Our Objective Evaluation
In analyzing CPA review courses over the years, we have developed a detailed rating system that allows us to assess one program against another. Our top 5 rated programs out of the 22 programs we have reviewed to date are as follows.
CPA REVIEW COURSES:
RANKING
PRICE
EXAM HUB RATING
Our weighted score based on the criteria listed in this table.
LECTURES
Does the provider offer video lectures that help teach concepts?
SIMULATIONS
Does the provider include simulation questions in their database, as well as provide written explanations?
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
Does the provider include multiple choice questions in their database, as well as provide written explanations for answer choices? The number of MCQs is also factored in.
CONTENT UPDATES
Does the provider show their content directly aligned with the AICPA content specification outline? Also considered is how quickly a provider updates their content based on announced changes.
PROGRESS TRACKING
Does the provider's solution include a dashboard that shows students their progress and is that dashboard automatically updated?
EASE OF USE
How intuitive is the overall CPA Review program to the end user? Is the online course simple to access and navigate? Is it clear how to manage the study process?
STUDY PLANNER
Does the provider have a study planner to help the student allocate and manage study time and is the study planner integrated with the student’s progress and expected test dates?
ADAPTABILITY
Does the CPA Review program give the user the ability to adjust the way they study based on their study needs? Does it help direct the student toward (or away from) studying specific materials based on the student's progress or demonstrated knowledge?
CUSTOMER SUPPORT
Does the CPA Review provider customer support? Considerations include type of support, hours of support, and whether support is included at no charge.
COACH AVAILABILITY
Does the CPA Review provider provide individualized and personal coaching from a CPA Exam expert (i.e. beyond customer service)?
GUARANTEE
Is access to the CPA Review course time-sensitive or unlimited? Does the CPA Review provider offer a pass or money-back guarantee?
PRICE & FINANCING
How does the CPA Review provider’s price point compare to other providers? Does the CPA Review provider offer a payment/tuition payment plan? If a tuition payment plan is offered, how much interest or fees are involved?
#1
89.75
9 / 10
9 / 10
8.5 / 10
4.75 / 5
4.75 / 5
8.5 / 10
4.75 / 5
14.25 / 15
3.5 / 5
4.75 / 5
9.5 / 10
8.5 / 10
#2
$2,295
80.50
8 / 10
- 8.5 / 10
9 / 10
4 / 5
4 / 5
7.5 / 10
4 / 5
11.25 / 15
4 / 5
4.25 / 5
9.5 / 10
6.5 / 10
#3
$1,599
77.50
7 / 10
7.5 / 10
7.5 / 10
3.75 / 5
3.75 / 5
7.5 / 10
3.75 / 5
11.25 / 15
4 / 5
4 / 5
9 / 10
8.5 / 10
#4
$2,095
75.00
8 / 10
8 / 10
8 / 10
4 / 5
3.75 / 5
8 / 10
3 / 5
10.5 / 15
4 / 5
3.75 / 5
7 / 10
7 / 10
#5
$3,393
74.25
7.5 / 10
8 / 10
8 / 10
3.75 / 5
4 / 5
7.5 / 10
4 / 5
11 / 15
3.75 / 5
3.5 / 5
7 / 10
6 / 10
In Detail
Our Scores Explained
We’ve applied a science to arrive at our weight factors and scales that contribute to our total score. Here are those elements from above explained in greater detail.
Lectures
Ranking Scale: 10 Points
Does the provider offer video lectures that help teach concepts? Considerations in rankings include: quality of the lectures, quantity of lectures, and how consumable they are (including both how long they are and how engaging they are).
Simulations
Ranking Scale: 10 Points
Are simulation questions included in their database, and do the questions provide written explanations? The total number of simulations is also factored in.
Multiple Choice Questions
Ranking Scale: 10 Points
Does the provider include multiple choice questions as part of the program, as well as provide written explanations for answer choices? The total number of possible multiple choice questions is also factored in.
Content Updates
Ranking Scale: 5 points
Is the course content directly aligned with the AICPA content specification outline? How quickly a provider updates their content based on announced changes?
Ease of Use
Ranking Scale: 10 Points
How intuitive is the overall CPA Review program to the end user? Is the online course simple to access and navigate? Is it clear how to manage the study process?
Study Planner
Ranking Scale: 10 Points
Does the provider have a personalized study planner to help the student allocate and manage study time and is the study planner integrated with the student’s progress and expected test dates?
Customer Support
Ranking Scale: 10 Points
Does the CPA Review provider customer support? Considerations include type of support, hours of support, and whether support is included at no charge.
Coach Availability
Ranking Scale: 5 Points
Does the CPA Review provider provide individualized and personal coaching from a CPA Exam expert (i.e. beyond customer service)?
Guarantee
Ranking Scale: 10 Points
Course access terms – Is access to the CPA Review course time-sensitive or unlimited? Does the CPA Review provider offer a pass or money-back guarantee?
Pricing & Financing
Ranking Scale: 10 Points
How does the CPA Review provider’s price point compare to other providers? Does the CPA Review provider offer a payment/tuition payment plan? If a tuition payment plan is offered, how much interest or fees are involved?
