Let’s be real: taxes are hard, they’re complicated, and for a lot of people, they’re pure, unbridled drudgery. That’s one of the reasons why CPAs have a reliable paycheck (and a faster-than-average career growth rate, according to the BLS).
But if you want to work in the tax industry without the time-consuming requirements for CPAs, becoming an enrolled agent is a brilliant idea. To earn that status, however, you’ll have to pass the EA exam.
Surgent and Gleim are two of the strongest enrolled agent exam prep courses on the market, which makes it even harder to make a decision. Fortunately, I’ve spent a good chunk of hours going through each course, analyzing practice materials, video lectures, digital textbooks, and student support. Here’s everything you should know before investing in your EA prep.
Surgent vs. Gleim: Which Prep Package to Pick?
- Choose Gleim if you want the most comprehensive practice — With 3,800+ questions and six full-length mock exams, Gleim is ideal if you learn best by doing.
- Choose Gleim if instructor support matters — You’ll get access to personal study counselors and content experts who can answer questions directly.
- Choose Gleim if you prefer a structured, step-by-step approach — Their interface guides you clearly through study units with adaptive quizzes and performance tracking.
- Choose Surgent if you’re on a tight schedule — With an average 61-hour study time and a leaner design, Surgent is great for fast-track learners.
- Choose Surgent if you’re budget-conscious — Every package includes a pass guarantee, and the lower-tier plans still deliver solid value.
Gleim vs. Surgent EA Review: Which is Better for EA Candidates?
Gleim EA Review Courses 101
Gleim is a popular EA exam prep provider for a number of reasons, but I’d argue that the most important is their longstanding history as a resource for enrolled agents. Their EA courses have been around for over 50 years, and they’re the preferred provider of the National Association of Tax Professionals. Gleim furthers that trust with a money-back pass guarantee and unlimited access until you pass in the Premium Review System, hopefully allowing students to study with a little less pressure on their shoulders. However, accolades alone shouldn’t sell you on a course: the experience should.
When I started using Gleim’s course materials, I was nervous that all that time in the industry meant the course would feel old and outdated, but I was pleasantly surprised by the clean, navigable organization and modern tech tools, like their SmartAdapt adaptive learning technology (prep course speak for the course helping you strengthen your weak areas intuitively). Plus, let’s be honest, taxes are about as dry as it gets. However, the video lessons kept me locked into the content thanks to the instructor’s voice (read: not monotone) and sincere excitement about the subjects. Pair that with Gleim’s high-touch support levels, and you have a reliable resource to help you pass the EA exam.
Pros
- Large, High-Quality Test Bank: Multiple reviews mention that Gleim’s 3,800+ practice questions were similar to the real thing, which may be due to the inclusion of questions released by the IRS.
- Pass Guarantee and Unlimited Access: Gleim’s Premium EA Review course includes both a money-back pass guarantee and the Access Until You Pass® Guarantee.
- Robust Student Support: Gleim includes personal counselors who help you build (and act on) an effective study plan and accounting experts to answer your content questions.
- Entertaining Video Lessons: It’s tough to make taxes interesting, but lead instructor J. T. Eagan does an excellent job of explaining them in an engaging, easy-to-follow way.
- Mock Exams: While both providers offer unlimited practice exams, Gleim is the only company to include up to six full-length mock exams to get a feel for the test-day format.
Cons
- Slightly Pricier: Though the prices are still pretty on par with one another, Gleim’s is slightly more expensive, and that amount can be a big deal if you’re on a strict budget.
- Fewer Guarantees: Surgent offers a money-back pass guarantee for all three of their packages and unlimited access for two. Gleim only offers the same for their Premium EA Review System.
Gleim EA Discount Codes
Save $285 on Gleim’s enrolled agent exam review courses, including an extensive question bank and expert-driven video lectures.
Gleim EA Review
Surgent EA Review Courses 101
Surgent is a little like the lite version of Gleim, not in terms of quality, but in terms of quantity. You’re getting fewer practice questions and less support, but you’re also paying a little less. While this is great news if you’re on a tight budget, having fewer resources might not be worth the amount saved if you’re passionate about practice. That said, both are pretty competitive in terms of sheer stats. Gleim has the edge in their five decades of experience, where Surgent suggests their EA students study for an average of 61 hours total while supporting a 97% pass rate. Obviously, we have to take these numbers with a grain of salt, but they’re impressive nevertheless.
As for my experience inside the course, I think the video lessons were adequate, but I don’t think they met the same level as Gleim’s. They were clean and simple, but not necessarily compelling or engaging. However, even though the test bank is smaller, the practice questions are high-quality (based on my comparisons), and the answer explanations are very in-depth and helpful. So, long story short? There are a lot of pros, but there are some cons worth considering as well. Let’s take a deeper look.
Pros
- Lower Price: While the Surgent Test Bank package isn’t comprehensive enough for every EA candidate to pass, it’s a great deal on quality practice materials.
- Pass Guarantee: One of my favorite parts of Surgent as a company is their belief in their materials, which shows in the money-back pass guarantee included in every EA prep package.
- Impressive Statistics: While it’s impossible for me to personally validate, Surgent reports a 97% pass rate and a 61-hour study period, reducing the average time of well over 100 hours.
- Study Coaching: Though only available in Surgent’s Ultimate Pass, the 1:1 study strategy sessions were helpful in formulating a study plan and feeling more confident in the journey.
Cons
- Fewer Questions: The Gleim EA test bank has ~1,800 more practice questions than Surgent offers, so Surgent is a lesser choice if extensive practice is your priority.
- Lacks Q&A: Though Surgent’s study coaching is a helpful resource, students can’t ask their instructors questions the same way they can with Gleim.
Surgent EA Discount Codes
Save $210 on Surgent’s EA exam prep tools, featuring bite-sized video lessons and a money-back pass guarantee for every package.
Surgent EA Review
EA Course Comparisons
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Access | 12 Months orAccess Until You Pass | 24 Months orUnlimited Access |
| Pass Guarantee |  (Premium Only) | (Every Package) |
| Refunds | 30 Days(Can’t Have Accessed More Than One Study Unit/Lesson) | 10 Days(Can’t Have Used Practice Exams, Coaching, or CPE) |
| Practice Questions | 3,800+ | 2,000+ |
| Video Lessons | 30+ Hours | 60+ Videos |
| 1-on-1 Support | Personal CoachingExpert Q&A | Study Coaching |
| Price Range | $499-$799 | $299-$699 |
| Financing | Starts at $46/month | Starts at $25/month |
| Discounts | Save $285 | Save $210 |
| Get Started | Start Now | Start Now |
The Highlights: Why Choose Gleim or Surgent?
Here are the highlights you need to know about choosing the right course before we dive deep.
📕 Gleim is an excellent fit for students who want more: more practice questions, more support, and more depth. However, it’s slightly more expensive than Surgent and may take longer to properly complete. Yet, that extra time could be the difference between success and failure.
📈 Surgent is a great match for EA candidates chasing a quick and affordable study path, whether they have a hectic schedule or just want to get it all over with. However, if you’re not a test-taker by nature, the speedy strategy might not be enough for your needs.
Comparing Key Features
Course Content & Structure: Organized Depth vs. Thorough Extras
Gleim
Gleim’s content structure immediately stood out to me because of how clean and logical it felt. Each unit starts with a diagnostic quiz, then breaks into digestible topic sections—each with a short intro video, two walk-through videos, a written outline, and a set of focus questions. It helped me move through the material in a way that didn’t feel overwhelming. Their 3,800+ practice questions (including some sourced directly from the IRS) also felt exam-relevant and well-written, and SmartAdapt helped me zero in on weak spots with less guesswork.
Surgent
Surgent takes a different but still solid approach. Even though their interface felt a little more clinical—like less attention was paid to the flow—it still worked. What I really liked were the detailed answer explanations. Each question tells you how many students got it right on their first try, and when you get it wrong, you’re met with a mini-lesson that includes links to related topics, definitions, and source materials. That depth helped reinforce things I didn’t catch the first time. It just didn’t feel quite as polished or intuitive as Gleim’s system.
Final Verdict: Gleim wins this round for having a more structured, polished study flow and a broader question bank that made self-paced progress much easier.
Tech & Videos: Engaging Lectures vs. Straightforward Simplicity
Gleim
Let’s be real—watching tax videos isn’t the most exciting way to spend a Tuesday. But I actually enjoyed Gleim’s videos more than I expected. The instructor, J.T. Eagan, speaks clearly and keeps the tone upbeat without being over the top, and the way he highlights content on screen helped me follow along and retain more. I also appreciated that the notes panel is built right into the video screen, which made it easier to stay engaged. SmartAdapt added a useful layer of adaptive quizzing that helped me identify what to review next without wasting time.
Surgent
Surgent’s videos are fine—there are more of them (60+ short lessons), but they didn’t hold my attention quite as well. They’re more text-heavy, and without much on-screen annotation or visual aids, I found myself zoning out more often than I did with Gleim. I still think the content is strong and the videos are well-organized, but if you rely heavily on visual learning and lecture-style teaching, Gleim is likely the more effective option.
The Winner: Gleim for clearer, more engaging instruction and a better-integrated learning experience—especially if you’re a visual learner.
Student Support: Responsive Guidance vs. Strategic Coaching
Gleim
Gleim does a great job of making you feel supported throughout the study process. You get a personal counselor to help build your schedule, keep you motivated, and suggest study strategies. I thought of them more like a study coach or cheerleader than a tutor, but they were helpful when I felt stuck or behind. And if I had a technical question about a topic, I could message a Gleim tax expert directly, which felt like a big safety net to have.
Surgent
Surgent’s support is more focused on strategy than subject-matter help. Their 1-on-1 study coaching (available with the higher-tier plan) helped me map out a game plan and improve my approach to studying overall—things like how to build endurance, where to focus time, and how to avoid careless errors. It’s less about getting answers to specific questions and more about building strong study habits, which can be a big plus if you already understand the content but struggle with the process.
Final Verdict: Tie, depending on what kind of support you want. Gleim is better for content questions and structure, while Surgent shines in coaching and test strategy.
Overall Value: More for Your Time vs. More for Your Budget
Gleim
While Gleim is slightly more expensive upfront, it felt like I was getting more for my time. The adaptive technology, mock exams, coaching, and strong course structure all combined to give me a deeper prep experience. If you’re someone who values comprehensive coverage and wants access until you pass (included with the Premium plan), the extra cost makes sense. I also appreciated the 30-day refund policy, though it comes with some strict access limits.
Surgent
Surgent offers a slightly lower price point and includes a money-back guarantee on every plan, which I think is incredibly student-friendly. You still get quality materials and unlimited access on most plans, which is rare at this price. But you’re sacrificing some things—like full-length mock exams, subject-matter Q&A, and that polish that Gleim brings to the table. For budget-conscious test-takers or those who don’t need bells and whistles, Surgent is still a very respectable pick.
The Winner: Surgent is a strong pick if you want to keep costs down without sacrificing core quality; if you want the most wallet-friendly option, it might be the better choice.
Final Verdict
Choosing the right EA exam review course can feel overwhelming, but hopefully, this guide has made it feel a little more approachable for you.
To recap, Gleim goes hard, with more practice tools, personalized expert aid, and mock exam simulations. However, it’s a little pricier than Surgent, and while it includes unlimited access and a pass guarantee, they’re only included in the Gleim EA Premium Review System. On the other hand, Surgent is a lighter, quicker course at a slightly lower price. They lack the massive question bank and extensive support that Gleim provides, but they offer a money-back pass guarantee for all three courses, and unlimited access for two of them.
Now, it’s time to make a decision. Whichever you choose, I wish you the best of luck on your EA journey!
FAQs
Gleim is better for comprehensive prep and support, while Surgent is great if you want a faster, budget-friendly study plan.
Yes, many students say Gleim’s questions are harder, which can help you feel more confident on exam day.
Gleim, Surgent, and Becker EA Exam Review are typically the top contenders. However, Fast Forward Academy and Lambers also offer solid, reliable options.
Most students find Part 2 (Businesses) the hardest due to its complex topics and volume of material.
No, most agree the EA exam is shorter, more focused, and less difficult than the CPA exam.
