Gleim CPA Review: Are These Prep Courses Worth the Hype?

Course Content And Structure

Gleim’s layout was my favorite of the CPA courses I reviewed. Not because it was the prettiest, but because it was the easiest to use.

For reference, I just started learning a new video editing software, DaVinci Resolve. Maybe I’m just technologically inept, but any time I want to perform a function (adding text, audio, or adding a slow zoom effect), I have to Google it.

With Gleim? Not once.

That sounds small, but trust me, it matters. CPA prep already takes enough mental energy. I don’t want to spend extra time figuring out where the notes are, where the outline went, or what button I’m supposed to click next. Gleim made those choices feel obvious.

The study units also felt more manageable. In the course access I reviewed, the videos were usually just a few minutes long and stayed under 10 minutes in the lessons I checked. That gave the course a different rhythm than programs that hold you in lecture mode for much longer. I could finish a video, review the outline, answer questions, and feel like I had actually made progress.

The Question Bank Is The Main Selling Point

The practice library is the easiest reason to take Gleim seriously. Gleim currently lists 12,000+ multiple-choice questions and 1,600+ task-based simulations in its main CPA review packages.

If you’re shopping on question bank size alone, this is the winner. And I see why that’s so important. More questions gave me more chances to see topics worded differently, revisit weak areas, and build speed. It never got to the point where I was answering on memorization alone; I really had to think through each and every question to get it right.

I also liked that Gleim didn’t make practice feel buried. Because the lessons are shorter, I got back to practicing faster. That worked better for me than courses where I had to watch a long block of video before doing anything active. Plus, I got to watch roughly two 2-minute question walkthrough videos before each focus question practice session.

One small caveat: the answer explanations are more concise than I’d ideally want, but Gleim handles that better than some other courses. When I needed more detail, the platform linked me back to the relevant place in the outline. That made the shorter explanations less frustrating because I wasn’t left guessing where to read more.

Plus, trickier questions had deeper explanations—I spent most of my time with foundational content, so it’s possible the explanations were shorter because the content was less complex at my point in the course materials.

Support And Access

Gleim’s support setup fits the course. It’s easy enough to use on your own, but the main packages still include personal counselor support, and higher packages add more expert assistance. Traditional includes 18 months of access, while Premium and Premium Pro include Access Until You Pass.

Customer service was relatively quick, and I usually got same-day responses for my questions (assuming they weren’t at 11:30 PM, which I did try—just in case).

I wouldn’t choose Gleim only for support. I’d choose it for the study flow and practice volume. But I do like that help is there, especially because CPA prep can get lonely once you’re deep into weak areas and repeated practice sets.

The Videos Are Short and Sweet

Gleim’s video lessons are more direct than dramatic, and I can see that being exactly what some CPA candidates want.

Denise Probert, CPA, CGMA, was the main instructor I spent time watching. Her delivery was clear and easy to follow; she really nailed it. She doesn’t have the big, high-energy presence of some other CPA instructors, but she explains the material in a way that I can process without any wild theatrics—or, conversely, that all-too-familiar monotone drone.

For me, the keyword was realistic. I didn’t feel like I was watching a performance. I felt like someone was walking me through the material calmly and getting me ready to answer questions. Like, well… like a teacher, not an actor in a YouTube or TikTok video.

The video setup also helped. The lecture took up one side of the screen, while the outline and notes were visible on the other side. I loved that because I could follow the lesson, keep an eye on the structure, and take notes without leaving the page. My poor Google Docs account was not getting any love when I was studying, for once.

The Platform Isn’t Flashy, But It Works

Gleim’s aesthetics won’t be the reason someone buys the course. Becker feels more polished visually, and UWorld has a more modern feel in some areas. Gleim is plainer.

But let’s be clear: design and aesthetics? Not the same.

Utility-wise, Gleim was better for me than almost any other CPA prep course I reviewed. The audio and video quality were clean, the slides were easy to follow, and the page layout made sense. I cared less about the dashboard looking premium because the actual study experience felt so buttery smooth.

The notes widget was especially helpful. I liked being able to type notes right next to the lecture and outline. It kept me from opening a separate document or switching windows, which made it easier to stay focused.

I think it’s clear Gleim focused on a distraction-free, intuitive layout—a serious boon if you’re also easily distracted.

Value

Gleim’s value is in how much studying it helps you get done. The course doesn’t rely on flashy extras to justify itself. It gives you a massive practice bank, short lessons, a simple study path, mock exams, books, adaptive tools, and support options that scale up by package.

I think Gleim is strongest for candidates who already know they learn by doing—if that’s you, this is your course, point blank. It’s really that simple. Massive question bank, unlimited practice tests, and 4 to 8 full-length mock exams. I’d probably never get through every practice question, but the adaptive tech made sure I covered every single angle of the exam.

And with realistic payment plans and financing options, while Gleim isn’t cheap, I do think the price can be manageable if you play it smart.

Bottom Line

Gleim worked for me because it made studying feel simpler—and easier to get back into the next day. I didn’t have to dig around the dashboard, sit through long lectures, or wait forever to get back to practice questions. The course moves in small enough pieces that I found myself thinking, “Just one more section.” When CPA study can be a slog, that’s a major advantage.

I’d pick Gleim for the question bank and the study flow, not for flashy design or big instructor personality. It’s a practical course, focused on efficiency and mastery through bite-sized repetition. Overall, Gleim definitely won me over.

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