Gleim review is an education-based platform that offers review courses for professional certifications and provides study materials for CPAs, CIA, CMAs, and EAs. Professor Irvin Glem founded the company in 1974.
Gleim’s CPA review is a course designed around bite-sized lessons and the SmartAdapt learning system to efficiently guide you through the course while allowing you to dive deeper into the areas you need the most practice.
We break down each component of Gleim’s CPA review course so you can decide if Gleim CPA review is right for you.
Contents
- 1 Why Consider Gleim CPA Review Course
- 2 Gleim CPA Review: Pros and Cons
- 3 Gleim CPA Review Discounts and Coupons!
- 4 Gleim CPA Review’s Top Features
- 5 Gleim Pricing and Course Packages
- 6 Additional Features of Gleim CPA Review
- 7 Gleim Financing and Discount Codes
- 8 Gleim vs. Becker
- 9 Get Started with Gleim CPA Review
- 10 FAQ’s
Why Consider Gleim CPA Review Course
- Gleim CPA Review is one of the most comprehensive CPA review courses you’ll find in the market at an affordable price.
- It gives students access to over 11,300 multiple-choice questions (MCQs), simulations, and comprehensive and detailed explanations.
- More practice materials are available to Gleim CPA Review students than any other course.
- Gleim CPA review goes above and beyond what other courses provide with its hassle-free Access Until You Pass guarantee.
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Gleim CPA Review: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Provides the BIGGEST test bank (11,300 MCQs + TBSs)
- Super detailed course content
- SmartAdapt software
- Flexibility to follow Traditional OR an Efficient review path
- Excellent value
Cons
- Lectures aren’t rated as the most “exciting” or “engaging”
- Video lectures are only available at Premium level
- Too much material to complete
- No mobile app
Gleim CPA Review Discounts and Coupons!
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Gleim CPA Review’s Top Features
Gleim Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Multiple choice questions are the lifeblood of any CPA review course. Gleim incorporates over 10,000 MCQs. This is probably the most significant advantage of Gleim’s course, as you’ll always have fresh practice material as you study for the exam.
10,000 MCQs is a crazy amount of practice questions and very likely more than you need, so don’t feel compelled to go through every question. Most students rate Gleim’s multiple choice questions as challenging as the actual exams, and detailed explanations accompany each correct and incorrect answer.
Be sure to read these explanations, as they reinforce the material and fill any knowledge gaps you may have. You’ll actually experience two different types of multiple-choice questions while using Gleim’s course; they include:
1) Diagnostic-type questions
Questions appear at the beginning and end of each chapter or study unit. You can feed your performance on these questions into Gleim’s SmartAdapt technology to establish and track your performance on specific topics. Be sure to answer these as truthfully as possible, even if you don’t know the material yet.
2) Regular Multiple Choice Questions
These are questions from Gleim’s massive test bank and are excellent resources for quizzing yourself and staying fresh on particular subjects while going through the course. You don’t have to feed your performance on Smart Adapt Technology.
Gleim Simulations
Gleim also offers a whopping 1,300+ task-based simulations, more than any other course on the market! Simulations make up 50% of the scoring on most CPA exam sections, which is another huge plus for Gleim.
Like the multiple choice questions, SmartAdapt uses your performance on the diagnostic questions to select the most simulation topics you need to focus on, so you won’t necessarily need to complete all 1,300 of them (unless you really want to!). Not only does Gleim offer a boatload of practice opportunities, but the quality of the Gleim simulations is excellent in mirroring the testing format.
The overall look and feel of the simulations mirror precisely what you’ll see on the CPA exam, so you’ll be comfortable on exam day. Like the multiple-choice questions, each simulation comes with detailed explanations of the answers so you can
Gleim Test Bank
Gleim features the largest multi-choice test bank in the biz with over 10,000(!) practice questions. Test bank questions do not feed into Gleim’s SmartAdapt software but are an excellent resource for testing yourself and staying fresh on particular subjects. Thus, you can focus on the subjects you need the most improvement on.
The Gleim test bank can be used to create TWO different kinds of custom tests:
- Study sessions: The optimum time to use Study Sessions, which provide immediate feedback on your answers, is as you move through the course and wish to maintain your knowledge of the topic.
- Practice exams: Exam simulations in the form of practice tests that withhold the answers until the conclusion. These are more helpful once you’ve completed most of the course and want to gauge both your general knowledge and time management abilities.
Gleim Practice Exams
Gleim’s course offers an array of practice quizzes/exams throughout the course:
- Adaptive quizzes, which are the diagnostics taken before and after each study unit and linked to Gleim’s SmartAdapt software to track your progress and mastery of the material.
- Custom quizzes simulate the exam environment and provide feedback on responses as you progress with the CPA course.
Students can customize both practice exam quizzes to the specific chapters/study units they’d like to focus on, which is super helpful as you progress through the course.
Additionally, the Gleim CPA review features two full-length practice exams at the end of the course. The first exam is meant to be taken 1-2 weeks before your exam date and serves as your final review diagnostic. Based on your results, Gleim’s SmartAdapt system will then create a custom final review checklist of the areas you need to focus on the most.
Gleim Pricing and Course Packages
Gleim offers two course packages: the Traditional CPA Review System and the Premium CPA Review System. Both give you access to the most critical course content, including:
- Gleim’s SmartAdapt technology
- 10,000+ multiple choice questions
- 1,300+ simulations
- Digital and physical textbooks and audio lectures
- Unlimited customizable quizzes and practice exams
- Personal coaching, phone and email support
The Gleim’s Premium CPA Review System has nice added features like video lectures, digital flashcards, access to their accounting experts for questions and guidance, and the Access Until You Pass guarantee.
Gleim also sells its MegaBank of 11,300+ multiple-choice questions & simulations. Even if you already have or are leaning towards another course, you should consider picking up the MegaBank to access the most amount of practice material possible.
In my opinion, both of Gleim’s courses are an excellent value, and the MegaBank is an incredible resource that will give you that extra edge during your exam prep if you’re using another course.
Comparison Between Traditional CPA Review and Premium CPA Review
Let’s have a look at the different course packages in more detail and see how they compare:
| Features and Tools for Exam Preparation | Traditional CPA Review System | Premium CPA Review System |
| SmartAdapt Technology | Yes | Yes |
| 10,000+ MCQs | Yes | Yes |
| 1,300+ simulations | Yes | Yes |
| Video lectures | No | Yes |
| Access Until You Pass Guarantee | No | Yes |
| Customizable quizzes and practice exams | Yes | Yes |
| Digital flashcards | No | Yes |
Additional Features of Gleim CPA Review
- Background
- Gleim Course Planner / Adaptive Learning Technology
- Other cool features
Background
Gleim CPA Review also has a rich history. Started in 1974 by Dr. Irvin Gleim and his wife, the original Gleim CPA Review textbooks helped pioneer the CPA exam prep industry and covered up to 90% of the market at its peak.
While those original textbooks were eventually sold to Wiley and are currently the basis for Wiley CPA Review’s textbooks, Dr. Gleim re-established himself in the test prep market in 1994 by developing a new CPA review course as well as courses for a variety of other accounting designations as well as guides for pilots (yes, pilots!).
Today, Gleim CPA Review is still going strong, having helped over 1 million students pass the exam!
Gleim Course Planner / Adaptive Learning Technology
Gleim has tons of practice material for CPA review. Their course planner and adaptive learning tech help you study efficiently. The software’s integrated course planner can be tailored to your schedule and updates based on progress.
Enter your exam date, start date, study hours per day, and non-study days. Gleim then provides a personalized schedule or suggests adjustments. (Note: Gleim estimates 145 – 165 hours of study for most students).
You can set alerts and notifications for due dates or if you’re behind schedule. A Gleim counselor can also reach out periodically to check your progress.
Some students don’t need outside help to stay on track, but these are great features for those who prefer external motivation.
Gleim splits each exam section into 20 chapters or study units. Each unit starts with a diagnostic test of 20 questions to assess your knowledge.
Gleim’s SmartAdapt system then indicates the topics you should prioritize with a cute lightbulb icon. Answer these questions well to save study time!
At the end of the day, Gleim hits a home run by coupling the largest practice library with an adaptive learning approach so you can study efficiently AND dive deep in the areas you need to practice the most.
Other Cool Features
In addition to its full CPA Review course offerings, Gleim offers some additional resources to help you pass the CPA exam:
CPA Review Mega Test Bank – Gleim’s Mega Test Bank is an amazing supplement, particularly if you’re using another review course that doesn’t have as much material as you’d like. The Mega Bank also comes with access to your choice of Gleim’s digital or printed textbooks.
The Mega Test Bank is sold separately from Gleim’s main CPA review courses and can be purchased by individual exam section (FAR, AUD, BEC, REG) or in a bundle at a discounted price.
Free Resources – Check out these freebies:
CPA Study Material Free Download pdf 2022: Students can get CPA study materials for free to enhance exam preparation. The study guide materials will help you prepare adequately as they cover everything you need to be conversant with. Get some of the best free copies of CPA study materials here. Free CPA study materials are imperative in saving costs and aid during CPA exam preparation. Access free task-based simulations and multiple-choice questions by downloading the CPA study material for free.
CPA Exam Questions (FREE!) – You can access 300 multiple choice questions and close to 30 task-based simulations absolutely free on their website.
CPA Exam Study Guide (FREE!) – Sign up through Gleim’s website and get a FREE downloadable PDF. The study Guide covers the AICPA blueprints, pass rates, exam fees, and even comes with examples of multiple choice questions and task-based simulations.
CPA Exam Webinars and Videos (FREE!) – Sign up through Gleim’s website and get FREE access to webinars and videos covering all kinds of exam topics such as Receivables, Inventory, Statement of Cash Flows, and lots more.
Gleim Lectures
Gleim’s Premium CPA review has 100+ hours of video lectures, same as other courses. The Traditional CPA review lacks video lectures. Both courses offer 20+ hours of audio lectures for flexible studying on the go.
Video lectures are divided into 440+ bite-sized chunks, perfect for busy schedules and efficient studying.
Gleim’s stands out by featuring university professors in their lectures. Lecturers specialize in each exam section, providing expertise. However, their video lectures aren’t included in all packages. Some find their lecturers less exciting or engaging compared to other courses like Becker and UWorld/Roger.
Gleim CPA Online
Gleim now allows students to take notes alongside the video and sync notes with the course outline, improving upon what used to be a rare weakness for the course.
The Gleim CPA online video lectures are subdivided into 440+ short, bite-sized chunks.
Gleim Textbooks and Gleim PDF
Gleim’s CPA review packages include both digital and physical textbooks. The digital texts are easy to use, sync with SmartAdapt software, and can be viewed alongside video lectures and notes.
Physical texts are optional but great for offline studying or giving your eyes a break. The content covers everything you need and is designed to over-prepare you. Use Gleim’s SmartAdapt to focus on the most important topics.
You can access a wide variety of Gleim pdf versions through website purchase links. The pdf version provides access to detailed answer explanations to enhance your study experience. Access the pdf copies and exam questions on Gleim pdf. The pdf contains questions that are representative of the actual CPA exam.
Gleim Flashcards
In 2020, Gleim added digital flashcards to its Premium course. I personally tested them and found them very useful. You can focus on specific chapters or the entire deck. Flag flashcards as “mastered” or “not mastered” to filter and navigate topics.
Gleim doesn’t offer printed flashcards, but that’s okay. Make your own if you prefer hard-copy flashcards and tailor them to your needs.
How to Access Gleim Course
Gleim CPA Review is available on any device, offering flexible studying options. They also have a hassle-free, Access Until You Pass guarantee, better than other highly-rated courses. With the Premium course, they even provide the latest editions of their textbooks for shipping costs only.
Note: Gleim’s Traditional CPA Review Course and MegaBank come with guaranteed access for 18 months, which is usually enough time. While they lack a dedicated smartphone app, it’s not necessary for a CPA prep course.
Gleim Customer Support
Gleim offers two course options, both with access to a Personal Counselor for guidance and exam prep. Many providers only offer this with their premium course or after a failed section. You can customize the level of assistance in the course’s study planner. The Premium CPA Review grants access to accounting experts for specific advice.
Downsides include the lack of a student forum or FAQ section, but the support from Personal Counselors and accounting experts outweighs this.
For international students, Gleim provides advice on states to sit for the exam and licensure requirements. Contact international@gleim.com for assistance. Gleim’s support team is available 24/7, 365 days a year.
Free Trial
If you’re interested in Gleim but still aren’t convinced then I suggest signing up for a FREE trial to test things out yourself!
Gleim Financing and Discount Codes
Gleim offers financing for those who’d prefer to spread out the cost of their course. This is a great option for anyone that can’t afford to pay for the entire course up-front. Note: Interest rates can range anywhere from 10-30% depending on your credit qualifications and may include a down payment.
If you want to save money on Gleim’s CPA review course then be sure to check out the discounts below and on my discounts page for the best price. I’m continuously working with the Gleim team to bring you the biggest and best discounts, so be sure to check these pages to save as much money as possible!
Gleim vs. Becker
Gleim and Becker are CPA review companies that differ in extent, curriculums, structures, and style of instructional lesson work. Here is a more comprehensive comparison;
| Gleim Review | Becker Review |
| Has 10,000 MCQs | Has 9,000 MCQs |
| It comes with 1,300 simulations | It comes with 400 simulations |
| The review costs $1,600 | The review costs $2,000 |
| Integrates a handful of supplemental resources | Offers extensive supplemental resources, e.g., 1,400 digital flashcards |
| It has approximately 450+ video instructions | It has approximately 750+ video instruction |
| It has a more traditional take on video lectures | Offers both live classes and novel video lessons |
Get Started with Gleim CPA Review
Overall, there’s a lot to like about Gleim CPA Review. It has the largest question bank at a budget-friendly price. Customer service options are good and there’s an Access Until You Pass guarantee (Premium level).
Gleim CPA is perfect for those weak on US GAAP, needing comprehensive material. Also great for time-pressed students who want depth in specific subjects.
FAQ’s
There are primarily three options offered by Gleim: the Premium Review CPA System with access till you pass guarantee available at $1,999, Traditional CPA Review System at $1,599, and the CPA Mega Test Bank at $999 with MCQs, simulations, and optional physical books. That being said, this site regularly secures the best available Gleim discounts, so check here for the lowest available price.
Gleim’s biggest strength is the amount of practice material it offers, but it can be difficult to get through it all. Instead, take their diagnostic tests at the beginning of each chapter and tailor your studying around the topics where you register less than an 85-90% competency. Focus on video lectures and course materials that will address your weaknesses. Once you feel you’re up to it in those areas, take the MCQs and the simulations. Repeat the process until you can score around 85% or higher across the chapter and have a strong command of the material.
Gleim CPA boasts a 91% pass rate, which puts it among the top CPA review courses. Pair that with the Access Until You Pass guarantee on their Premium course, and your results may actually be higher than this.
The biggest benefit to using Gleim CPA is the extensive volume of multiple choice questions and simulations paired with time-saving diagnostics at the beginning of each chapter. Gleim is a great fit for students who need or prefer to have a more comprehensive study path but still want to save time by skipping lectures and course materials where they already have a good level of competency.
Gleim review offers numerous preparation courses and supplementary resources to help CPA enthusiasts prepare and pass the CPA exam.
