Gleim CPA Review (2025): The King of Practice Questions

The Verdict: Quantity Has a Quality All Its Own

In the world of CPA prep, Gleim has a reputation: it is the course for people who want to grind.

While competitors like UWorld focus on entertaining lectures and Becker focuses on the “Big 4” experience, Gleim focuses on one thing: Volume.

With over 11,500 multiple-choice questions and 1,200 task-based simulations, Gleim has the largest test bank in the industry. Period. If your study strategy is to do so many practice questions that the real exam feels like déjà vu, Gleim is the only choice.

The Mega Test Bank: Why Bigger is Better

You might ask, “Do I really need 11,000 questions?” The answer is yes, if you want to be bulletproof.

The CPA exam is notorious for testing obscure exceptions to the rules. A smaller bank might cover the main concepts, but it might miss the edge cases. Gleim covers everything.

• The “Gleim Standard”: Gleim questions are famously difficult. They are often harder and more detailed than the actual CPA exam.
• Detailed Explanations: Like UWorld, Gleim explains why the wrong answers are wrong. This allows you to learn directly from the test bank without constantly referring back to the textbook.
• Simulation Exposure: With 1,200+ TBSs, you will see every possible format (Document Review, Journal Entries, Research) before test day.

SmartAdapt: Taming the Beast

The danger of having 11,000 questions is that you can get lost. You could spend weeks on “Inventory” and never get to “Bonds.”

Gleim solves this with SmartAdapt. This adaptive learning engine acts as your GPS.

1. Diagnostic Quizzes: It constantly assesses your weak areas.
2. Guided Path: It tells you exactly what to do next. “You are weak in Government Accounting. Read this outline, then do these 20 questions.”
3. Mastery Tracking: It won’t let you move on until you have proven you know the material.

This prevents the “false confidence” that comes from only practicing topics you are already good at.

Personal Counselors: Your Accountability Partner

Most CPA courses offer “academic support” (someone to answer technical accounting questions). Gleim goes a step further with Personal Counselors.

When you sign up, you are assigned a specific human being. This person is not just a tech support agent; they are a mentor.

• Study Plans: They help you build a realistic schedule based on your exam date and work hours.
• Accountability: They check in on your progress. If you fall behind, they will email you to get you back on track.
• Cheerleading: The CPA exam is lonely. Having a real person in your corner can make the difference between giving up and pushing through.

Note: Personal Counselors are for study strategy. For technical accounting questions, Gleim has a separate team of experts.

The Video Lectures: The Elephant in the Room

We have to be honest: Gleim’s video lectures are not their strong suit.

• The Style: They are very traditional. A professor stands in front of a slide deck and lectures.
• The Vibe: It feels like a college classroom. It is informative and accurate, but it is not “entertaining” in the way UWorld is.

If you are a visual learner who needs high-energy videos to stay awake, Gleim might be a struggle. However, if you prefer to read the book and hammer practice questions (the “self-study” method), the video quality won’t matter to you.

Pricing & Value

Gleim is priced competitively, sitting between the budget options and the premium Becker packages.

• Premium Pro ($3,499): Includes everything + “Gleim Instruct” videos + Audio lectures.
• Premium ($2,999): The standard “unlimited” package.
• Traditional ($2,499): No videos, just the book and the bank.

Pro Tip: Gleim frequently runs sales. You can often get the Premium package for under $2,000.

Final Thoughts

Gleim is the “Blue Collar” CPA course. It doesn’t have a fancy mobile game like Becker or a celebrity instructor like UWorld. It just has a mountain of practice questions and a system to help you climb it.

Choose Gleim if:

• You learn by doing (practice questions).
• You want the security of seeing every possible question type.
• You are a disciplined self-studier.

Choose Another Course if:

• You need entertaining videos to stay engaged (Go UWorld).
• You want the “Big 4” brand name (Go Becker).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Are Gleim questions harder than the real exam? A: Yes. The general consensus is that Gleim questions are more complex and detailed than the actual CPA exam. If you are scoring 75% in Gleim, you are likely scoring 85%+ on the real thing.

Q: Does Gleim expire? A: The Premium and Premium Pro packages come with “Access Until You Pass.” This means your access never expires as long as you are still studying for the CPA exam.

Q: Can I buy just the test bank? A: Yes! The Mega Test Bank is sold separately for around $999. Many students use another course (like Becker) for the lectures and buy the Gleim bank for extra practice.

Q: Is the audio course worth it? A: If you have a long commute, yes. The audio lectures are designed specifically for listening (not just ripped audio from the videos), so they describe the concepts clearly without needing visuals.