Best CPA Exam Cram Courses and Final Review Guides
I’ve found that a CPA exam cram course can make a huge difference in the final days before your exam. These courses aren’t meant to teach you everything from the ground up; they’re designed to reinforce the key formulas, rules, and concepts you need to remember when it counts.
With first-time CPA candidates posting an average pass rate of 54.7% and an average score of 72.5, every extra point matters. If you’re looking for a last-minute review to boost your confidence before exam day, let’s compare the best CPA exam cram courses available today:
- 1.Becker CPA Review Course:Â Rated the #1 Best CPA Review Course of 2026
- 2.Surgent CPA Prep Course: Best Technology
- 3.Gleim CPA Review Course: Largest Question Bank
Which CPA prep course is for you?
Take this short quiz to see which CPA review course is right for you.
Quick Links to CPA Cram Courses and Final Reviews
Best CPA Exam Final Review and Cram Courses
#1: Becker CPA Cram Course
Becker CPA review offers a full cram course for each section of the CPA exam. It’s the perfect supplement to their full review courses; it adds nearly 40 hours of video content and over 900 additional questions/simulations.
If you only need to cram for one or two exam sections, you can spend a little less and just get materials for the sections you need help understanding. However, it’s a better deal to get all four in one bundle, with the best deal coming as part of Becker’s Pro package. You get unlimited access with Pro, but purchasing separately still provides two full years of study time; either way, you’ll have plenty of time to work through everything included in these cram courses.
Check it out below!
#2: Gleim CPA Finish Line Cram Course
Gleim CPA Review recently entered the final review market with their “Finish Line” cram course, and it is a powerhouse for candidates who want a structured, high-intensity push right before their exam date. Unlike some other supplements that just provide extra questions, Gleim has built a comprehensive “last-mile” solution designed to identify and plug your remaining knowledge gaps.
The Finish Line course is built around Gleim’s legendary test bank, but it’s curated specifically for the final week or two of study. It includes a unique “Diagnostic Exam” that tells you exactly where you are weak, allowing you to stop wasting time on topics you’ve already mastered. You also get access to detailed digital outlines and specialized “Final Review” webinars that condense the most testable material into digestible sessions.
One of the biggest selling points for Gleim is the focus on Task-Based Simulations (TBSs). They provide some of the most realistic exam-day emulations in the industry. If you are worried about the simulations on the actual exam, this cram course is designed to take that anxiety away by putting you in a mirror image of the Prometric environment.
#3: UWorld Roger CPA Cram Course
UWorld Roger CPA Review has been making a cram course for several years now. It’s probably the best stand-alone CPA prep course out there right now because it’s specifically designed to be a separate CPA exam prep course. It’s not simply a trimmed-down version of the real Roger CPA review course.
As such, it includes special, focused lectures presented by Roger that are only 10-25 minutes long. This way, you can fly through the lectures and get to the multiple-choice questions quickly. All the MCQ features detailed explanations and solutions. The course also comes with a full set of CPA cram textbooks.
The course is offered in either an online format that can be accessed anywhere with an internet connection or downloaded for offline access via the mobile app. Although it was previously available as a standalone purchase, these excellent cram courses have now been added to their Elite-Unlimited package in a recent update.
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Do You Need a CPA Review Cram Course to Pass the Exam?
The short answer is no. No, you don’t need a final review to pass the exam. Tons of people pass every single year without using a final crash course, but they don’t hurt.
Essentially, if you really study your regular test prep course thoroughly and at your own pace, you should be fine. Most people don’t do this, though, so a cram course would come in handy.
Final Verdict
Unless you are really, really good at studying and diligent with your main study materials, I would recommend getting a last-minute cram course. It’s worth the investment. I would much rather pay a few hundred dollars for a cram course and pass the exam rather than fail the exam and pay a few hundred dollars in extra exam fees. Plus, who wants to study for the exam again? Not me.
That being said, both UWorld Roger CPA and Becker CPA are great courses. I think it comes down to lecture style and preference. If you enjoy the upbeat, motivational Roger lectures, go with UWorld. If, on the other hand, you find his lectures too fast and unwatchable, you should go with Becker or Gleim.
FAQs
What is a CPA exam cram course?
A CPA exam cram course is a condensed review program designed to help candidates refresh the most heavily tested concepts shortly before exam day. It supplements a full CPA review course rather than replacing it.
When should I start using a CPA cram course?
Most candidates begin a cram course during the final one to three weeks before their exam. This gives you enough time to review key topics, complete practice questions, and reinforce areas where you’re weakest.
Can I pass the CPA exam using only a cram course?
Generally, no. Cram courses are intended as a final review and assume you’ve already learned the material through a comprehensive CPA review course. They’re best used to strengthen your knowledge before test day.
Which CPA cram course is best for task-based simulations?
If task-based simulations are your biggest concern, Gleim Finish Line is a strong choice because it focuses heavily on realistic simulation practice and identifying your remaining weak areas before the exam.
Are CPA cram courses worth the money?
For many candidates, yes. A quality cram course can help reinforce important concepts, improve confidence, and increase your chances of passing on the first attempt, potentially saving you the cost and time of retaking an exam section.
Kenneth W. Boyd is a former Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and the author of several of the popular "For Dummies" books published by John Wiley & Sons including 'CPA Exam for Dummies' and 'Cost Accounting for Dummies'.
Ken has gained a wealth of business experience through his previous employment as a CPA, Auditor, Tax Preparer and College Professor. Today, Ken continues to use those finely tuned skills to educate students as a professional writer and teacher.
