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Becker EA vs Surgent EA: What is the best Enrolled Agent prep course?
If you’ve been comparing the Becker EA vs Surgent EA exam courses, we are here to help! After all, passing the Special Enrollment Examination (SEE) is a prerequisite for earning the IRS Enrolled Agent credential. However, using an EA test review course like Surgent or the brand-new Becker Enrolled Agent exam review will make your study time much more efficient.
Therefore, in this post, we will look at Becker EA as well as Surgent EA Review. We also have a Becker Enrolled Agent coupon and links to a Surgent EA discount (if one is available), too.
Becker EA vs Surgent EA Comparison Chart
EA Review Feature |
Becker Enrolled Agent Review |
Surgent EA Review Ultimate Pass |
| Access until you pass |  |
|
| Access to accounting experts | |
|
| Number of MCQs | About 3,000 | 2,000 |
| MCQs have detailed answer explanations | |
|
| Adaptive learning platform | |
|
| EA Textbooks | Digital and printed | Digital and printed |
| Video lectures | |
|
| Audio lectures |  |
|
| Simulated EA exams | 1 per exam part | Unlimited practice exams |
| Flashcards | |
|
| Personalized study planner | |
|
| 1-on-1 EA coaching | |
|
| Includes free CE? | Limited | |
The Winner of Becker EA vs Surgent EA
Although Surgent EA comes with audio lectures and one-on-one coaching, we still think that Becker EA is a stronger review course. After all, Becker’s Enrolled Agent course has many high points, like the simulated exams that mimic what you’ll see on exam day. Besides, Becker has a strong reputation in the accounting industry. In fact, Becker CPA is the top CPA review course on our partner website, IPasstheCPAExam.com. So we are placing Becker on our list of top Enrolled Agent courses, too,
History of Surgent EA Review and the Becker Enrolled Agent Courses
Both Surgent and Becker have long histories in the accounting education industry. For instance, Surgent has over 35 years of experience in accounting and financial education.
Likewise, Becker has been in business for several decades, although the company got its start in CPA Exam review courses. Now, though, Becker also has Enrolled Agent study materials as well as CMA review and even CE (or continuing education) for EAs. Furthermore, Becker Professional Education has helped over a million people across the globe pass the professional exams for their accounting credentials.
Becker EA vs. Surgent EA Interface
Becker and Surgent EA both use e-learning systems for their online courses. However, they operate somewhat differently, so let’s quickly review them.
Surgent A.S.A.P. Technology and EA Exam ReadyScore
Surgent A.S.A.P. Technology and EA Exam ReadyScoreThe Surgent EA courses use a platform known as A.S.A.P. Technology that is adaptive and claims that it can help you save study time. Basically, your Surgent course starts with several pre-tests to see how much of the EA exam syllabus you already know. After that, Surgent’s algorithm determines which material you have mastered and don’t need to study. The A.S.A.P. Technology then guides you to study your areas of weakness. In the end, you can save a lot of study time because you aren’t studying the parts of the EA exam syllabus you already know.
What’s more, Surgent’s ReadyScore is a useful tool that is part of the A.S.A.P. Technology service, too. In essence, as you respond to practice Enrolled Agent exam questions, the Surgent platform records how well you perform on certain exam subjects. After analyzing this data, it estimates your score on the EA exam, assuming you took it that day. And you know what? According to Surgent, their ReadyScores can forecast your EA score with an accuracy of roughly 95%. You will, therefore, be better able to determine when you are actually prepared to pass the SEE with the help of this tool.
Detailed performance reports are another benefit of using the Surgent Enrolled Agent test prep. These reports, in brief, describe your level of competence in each exam subject. Additionally, it helps you calculate the number of study hours you still need to pass the EA exam. Surgent claims this technique significantly cuts down on study time – by as much as 40%!
Becker Enrolled Agent Exam platform: Adapt2U Technology
The Becker Enrolled Agent courses use e-learning, too, through a platform called Adapt2U Technology. The platform was developed by the Swedish company Sana Labs, which is recognized as one of the leading education companies in the world and has been awarded accolades for its multidisciplinary approach to online learning. Becker’s CPA review – which is top-rated – also uses this technology, so it’s been proved to be effective.
This proprietary adaptive learning technology examines both your strengths and your weaknesses as your work through the practice EA questions. In short, this technology monitors each and every interaction you have with the EA study materials. Then, it creates a personalized educational experience for you based on your unique learning requirements and topic areas in which you struggle.
Becker EA Exam Materials Compared to Surgent Enrolled Agent Review
The Becker and Surgent EA courses both include what’s considered to be standard study materials for the Enrolled Agent exam, like textbooks, video lectures, practice EA questions, and practice exams.
Surgent vs Enrolled Agent exam questions from Becker (EA test bank)
When it comes to picking your EA prep course, it’s important to consider the number of EA practice MCQs (multiple-choice questions).
First of all, Becker has about 3,000 practice EA MCQs. Although that’s not as many as Gleim EA (which has closer to 3,500 MCQs), Becker still has one of the larger test banks among the best EA review providers.
The Surgent EA review course, however, has about 2/3 the number of Enrolled Agent questions as the Becker course. Specifically, Surgent has 2,000 MCQs in comparison to Becker’s 3,000 MCQs. And although 2,000 questions from Surgent might seem like enough, it’s actually easy to go through that number of questions when you’re studying to pass the EA exam.
Online access to EA course materials
Most of the best EA courses are online. Some companies give you access to those materials until you pass the EA exam, while others only give you access for a limited amount of time. For example, if your EA course has 12 months of access, you might have to pay an extension fee (or completely repurchase it!) if you haven’t passed the EA exam in that time frame and want to keep studying to completely pass every section of the Enrolled Agent exam.
The Surgent EA Ultimate Pass course offers online access until you pass your exam. Likewise, Becker gives you access until you pass, too. Plus, Becker regularly updates its course material to reflect the latest EA exam syllabus. So if you choose to study with Becker EA, you know that you’re always studying the most updated materials!
Surgent and Becker Enrolled Agent books
Which type of textbook do you prefer: digital or hard-copy? Personally, I find it helpful to highlight important passages and make notes in the margins of hard-copy books. That’s why I’m glad that both Becker and Surgent offer digital AND hard-copy EA book.
Personal support from EA experts
The vast majority of EA exam reviewers provide their users with textbooks and practice EA questions. However, most of them do not provide personalized support or access to accounting professionals. This type of assistance can be the deciding factor in whether or not you are successful in passing the EA exam. When all is said and done, if you do not have personal support behind you, where will you go to get answers to your questions?
Surgent supports students through one-on-one virtual coaching sessions, which are included with every Ultimate Pass course. However, Becker doesn’t offer this level of support in its EA courses. Still, though, most Becker users find that they don’t need EA tutoring because the Becker materials do such a good job of teaching you the content.
EA content videos
Most people who are studying to take the EA exam learn through textbooks, practice questions, and content videos.
The Surgent EA Review Ultimate Pass course includes short videos that are about 10 to 20 minutes each. These brief lectures are useful for in-depth examinations of particular subjects but don’t expect to learn all of the EA exam content from Surgent’s video lectures alone.
In contrast, Becker gives you lecture videos that cover both the EA exam content as well as IRS tax forms. What’s more, your ability to engage with and remember the material is enhanced by the fact that the videos are recorded in a format that keeps your attention. And since the videos are all available online, you won’t find yourself searching for “Enrolled Agent course near me” because you don’t need to worry about live EA classes!
EA Flashcards: Becker Enrolled Agent prep vs Surgent
If you like to use flashcards to study for the EA exam, then you’ll be happy to know that Becker and Surgent both include flashcards.
However, only the Surgent EA Review Ultimate Pass course has printed flashcards, and the other Surgent EA courses don’t have flashcards at all.
Audio lectures for studying for the Enrolled Agent exam
A lot of EA candidates prefer to learn on the go by listening to audio lectures. They might listen to EA audio lectures while walking the dog or going about their day. Although the Surgent Traditional and Essential EA courses do not include audio lectures, the Surgent Ultimate Pass course does.
Becker EA does not have audio lectures, though.
Enrolled Agent Exam Pass Rates: Becker EA vs Surgent EA
The Becker Enrolled Agent courses are new, so we don’t yet know what the pass rate on the EA exam is for Becker users.
However, according to Surgent EA, about 97% of their users pass the Enrolled Agent exam. (The IPass Team hasn’t been able to verify that claim, though.)
Furthermore, Surgent also has a money-back guarantee if you study with them and don’t pass your exams.
Becker EA Discount Code + Surgent EA Coupon
If you’re looking for an Enrolled Agent exam prep discount, we have one for the new Becker EA Review as well as Surgent.
What Is the Cost of Becker EA vs Surgent EA?
Here’s a breakdown of the price of the Becker Enrolled Agent course compared to Surgent’s EA courses. Please keep in mind that the prices listed are before you apply our Enrolled Agent exam prep discount.
How much is the Becker EA course?
- Becker EA Review Pro (before our EA coupon): $799
- Becker EA Review Essentials (before discounts): $499
What are the prices of the Surgent Enrolled Agent courses?
Surgent EA courses (before discounts)
- Essentials Pass: $499
- Premier Pass: $699
- Ultimate Pass: $999 – This EA package has the most features and learning tools
What’s the Best EA Review? Becker EA vs Surgent EA?
EA Course Features |
Becker Enrolled Agent Review Course |
Surgent Ultimate Pass EA Review |
| Video lectures | 1 | .5 |
| Access until you pass | 1 | 1 |
| Help from experts | 1 | 1 |
| Size of test bank | 1 | .5 |
| Overall course quality | 1 | .5 |
| CE hours included | .5 | 0 |
| Total | 5.5/6 | 3.5/6 |
FAQs about Becker EA vs Surgent EA
Does Becker or Surgent EA have an app?
No. As of now, the Becker Enrolled Agent course does not have an app. The same is true of Surgent. If either company adds an app to their Enrolled Agent courses in the future, we will let you know.
Still, these EA courses are online and can be used on smartphones and tablets as well as your computer.
Do the Surgent or Becker Enrolled Agent courses include CE hours?
After you pass the SEE exam and become an Enrolled Agent, you’ll need to earn annual CE (continuing education) hours to keep your credential current. Some EA exam review providers – like Gleim EA – give you some free CE hours, too. However, the Becker EA course includes limited CE hours, but Surgent does not include free CE. Furthermore, Becker now offers CE courses as well as EA review.
Does Becker or Surgent have a free trial?
Yes – both companies have free trials for prospective EA review users. So definitely take advantage of these free EA trials before you buy.
About the Author Susan L.
Susan is an esteemed member of the I Pass the EA Exam team. Even better, she's (almost) as excited about the EA exam as you!
