CMA Part 1Best courses
Summary: Best CMA Part 1 prep resources (2025 - 2026)
Certified Management Accountants (CMAs) are highly qualified financial professionals who play a crucial role in driving organizational strategy. They serve as a key internal leader responsible for guiding financial planning, budget development, and management on investment, spending, and risk mitigation strategies. By collaborating with business leadership, CMAs help organizations achieve operational objectives while ensuring that all financial decisions align with long-term goals and promote internal financial health.
Central to the CMA's role is the ongoing analysis of a company's financial metrics, with an emphasis on forecasting trends, conducting risk assessments, and crafting strategic budgets that steer effective management decision-making. Through advanced data analytics, certified management accountants enable companies to adapt to changing conditions and remain competitive in their sectors.
To earn the CMA designation, candidates must successfully complete a rigorous two-part CMA exam administered by the Institute of Management Accountants. The CMA Part 1 exam, titled "Financial Planning, Performance, and Analytics," concentrates on key areas such as performance measurement, cost management, and strategic planning. Mastery of these competencies allows CMAs to deliver critical support across all finance functions within an organization.
If you are considering a career as a certified management accountant or are currently preparing for the CMA Part 1 exam, finding the right preparation resources can mean the difference between passing the first time or having to sign up for a retake. We have compiled a comprehensive guide to top CMA test prep providers, featuring popular choices such as Becker, Gleim, Surgent, and UWorld. Each prep course offers unique advantages (for example, Becker CMA is renowned for its in-depth study materials, while Surgent CMA excels with adaptive learning technology), catering to diverse learning preferences and study schedules. We provide detailed overviews of what sets each course apart, supported by feedback from real users, to help you compare key CMA Part 1 materials and select the best solution for your exam preparation needs.
Some user reviews have been slightly edited for length and clarity.
How we evaluated these resources
Our top picks for CMA Part 1 preparation include options that cater to every study schedule and proficiency level, ranging from self-guided textbooks to programs with several resources. We chose our selections based on:
- Cost
- Are the materials reasonably priced based on what's offered?
- Variety
- Does the study manual or other core study material come with other features that add value, like flashcards, live instruction, etc.?
- Coverage
- Does the material include all major sections on the exam? Which resources are designed for holistic preparation, and which are better suited for quick reviews on specific topics?
- Accessibility
- Does the vendor prioritize breaking down concepts in an approachable way for maximum retention? Do their products cater to specific learners or a range of different learning styles?
- Community feedback
- Do students tend to recommend this vendor for CMA Part 1 preparation? What do learners like about their instructional materials, practice tests, and other resources?
- Score boosters
- Is the program rigorous enough to get you a 360 or above out of 500 (the passing score on the CMA)?
For each vendor, we list the key features, pros, and cons of their study aids and tools, highlighting provider strengths and potential limitations. Our guide below can help you make an informed decision about how you can best prepare for this dense and information-heavy professional examination.
Most comprehensive course: Becker CMA Review
- Becker is a trusted name in financial licensing preparation, with a longstanding partnership with IMA and discounts for members.
- Their Pro packages come with an Exam Day Ready pass guarantee, backed by a 96% satisfaction rate for their review courses overall.
- Their courses come with a large variety of proven study tools that match any and all learning styles
- One-on-one academic tutoring sessions, success coaching sessions, and access to the LiveOnline virtual classroom are included in the Pro plan
- Pro package offers unlimited lifetime access, plus a 1-year subscription to Continuing Professional Education (CPE) courses
- Flexible, interest-free monthly payment options
- While courses are all-inclusive, they are also expensive at full price
- No pass guarantee or printed textbook for Review Advantage plan
- Digital textbook
- 2-part review course
- AI exam review assistant
- Unlimited adaptive practice tests, plus simulated exams
- 4,000+ multiple-choice questions
- 500+ flashcards
- 76 essay questions
- Lecture videos
- 76 skillbuilder videos (step-by-step guides on essay questions)
- Constantly updated, full-coverage content
- Academic support and online FAQ database
Becker's CMA Exam Review course stands out as one of the best CMA review course options for serious candidates pursuing the CMA credential. This robust, two-part CMA exam prep program is designed for aspiring professionals, featuring current, exam-focused content developed in collaboration with the IMA. In fact, Becker offers discounts for those with an IMA membership, which is already a requirement for becoming a CMA. The comprehensive curriculum ensures complete coverage of the CMA syllabus, rivaling other industry leaders.
Included in Becker's CMA prep course are digital and printed textbooks, expertly guided video lectures, thousands of real-world multiple-choice questions, a wide range of essay prompts, full-length CMA exam simulations, and a dedicated study planner to help candidates track progress and maintain consistent momentum.
What truly distinguishes Becker CMA from competitors and qualifies it among the best CMA prep courses is its innovative adaptive learning technology (Adapt2U) and advanced AI-powered study assistant, Newt. These powerful study tools personalize each review session based on individual performance, identifying areas of weakness and allowing users to maximize study efficiency. For those seeking even more comprehensive support, Becker's top-tier "Pro" package includes live online classes, personalized one-on-one tutoring, access to success coaches, and an Exam Day Ready pass guarantee: if you become exam-ready but don't pass, Becker offers a credit to cover your retake costs.
“For me, Becker was perfect. Tons of Multiple Choice questions, practice exams, lecture videos, and you get a textbook too. I did the 6 months interest free payment plan.”
“Becker mock exams felt just like the real exams to me. I only used Becker and I felt completely prepared for my tests.”
Bottom line: Becker's CMA Exam Review positions itself as a comprehensive, adaptive two-part CMA exam prep solution that combines expert instruction with innovative study tools and realistic assessments. While the course is chock-full of features, Becker's high price represents a true "premium" option among other providers, so it's best to seek out their materials when they are on sale.
Best for self-study: Gleim CMA Review
- Gleim is another IMA-recommended CMA preparation provider, bringing over 50 years of experience in supporting accountants in their learning and certification journeys.
- Their effective self-study courses and learning approaches have been vetted by elite university educators passionate about training the next generation of accounting professionals.
- Realistic practice exams and exam-quality questions accompanied by expertly-authored digital books
- Traditional and Premium CMA Review come with counselor and educator support to help guide self-study efforts
- CMA Access Until you Pass guarantee for Premium package, 18-month course access for others
- Test Bank does not come with SmartAdapt personalized and guided review
- Expensive, especially for self-study plans without live instruction
- Personal counselor support (Traditional Review package)
- Expert-led video lectures (Premium CMA Review package)
Gleim CMA is widely recognized as one of the best CMA review courses for candidates preparing for the IMA's exam. This self-paced, full-coverage study program draws on over 50 years of expertise in accounting exam preparation, offering a proven path to success. Gleim's adaptive online platform, SmartAdapt, pinpoints your weakest areas and customizes your study plan, ensuring you focus on the topics that matter most for the CMA exam.
With Gleim CMA, you receive a comprehensive suite of digital and printed textbooks, an extensive bank of real-exam-quality multiple-choice questions and essay scenarios, and engaging instructor-led video lectures, especially in the Premium package. The course also features realistic full-length mock exams that mirror the actual CMA testing environment, helping you build confidence and familiarity before test day.
A standout benefit of Gleim CMA is its "Access Until You Pass" guarantee, available with the Premium tier, which provides candidates with peace of mind through unlimited course access. The robust support system includes dedicated personal counselors and detailed performance analytics to guide your progress. The Traditional tier provides a solid foundation with 18 months of access, while the Premium tier offers unlimited access, expanded video content, digital flashcards, and advanced exam-preparation tools. These flexible options make Gleim CMA an ideal choice for motivated, independent learners seeking an exam-focused, practice-intensive review program. Their course materials are challenging; some even report that they are more difficult than the exam itself. However, for students open to a challenge, the rigor of Gleim can leave them feeling more than prepared.
“I really enjoyed using Gleim for the CMA. Amy [the instructor] does a great job teaching and there's lot of extra materials to help with some of the more difficult topics... [they] prepare you by challenging you as much as they can.”
“Try to get a passing score on the Gleim tests and you'll be set! I scored a few % higher on the real tests compared to the Gleim practice exams. The MCQs are pretty similar to the real test but Gleim is slightly harder. The essays in Gleim are WAY harder than the essays in the real test.”
Bottom line: Gleim CMA is a great CMA review course for self-driven candidates who value adaptive technology, comprehensive and challenging study materials, and flexible tiers. In terms of price, though, their courses are comparable to prep solutions that offer more features and instructor support.
Best deal: Surgent CMA Review
- Using predictive AI technology, Surgent Accounting & Financial Education promises to trim study time down and make preparation as effective and efficient as possible.
- Candidates can choose from the Essentials, Premier, or Ultimate packages, each offering varying levels of support for future CMAs with varying educational and professional backgrounds.
- Surgent offers discounts and [special promotions to students](https://www.surgent.com/exam-review/resources/scholarships/), helping them pay for higher education and certification costs
- Essentials package comes with well-designed study tools at a fraction of the cost of other courses
- All tiers come with a money-back pass guarantee
- Discount to IMA members
- Lower tiers do not come with printed textbooks or flashcards
- Essentials plan does not come with videos or any form of live instruction
- Varying course access periods based on level (18-month for Essentials, 24-month for Premier, "unlimited until you pass" for Ultimate)
- E-books (physical textbook included in the Ultimate package only)
- Proprietary ReadySCORE Exam-Readiness indicator
- Unlimited practice exams
- Thousands of practice questions, both multiple-choice and essay
- Free automatic content updates
- 60+ videos with downloadable lecture study notes (Premier and Ultimate)
- Private virtual coaching sessions with a CMA exam expert (Ultimate only)
The Surgent CMA Review course is widely recognized as one of the best CMA review courses for candidates pursuing the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) CMA certification. Surgent CMA offers a fully online, high-adaptivity exam-prep program built around its proprietary adaptive learning engine, A.S.A.P. Technology. This innovative platform assesses your current knowledge base and dynamically creates a customized study plan, focusing your efforts on weaker areas and minimizing time spent on concepts you've already mastered. This top-rated CMA prep solution includes over 4,000 multiple-choice questions, 60+ essay scenarios, realistic full-length practice exams, a mobile-optimized interface, and a ReadySCORE readiness metric that shows precisely when you're prepared for exam day.
A key feature that sets Surgent CMA apart from competitors like UWorld is its flexible package options and robust pass guarantee, core elements that solidify its reputation as the best CMA review course for many candidates. Students can select from Essentials, Premier, or Ultimate passes to match their desired level of access, support, and included printed materials. For instance, the Ultimate Pass grants complete course access until you pass, comprehensive printed resources such as textbooks and flashcards, and exclusive 1-on-1 coaching sessions. This course is particularly well-suited for independent learners who value a streamlined, tech-empowered study path and want to avoid unnecessary content repetition, all backed by a guaranteed pass policy.
“I passed all my CPA exams using Surgent. I'd say if you put in the time, it should be sufficient... they provide detailed answers for why the correct answers are correct [on mock exams].”
“Surgent ReadyScore was key to passing for me. Got it up to 75+ on each exam and passed with a score of 5-7 points higher on each exam. I will admit that their lectures [were not my favorite].”
Bottom line: With adaptive technology, extensive practice tools, performance tracking, and a powerful pass guarantee, Surgent CMA ensures a convenient and focused journey toward IMA CMA exam success. While Surgent offers the lowest-cost option, especially for self-studiers, some candidates found their materials outside of practice assessments to be unclear or less helpful.
Best for Part 1-focused prep: UWorld CMA Review
- UWorld Accounting, known for its intuitive test prep application and reliable online study tools, offers a CMA preparation course that comes with video lectures, study guides, and thousands of practice questions.
- Unlike other preparation platforms, UWorld divides its CMA course into two parts, allowing you to focus your efforts on one section at a time.
- Over 6,000 practice multiple-choice questions and 75+ essay questions for targeted review
- While you have the option of studying for each part separately, the combined courses offer a significant discount
- 30% off for IMA members
- Limited access periods (Introductory Plan only available for one month)
- Only Unlimited access course is [eligible for renewal](https://accounting.uworld.com/study-pass/)
- 2-part course mapped to IMA's Learning Outcome Statements (LOSs)
- Study guides that are updated annually
- Full-length practice and mock exams
- 150 video lectures
- Adaptive study planners
- SmartPath Predictive Technology and performance metrics
- Flashcards (ReadyDecks)
- Live Boot Camp and 11th Hour Final Review (Unlimited)
UWorld's CMA Review program (formerly under Wiley) offers a thoroughly updated, exam-focused preparation pathway for the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) CMA credential. It delivers over 6,000 practice questions, 150+ video lectures, and study guides aligned to every Learning Outcome Statement (LOS) from the IMA. Students benefit from a mobile-friendly platform, a customizable study planner, and detailed performance analytics that track progress and identify knowledge gaps.
What distinguishes UWorld's course is its "StudyPass" model (unlimited access until you pass in its top tier), live Boot Camps, an "11th Hour Final Review" specifically for the weeks before exam day, and its status as a Strategic Partner of the IMA. The QBank and learning tools aim to approximate the difficulty and interface of a real exam, helping candidates build both content mastery and comfort with the test experience itself.
“The quantity of practice questions that the UWorld question bank provided was very valuable in my studies. Although some were repetitive, and some (but not many) were very rudimentary in comparison to what was actually on the test, the majority of questions prepared me very well for what I saw on both parts 1 and 2.”
“UWorld is usually tougher than the actual CMA exam. If you're scoring 70%+, you're in a good spot! Stay consistent, review weak areas, and you'll likely do well.”
Bottom line: UWorld's CMA Review is a comprehensive, exam-aligned prep program featuring a large, high-quality question bank, robust video instruction, progress analytics, and unlimited-access tiers. Their extensive and high-quality question bank is a crowd favorite, though some have reported that some of the questions can lack consistency in terms of difficulty level.
Why it matters
There are numerous CMA Part 1 exam prep providers available, each offering a comprehensive suite of CMA exam prep materials and dedicated candidate support to help maximize your performance on exam day. Successfully passing the CMA Part 1 exam creates a broad array of career opportunities, including:
- Access to accountant or financial analyst positions at leading organizations
- Pathways to advance into leadership roles such as senior accountant, controller, or even Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
- Enhanced salary potential compared to non-certified peers
- Expanded career opportunities in both the public and private sector accounting and finance
Selecting a CMA Part 1 exam prep program that delivers high-quality study resources, realistic CMA exam practice tests, and dependable candidate support is crucial for achieving your professional ambitions.
Wrapping up
The CMA is a distinguished credential highly valued by financial professionals seeking top positions in accounting and business management. Earning the CMA unlocks opportunities to work in corporate environments, where professionals leverage their CMA exam prep to guide informed and impactful financial decisions. CMA Part 1 of the exam is designed to assess expertise in tracking financial performance, performing detailed data analysis, and managing costs, distinguishing it from CMA Part 2, which emphasizes financial reporting, risk management, and ethical standards. Effective CMA prep is essential for these extensive, information-heavy exams, so selecting the right CMA exam prep program that matches your personal learning style significantly improves your chance of success.
When comparing leading CMA Part 1 courses for your certified management accountant journey, carefully evaluate features such as comprehensive study material, high-quality content, access to reliable CMA Part 1 practice tests, up-to-date pricing, and demonstrated effectiveness. This strategy ensures you choose the CMA exam prep solution that aligns perfectly with your needs and gives you the best possible foundation for passing the CMA. Don't forget to explore IMA's discounts and special offers for these providers, as this can help considerably bring down costs for preparation.