- Customer support that doesn’t ghost you — Quick, helpful responses from real humans? That matters when you’re stressed at 10 PM before a mock exam.
Every recommendation here comes from hands-on comparison, firsthand experience, and what I wish I knew before choosing a CMA review course myself.
Final Verdict
Choosing the best CMA prep course for you really comes down to how you learn best. If you want an all-in-one package with structure, live classes, and smart tech, Becker is the clear winner. Gleim is great if you’re a self-motivated learner who wants tons of practice, while Surgent is perfect for busy professionals looking to study efficiently. And if you prefer a set schedule with direct coaching, CMA Exam Academy has your back. No matter which route you take, the right CMA prep course can make all the difference—so pick your course, start strong, and get one step closer to that CMA certification.
FAQs
How long does it take to prepare for CMA?
Since a Bachelor’s degree is required to sit for the CMA exam, at least 4 years of undergraduate education is required to prepare. You also need at least 2 consecutive years of experience in financial management or management accounting, so you can estimate a total of 4 to 6 years to become fully prepared. Aside from this, you may need an extra 3-6 months to study with a CMA review course.
What should I look for in the best CMA review courses?
The best CMA review courses should include a large question bank, clear video lessons, essay practice, mock exams, performance tracking, and a realistic study schedule. Since the CMA exam tests financial planning, performance management, analytics, internal controls, decision analysis, and professional ethics, your course should help you practice both calculations and concept-based questions.
How long should I study for the CMA exam?
Most CMA candidates study for about 8 to 16 weeks per exam part, depending on their accounting background, work schedule, and comfort with the material. If you’re working full-time, a steady plan of 8 to 12 hours per week is usually more realistic than cramming.
Do I need a CMA review course to pass?
You don’t technically need a CMA review course, but most candidates benefit from one because the exam is broad, time-limited, and application-based. A good course can help you stay organized, practice exam-style questions, review weak areas, and avoid spending too much time on topics that are less likely to affect your score.
Which is tougher, the CA or CMA exam?
When you compare the pass rates for Chartered Accountants to Certified Management Accountants, it appears that the CA exam is tougher than the CMA exam. However, the lower CA exam pass rates are most likely due to less stringent requirements to sit for the exam; the CMA’s stricter requirements filter out many students who would perform poorly on the exam. Because of this, a knowledgeable student who studies hard should have an easier time passing the CA exam than the CMA exam.
