The Good
Smaller bite-size lessons make course very flexible
Unlimited course access that never expires
More than 10,000 practice questions: more than any other CPA review course
Final Review study guide included at no additional cost
The Bad
Extremely poor app functionality
Video lectures are dry
Question bank emphasizes quantity over quality
Platinum CPA Package
- 7,500 exam questions
- 160 task-based simulations
- 110+ hours video lecture instruction
- Efficient Learning System
Wiley CPAexcel is a fair CPA review course. They primarily offer beneficial features to students who are very busy and donât have the luxury of ample study time, although some of their features are counter intuitive to this end.
CPAexcelâs presentation and bite-sized lectures, is designed for you to absorb information at an optimal rate. They supplement this with a gigantic library of practice questions and flashcards, giving you an unlimited access period to consult them.
Main exam topics are sub-divided into smaller, more manageable sections with in-depth multiple choice questions that take around 30 to 45 minutes to complete. Essentially, Wiley’s study guide is flexible enough to be consulted anytime during the day.
See the Top CPA Review Courses
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Comparison of Wiley CPAexcel’s Review Courses
| Â Course Features | Platinum CPA Review Course | Gold CPA Review Course | Silver CPA Review Course |
| Cost | $2,800 ($800 per part) | $2,275 ($650 per part) | $2,100 ($600 per part) |
| Partner Until You Pass Guarantee with free online content & courseware updates until you pass |  | | |
| Online Course Study Materials with text, 6,000+ exam questions, 140+ hours video instruction, 300+ task-based simulations, 4,000+ digital flashcards and more | | | |
| Efficient Learning System with bite-sized lessons, exam planner, discussions, unlimited practice exams and more | | | |
| Study Guides map perfectly to the lessons in the courseware (print and ebook included) | | | |
| Companion Mobile App with 10,000+ exam questions, available in iOS and Android | | | |
| Professor Mentoring with online support from subject-expert professors | | |  |
| Virtual Classroom Series with live, online instruction and support | | | |
| Online Test Bank with additional 6,000 exam questions and 200 task-based simulations | | | |
| Focus Notes with acronyms and mnemonics (print and ebook included) | | | |
| 1,000 print flashcards to reinforce and improve retention | | | |
CPAexcel Course Format
The course format of Wiley CPAexcel is as follows:
Study Text
This is your reading assignment, usually around 2 to 5 or 6 pages long.
Proficiency Questions
This is a basic quiz-like format that tests your comprehension of the subject matter youâve just read. In contrast to the practice questions, these are mostly in a True/False format.
Practice Questions/Exam Simulations
This is where you get your moneyâs worth.
Wiley CPAexcelâs substantial 12,000 CPA multiple choice questions are gleaned from previous exams. Additionally, the exam question format for their online test bank is the exact same as what the AICPA exam uses, providing a helpful simulation to the real thing. Each test is timed and you will have to keep the average pace of answering an exam question every 2 minutes. Afterwards, you can review your mistakes and identify the correct answers; for further clarification, this section also includes explanations as to why that answer should have been chosen.
Digital CPA Flashcards
Helpful digital flashcards are included that show key topics and the most important definitions. There are 4,200 in total and they’re accessible on both desktop and mobile devices. However, mobile functionality is often limited due to issues with Wiley’s appâ see additional details below.
Task-Based Simulations
Wiley’s Platinum course boasts 600 task-based simulations. But the actual number may be different, as the review course has the same questions scattered around the program. This means that some practice questions might be lumped in with TBS and vise versa.
Each section has a different amount of multiple choice questions and true/false questions depending on the online course length, with the smallest numbering around 5 and the largest in the 30âs. Furthermore, each topic also features a Diagnostic Exam to test your comprehension of the given course materials. The main subjects are included, and it highlights a couple of the most important focus notes you need to know for each sub-section.
Complete all the coursework and youâll be treated to a Simulated CPA Exam, modeled after the real deal. The entire simulation is divided into 3 multiple choice parts, and the prerequisite task-based simulation, which is timed the same way as the real CPA exams are. Wiley CPAexcel will check your responses after the test and will provide you with a result-based breakdown of where you did well and which parts you need to focus on for improvement.
This online course guides you on which particular mistakes were made, and it also gives a helpful response on how the right answer is calculated. Hence, you can take advantage of the simulation by repetition of trial-and-error: take the exam and see where you got the answers wrong, then take the CPA simulation again until you get a consistent score of 90%. Wiley CPAexcel provides new questions each time you take the test to give you the practice and repetition you need to pass.
Best Wiley CPA Promo Codes
PROS
Bite-Sized Topics
As mentioned before, each course is designed to take only 30 to 45 minutes of your time. Consequently, this makes the overall daunting task of preparing for the actual CPA exam easier and more manageable. If you donât have a lot of time because of responsibilities, you will find the Wiley CPAexcel better than most review courses.
Full Accessibility
This review software program can be downloaded and installed on any computer without any limits. Additionally, it can also be accessed on your mobile phone or tablet, whether it be an iOS-based or Android device. This includes the iPad, iPod Touch, iPhone, and the Samsung Galaxy. The written course materials and videos, quizzes and CPA simulation exams are unlimited and have no expiration date. That’s right, this isn’t an “access until you pass” kind of course: it’s access forever!
Multiple-Choice Questions
Utilize the multiple-choice exam to repeat and learn from your mistakes, which is one way to pass the CPA exams. You get the whole 12,000 exam questions gleaned from previous CPA exams, which is more robust than most other review courses out in the market.
Identical Exam Program
Wiley CPAexcel has the same computerized format as the actual CPA exam. The simulations and practical exams, rules, break policies, and time limits are a faithful rendition of the original course exam you will go through on test day. Consequently, this will prep you up for the CPA in the best way possible, including learning about the flagging system and using the built-in calculator.
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CONS
Self-Study Option
Despite the numerous features offered by Wiley’s online CPA review course, some students have been disappointed by their options. One of these issues is the fact that you wonât have access to live discussions or an instructor throughout the review course. This means if you prefer learning under actual supervision and live assistance, you may have to look somewhere else.
Video Lectures
Though Wiley CPAexcel makes use of different lecturers in the video review course, they aren’t able to keep the topics interesting or engaging enough to be excellent teaching tools. However, auditory and visual learners may be able to learn more from taking the CPA simulated exams, then watching the videos for supplemental knowledge.
Mobile Functionality
In order to access Wiley’s study materials on your smartphone or tablet, you need to install their app on iOS or Android. The problem is that many students have harshly criticized this aspect of their course for numerous reasons. Not only is the app prone to crashing or disconnecting, but some desktop content can’t be accessed through it.
My Suggestion
Overall, Wiley CPAexcel is an acceptable review course if you have unavoidable time constraints. Also, younger students who are fine with learning on a computer will find themselves at homeâ but should steer clear if they prefer to do their studying on a tablet or phone!
In the past, Wiley was one of the best study resources when you’ve got very little study time and high expectations. Unfortunately, they’ve fallen behind other companies in the CPA test prep sphere, including Becker and Surgent. I would ultimately recommend trying one of their review courses over this one.
