Surgent CPA Review (2025): The Fastest Way to Pass?

The Verdict: Study Smarter, Not Harder

Most CPA review courses operate on a “linear” model: Watch Chapter 1, Read Chapter 1, Do Quiz 1. Repeat until you die.

Surgent breaks this model. Surgent assumes that you already know some accounting. You went to college, right? You don’t need to watch a 45-minute lecture on “Debits and Credits.”

Surgent’s entire philosophy is efficiency. It uses an algorithm to aggressively strip away everything you already know, leaving you with only the material you need to learn to pass. They claim this can reduce your study time by 50%.

A.S.A.P. Technology: The Algorithm

Surgent’s “A.S.A.P.” (Adaptive Study According to Performance) technology is the engine under the hood.

1. The Assessment: When you start, you take a diagnostic quiz. This isn’t just for fun; it builds your initial profile.
2. The Filter: If you answer all the “Inventory” questions correctly, the software marks that topic as “Mastered.” You won’t see it again until the final review.
3. The Daily Surge: Every time you log in, the system generates a “Daily Surge”-a set of questions focused exclusively on your weak areas.

This is perfect for working professionals who might only have 60 minutes a day to study. You don’t waste a single second on material you already know.

ReadySCORE: The Crystal Ball

The most stressful part of the CPA exam is not knowing if you are ready. You might feel good, but are you “75” good?

Surgent’s ReadySCORE solves this. It is a real-time metric that predicts what you would score if you sat for the exam right now.

• Accuracy: Surgent claims ReadySCORE is accurate within 1% of your actual exam score.
• The Strategy: The goal is simple-get your ReadySCORE to 75 (or ideally 80) in all content areas. Once you hit that number, go take the test.

This eliminates the guesswork. You don’t study based on “hours logged”; you study based on “score achieved.”

The Instructors: Liz Kolar & Jack Castonguay

Surgent’s lead instructor is Liz Kolar. She is a legend in the CPA prep world (formerly of Becker).

• Style: Liz is direct. She doesn’t tell jokes or stories. She tells you exactly what is on the exam and how to solve it.
• Jack Castonguay: A newer addition, Jack brings a slightly more academic but still highly practical approach to the tougher topics.

The videos are significantly shorter than Becker’s. They are “micro-lectures” (10-20 minutes) designed to explain a specific concept quickly so you can get back to the questions.

The Pass Guarantee

Surgent puts their money where their mouth is. If you complete the course (achieve a ReadySCORE of 75+) and fail the actual exam, they will refund your money.

• Ultimate Pass: 100% refund.
• Premier Pass: 100% refund.
• Essentials Pass: No refund (but access continues).

Note: Always read the fine print on guarantees, but Surgent’s is generally considered one of the most straightforward.

Pricing & Packages

Surgent is often the most affordable of the “Big 4” alternatives.

• Ultimate Pass ($1,699): Includes everything + 1-on-1 coaching + printed books + Excel course.
• Premier Pass ($1,299): The standard package. Includes printed books.
• Essentials Pass ($799): Digital only. No printed books, no flashcards.

Recommendation: The Premier Pass is usually the best value. You get the physical books (which are helpful for reference) and the full guarantee.

Final Thoughts

Surgent is not for everyone. If you are a student who struggled in college and needs to be “reteached” accounting from the ground up, you might find Surgent too fast-paced. You might prefer the hand-holding of Becker.

However, if you are a busy professional who just wants to get this over with, Surgent is the weapon of choice. It respects your time.

Choose Surgent if:

• You have limited study time (working full time + kids).
• You have a strong accounting background and just need to review.
• You are budget-conscious.

Choose Another Course if:

• You need deep, foundational lectures (Go UWorld).
• You want the “Big 4” stamp of approval (Go Becker).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is ReadySCORE really accurate? A: Yes. Thousands of students report that their actual CPA exam score was within 2-3 points of their ReadySCORE. It is widely considered the most accurate predictor in the industry.

Q: Do I need the printed books? A: It depends. Surgent’s course is designed to be digital-first. The “textbook” is often just a reference guide. If you like to highlight and write in margins, get the Premier Pass. If you are 100% digital, the Essentials Pass is a steal.

Q: Does Surgent have a mobile app? A: Yes, and it syncs with the desktop version. You can do flashcards and practice questions on your phone, and your ReadySCORE updates in real-time.

Q: What is the “Daily Surge”? A: It is a daily playlist of questions generated by the AI. It targets the topics you are weakest in, ensuring that you are always improving your score, not just spinning your wheels.