With 72% of finance professionals saying that strategic accounting and financial analysis are more important in their roles than ever (AICPA), passing the CMA is like earning your spot in the big leagues.
Gleim has been coaching future CMAs for over 50 years, and as an IMA partner, they provide updated, in-depth materials to help you tackle even the trickiest exam topics. But is their program the right training plan for you?
I’ve researched and compared the top CMA exam prep courses to help you decide if Gleim is worth your time and money. In this review, I’ll break down what the course offers, its pros and cons, and whether it’s the best path to your CMA finish line.
Why Choose Gleim CMA
- If you prefer self-paced learning, Gleim provides a structured, independent study approach that keeps you on track.
- If you just want practice questions, Gleim’s standalone Mega Test Bank is a great budget-friendly option.
- If you need an adaptive study plan, Gleim’s SmartAdapt technology ensures you focus on weak areas for efficient learning.
- If you’re unsure how long you’ll need to pass, the unlimited access feature of the Premium package gives you peace of mind.
- If you want comprehensive essay prep, Gleim stands out with detailed essay walkthroughs, which many competitors lack.
- If you don’t like working independently, Gleim might feel too self-paced—but if you thrive with structured, methodical learning, it’s a great fit.
- If you don’t care about essay practice, you might not use all of Gleim’s features—but for those who want essay support, it’s one of the best options out there.
Gleim CMA
Gleim CMA Course Overview
Gleim CMA is one of the most well-known CMA exam prep courses. It’s designed to help candidates pass both parts of the CMA exam efficiently by offering a structured study plan, detailed textbooks, and an extensive question bank. Many students choose Gleim because of its reputation for comprehensive coverage and adaptive learning technology.
Gleim offers two full course options, plus a “Mega Test Bank” supplement that you can add onto a course, or purchase as a stand-alone practice question bank.
Pros
- Thorough Exam Prep – Gleim ensures every aspect of the exam is covered in depth, leaving no gaps in your knowledge.
- Extensive Practice Bank – With more questions than many competitors, Gleim offers ample practice to sharpen your skills.
- Essay Mastery – Focused essay practice sets Gleim apart, helping you tackle this often-overlooked section confidently.
- Great Bang for Your Buck – While not the cheapest, it offers solid value for the depth and quality of content provided.
- Unlimited Access Guarantee – Study at your own pace, with access until you succeed, ensuring you get the most out of your investment.
Cons
- Can Be Overwhelming – The self-paced structure and extensive content might feel intense for some students, but it also ensures thorough preparation for those ready to dive deep.
- Not the Best for Video Lovers – While Gleim’s video lectures may be less engaging compared to other providers like Becker, the solid focus on question banks and textbook material ensures a comprehensive learning experience for those who prefer a more structured approach.
Gleim CMA Premium
Out of Gleim’s three options for CMA prep courses, I found that the Premium package is the most comprehensive and is especially beneficial if you want more video content and mock exams. In this review, I’ll be focusing on the Gleim CMA Premium to give you an in-depth look at its features, pros, and cons, helping you decide if it’s the right fit for your study needs
Content and Structure
Gleim is an entirely self-paced exam prep, so you have the option to listen to audio lectures, watch instructor videos, and complete multiple-choice and essay questions both at home and using the mobile app. Within the lecture videos, you’ll also find a digital notebook, which allows you to actively jot down questions and concepts while still watching the lecture.
“Gleim CMA’s book as a whole is not complicated and doesn’t take much time to finish. Each unit ranges from 3-7 days, including the end-of-unit questions.”
Amani, Gleim user
As you approach the end of your review materials, you’ll get access to two mock CMA exams per part—four exams in total—to accurately mimic what it will feel like to sit for the CMA exam. Using your results, you can further hone in on concepts you struggled with, something that Gleim’s SmartAdapt will help you with.
One Reddit user mentioned the difficulty of Gleim’s material on r/CMA:
“I really enjoyed using Gleim for the CMA. Amy does a great job teaching, and there are a lot of extra materials to help with some of the more difficult topics. There are some questions that are overkill and way more difficult than the actual exam, but you can’t go into it with that mentality. Yeah, they challenge you, but they also prepare you by challenging you as much as they can.”
Tech and Videos
Gleim Premium CMA review boasts hours of extra video instruction compared to the Traditional tier. MCQ and essay walkthrough videos, along with digital flashcards, can only be accessed in Gleim Premium. Included in both tiers are various audio lectures, which function like CMA podcasts. Listening with a notebook and pencil in hand is helpful, but you can also catch up on concepts on your way to work or while walking your dog.
Throughout the entire course, Gleim’s SmartAdapt feature works like an AI tutor, pushing you to master concepts you find difficult while skimming past the easy stuff. When I went through the course, I really appreciated the flexibility of the audio lectures and the way SmartAdapt helped me focus on areas I needed to improve.
Becker and UWorld offer similar adaptive technology, so if Gleim isn’t the perfect fit, you may want to consider them as well.
Value
Gleim Premium offers a higher-tier option with added features, providing great value for those seeking comprehensive preparation. Users can choose from different payment options, including monthly installments, making it easier to fit into a variety of budgets.
Gleim also provides an exam pass guarantee, which varies depending on the package you choose. It’s important to review the eligibility requirements for this guarantee before committing.
For those who select the Premium package, full access is granted until you pass the exam. If you follow all the recommended study steps but still don’t pass, you can request a refund within 18 months, covering the sections you didn’t pass.
With the Traditional package or Mega Question Bank, Gleim ensures that the course materials remain up to date for up to 18 months. If you haven’t passed by then, you’ll receive new, updated textbooks (with shipping costs applied).
One user had this to say about her long but satisfactory journey with Gleim:
“When I started studying with Gleim, I was in the last trimester of pregnancy, and soon after that, I delivered my first baby. This means I had limited time to use for my studying. Although it took nearly 2 years, I finally passed the CMA exams, which proves that the Gleim materials are well-organized for studying. I didn’t use any other studying materials, I just followed Gleim’s Suggested Steps. If asked about Gleim by my friends, I will surely recommend it to them. Gleim is a reliable supporter to pass the exams.”
Ryoko Fuse, CMA
Support
Gleim has a team of personal counselors who are available to anyone taking a Gleim review course. These counselors will help you create a better study plan, help you set realistic goals, and answer any questions you may have about the exam itself. This live support is available Monday-Friday from 9 am to 6 pm EST—so if you’re stumped on a Saturday night, you’ll have to wait until Monday morning to get some help.
Additional assistance from an accounting expert is included only in the Premium tier. This expert can most accurately explain, through experience, what the exam is really like and how to approach difficult topics.
Bottom Line
At the end of the day, Gleim is a trustworthy source for CMA prep material. The question bank and audio lectures alone are great, but with added features such as video walkthroughs and extra mock exams, you’d really be getting wide-ranging strategies for studying.
Although some users have said that the lectures can be a bit dry and the question bank is difficult, these were not dealbreakers. Plus, if all this plus Gleim’s 99% satisfaction rate doesn’t convince you, try a demo of the course for free!
FAQ
The time required depends on your schedule and study habits, but most candidates complete the course in 3-6 months per exam part with consistent study.
Yes! Gleim provides unlimited access until you pass, ensuring you can study for as long as needed without extra fees.
The videos are informative but can be a bit dry. If you prefer highly engaging videos, another provider like Becker may be a better fit.
Yes, but it requires self-discipline. The materials are comprehensive, making it a great choice if you are comfortable with independent learning.
Yes! Gleim CMA offers mobile-friendly access, so you can study on the go using your phone, tablet, or computer.
