[Anonymous]

I am considering Gleim CPA Review… is it legit? Do you think it can help me pass the CPA Exam?

 

 

[Anonymous]

Based on the reviews, Gleim is a bloodbath but prepares you well.

I used Le Becker and did alright.

[gigabyte2001]

I used Gleim and passed REG first try with a 93. In the interest of full disclosure – I have a Master's in Tax from 10+ years ago and worked in public accounting doing tax for 5 yrs before I left public for industry 11 years ago.

That said, I have passed both parts of the CMA and all 4 parts of the CPA all on the first try and all using Gleim. It works well for me.

B - 11/11/16
A - 4/16/16 87!!
R - 2/17/17
F - 7/26/16 - Waiting for 8/23

[mtaylo24]

Super thorough and detailed. So thorough that you will be thrown off by a basic question on the actual exam that you probably overlooked…enter ninja mcq. I believe in the combination of both.

AUD - 1st - 60 (12/12), 61 (2/13), 61 (8/13), 78! (11/15)
REG - 55 (2/16) 69 (5/16) Retake(8/16)
BEC - 71(5/16) Retake (9/16)
FAR - (8/16)

[Clockwork]

I've used only Gleim for all of my portions so far. I think I only failed Audit the first time because I took it too early for me in the day, I didn't run enough MC questions, and I underestimated the questions (finished with 45 minutes left in the test). In other words, it wasn't Gleim's fault that I failed that one the first time.

I had originally been looking at Wiley but really didn't want to spend that much on a review course and Gleim was more inexpensive. I also don't really require a lot of supplemental material for studying since all I really use are the book and questions. Overall, it's been very positive and never felt like there was something on the test that I hadn't at least seen once either in a Gleim question or in the book.

[Anonymous]

Mtaylo24 you are on point with your assessment of Gleim. You spend so much time in the details that you forget the simple stuff. The actual questions on the exam are far more simpler than Gleim. If you know the basics you will be fine chynablue.

[Anonymous]

I have Roger, but also own Gleim's books. I'd say that Gleim has an unusual set-up that does work. The set-up is that if you can get through the readings and MCQ and SIMs they offer, you will probably find the actual exams way easier. That would've worked well for me for FAR, which I did not pass with Roger. I'm going to use Gleim for BEC and REG.

[Anonymous]

I'm taking FAR on Thursday after using Gleim. I hope the SIMS on the actual exam are easier than Gleim's.

[Anonymous]

I used Gleim for all four parts. I did not use anything else. Gleim is very detailed and very thorough. All of the MCQs are difficult and the readings are intense but focused. Personally, it worked out really good for me. The videos are horrendous, but I didn't want to spend a bunch of time watching videos. If you are able to focus and absorb material on your own through reading, then I think Gleim is by far the best bang for the buck. The only test I didn't feel super prepared for was BEC, and I think that is just the nature of that exam. If you think that the helpful memory tools and the videos will help, then I'd totally go with Roger.

Gleim is very much a self study program in my opinion. You're pretty much on your own. If you can bury your head in the book, and deal with getting your ass kicked by the MCQ's all the time, then Gleim is great.

I think what was most helpful for me was that when you do the MCQs, it gives you full explanations why the correct answer is correct and why the other answers are incorrect. That was pivotal for me and really helped me understand the info.

Best of luck!!

[Matt]

I've found that it's a rougher longer more draining process, that rewards you if you take the time.

FAR 74

[CPWAT]

For those of you who are using Gleim, is the PDF outline for each unit the same as the text book? It seems like the text book is a lot thicker.

For example, for FAR it's like 800 pages for the old book, but the outline is about 20 pages for each unit x20 and that's only 400 pages.

[mtaylo24]

^^^Its the same. The book also includes questions and sims.

AUD - 1st - 60 (12/12), 61 (2/13), 61 (8/13), 78! (11/15)
REG - 55 (2/16) 69 (5/16) Retake(8/16)
BEC - 71(5/16) Retake (9/16)
FAR - (8/16)

[CPWAT]

ty!

[NattySD]

If you're looking for a self-study program, I can definitely recommend Gleim. Reg is the first and only exam I've taken so far, and I passed it using Gleim exclusively. Their materials are very thorough (and technical), and it sounds like their questions are more difficult compared to other courses, which I think prepares you better for the exam. 3 days before my exam I took a full Gleim practice exam and scored 74.45, did their MCQs and SIMs for the next 3 days and scored 93 on the actual exam (I also have the advantage of working in tax though). For the majority of my practice quizzes I was scoring well below that.

[mtaylo24]

^^ @NattySD, Are you working in the Smart CPA or the Test Prep? My counselor called me yesterday and pretty much told me to give the Smart CPA a chance, because I was working exclusively out of test prep. You just follow the light bulb around, it isn't too bad…

AUD - 1st - 60 (12/12), 61 (2/13), 61 (8/13), 78! (11/15)
REG - 55 (2/16) 69 (5/16) Retake(8/16)
BEC - 71(5/16) Retake (9/16)
FAR - (8/16)

[Cruzer]

Wish I had GLEIM to practice SIMS. They seem to be the best from the feedback people give on here. It's hard to practice DRS SIMS when there aren't any. Becker has a few in AUD I could try and practice.

[Author]

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