Let’s face it: choosing the best CMA prep course is no small feat.
There are tons of options, they all claim to be ‘the best,’ and they’re not cheap. The last thing you want is to spend a fortune on something that doesn’t work for you. That’s why I took a deep dive into CMA Exam Academy—to figure out if it actually delivers.
I worked through some of the course’s practice questions, video lectures, practice exams, textbooks, and even reviews from real students to help you decide whether CMA Exam Academy is right for you. Let’s dig in.
Is CMA Exam Academy Right for Me?
- If you need hands-on support, CMA Exam Academy’s personal CMA coaches and weekly check-ins will keep you on track.
- If you struggle with test anxiety, CMA Exam Academy’s in-person exam rehearsal at a Prometric center can help you feel more prepared.
- If accountability is important to you, CMA Exam Academy’s structured 16-week program with assignments and check-ins will keep you motivated.
- If you prefer a flexible, go-at-your-own-pace course, then CMA Exam Academy’s structured schedule may not be the best fit.
- If you want a big-name provider with extensive resources, a larger company like Becker or Gleim might be a better choice.
CMA Exam Academy Course Overview
CMA Exam Academy, the creation of successful CMA Nathan Liao, stands out thanks to its focus on student support. Every student is assigned a personal CMA coach (and every CMA coach actually has a CMA; go figure!). Your coach is there to answer all of your questions by email within a 24-hour time frame, whether you’re stumped on a tricky topic or just need a boost. Further, this isn’t just a “go at your own pace” course. Your coach will be there for weekly support calls and check-ins to ensure you’re on the right track.
That structured support makes sense when considering the course design: the 16-Week Accelerator Program (Part 1 and 2 Combo) uses a drip-release schedule, delivering weekly training and assignments to keep students on track.
In my personal experiences combing through the course materials and chatting with other students, it seems pretty clear that if support is your number one priority in a review course, CMA Exam Academy is an outstanding choice. I’ve looked at Becker, Gleim, UWorld, and Surgent, and while they offer solid materials, none of them match CMA Exam Academy’s level of 1-on-1 coaching. If support is your top priority, this is the course that actually delivers on it.
One Reddit review reads:
“I passed both tests on my first attempt while working full time. It was a lot of studying over a year or so but worth it. It has gotten me in the door for interviews. I used CMA Exam Academy by Nathan Liao.”
Pros
- Superb Support: Actual CMAs answer your questions within 24 hours. You also get weekly 1-on-1 coaching— which big-name courses don’t offer.
- Two-Year Access: Most competitors cut you off at 18 months—CMA Exam Academy gives you a full 2 years.
- Exam Day Walkthrough: Get a guided tour of the Prometric testing process to ease exam-day nerves.
- Whiteboard Videos That Actually Help: These videos provide step-by-step breakdowns of why answers are right (or wrong), which is super helpful for tricky concepts.
Cons
- Not for Free-Spirits: The structured schedule works if you need accountability, but it’s not ideal if you prefer flexibility.
- Video Lectures Feel Dry: The main lessons are mostly slide-based and not very engaging. If you prefer dynamic teaching, this might not be the best fit.
CMA Exam Academy Review
CMA Exam Academy Coupon Codes
Save 20% on CMA Exam Academy’s comprehensive CMA prep course, which includes structured lessons, coaching support, and exam-ready practice materials. Grab a CMA Exam Academy coupon and save.
Save 20% on CMA Exam Academy Review Course
16-Week Accelerator Program Features
Now, let’s talk about everything you’re getting in the 16-Week Accelerator Program Combo. I’ll give you a brief list to start. Then, I’ll break down the details you need to know by category to get the best possible idea of what you’d be signing up for.
| CMA Exam Academy Features: | ||
| Unlimited CMA Coaching Support | 4,000+ Practice Questions | Weekly Support Calls and Assignments |
| Dozens of Video and Audio Lecture Hours | Whiteboard Explainer Videos | 35+ Practice Essay Scenarios with Model Answers |
| Printed and Digital Textbooks Designed Around ICMA LOS | Accounting Fundamentals Textbook | In-Person Exam Rehearsal at a Prometric Test Center |
| All-in-One Formula PDF Guides | Digital Flashcard App for iOS and Android | Private CMA Community |
Learning Materials
When it comes to the learning process, CMA Exam Academy takes a hands-on approach. If you look into them, it becomes pretty clear that founder Nathan Liao’s philosophy is that self-study materials alone rarely lead to success, saying,
“The problem is, without accountability and guidance, you may miss major concepts, let yourself skip days, or not accurately self-assess when you’re ready to take the test. Most people need support, and CMA Exam Academy is ready to provide it.”
And provide it they do, with a weekly content drip-release, dedicating between one and three weeks of learning to each of the ICMA learning outcome statements. These weekly content releases include assignments to help you reinforce the concepts you learned. At first, I wasn’t thrilled about the idea of homework as, you know, a grown man. However, I found that the assignments were strategically created to help students turn knowledge into a lasting memory, an obvious boon for CMA exam preparation.
Students also gain access to physical and digital textbooks, dozens of hours of video lessons (and downloadable MP3 audio versions), whiteboard explainer videos, formula PDF guides, and, of course, your personalized support options—but more on that later.
Practice Materials
Learning the material is only half the battle. To memorize key concepts and become exam-day-ready, you have to drive it home with countless hours of practice.
CMA Exam Academy includes over 4,000 multiple-choice questions and 35+ essay scenarios, which you can take in the form of practice exams. To top it all off, you even get a free in-person exam rehearsal at your local Prometric testing center. If you’re curious about what that’s all about, it’s an opportunity to run through the exam day process before the big day. I know a lot of students have anxiety about parking, what to bring, and just the unknown of an event that can have such a big effect on their lives. CMA Exam Academy tries to remedy that with this rehearsal, giving you some peace of mind—especially if you’re trying to get in a good, stressless sleep the night before.
While the Academy’s practice materials aren’t revolutionary for exam prep, they’re a solid foundation that reinforces the robust learning materials and support options.
Video Lectures
CMA Exam Academy’s HD video lectures are a significant feature of the course. The lessons are short enough for easy viewing at roughly 30-60 minutes each, but still in-depth enough to learn from, as they’re spread across 16 modules (32 total, one for each week of study).
The actual learning videos weren’t my favorite. It’s a lot of reading off slides, and I wonder whether newbies would know a lot of the jargon used. On the bright side, it’s clear Liao is passionate about the topics, and he doesn’t leave any stone unturned. Every topic is a mini deep-dive, so if you want comprehensive, you’ve got comprehensive.
Though I didn’t love the primary video lectures, I enjoyed the whiteboard explainer videos. These lessons drill through practice questions—often revolving around a specific topic or theme—and offer detailed answer explanations (for both right and wrong answers), plus some general tips and tricks. Liao describes his thought process while showing his work on the “whiteboard,” or the computer screen, alongside the question and answer choices.
Knowing something and applying that knowledge to exam questions might sound like the same thing, but they’re two very different skills! The whiteboard videos help bridge the gap so you can apply what you’ve learned to real-world scenarios.
To top it all off, the video lectures are available as downloadable MP3 files for studying on the go. As adults, we have hectic schedules, and sometimes, all you’ll be able to study in a day is what you can squeeze in during that 20-minute commute. (Also, while we’re here, can every prep course have downloadable audio lessons?)
Guarantees, Access, and Value
Crossing the four-figure mark for an online review course is a massive investment and shouldn’t be taken lightly. As a result, some prep providers will offer a “pass guarantee,” so if students fulfill a list of requirements and don’t pass the CMA exam, they can receive a refund of the course’s purchase price.
CMA Exam Academy is one such provider. To be clear, I love companies who believe in their courses so deeply that they’re willing to put their money where their mouth is. And I feel that way about the Academy. However, I want to warn you in advance that there are a lot of steps to be eligible for that refund. If a pass guarantee is important to you, be sure to check out that link for the specifics.
Meanwhile, students have access to all of the materials from both parts, including the practice question bank, for two years. This is a pretty solid length. Top providers like Gleim and Surgent have some 18-month-access options, and if you value personalized support, you’ll probably value extra time to get that support as well.
Price-wise, the Academy is in the middle of the pack. When the course isn’t on sale, expect to be on the higher end. However, the course normally features a 20% discount, pricing the course below Gleim and Becker’s premium packages but above Surgent’s. Personally, I feel that CMA Exam Academy is an outstanding deal, particularly when you factor in all of the personalized support you’re getting… which we’ll chat about next!
I loved this review from a student who bought the course for the guarantee but ended up not needing it:
“I passed my CMA Part 1 exam at first try in less than 3 months. This would not be possible without the help of Nathan and his team at CMA Exam Academy. Honestly, I picked this course because it offered a “money back guarantee” service. Once I started the course, I discovered so many great features. CMA Exam Academy’s test bank with plenty of practice tests for multiple choice and essay sections were the most useful; each question was explained further and had links to additional reading. Overall, great course design and awesome support!”
Albeena Rivera, CMA
Student Support
Finally, let’s talk about CMA Exam Academy’s main selling point: their commitment to support, coaching, community, and accountability. Not everyone is lucky enough to pick up a book and read it, and not only comprehend everything they just read but also have the ability to apply those concepts in the real world. Most of us mere mortals need a helping hand, whether that looks like an expert to answer our questions or someone to hold our feet to the fire and keep us accountable on our study journey.
The CMA Exam Academy offers the following personalized support resources in the 16-Week Accelerator Program:
- Weekly Learning Module Releases
- Weekly Assignments to Reinforce the Material
- Weekly Support Calls With Your Assigned CMA Coach
- Every CMA Coach Has Their CMA Designation
- Available via Phone or a Video Chat Platform
- Unlimited Email Support With 24-Hour Response Times Monday-Friday
- Weekly Check-Ins and Email Reminders for Accountability
I could tell you there’s a ton of 1-on-1 support, but seeing everything you’re getting in such a huge list is even more impressive. I personally haven’t experienced the CMA coach process myself, so I turned to the experts. Here’s what some real students have said about their coaching and support experiences:
“The email support was fantastic and I never had any problems asking questions which the team was so enthusiastic to respond.”
Syed Madani, CMA
“The CMA Exam Academy program, built in accountability, and personal support was a huge reason I was able to successfully pass both exam parts and become a CMA in less than a year.”
Kevin Hennessey, CMA
“The Academy’s comprehensive resources, personalized support, and expert guidance made all the difference. The clarity of the study plan, coupled with their unwavering commitment to student success, is unparalleled. I cannot express enough gratitude for their role in my journey to success.”
Manisha Subramian, CMA Finalist
Bottom Line
CMA Exam Academy isn’t the biggest name in CMA prep, but they feel the most personal. The small team actually knows their students. I’ve seen reviews where Nathan Liao himself responds to questions, and the coaching isn’t some outsourced support—it’s real CMA-certified coaches helping students one-on-one. That kind of hands-on investment in student success makes the course feel more connected than the big-name competitors.
Plus, self-study materials aren’t for everyone. If you value structure and accountability on top of connection, community, and camaraderie, you’ll love what CMA Exam Academy has to offer. The video lectures aren’t the best, and the refund policy has a lot of fine print. Still, the personalized support, structured schedule, and test-day rehearsal make it one of the best choices for students who need accountability and guidance.
FAQ
It depends on your needs. CMA Exam Academy stands out by offering structured coaching, while Gleim, Becker, and Surgent are better for self-paced study.
Yes, it’s challenging, with a ~45% pass rate, but solid prep and consistent practice make a big difference for aspiring certified management accountants.
It’s theoretically possible if you have a strong accounting background. However, most candidates take 12 months or more. If you’re ambitious, a disciplined study plan can speed things up.
Yes, it’s a well-established online CMA Academy with tens of thousands of successful students founded by CMA Nathan Liao. It’s known for its structured approach and student support.
Follow a structured CMA exam prep plan, practice consistently, focus on weak areas, and use quality review materials for the best odds of passing the certified management accountant exam on your first try.
