Efficient Learning CMA vs. Surgent
TOP TOPICS OF THIS PAGE
Efficient Learning CMA Exam Review is now part of UWorld. To explore the complete benefits of UWorld CMA Review and other accounting certification offerings, visit accounting.uworld.com.
This page is for reference only regarding previous Wiley Efficient Learning packages.
Efficient Learning or Surgent? Which CMA Course Is the Best?
The best CMA exam prep product is the one that is going to help you pass the exam—ideally, the first time you sit. But which features, support, and CMA study materials equal a greater chance of passing the exam? Manageable lessons, engaging instructors, high-quality practice materials, and cutting-edge technology all go a long way in getting you prepared for the exam and keeping you motivated along the way.
We know how crucial these features are to pass the exam, so you can expect to see all of these things included in every Efficient Learning CMA exam prep course. On the other hand, Surgent either does not offer all of these features or makes you upgrade to get them.
We offer the best CMA course because you get all of these standard features no matter which course you study with:
- Unlimited Access Until You Pass
- Access to a Full Team of CMA Certified Instructors Like Brigham Young School of Accountancy Professor Monte Swain
- Deep Dive Video Lectures to Supplement Tough CMA Topics
- 100% Coverage of ICMA LOS
- Mobile App Access
CMA candidate Seanne Veniene Esguerra had great success studying with Efficient Learning.
“Efficient Learning really helped me build my understanding of the concepts from the ground up, apply these concepts in challenging test bank questions, and conquer time-pressured examinations. Their exam planner helped me organize my review period especially since I was pressed for time. Overall, great experience!” says Esguerra.
Monte Swain is now part of the UWorld CMA Review team. Continue studying with him for CMA exam success.
Efficient Learning CMA vs. Surgent Comparison Chart
Here is a quick reference guide to help you compare the standard features of (now retired) Efficient Learning CMA courses vs. Surgent CMA courses. If you study with Surgent, you miss out on deep dive videos. Plus, all Efficient Learning instructors are Certified Management Accountants, which isn’t the case with Surgent.
| Course Features | Efficient Learning | Surgent |
|---|---|---|
| Free course repeats and updates UNTIL YOU PASS. |  Available on all packages |
Only on some packages |
| Supplemental help for tough CMA topics | |
 |
| Designed specifically for your last week of study and helps ensure you fully master key concepts before sitting for the exam. | |
|
| Perfect for reinforcing important topics and covering key testable information on the go. | |
Only on some packages |
| Exclusive access to help from expert instructors. | |
|
| Multiple choice questions with full answer rationales. | |
|
| Live and on-demand video lectures taught by leading educators that provide guided instruction with contributions from experts and peers. | |
Only on some packages |
Efficient Learning vs. Surgent Cost Comparison
We offer two CMA review course options and Surgent has three.
Each course package comes with different levels of study materials and support, but both Efficient Learning packages come with more features than any of Surgent’s courses.
| Efficient Learning | Surgent |
|---|---|
| Efficient Learning CMA Platinum (Retired Course) | Surgent CMA Review Ultimate Pass |
| $1,500 | $1,299 |
| Efficient Learning CMA Pro (Retired Course) | Surgent CMA Review Premier Pass |
| $1,275 | $799 |
| Surgent CMA Review Essentials Pass | |
| $699 |
Efficient Learning’s courses include a robust lineup of standard features such as Unlimited Access Until You Pass, video lessons, thousands of multiple-choice questions, digital flashcards, and more. With Surgent, you have to upgrade to get some of those features, like video lessons, access until you pass, and flashcards.
Since you already get Efficient Learning’s standard features no matter which course you use, if you upgrade to study with our Platinum course, you get extra personalized support like:
- Instructor Mentoring
- Live CMA Virtual Classes
- 11th Hour Final Review
Surgent also includes a mentoring feature, or personalized coaching, in their top-level package.
Efficient Learning vs. Surgent Technology and Software
The (NOW RETIRED) Efficient Learning platform is notable for its accessibility and user-friendliness. Key features of our technology include diagnostic exams, performance metrics, concise lessons, an exam planner, unlimited practice exams, and more. With Efficient Learning, you also receive a fully customizable study planner that organizes your schedule down to individual lessons.
Surgent also utilizes education technology and includes exam-readiness tools in its courses.
CMA candidate Aleena studied with Efficient Learning and shares her experience below:
“Efficient Learning provided me with knowledge and insight into how the final exam is going to go. Every time I did practice questions, I felt like I was writing real exam answers which helped me a lot to manage my time and speed of attempting MCQs.”
She continues, “As far as the textbook, I suggest everyone grab this book without any doubt. The lectures and notes in the text are awesome. Not only the study materials, but they also provide a mobile application which I think is the best part of Efficient Learning. Thank you, Efficient Learning, for helping me to achieve my dream so easily,” says Aleena.
Efficient Learning vs. Surgent CMA Review Course Access and Expiration
It’s important to know how long you have access to your course material. With Surgent, you get a different length of access depending on the course. Surgent’s Essentials course comes with 18 months of access, its Premier course comes with 24 months of access, and its Ultimate course comes with access until you pass.
With Access Until You Pass included in Efficient Learning courses, you get full course support until you pass the CMA exam.
| Course Features | Efficient Learning | Surgent |
|---|---|---|
| Free course repeats and updates UNTIL YOU PASS | |
Only on some packages |
The UWorld Elite-Unlimited CMA Review Course offers unlimited access until you pass with our StudyPass™ program. Learn more about our top package and latest technology now.
Efficient Learning CMA vs. Surgent CMA Exam Practice Questions
Many CMA candidates report that they attribute their success on the exam to Efficient Learning’s extensive test bank that replicates the CMA exam. Our practice questions closely resemble real exam questions, so you feel confident when you take the exam. Efficient Learning practice materials include:
- 6,000+ high-quality MCQs
- Retired CMA exam questions
- 100% coverage of ICMA LOS
- 70+ exclusive essay questions
- Unlimited customizable quizzes so you can focus on the areas you want to study most
Surgent’s test bank includes over 4,000+ MCQs and over 65 essay problems.
Aria and Justin studied for the CMA exam with Efficient Learning and found the practice questions to be very helpful in passing the exam on the first try.
“I was greatly impressed with the Efficient Learning study materials, and I felt the practice questions prepared me well to pass the exams the first time,” says Justin Holmstead.
“Efficient Learning provides a comprehensive array of learning materials that make for a flexible learning experience for users with different learning styles. The volume of test bank questions was a tremendous source of help as well,” says Aria Senatore.
Efficient Learning vs. Surgent Flashcards
Flashcards are helpful because they ensure you quickly reinforce important exam topics and are a great resource for studying on the go. We understand the important role flashcards play in a well-rounded study plan, so you get more than 750 digital cards in both Efficient Learning CMA courses. Surgent on the other hand does not include flashcards in its courses unless you upgrade to the most expensive option.
CMA candidate Edward used Efficient Learning’s flashcards to help pass the exam.
“The practice MCQs and flashcards are what really prepared me for the exam the most,” says Edward Louie Camalongay.
Efficient Learning vs. Surgent Course Format
The CMA courses offered by Efficient Learning and Surgent are both online course formats. They are both self-study; however, Efficient Learning does offer live virtual classes with the Platinum course.
Efficient Learning courses have standard features that help you manage your time and reduce stress with the ability to adjust your study plan, like:
- Full Team of CMA Certified Instructors
- Test Bank
- Mobile App Access
- And More!
Plus, as mentioned, if you want access to live online classes or personal mentoring, Platinum will get you:
- Instructor Mentoring
- Live Online CMA Classes
- 11th Hour Final Review Course
When you study with Surgent, you have to upgrade if you want access to some standard Efficient Learning features, like access until you pass and flashcards. Surgent does not offer deep-dive videos or Final Review in any of its courses.
IMA Strategic Partner
Efficient Learning and Surgent are both official strategic partners of IMA (Institute of Management Accountants). This means that as the industry changes, your CMA exam review course will always be updated with the most current information and will reflect IMA standards.
Efficient Learning is now an IMA Strategic Partner, which means you can expect quality, aligned CMA review materials in our new home.
Simulated CMA Mock Exams
You can reduce your nerves on exam day significantly by completing CMA practice tests that are designed to imitate the real exam. Going through customizable quizzes and full-length practice exams that mirror the actual interface helps you build stamina and hone your timing in preparation for the big day. Both Efficient Learning and Surgent provide unlimited practice exams.
Amanda Potas, CMA candidate, believes anyone can pass on the first try if they use all of Efficient Learning’s available study materials, including the practice exams.
“It is set up nearly identical to the actual exam, and it is truly possible to pass on the first try if all offered materials are utilized,” says Amanda.
Live Virtual Classes
As stated earlier, if you want some extra support through your exam journey, you can study with our Platinum CMA review course to get live online classes. These classes allow you to interact with real instructors who answer your questions on some of the more difficult topics. Surgent only offers pre-recorded videos in select packages and does not have a live virtual classroom.
Exciting update! UWorld now offers Live CMA Boot Camps to help candidates prepare for upcoming exam windows.
Efficient Learning CMA vs. Surgent Video Lectures
Efficient Learning goes to great lengths to ensure CMA candidates have every resource they need to fully understand their learning materials. In addition to live online classes, Efficient Learning offers deep dive videos for all packages.
Surgent does not offer deep dive videos and their 60+ video lectures only come with their Premier and Ultimate courses.
Efficient Learning’s team of expert instructors helped CMA candidate Mayumi Saito grasp the information.
“Monte Swain really did a good job explaining lessons in the online platform, and that really helped me understand things more clearly,” says Mayumi.
| Course Features | Efficient Learning | Surgent |
|---|---|---|
| Supplemental help for tough CMA topics | |
|
| Live and on-demand video lectures taught by leading educators that provide guided instruction with contributions from experts and peers. | |
Only on select packages |
Efficient Learning vs. Surgent Summary
After comparing cost, value, study materials, technology, personalized support, and more, it’s clear that Efficient Learning (now UWorld) is the best choice for CMA exam prep.
Efficient Learning vs. Surgent Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a couple final FAQs about Efficient Learning vs. Surgent.
- Efficient Learning CMA Exam Review was acquired by UWorld in 2023. With this change comes better learning technology, more challenging practice questions, refreshed video lectures, live, virtual boot camps, and much more—giving you the top tools to succeed on the CMA exam.
- Yes, UWorld CMA offers flexible financing via a monthly payment plan with a trusted financial institution.
- Yes. The Elite-Unlimited CMA Review Course includes live, virtual boot camps targeting upcoming exam windows. UWorld boot camps are led by our expert instructor team and include walkthroughs of practice questions. These sessions are offered on a quarterly basis.
Need help deciding which UWorld CMA Review Course is right for you?
Compare our CMA courses now.