Buying the best online Enrolled Agent course is the most important decision you will make to pass the EA exam. It’s crucial to find EA exam study materials that are the best for your learning style.
But how do you choose the right EA review course?
Every EA prep course claims to be the best, yet picking the wrong review materials could waste hundreds of valuable study hours. Most importantly, you want to make sure your EA review course equips you to be the best tax professional you can be when representing clients before the IRS and handling other tax matters.
Which EA Course Is Right for You?
This short questionnaire will help you decide what is the best option for you when it comes to preparing for the EA exam.
Best EA Exam Review Courses
| CRUSH RANKING | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 |
| BEST EA REVIEW COURSES |  |  |  |  |
| COMPANY | Becker EA Review Pro | Gleim EA Review | Surgent EA Review | Lambers EA Review |
| PRICE | $799 | $799 | $699 | $499 |
| DISCOUNT | Save $237 | Save $304 | Save $210 | Save 10% |
| PRACTICE QUESTIONS | 3,000+ | 3,500 | 1,800+ | 2,100+ |
| UNLIMITED COURSE ACCESS | ||||
| MONEY BACK GUARANTEE | 14-Day Refund | Yes – Must Fail Twice | ||
| VIDEO LECTURES | ||||
| MOBILE FRIENDLY | ||||
| FINANCING | $56/month | $44/month | ||
| CUSTOMER SERVICE | Personal Counselor, Phone & Email Support | |||
| GET STARTED | Start now | Start now | Start now | Start now |
1. Becker EA Review Course
Best for: Candidates who want a structured EA study plan, adaptive practice, and comprehensive study resources
Becker EA Review is my top pick for the best Enrolled Agent (EA) exam prep course, especially for candidates who want a structured study plan, plenty of practice questions, and personalized study tools.
Personally, one of my favorite features was the combination of Becker’s study planner and course navigation. I loved being able to see exactly what I needed to accomplish each day based on my projected exam date and days off, then click straight into each task to start studying. Unlike some other EA review courses I’ve tried, I didn’t have to organize my own study schedule or figure out what to tackle next. Becker did that work for me, which made getting started much easier.
I also really liked Adapt2U, Becker’s adaptive learning technology. As I worked through practice questions, I could focus on weaker topics instead of spending equal time reviewing everything. This made my study sessions feel more targeted and helped me prioritize what needed the most attention.
The biggest drawback is the price. Becker offers several packages, but features like live online classes and the Pass Guarantee are only included with select plans. If you’re on a tight budget or mainly want a large question bank, it’s worth comparing Becker with more affordable EA exam prep courses before committing.
Key Features
- Adapt2U Technology: Personalized study sessions targeting your strengths and weaknesses.
- 3,000+ Practice Questions: Multiple-choice questions with detailed answer explanations.
- Simulated Exams: Full-length practice tests that mirror the EA exam.
- Newt™ AI: AI-powered assistance with difficult concepts and missed questions.
- Video Lessons & Live Classes: On-demand lectures, live instruction, and SkillBuilder videos.
- Study Tools & Support: Digital textbooks, flashcards, study planner, and 24/7 academic support.
Pros and Cons
✅ Adapt2U technology helps candidates conquer their “sore spots”
✅ Course led by real EAs who can use real-world examples, not just read off a script
✅ Impressive question bank with over 3,000 MCQs and actionable answer explanations
✅Live online classes are available in some packages, which helps with real-time learning and built-in accountability
❌ Live classes are only available in the EA Review Pro package
❌ More expensive than some competitors’ courses
❌ Pass guarantee has specific requirements before being eligible
Bottom Line: Becker EA Review is my top pick for candidates who want a structured study plan, personalized practice, and comprehensive exam prep resources. I especially liked how the study planner made it easy to know what to work on each day without having to organize everything myself. While it’s more expensive than some alternatives, I think it’s worth considering if you value a guided, well-organized study experience.
Take $160 Off Becker EA Exam Review Premium
2. Gleim Enrolled Agent Review Course
Best for: Candidates who prefer bite-sized lessons, a predictable study routine, and extensive practice questions
The Gleim EA Review Course is one of my favorite options for Enrolled Agent exam prep, especially if you struggle to stay engaged with long, monotonous study sessions. What stood out to me most was the way Gleim breaks lessons into a predictable mix of short videos, worked multiple-choice questions, written outlines, and focused practice.
A typical lesson might start with a roughly seven-minute video, followed by two short videos walking through MCQs and explaining how to solve them. Next comes a written outline (usually around five minutes), followed by two to five focus questions to test what you’ve learned. A whole lesson can take around 20 minutes, but you’ve already worked through several different types of learning activities by the end.
Personally, I loved this format. The constant change of pace made studying feel rewarding, and completing each small task gave me that little dopamine hit that kept me moving on to the next one. It was almost like study potato chips: bite-sized, satisfying, and easy to keep going with. If you find it hard to concentrate on lengthy lectures or dense textbook chapters, Gleim’s lesson structure could be a real advantage.
Gleim’s extensive EA exam question bank is another major strength. Its detailed answer explanations and customizable practice tests give you plenty of opportunities to work through questions, review mistakes, and target weaker areas. For me, the combination of engaging lesson flow and substantial MCQ practice is what makes Gleim stand out.
Key Features
- Extensive MCQ Test Bank: A large bank of EA exam practice questions with detailed explanations to help you understand why answers are right or wrong.
- SmartAdapt™ Technology: Uses your performance to help identify weak areas and guide your review.
- Customizable Study Planner: Organize your study schedule around your exam date and track what you need to complete.
- Bite-Sized Lessons: Short videos, worked MCQ examples, written outlines, and focused practice questions break studying into manageable chunks.
- Custom Practice Tests: Build quizzes using unanswered questions, previously missed questions, or questions you’ve already attempted to target specific areas.
- Personalized Counselor Support: Get help planning your exam preparation and navigating the EA exam process, with access to subject-matter experts for study questions.
Pros and Cons
✅ Customized practice tests backed by adaptive technology to target low-score topics
✅ The structure is some of the best I’ve seen for being able to lock in and stay focused, with short and sweet lessons
✅ Personal counseling and tax expert help included, so I could ask hyper-specific questions and get verified answers
✅ Includes additional tools like digital flashcards and audio lectures to appeal to a wider variety of learning styles
❌ The best tools are reserved for the more expensive packages
❌ Unlike Becker, lacks live online classes
❌ Study planner wasn’t as intuitive or useful on a day-to-day basis as Becker’s
Bottom Line: Gleim EA Review stands out for its bite-sized lessons, extensive question bank, and customizable practice tests. Personally, I loved the predictable lesson flow, which made studying feel manageable and rewarding rather than overwhelming. The biggest downside is the sheer volume of content, but if you prefer structured, thorough exam prep with plenty of opportunities to practice, Gleim is an excellent choice.
Student Discount: Up to 37% Off Gleim EA Review
3. Surgent EA Review Course
Best for: Budget-conscious candidates who want adaptive practice, detailed answer explanations, and flexibility to guide their own studying
The Surgent EA Review Course is a solid choice for Enrolled Agent exam prep, especially for budget-conscious candidates who want adaptive learning technology and detailed feedback on their practice questions. Its ReadySCORE feature estimates your exam readiness based on your performance, helping you identify when you may need more review before test day.
What I particularly liked about Surgent was the level of detail in its answer explanations. Beyond explaining the correct answer, they provide links to relevant tax terms, instructional videos, and additional references, along with statistics showing how often other students answer a question correctly on their first attempt. This makes it easy to dig deeper into topics you struggle with.
However, I found Surgent less straightforward to navigate as a complete learning program than Becker or Gleim. Rather than guiding me through a clear sequence of lessons, it often presented a long list of resources to work through. The Daily Surge feature provides three suggested study tasks each day, but I didn’t find it as cohesive a study experience as Becker’s planner or Gleim’s bite-sized lesson format. For me, Surgent worked better as a question-driven review tool than as a step-by-step introduction to unfamiliar material.
Key Features
- Proprietary A.S.A.P. Technology: Personalizes the learning experience.
- ReadySCORE: Assesses exam readiness.
- Extensive Question Bank: Over 2,000 multiple-choice questions with full answers.
- Integrated IRS Publications: Latest IRS guidelines within the software.
- Unlimited Practice Exams: For thorough preparation.
- Multi-Platform Compatibility: Accessible on desktop, tablet, and mobile.
- Study Tools: Includes a companion app, reference eBooks, and free content updates.
- Guarantee and Support: Pass or money-back guarantee, 1-on-1 coaching, and video lectures.
- Additional Resources: Printed flashcards, reference books, Excel certificate course, and an Ethics course.
- Unlimited Access: Study until you pass.
Pros and Cons
✅ Adaptive learning technology helps identify weak areas and focus review
✅ Detailed answer explanations link to relevant videos, tax terms, and references
✅ ReadySCORE estimates exam readiness based on your practice performance
✅ Daily Surge suggests three study tasks to help maintain study momentum
❌ Less structured and straightforward than Becker or Gleim
❌ Extensive resource lists can feel overwhelming when learning new material
❌ Daily study tasks feel less cohesive than a guided, step-by-step study plan
Bottom Line: Surgent EA Review is a good option for budget-conscious candidates who want adaptive practice, detailed answer explanations, and targeted feedback on their progress. I especially liked how easy it was to dig deeper into missed questions using linked videos and references. However, its less structured learning experience may feel overwhelming if you prefer a clear, step-by-step study plan. I’d recommend Surgent for question-driven review, particularly if you’re comfortable directing your own studies.
$210 Savings on Surgent EA Review Ultimate Pass
4. Lambers EA Exam Prep Course and Review
Best for: Budget-conscious candidates who want detailed explanations, extensive practice questions, and a structured EA study course without paying premium prices
The Lambers EA Review Course is a solid budget-friendly option for Enrolled Agent exam prep, particularly for candidates who want thorough explanations and plenty of practice without paying premium-course prices. While the platform isn’t as polished or visually engaging as some competitors, I found it more structured than Surgent, making it easier to follow a defined course of study.
One of Lambers’ biggest strengths is the depth of its practice questions. The answer explanations cover why the correct answer is right and why the other options are wrong, with many questions linking directly to relevant sections of IRS publications. Its adaptive technology also identifies weaker areas and helps focus your practice where you need it most.
The main trade-off is the learning experience. Many video lessons run around 20 minutes, so working through the material took me longer than with courses built around shorter lessons. I also found the slides somewhat text-heavy, which made taking notes more difficult. Still, if you’re more concerned with detailed explanations, substantial study content, and value for money than flashy design or extra study tools, Lambers is well worth considering.
Key Features
- Extensive Practice Question Bank: More than 2,300 practice questions across all three parts of the EA exam, with detailed explanations for correct and incorrect answers.
- Adaptive Learning Technology: Identifies weaker areas and focuses practice on topics that need improvement.
- 50+ Hours of Video Lessons: On-demand instruction covering all three parts of the Enrolled Agent exam.
- IRS Publication References: Many practice question explanations link directly to the relevant sections of IRS publications.
- Unlimited Practice and Mock Exams: Take practice tests and simulated exams as often as needed.
- Lifetime Access to Updates: Continue accessing course materials and updates until you pass, according to the course’s stated terms.
- Free Continuing Education Bonus: The EA Bundle includes one year of all-access continuing education after you earn your EA credential, according to the package details provided.
Pros and Cons
✅ Detailed answer explanations cover why both correct and incorrect answers are right or wrong
✅ Links to IRS publications make it easier to dig deeper into tax concepts
✅ Adaptive practice helps target weak areas, with unlimited practice and mock exams
✅ Lifetime access to updates until you pass offers flexibility if your study timeline changes
❌ Longer video lessons can make studying feel slower than with bite-sized alternatives.
❌ Text-heavy video slides can be harder to follow and take notes from.
❌ The platform feels less polished and offers fewer supplementary study tools than some competitors.
Bottom Line: Lambers EA Review is a good value for candidates who prioritize detailed explanations, IRS source references, and extensive practice over a polished interface. I found its course structure easier to follow than Surgent’s, although the longer videos and text-heavy slides made studying less efficient. If you’re looking for thorough EA exam prep on a budget, Lambers is worth a look.
Get 10% Off Lambers EA Courses
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Frequently Asked Questions
What Is an Enrolled Agent?
An Enrolled Agent (EA) is a tax professional federally authorized by the IRS to represent individuals and businesses in tax matters, including audits, collections, and appeals.
Enrolled Agent vs. CPA: What’s the Difference?
Enrolled Agents specialize in taxation, while Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) have broader expertise in accounting, auditing, and financial reporting. Both can represent taxpayers before the IRS.
How Do I Become an Enrolled Agent?
To become an EA, you generally need to obtain a PTIN, pass all three parts of the IRS Special Enrollment Examination (SEE), and meet the IRS suitability requirements. See the IRS’s official EA guidance for details.
What Makes Becker a Good EA Review Course?
Becker offers video lectures, an intuitive study interface, and tools for taking notes and following along with lessons. Its structured approach can suit candidates who prefer guided instruction.
How Does Gleim EA Review Help With Exam Preparation?
Gleim offers an extensive question bank and detailed answer explanations to help candidates practice tax concepts, identify weak areas, and prepare for the EA exam.
What Makes Surgent EA Review Stand Out?
Surgent combines adaptive learning technology, detailed answer explanations, and ReadySCORE, which estimates your exam readiness based on your performance.
Does Surgent EA Review Offer a Pass Guarantee?
Surgent has offered a pass-or-money-back guarantee on eligible packages, subject to specific terms. Check its current terms before purchasing.
Bryce Welker is a regular contributor to Forbes, Inc.com, YEC, and Business Insider. After graduating from San Diego State University, he went on to earn his Certified Public Accountant license and created CrushTheCPAexam.com to share his knowledge from reviewing hundreds of accounting courses while helping thousands of other accountants become CPAs. Bryce was named one of Accounting Today’s “Accountants To Watch” among other accolades. As Seen On Forbes
