Becker vs. Surgent CPA Review (2025): Premium vs. Efficiency
This comparison comes down to one question: Do you want the full experience, or do you want to pass as fast as possible?
Becker is the comprehensive, “leave no stone unturned” course. It covers everything in detail and is designed to make sure you know the material inside and out.
Surgent is built for speed. Its “A.S.A.P. Technology” assesses what you already know and skips those topics, focusing 100% of your study time on your weak areas.
Here is how they stack up.
| Provider | Best For | Rating | Price | Key Features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Becker CPA Review | - | 4.8 | $2,499 - $3,799 |
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| Surgent CPA Review | - | 4.2 | $999 - $1,699 |
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The Core Differences
1. Adaptive Learning Technology
- Surgent: This is Surgent’s superpower. When you start, you take an assessment phase. The software then builds a custom study plan that removes the videos and questions for topics you already know. It claims to reduce study time by 40%.
- Becker: Becker has introduced “Adapt2U” technology, which offers personalized practice tests, but the core course is still linear. You are generally expected to watch the lectures and do the homework in order.
2. The Lectures
- Becker: High production value, detailed, and taught by a team of experts. If you need to learn a topic from scratch (e.g., you never understood Bonds in college), Becker will teach it to you.
- Surgent: Lectures are short, to the point, and often feel like a PowerPoint voiceover. They are designed to be a quick review, not a deep dive.
3. ReadySCORE vs. Mock Exams
- Surgent: Uses a metric called ReadySCORE that updates in real-time as you study. It predicts what you would score on the actual CPA exam if you took it today. It is surprisingly accurate.
- Becker: Relies on traditional full-length Simulated Exams. You take them at the end of the unit to gauge your readiness.
Pricing and Value
Surgent is significantly cheaper.
- Ultimate Pass: Often on sale for around $1,200 - $1,400.
- Premier Pass: Often around $900 - $1,100.
Becker is a premium investment, often costing $2,400+ even on sale.
Surgent is an excellent choice for retakers or recent graduates with a strong accounting background. If you just need to “brush up” and practice questions, Surgent will get you to a passing score faster than Becker.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Becker if:
- You want the safest, most comprehensive option.
- You need to learn complex topics from scratch.
- You prefer a structured, linear study path.
- Your firm is paying for it.
Choose Surgent if:
- You are paying out of pocket and want to save $1,000+.
- You are a retaker who just needs to focus on weak areas.
- You have a short timeline and need to study efficiently.
- You don’t care about video lectures and prefer to learn by doing questions.
The Verdict: Becker is the better course overall, but Surgent is the better tool for efficient studying if you already have a decent foundation.