Becker CPA Review (2025): Is It Still the Gold Standard?

The Verdict: Is Becker Worth the Premium?

If you walk into the offices of Deloitte, PwC, EY, or KPMG, you will see Becker textbooks on the desks of their new associates. For decades, Becker has been the “safe choice”-the IBM of CPA prep. But in 2025, with the rise of cheaper, tech-forward competitors like UWorld and Surgent, does Becker still hold the crown?

The short answer is yes. Becker has not rested on its laurels. The introduction of Newt AI, the refinement of their Adapt2U algorithm, and the launch of the Concierge tier have kept them firmly at the top of the food chain.

If you have the budget (or if your firm is paying), Becker offers the highest statistical probability of passing. Their “Exam Day Ready” students report pass rates significantly higher than the national average.

Deep Dive: The “Newt” AI Advantage

The biggest innovation for the 2025 curriculum is Newt, Becker’s AI-powered academic assistant. This isn’t just a wrapper around ChatGPT; it’s a proprietary tool built in partnership with Sana Labs, a Swedish AI company specializing in personalized education.

In the past, if you were stuck on a complex tax regulation in the REG section at 11 PM, you had to email a tutor and wait 24-48 hours for a reply. By the time you got the answer, you had lost your study momentum.

Newt changes the game.

• Context Aware: Newt doesn’t just search the web. It is trained specifically on Becker’s proprietary textbooks and the AICPA blueprints. It knows exactly which module you are studying.
• Instant Explanations: Ask “Why is this lease classified as finance instead of operating?” and Newt gives you a cited, textbook-accurate explanation in seconds.
• Scenario Building: You can ask Newt to generate a new example: “Give me a practice question about S-Corp basis similar to the one I just missed.”
• Proficiency Tracking: Newt tracks your interactions. If you keep asking about “Basis,” it feeds that data back into the Adapt2U algorithm to serve you more practice questions on that topic later.

This feature alone can save dozens of hours of frustration over the course of your studies.

The Curriculum: “Core + Discipline” Ready

Becker was one of the first providers to fully overhaul their content for the CPA Evolution changes. The course is massive, containing over 190 hours of video instruction and 7,400+ multiple-choice questions.

The Core Sections (AUD, FAR, REG)

Becker’s coverage of the Core sections is exhaustive. They don’t just teach you how to pass; they teach you the accounting.

• FAR: The “beast” of the exam is broken down into manageable modules. Becker’s strength here is the SkillBuilder videos-short clips where an instructor walks you through a Task-Based Simulation step-by-step. There are over 400 SkillBuilder videos, covering every single simulation in the course.
• AUD: Audit requires a specific mindset. Becker’s instructors (many of whom are former auditors) do an excellent job of explaining the logic behind audit opinions, not just the rules.
• REG: Tax law is dense. Becker’s annotated digital textbooks allow you to highlight and take notes directly on the screen, mirroring the instructor’s own notes.

The Disciplines (BAR, ISC, TCP)

Choosing a discipline is a new stressor for candidates. Becker helps solve this by giving you 30 days of access to all three disciplines. You can dip your toes into Business Analysis and Reporting (BAR), realize it’s too technical, and switch to Information Systems and Controls (ISC) without paying extra.

Adapt2U Technology: Studying Smarter

Becker’s Adapt2U technology is designed to prevent the “cookie-cutter” study approach. It uses a three-step loop to optimize your time:

1. Pre-Assessment: You take a short quiz before each module.
2. Targeted Study: If you score 90% on “Inventory Valuation,” the software suggests you skip the lecture and move straight to the practice questions.
3. Personalized Review: At the end of a unit, Adapt2U generates a practice test composed entirely of your weak areas.

This is critical for working professionals. If you are a tax accountant, you shouldn’t spend 10 hours watching lectures on individual taxation. Adapt2U lets you test out of what you know so you can focus on what you don’t (like Audit).

The “Concierge” Tier: A Private Tutor in a Box

Becker’s pricing structure has evolved. The new top-tier offering is the Concierge package.

• Price: ~$5,999 (often discounted).
• The Kicker: It includes unlimited 1-on-1 tutoring.

Is it worth it? Private CPA tutors charge anywhere from $100 to $200 per hour. If you struggle with accounting concepts and think you might need 20+ hours of tutoring, the Concierge package actually pays for itself. You also get a dedicated “Success Coach” who acts as a project manager for your exam, helping you build schedules and holding you accountable.

Additionally, Concierge members get access to a License Navigator. This is a dedicated expert who helps you navigate the bureaucratic nightmare of applying for your license with your specific State Board of Accountancy.

Simulated Exams: The “Becker Bump”

The “Becker Bump” is a real phenomenon discussed on Reddit and accounting forums. It refers to the fact that students often score 10-15 points higher on the real CPA exam than they do on Becker’s Simulated Exams (SEs).

Why? Becker intentionally makes their SEs harder than the real thing.

• The questions are wordier.
• The calculations are more complex.
• The grading on simulations is stricter (no partial credit on some types where the real exam gives it).

The result is that when you sit for the actual exam, it feels easier. You are conditioned for a marathon, so the 5K feels like a breeze.

LiveOnline vs. Self-Study

Becker is one of the few providers that still offers scheduled LiveOnline classes.

• Who it’s for: Students who lack self-discipline. If you need a calendar appointment to force you to study, these classes are invaluable.
• The Format: It’s a virtual classroom. You can ask questions in the chat, and the instructor answers in real-time.
• The Schedule: Classes are typically held on evenings and weekends to accommodate working professionals.

Mobile App & “Accounting for Empires”

The Becker mobile app is fully functional. You can download lectures and practice questions for offline use.

• Commute Friendly: Listen to lectures on the train or bus.
• Sync: Progress syncs instantly between your phone and desktop.
• Accounting for Empires: This is a unique feature-a mobile game where you build an empire by answering CPA questions correctly. It sounds gimmicky, but it’s surprisingly addictive and a great way to get in 15 minutes of studying when you’re too tired for a lecture.

Final Thoughts

Becker is not the cheapest option. It is not the most entertaining option (that’s UWorld). But it is the safest option.

When you buy Becker, you are buying insurance. You are paying a premium to ensure that you have the best materials, the best support, and the highest likelihood of never having to take this exam again.

Our Recommendation:

• Go Pro: The “Pro” package is the sweet spot for most students. It includes unlimited access, the bonus question bank, and the core features.
• Go Concierge: Only if you know you need significant hand-holding or have failed multiple times before.
• Skip Advantage: The 24-month access limit on the base package is too risky. Life happens, and you don’t want your course to expire before you pass.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is Becker harder than the real CPA exam? A: Yes. Most students find Becker’s practice questions and simulated exams to be significantly more difficult than the actual test. This leads to the “Becker Bump,” where your actual score is often 10-15 points higher than your practice scores.

Q: Does Becker expire? A: It depends on the package. The Advantage package expires after 24 months. The Pro and Concierge packages have unlimited access that never expires.

Q: Can I share my Becker account? A: No. Becker’s software tracks your personal progress for the adaptive algorithms. Sharing an account would mess up your data and violate their terms of service.

Q: Is the Concierge package worth the money? A: If you plan on hiring a private tutor, yes. Private tutoring costs $100-$200/hour. The Concierge package includes unlimited tutoring, so if you use more than 25 hours of tutoring, it pays for itself.

Q: Does Becker have a mobile app? A: Yes, and it is excellent. You can download lectures and questions for offline study, and it syncs progress across all devices.