Becker CMA Review: Is the Prep Course Worth It?

The CMA exam is one of the most respected credentials in management accounting, and choosing the right course can make or break your preparation. For many, Becker CMA Review is the go-to choice, partially because Becker has a foundation of nearly 70 years in professional education, and they’ve helped thousands of CMA candidates earn their CMA certification. 

But the CMA is a tough exam, with a global pass rate of 45%, so you want to make sure you’re choosing the course that gives you the best possible odds of passing. So, is Becker CMA the right course for you and your learning style? Will it really help you pass the CMA exam? Let’s find out.

Key Takeaways

• If you want an AI-powered study assistant that answers your questions instantly, then you want Becker’s Newt™ AI assistant.
• If you learn best with real-time instruction, Becker’s live virtual classes and 1-on-1 tutoring sessions deliver.
• If you want a proven track record with modern tech, Becker’s 60+ years in exam prep, plus Adapt2U adaptive learning, is hard to beat.
• If you prefer a legacy provider with unlimited access until you pass, Gleim’s SmartAdapt™ technology and lower price point are worth considering.
• If you need the largest test bank on the market, UWorld’s 6,200+ practice questions may be the better fit.

Becker CMA Course Overview

While Becker is best known for its CPA prep, with the CMA exam review, you’ll get the same caliber of content and tech when aiming for your Certified Management Accountant credential. The course covers both parts of the CMA exam syllabus and aligns with the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) Learning Outcome Statements. The course includes video lectures, textbooks, over 4,000 practice questions, and Newt™, Becker’s all-new AI study assistant. All on a platform that provides an organized learning experience and user-friendly navigation. 

For me, one of the things that really sets Becker apart is how they combine methodology that they’ve tried, tested, and proven to work with modern tech. Their Adapt2U system allowed me to create unlimited practice tests based on my performance, while Newt™ gave me instant answers to any and all of my questions. And, since Becker is an IMA strategic partner, you can be sure all your study material is kept up to date. 

Finally, the self-study format let me work at my own pace while the platform tracked my progress. Whether you’re a management accountant ready lock in your credentials or a finance professional wanting to grow your skill set, the course structure can accommodate you. 

Pros

Newt™ AI study assistant means instant answers to content questions
Adapt2U adaptive learning technology for personalized practice tests 
Live virtual classes and 1-on-1 tutoring are available with the Pro package
Pass guarantee (terms based on the criteria and package)
14-day free trial to test compatibility before purchasing

Cons

Higher price compared to competitors 
1-on-1 and live instruction are only available with the Pro package

Becker CMA Course Package Options

CMA Review Pro

The Becker CMA Review Pro package is best for students who want full support with unlimited access, personal tutoring, and live virtual classes.

Pro includes five one-hour tutoring sessions with CMA experts who can help you work through challenging practice questions or any concepts that just aren’t clicking for you. You also get five success coaching sessions to help you build an effective study plan and keep your momentum going. The LiveOnline virtual classroom adds scheduled instruction with real-time Q&A, and lastly, your purchase is backed by Becker’s Pass Guarantee. 

“I think Becker was great. I followed their courses for CMA and scored a 440 and 450 on parts 1 and 2 respectively. The package I got includes a year of their CPE course too which would benefit you with both CMA and your CPA.”

Reddit u/somerandomuser311

CMA Review Advantage 

The Becker CMA Advantage course is best for self-motivated learners who don’t need or want live instruction or personal coaching, but still want Becker’s quality content and tech.

Advantage delivers the complete question bank, all lecture videos, Newt™ AI assistant, Adapte2U technology, digital textbooks, digital flashcards, and simulated exams. So what’s the difference between Pro and Advantage? Advantage means no printed textbooks, no tutoring, no live classes, no CPE subscription, and no pass guarantee. So, for anyone feeling confident about their self-study abilities, I’d say Advantage is enough. 

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Becker CMA Course Details

Learning Architecture 

When I took a look at Becker’s CMA Exam Review, I was pretty impressed with how organized the content was. That platform took me through each topic in a sensible, systematic way, and the self-study format let me move at my own pace while tracking my progress. Even with the Advantage tier, which doesn’t include the live online class schedule, I still think students will feel a similar level of structure (a major plus).

Here’s what you get: 

• Complete 2-part review course that covers 100% of the ICMA Learning Outcome Statements
• 4,000+ multiple-choice questions with detailed answer explanations for correct and incorrect answers
• 75+ essay questions
• 76 SkillBuilder videos with step-by-step guides for each type of essay question
• Simulated exams that mirror the real CMA exam
• Customizable study planner that generates a daily schedule based on the date of your exam and the amount of time you have to study
• Adapt2U provides unlimited practice exams 

Platform and Production

Becker has an incredibly streamlined platform interface based on their super-popular CPA prep. When I did a test run on the course, I loved how sensible the navigation was. I wasn’t sitting there clicking here, clicking there, trying to find the menu item I needed—we’ve all suffered through a bad UI, but Becker’s nav is always intuitive. And the dashboard loaded fast every time, regardless of whether I was on my laptop or my phone.

Here are some highlights:

• Newt™ AI, an assistant based entirely on Becker’s curriculum—meaning no unverified nonsense answers—that replies immediately
• Adapt2U adaptive learning technology assesses your knowledge and then builds personalized practice tests for you
• Lecture videos taught by CMA-certified instructors 
• 500+ digital flashcards 
• LiveOnline virtual classes are included if you opt for the Pro package 

Cost Analysis

In my experience, Becker CMA Review delivers strong value, making it well worth the money. For me, it’s mostly about the combination of great content and modern tech. The pricing is at the higher end compared to more budget-centric competitors like Surgent CMA Review, but you know what they say—you get what you pay for. I’d say the features mentioned above justify the investment for any student who makes use of all the tools. 

Even more features: 

• Pass guarantee if you don’t pass after becoming Exam Day Ready℠
• 14-day Becker CMA free demo gives you access to textbooks, videos, Newt™, and more
• 10-day money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied after purchase
• 30% savings on IMA membership and CMA entrance fees
• 1-year CPE subscription included in Pro for continuing education after certification 
• A constantly updated course means your material is always current 

Assistance and Availability 

Becker offers multiple support channels, but depending on the method you use, response times can vary. They offer a form on their website and a phone number to call, although depending on the help you need, you might just want to use Newt™ and get an immediate answer. Personally, I never had a problem where I needed support, but I tested the response time anyway, and I always got a response within 24 hours (once, the response arrived in just three hours).

• Newt™ AI is there 24/7 to answer any of your curriculum-based questions
• An academic support team will respond within 48 hours 
• The Pro package comes with personalized assistance via five one-hour tutoring sessions and five success coaching sessions 

Course access differs by package. With Advantage, you get  24 months, but Pro comes with unlimited access. 

How Becker Stacks Up Against Other CMA Exam Review Courses

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Becker vs Glein CMA

It was Gleim that created the first CMA Review course back in 1981, and they’re still a respected name in the exam prep. Their Premium package includes their SmartAdapt™ adaptive technology and their Access Until You Pass® guarantee.  They have a huge question bank, with 4,400+ multiple-choice questions.  You have access to personal counselors to support you from day one, but they do not offer any live classes.

Becker pulls ahead with technology. Newt™ AI provides instant answers around the clock, while Gleim’s counselor support has longer response times. And Becker’s live virtual classes and 1-on-1 tutoring add real-time instruction that Gleim doesn’t offer.

🆚 Choose Gleim if you want a provider that has decades of CMA-specific experience, prefer their SmartAdapt™ technology, want an unlimited access guarantee, and don’t care about live classes. 

🆚 Choose Becker if you love the thought of having a 24/7 AI assistant that’s been fully trained on the course material, want live virtual classes and tutoring options, and prefer a fully modern interface. 

Becker vs Surgent CMA

Surgent positions itself as the efficiency-focused option, with its Predictive AI Technology and ReadyScore™ indicator—a tool that assesses how ready you are for the exam. Their Ultimate Pass package comes with unlimited access and virtual coaching sessions. According to Surgent, not only do they have a 95% pass rate, but their adaptive tech can “save up to 400 hours of study time.” However, like Gleim, they do not offer live classes. 

Becker offers a different AI approach. Newt™ answers your questions directly rather than just changing up your practice sets. The live virtual classes and five tutoring sessions provide human instruction that Surgent’s model doesn’t match, plus 60+ years of track record.

🆚 Choose Surgent if you like the sound of that 95% pass rate—not to mention the hundreds of saved hours—plus a ReadyScore™ prediction.
🆚 Choose Becker if you want live classes, a personal AI assistant, and the backing of a company that’s been around nearly 70 years. 

Becker vs UWorld 

UWorld CMA Review, which used to be Wiley CMA, has 6,200+ practice questions—the largest CMA Qbank of all the courses I’ve reviewed. If you opt for their Elite-Unlimited package, it includes live boot camps and SmartPath predictive technology. In my opinion, UWorld’s biggest deal is their 11th Hour Final Review course. I don’t know about you, but for me, there’s just no way I’m going to retain everything I learn, especially from a long, intense course. So this last-minute course is the equivalent of a life preserver. It gives you everything you need to reinforce, relearn, cram, whatever you need to do at the last minute before you write the exam. 

Becker counters with Newt™ AI for instant explanations when you’re stuck. The five tutoring sessions offer personalized help that UWorld’s boot camp format doesn’t replicate. Becker’s 96% satisfaction rate also edges out UWorld on student experience.

🆚 Choose UWorld if you want more questions than you’ll ever need, and if you value last-minute reinforcement as much as I do. 

🆚 Choose Becker if you want 1-on-1 tutoring, a 24/7 AI tutor, and the backing of Becker’s 96% satisfaction rate in professional exam prep. 

Becker vs CMA Exam Academy 

Becker’s specialty is structure. Whether self-directed or live online, the CMA review comes with a large QBank, a full lecture library, Newt™, simulated exams, and really good diagnostics.  In a straight-up comparison with CMA Exam Academy, Becker relies more on technology and sheer volume of content instead of lots of intensive coaching. It’s robust, it’s flexible, and you’ve got the wheel. 

On the other hand, CMA Academy is all about its 32-week coaching program (16 weeks per part) and a prescribed coaching program that tells you what to study and when. It’s more about accountability, with weekly check-ins, assignments, and progress tracking. 

🆚 Choose Becker if you want a huge course with lots of 21st-century tech like Newt™, and the ability to generate unlimited custom practice tests. And you want to manage it all yourself. 

🆚 Choose CMA Academy if you want the whole coaching experience with someone constantly monitoring your progress and poking—okay, maybe nudging sounds better?— at you if you fall behind. If you struggle with self-study, this is the course for you. 

Becker vs HOCK International

HOCK has a subscription-based model that’s totally budget-friendly. Their PassMap™ system personalizes your study plan, and your teacher throughout all the videos is Brian Hock, the company founder. If you want to check it out, they have a very generous 14-day free trial. 

But Becker pulls ahead with their tech, especially with instant answers Newt™ provides.  That’s something HOCK’s self-study format just can’t match. Not to mention, Becker’s tutoring and live classes give a human element that some prefer. And finally, if you’re anything like me and love to test yourself with endless practice questions, Becker has about twice as many as HOCK. 

🆚 Choose HOCK if you prefer monthly payments instead of one high upfront cost, and you’re okay with a no frills option to help you pass your CMA certification. 

🆚 Choose Becker if you’d prefer some cool tech-driven features, a bigger question bank, and access to tutoring and live instruction. 

Bottom Line

The Becker CMA course is a great choice for self-motivated students who want extensive support, from live classes to personal tutoring sessions. Plus, I really enjoyed Becker’s cutting-edge tech, like their Newt™ AI assistant. Yes, their pricing is higher than some of their competitors’, but their established methodology, reputable brand, and rave reviews make Becker a safe bet to pass the CMA exam.

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