According to the Institute of Management Accountants, the median CMA holder earns 24% more than their non-CMA colleagues. So while the road ahead is no walk in the park, it’s definitely worthwhile. UWorld is one CMA prep provider that aims to make your study marathon feel more manageable, but are they worth the investment?
As a professional prep course reviewer, I’ve seen it all; now, I’ve compared it all to what UWorld has to offer. In this guide, I’ll break down who should choose UWorld and who should pick a different path. Plus, I’ll lay out my own experience so you know what to expect before opting in.
Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Choose UWorld CMA
- If you’re someone who learns best by doing, UWorld’s 6,200+ MCQs and in-depth explanations give you plenty of hands-on practice.
- If you’re balancing a full-time job or an unpredictable schedule, the mobile app and flexible structure make it easy to squeeze in study time on the go.
- If you need a final push before exam day, the Elite Unlimited package’s Final Review Course and boot camps add that extra layer of prep and support.
- If you’re looking for extensive live instruction throughout, another provider may offer a more class-based experience.
- If you want a money-back guarantee for peace of mind, you won’t find that here — UWorld does not currently offer one for CMA prep.
UWorld CMA Review: The Course at a Glance
UWorld CMA strikes a balance between thoroughness and usability. The question bank is a standout, with over 6,200 multiple-choice questions and 75+ essays that felt closer to actual exam difficulty than most courses I’ve tested. The interface is polished and intuitive, which made long study sessions more bearable, and the mobile app worked reliably when I wanted to squeeze in some practice away from my desk.
The video lessons are solid—engaging, well-structured, and led by instructors who clearly know their stuff. That said, the lectures lean heavily on visuals and voiceover rather than a traditional classroom feel. The Elite Unlimited package adds value with live boot camps and extended access, which could be worth it if you need extra structure. Overall, UWorld feels like a well-thought-out course built for independent learners who want realistic practice and a clean experience.
“I used UWorld (formerly Wiley, converted about halfway through my studies) for Part 1 and felt well prepared. Taking Part 2 next month.”
RedditReview
Pros
- Large QBank + exceptional questions and highly detailed answer explanations
- Portable study with the mobile app; I could access materials anywhere
- Up to four mock exams per part, an impressive bonus for practice
- 11th Hour Final Review was perfect for a last-minute refresher
Cons
- Per-part package pricing adds up
- No money-back pass guarantee
UWorld CMA Review
UWorld CMA Package Comparison
Premier
Key Features: One year of access, 6,200+ MCQs, 75+ essays, 150 video lessons (~50 hours of content), virtual topic guides, unlimited customizable quizzes, two full-length mock exams, Expert ReadyDecks™ flashcards, mobile app (iOS and Android), 30% off Institute of Management Accountants coupon
Best For: Students who prefer to self-study, and can motivate themselves across the finish line; this is enough to pass if you have the grit to go it alone
Elite Unlimited
Key Features: Everything in Premier, unlimited access, physical topic guides, live virtual boot camp series, final review course (+40 videos, +2 mock exams), StudyPass™ guarantee (access until you pass)
Best For: Students who believe in the added value of live instruction and the peace of mind that comes with unlimited access (until passing)
| Feature | Premier | Elite Unlimited |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,299 | $1,499 |
| Access Length | 1 Year | Until You Pass (StudyPass™ Guarantee) |
| Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) | 6,200+ | 6,200+ |
| Essay Questions | 75+ | 75+ |
| Video Lessons | 150 lessons (~50 hours) | 190+ lessons (includes 40-video final review course) |
| Mock Exams | 2 | 4 (2 base + 2 final review) |
| Study Guides | Digital Topic Guides | Digital + Physical Topic Guides |
| Flashcards | Expert ReadyDecks™ | Expert ReadyDecks™ |
| Quizzes | Unlimited Customizable Quizzes | Unlimited Customizable Quizzes |
| Mobile App | Yes (iOS and Android) | Yes (iOS and Android) |
| Live Boot Camps |  |  |
| Final Review Course | | |
| IMA Discount Coupon | 30% off | 30% off |
| Best For | Self-starters comfortable studying solo | Students who value live instruction and long-term support |
Flash Sale – Take $500 Off UWorld CMA Elite-Unlimited Course
My Experience with UWorld CMA Review
User Experience
It’s clear that UWorld carefully considered how students would use the course, formatting unique approaches for video modules and overall organization. I think it’d be easy just to throw the materials together and put them in tabs, but there’s so much more to it.
For example, the MyNotebook and digital flashcard features allow you to highlight text and move it to either your notes or a new flashcard. It’s just little things like that that made me enjoy UWorld, those features that feel so intuitive that it should be obvious to include in every course. But because UWorld has trademarks on both technologies, it’s a feature you can only get in their prep courses.
All in all, UWorld has a strong handle on how to make a study experience more positive for students.
Instructors and Lectures
Since so many people are visual learners, finding the right video lectures (and the right instructors behind those lessons) is a must when trying to find the right prep course. Personally, I think UWorld did an impressive job of finding not only experienced, engaging presenters, but true experts: Monte Swain and Peter Olinto.
Though Olinto is usually associated with Becker (another wonderful CMA prep provider), I’ve really enjoyed seeing him in more UWorld content lately. He can ramble a bit at times, but that’s really the only negative. For the most part, both he and Swain are personable, professional, and easy to listen to (without feeling like you’re about to doze off in a dimly-lit lecture hall).
Plus, the actual interface of the lessons was designed with convenience in mind; I definitely get the feeling they used real beta testers for the interface. There’s room for reading the virtual study guides, taking notes with the MyNotebook feature, seeing the videos “on deck,” and of course, watching the videos themselves. The best part is that it’d be easy to make all the tools on one page feel overwhelming, but UWorld makes it feel seamless and intuitive.
Tech Tools
With features like SmartPath™ predictive technology, Expert ReadyDecks™, and mobile apps, it’d be a shame not to address the value of UWorld’s tech features.
I’ll start with the flashcards. While I’m honestly not 100% sure what makes them different than other digital flashcards, they worked well. It was easy to not only use the pre-made decks, flip them over, and move to the next, but also to make my own. I could highlight text in the study guides and send that snippet over to a new flashcard in a few clicks. That said, while I think it’s a cool feature, I prefer sticking to the premade cards.
As for SmartPath, you’ve probably seen similar features in other courses; essentially, it’s a form of adaptive technology that tracks what you know, what you still need to learn, and gives you options to plan your study schedule around that information. I’ve seen this feature help learners a lot, and UWorld does a good job of making that information accessible and easy to understand with chart-style visual representations.
Finally, prep course apps can be notoriously terrible, but UWorld’s worked incredibly well. My progress didn’t always sync between devices, but the app never glitched or froze in my ~5 hours of use. Further, the option to bring your studies with you, without having to heft massive brick-sized textbooks around, is a huge plus in my book.
Support and Live Instruction
UWorld’s support is helpful, to be sure, but I was a little frustrated by having to wait closer to 48 hours for a response, where competing courses frequently responded within 24 hours (or even sooner, many on the same day). Nevertheless, the support was thorough, and that’s more valuable to me than a quick response that tells me to check the FAQs.
As for live instruction, though the central content is through video recordings, I did enjoy getting some live interaction. In particular, having the option to choose a timeframe between 10 AM to 12 PM, 1 PM to 3 PM, or 8 PM to 10 PM felt powerful, especially the last in the list. Plus, there are weekend options, so regardless of your schedule, you can probably find a session that will work for you. And the actual experience was great, tackling key concepts, test tips, and mnemonics to help us remember everything we’d learned from our studies. I definitely see the live support as an incentive to get the Elite-Unlimited Package if face-to-face learning makes a difference for you.
UWorld CMA vs. Other CMA Review Courses
Seehow UWorld compares below or in more detail in this review of the best CMA prep courses.
| Feature | Premier | Elite Unlimited |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,299 | $1,499 |
| Access Length | 1 Year | Until You Pass (StudyPass™ Guarantee) |
| Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) | 6,200+ | 6,200+ |
| Essay Questions | 75+ | 75+ |
| Video Lessons | 150 lessons (~50 hours) | 190+ lessons (includes 40-video final review course) |
| Mock Exams | 2 | 4 (2 base + 2 final review) |
| Study Guides | Digital Topic Guides | Digital + Physical Topic Guides |
| Flashcards | Expert ReadyDecks™ | Expert ReadyDecks™ |
| Quizzes | Unlimited Customizable Quizzes | Unlimited Customizable Quizzes |
| Mobile App | Yes (iOS and Android) | Yes (iOS and Android) |
| Live Boot Camps | | |
| Final Review Course | | |
| IMA Discount Coupon | 30% off | 30% off |
| Best For | Self-starters comfortable studying solo | Students who value live instruction and long-term support |
UWorld vs Becker CMA
When I look at UWorld and Becker CMA side by side, the biggest difference I experienced was how they support students through the learning experience. Becker’s video lessons felt more structured and segmented, which made it easy to chip away at material in bite‑sized chunks. The existence of live classes, success coaching, and tutoring in some Becker packages also gave it a more personal, instructor‑led feel. That can matter if you want scheduled milestones and expert guidance built into the timeline.
UWorld, on the other hand, excels in practice volume and challenge. Its question bank is larger, the explanations are thorough (often with great visual aids), and the mock exams really mimic the CMA format in ways that made me feel confident walking into exam day. I’d say Becker has a slight edge when it comes to overall structure and guided support, but UWorld’s self‑study‑oriented tools deliver more value if you’re motivated to drill hard and independently.
- Choose Becker if… you want structured instruction and built‑in live support options.
- Pick UWorld if… you want a heavy dose of practice, deep explanations, and high‑fidelity mock exams to sharpen exam readiness.
UWorld vs Gleim CMA
Comparing UWorld with Gleim CMA, what stood out most to me was the breadth and format style of the video content. Gleim’s library has a staggering number of video lessons—roughly 45+ hours of them—but each tends to be shorter (averaging about ~7 minutes). That was great for pacing and helped me stay engaged when my attention was wandering. Gleim also includes audio lectures and both MCQ and essay walkthroughs, which I found helpful when I just needed a different angle on the same topic.
UWorld’s video content, by contrast, feels more targeted and integrated with other tools like SmartPath analytics and realistic practice questions. UWorld feels more like a practice engine with supportive guidance, whereas Gleim feels like a comprehensive learning library. Neither approach is objectively “better;” they just fit different study styles. For me, UWorld’s focused practice paired with analytics edged ahead, but I absolutely see the appeal of Gleim’s sheer volume and multi‑format lectures.
- Choose Gleim if… you value lots of short videos and varied teaching formats.
- Pick UWorld if… you prefer practice‑driven study with tight alignment to exam style and analytics.
UWorld vs Surgent CMA
When I tested Surgent CMA, what jumped out was the scope of live webinar content. Surgent doesn’t hold back; there’s an enormous catalog of credits, daily live events, and plenty of self‑study options made it feel like a learning ecosystem you could spend a full year in without running dry. The price is higher, sure, but what you get is very different from UWorld: a live‑heavy experience where you can join sessions in real time, interact, and ask questions in a group environment.
UWorld’s strength is practice quality and exam simulation. While UWorld does offer live boot camps, it doesn’t match Surgent’s sheer scale of daily live events. Instead, UWorld leans into realistic mock exams, detailed answer breakdowns, and customizable quizzes that keep you testing and reviewing your knowledge. If you’re the kind of learner who benefits from live engagement and guided pacing, Surgent offers that in spades. If you want focused self‑study with tough question banks and exam‑style practice, UWorld feels more direct.
- Choose Surgent if… live webinars and real‑time interaction help you stay accountable.
- Pick UWorld if… you want exam simulation and deliberate practice at the core of your prep.
UWorld vs CMA Exam Academy
The biggest difference I noticed between UWorld and CMA Exam Academy was in how support and personalization are delivered. CMA Exam Academy leans heavily into personal coaching, with <24‑hour responses to student questions, weekly check‑ins, and recurring support calls that make you feel like someone is genuinely shepherding you through the process. That’s great if you want a one‑on‑one guide who holds you accountable and answers questions quickly and personally.
UWorld, instead, offers structured self‑study tools with optional live boot camps. While UWorld’s support was solid overall, it didn’t have the same level of direct, individualized engagement that the CMA Exam Academy emphasizes. In exchange, however, UWorld delivers a larger question bank, more mock exams, and broader analytics tools, which can strengthen your core CMA skillset in ways that a coaching service alone might not. In short, UWorld is built to make you practice smarter, whereas CMA Exam Academy is built to make you move confidently with support.
- Choose CMA Exam Academy if… you value personal coaching and rapid, individualized feedback.
- Pick UWorld if… you want robust practice tools and structured analytics to guide your prep.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, UWorld’s strength isn’t just its exam-level practice questions and learning materials; it’s in the way those materials are presented, with such thought, consideration, and modernization for learners with real, imperfect schedules and mile-long to-do lists. In my opinion, as a passionate prep course reviewer, it’s the thoughtful little details—like MyNotebook and the lecture formatting—that make the difference between a good course and a great experience on exam day.
Interested in learning more about UWorld CMA Review? Click below.
FAQs
It depends on the package. At minimum, you get over 6,200 MCQs, 75+ essays, video lessons, study guides, and mock exams. The Elite version adds boot camps, a final review course, and unlimited access.
Yes, and that’s intentional. Many students report that UWorld’s questions are more difficult than the actual CMA exam, which helps make test day feel less intimidating.
The Premier package is currently $1,299, and Elite Unlimited is $1,499. The Elite version includes extra content, live instruction, and access until you pass.
Becker has a slight edge in live instruction and coaching support. But UWorld shines with its visuals, explanations, and mobile-friendly design. It depends on your learning style.
Only the Elite Unlimited package includes their “StudyPass” guarantee, which gives you access until you pass, but no money-back refund if you don’t.
