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Universal CPA Review: A Comprehensive Course Guide

If you want to become a CPA, a good CPA review course can make the difference between passing the test next time you take it, versus having to pay to retake it yet again. 

Universal CPA Review is a solid test prep course that can coach you on how to study for the CPA exam, and help you make sure you’re ready to pass.

Affiliate Note: We have an affiliate relationship with all products reviewed on this page. If you make a purchase through one of our links we will be paid a commission. This is done at no additional cost to you – in fact, we work hard to get you the best discounts possible for each course. See our full affiliate disclosure here.

Designed and built by experienced CPAs, Universal CPA launched in 2017 with a unique spin on test prep: it is a visual learning platform. Its aim is to help students build a mental map as they study CPA exam concepts, which aids in retention and recall.

Their different bundle and package options give you three different ways to study for the CPA exam:

  • Buy individual test banks
  • Buy an individual exam package
  • Buy the complete package, with access to all exams and materials

This modular approach makes Universal CPA an option worth considering for aspiring certified public accountants.

Universal CPA Course Pros and Cons

Like any test prep course, Universal CPA has its own distinct pros and cons, compared to its various competitors.

Here’s an overview of the upsides and downsides:

Universal CPA Pros

  • Actual licensed AICPA questions
  • Unique practice questions by CPAs
  • Task-based simulations
  • Unlimited access until you pass

Universal CPA Cons

  • No pass rate (yet)

Pros for Universal CPA Course

Actual licensed AICPA questions

While the AICPA offers its own sample tests and sample questions, Universal CPA has done the legwork of assembling an enormous bank of questions that reflect previous questions from the real test. This gives you the advantage of becoming familiar with what you’ll encounter the day of the exam. the day of the exam.


Unique practice questions by CPAs

In addition to authentic AICPA questions, Universal CPA has additional practice questions created by licensed CPAs and accounting professors.


Task-based simulations

Task-based simulations (TSBs) are essential to practice before you take the CPA exam. Universal CPA course has hundreds of TSBs that will hone your critical thinking skills. You can practice the knowledge application you will need to pass the CPA exam.


Unlimited access until you pass

Unlike many CPA prep courses that you can buy online, the Universal CPA course gives you unlimited access until you pass the exam. This has obvious benefits if you fail, because you can revisit material that you need to learn better before your next attempt. It also ensures that if you have a schedule change or other life event that interferes with your plans, you can pick up your course of studies when you’re ready without paying anything more.

Cons for Universal CPA Course

No pass rate (yet)

Universal CPA is a relatively new resource. Because of that, they don’t have published pass rates for their students. Candidates who have done well using this study resource have provided testimonials, but there is no large-scale data to prove the program’s global effectiveness.

Universal CPA Review Course Subscription Comparison

Here’s a rundown of Universal CPA’s packages and pricing options:

Header

Monthly Subscription

All 4 Sections

Annual Course

Access

Price 

$119 per month

$699

Access to all Exams

Video lectures with visual aids

Visual study guide (ebook)

3,100+ Multiple choice questions

Step-by-step explanations for each MCQ

115+ Simulations (with multiple exhibits)

Step-by-step explanations for each Sim

Email access to a virtual tutor

Mapped to latest AICPA Blueprints

Unlimited practice tests

Lifetime access

7 Day Money Back Guarantee

Financing Options

Ability to cancel on a monthly basis

 12-months access to live CPA Bootcamps

Cell

Affiliate Note: We have an affiliate relationship with all products reviewed on this page. If you make a purchase through one of our links we will be paid a commission. This is done at no additional cost to you – in fact, we work hard to get you the best discounts possible for each course. See our full affiliate disclosure here.

Universal CPA Course Discounts

Universal CPA does not offer course discounts for specific students or professionals. However, they do have some budget-friendly options available.

If you don’t want to buy all at once, you can purchase study materials for one individual test section at a time.

This way, you spread out your spend, and only buy what you need for the near term.

Who is This Course Best For?

Universal CPA can be a great fit for many different kinds of students.

Specifically, the Universal CPA review may be the right choice for you if you:

  • Have been out of school and need a thorough course with a large quantity of information
  • Favor repetition and want to memorize and practice a lot of material
  • Have failed a section of the exam or feel you need more practice in a specific area
  • Are a fan of self-directed study and prefer to do things at your own pace
  • Enjoy visual learning, which you will find with Universal CPA review through animated videos and lectures

Is Universal CPA Review Good?

The Universal CPA review is a good course if you want to hone in on individual sections and develop the test-taking skills you need to pass the CPA exam.

With questions that are either derived from or closely aligned with the actual test, you will be sure to practice the right concepts. You can also customize the experience and receive one-on-one guidance from a CPA tutor.

Overall, it’s a quality CPA review course, with advantages like its section-by-section package structure that can make it a good fit for many people.

Universal CPA Course Format

Universal CPA review uses visualization, animation and mapping. This unique approach may appeal to visual learners and can enhance your ability to recall important information, by simply picturing it when you need to.

This can provide a highly personalized experience and give you great tools to perform well on the test.

Universal CPA Review has several key features, including:

  • Visualization
  • Animated videos
  • Official questions and proprietary questions
  • A unique test bank structure
  • Video and audio explanations for every answer
  • Real multiple-choice questions
  • CPA tutoring program
  • Self-study materials

With options to buy specific materials and receive one-on-one guidance, the Universal CPA review can adjust to meet your needs.

A unique test bank structure

One of Universal CPA’s biggest distinguishing features is its unique modular test bank structure. You can buy into their 5,000+ question multiple-choice question bank in pieces, rather than all at once. This can be a useful way to help offset the overall cost of the course.

You can buy test banks that provide practice questions specifically for each of the four sections of the test:

  • Business Environmental Concepts (BEC)
  • Auditing and Attestation (AUD)
  • Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)
  • Regulation (REG)

You can also purchase the distinct accompanying materials for each of these sections, which includes an e-book and lectures.

This feature is great if you’re on a budget -- you can purchase only the materials you need for the test sections you struggle with the most.

Video and audio explanations for every answer

As you progress through a large number of multiple-choice questions, any test prep program will tell you whether you got a question right or wrong.

Universal CPA takes this a step further. For every question, you’ll get a video and audio explanation walking you through how to find the correct answer.

This can help you really get a handle on the underlying foundational concepts behind the CPA exam’s multiple-choice questions.

Real multiple choice questions

The Universal CPA review course offers over 1,000 practice questions for each of the four test sections, the vast majority of them taken from previous CPA exams.

There are also additional questions which have never been on the test, but that were designed by certified accountants and accounting professors.


Self-study materials

The Universal CPA review course provides you with ample self-study materials that you can use on your own. This includes a 1,500 page e-textbook that features side-by-side audio explanations to help you understand the concepts more accurately.

You will also receive the multiple-choice test bank and task-based simulations. You can use all of these together as you study for the CPA exam.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions about Universal CPA? You’ll find some answers in these FAQs:

How long does access to Universal CPA last?

You can access the Universal CPA review for as long as you need it. Your access to all course materials will not expire. You will automatically receive course updates as they are rolled out across the system.

How much is Universal CPA Review?

The Universal CPA review has numerous purchase options, which include accessing just the multiple-choice question banks for $150, or accessing the comprehensive study program for $1850.

While the cost varies because of this factor, it can be one of the more affordable CPA review course options for budget-conscious students.

What is the Universal CPA pass rate?

The Universal CPA review is a relatively new program, so it doesn’t have published pass rates yet for students who have used it and then taken the CPA exam.