Exam Review FAQs
What’s included in Exam Review?
Surgent Exam Review utilizes ReadySCORE™ to provide optimized content, delivering results through low-hassle learning. You also gain access to our A.S.A.P. Technology adaptive learning software, guaranteed exam pass, continually updated content aligned with the exam, practice tests, one-on-one coaching, a community of your peers, and much more!
What types of careers require passing an Exam Review?
The credentialed designations offered from passing an Exam Review are often required for many positions within the finance department. In cases where such designation might not be required, applications with the designation have a marked advantage.
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes, we offer 3-, 6- or 12-month payment plans through Affirm. Rates from 0–30% APR. Learn more→
Can I contact the Surgent team for questions related to the course content?
Yes, please email editorial@surgent.com with your specific question, and our editorial group will respond within 1-2 business days. Please include your exam section and question number in the subject of the email when submitting a content question.
Is the course smartphone/tablet compatible?
Our Exam Review programs are compatible with most smartphones and tablet devices. All of our course features, including our videos, are easily viewed on mobile devices.
Do you have a pass guarantee?
Yes, we offer a pass guarantee!
See details→
What is a ReadySCORE?
ReadySCORE™ is a measure of candidates’ exam readiness. In Surgent’s prep courses, ReadySCORE is presented cumulatively, by content area and topic, and by question type (multiple-choice questions, task-based simulations and written communication questions). Surgent’s adaptive software, A.S.A.P.® Technology, uses a candidate’s ReadySCORE to generate study material targeting areas of need.
Learn more about ReadySCORE→
What is A.S.A.P.® Technology?
A.S.A.P.® Technology, an acronym for Adaptive Study, Accelerated Performance Technology, is a proprietary adaptive learning system. This responsive technology quickly reveals your areas of need and creates a customized study plan targeting any weaknesses. A.S.A.P.® Technology reduces study time and increases the effectiveness of your review sessions. As part of the technology, all text, questions and video lectures are integrated to help you master exam topics — no matter your learning style. See how A.S.A.P.® adaptive Technology compares to other courses’ adaptive learning programs.
Compare A.S.A.P. Technology→
Do I have access to the course even if I’m not online?
Surgent delivers online Exam Reviews. You may access the course from anywhere with Internet access, whether that be home, work, or a local coffee shop.
CISA Exam FAQs
When is the CISA exam offered?
Candidates are eligible to take the online-proctored CISA exam at any time.
Where can I take the CISA exam?
The CISA exam is administered at PSI testing centers globally. For a complete list of locations, go to https://isacaavailability.psiexams.com.
When are CISA exam scores released?
Candidates can view their results immediately after the exam is completed. Official results are emailed to candidates within 10 business days.
How is the CISA exam scored?
The candidate’s raw score is converted into a scale of 200–800, with 450 being the passing score. Each question on the exam is weighted evenly. Questions must be answered correctly to receive credit, and there are no score deductions for incorrect answers.
How much does the CISA exam cost?
Exam registration costs $575 for Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) members, and $760 for non-members.
Do CISAs have continuing education requirements?
Yes. CISAs must complete a total of 120 continuing education hours every three years, with at least 20 hours completed per year.
CIA Exam FAQs
When is the CIA exam offered?
The CIA exam is offered on demand year-round. Candidates must schedule their exam within 180 days of registering for the exam.
Do I need to take the CIA exam parts in order?
No. You may take them in any order.
Where can I take the CIA exam?
The CIA examination is offered at Pearson VUE testing centers. Most Pearson VUE test centers are open five or six days a week and offer daily time slots for the exam. To schedule the exam online, go to www.pearsonvue.com/iia.
When are CIA exam scores released?
Unofficial results are available immediately after the exam is completed. Official results can be found on the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) website within one to two days.
How is the CIA exam scored?
Each CIA exam section is graded on a scaled score of 25–750, with a score of 600 being required to pass. Objective questions are mechanically graded and must be answered correctly to receive credit. Comments and/or calculations pertaining to an answer are not considered.
How much does the CIA exam cost?
Exam costs depend on IIA Membership as well as student status:
– IIA members pay a membership fee of $250, an application fee of $115 and exam registration fees of $280 (for part 1) and $230 (for parts 2 and 3, individually), totaling $1,105.
– Non IIA members pay an application fee of $230 and exam registration fees of $395 (for part 1) and $345 (for parts 2 and 3, individually), totaling $1,315.
– Students pay an IIA membership fee of $40, an application fee of $65 and exam registration fees of $230 (for part 1) and $180 (for parts 2 and 3, individually), totaling $695.
Do CIAs have continuing education (CE) requirements?
The continuing education requirements differ for practicing and non-practicing CIAs. Individuals who are practicing — actively performing internal audit or related activities — are required to complete 40 hours of CE per year. Non-practicing individuals — not actively performing internal audit or related activities — are required to complete 20 hours of CE per year.
To meet the needs of all CIAs, Surgent offers more than 1,200 CPE webinars each year, a full library of self-study courses, tailored in-firm seminars and training, and accounting exam prep programs for several core credentials and certifications. For a full list of details, refer to the Institute of Internal Auditors’ Administrative Directive No. 4.
See CPE Course Catalog→
CMA Exam FAQs
When is the CMA exam offered?
The CMA exam is offered during two-month windows: January and February, May and June, and September and October.
Do I need to take the CMA exam parts in order?
No. You may take them in any order.
Where can I take the CMA exam?
Exams are offered at Prometric test centers worldwide. Candidates can schedule their exams with Prometric at www.prometric.com/ICMA.
Remote testing is available using Prometric’s ProProctor™ service.
When are CMA exam scores released?
Multiple-choice questions count for 75% of candidates’ final scores, while essay questions make up the remaining 25%. Out of the 100 total multiple-choice questions (MCQs), only 90 count towards the exam score, while the remaining 10 are evaluated by the Institute of Certified Management Accountants (ICMA) as a possible future exam question and do not count toward candidates’ exam scores. Students must score a minimum of 50% on the multiple-choice portion of the exam to proceed to the essay portion.
How much does the CMA exam cost?
Students must pay a non-refundable CMA entrance fee of $210 and an exam fee of $345 per part. Professionals must pay a non-refundable CMA entrance fee of $280 and an exam fee of $460 per part. In addition, candidates must be members of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), which ranges from $45 for students to $275 for professionals.
Do CMAs have continuing education (CE) requirements?
Yes. CMAs must complete at least 30 hours of CE per year, including two hours on the subject of ethics. Additionally, CMAs maintain their certification by paying the CMA annual fee, which includes active membership in the IMA. We offer more than 1,200 CE webinars a year, with a full library of self-study courses, tailored in-firm seminars and training, and accounting exam prep programs for several core credentials and certifications.
See CPE Course Catalog→
CPA Exam FAQs
When is the CPA exam offered?
Currently, the CPA exam is offered year-round. Testing of the current format will end on December 15, 2023 and the CPA evolution format will begin testing in January 2024. Once testing resumes, the following schedule will be utilized for calendar year 2024:
Quarter | Core Test Dates | Core Score Reports | Discipline Test Dates | Discipline Score Reports
2024 Q1: Jan 10 – March 26 | May 14 – June 4 | Jan 10 – Feb 6 | March 26 – April 16
2024 Q2: April 1 – June 28 | August 1 | April 20 – May 19 | June 20
2024 Q3: July 1 – September 28 | November 1 | July 1 – July 31 | September 3
2024 Q4: October 1 – December 26 | Early Feb 2025 | Oct 1 – Oct 31 | December 3
Do I need to take the CPA exam parts in order?
No. You may take them in any order.
Where can I take the CPA Exam?
Exams are offered at Prometric test centers worldwide. Candidates can schedule their exams with Prometric. Remote testing is available using Prometric’s ProProctor™ service.
How is the CPA exam scored?
CPA exam scores are evaluated on a scale of 0 to 99 and a minimum passing score is 75 for each exam section. The CPA exam is not scored based on percentages. Below is how scoring is broken out per section and exam item type.
Percentage of score contributed by item type:
Item Type AUD | BEC | FAR | REG
Multiple choice questions (MCQs) 50% | 50% | 50% | 50%
Task-based Simulations (TBSs) 50% | 35% | 50% | 50%
Written communication tasks N/A | 15% | N/A | N/A
How much does the CPA Exam cost?
The fees associated with taking the CPA Exam vary by jurisdiction. Be sure to visit your State Board of Accountancy’s website for exact costs. Below are some of the estimated costs:
Application Fees – All first-time applicants pay this one-time fee when they submit to take the exam the first time. The fees range from $50 to $300 depending on the state.
CPA examination fee – Most state utilize the fee schedule set by NASBA. The total cost for all four parts is around $950.
Exam rescheduling fee – Candidates can reschedule their exam. Below is the fee schedule based on length of time before exam:
— At least 30 days in advance, no fee associate with the reschedule.
— Between 5 and 30 days in advance, $35 fee payable at the Prometric Testing Center.
— Within 5 days of the exam, the candidate will need to pay the Prometric Testing Center the full amount for the CPA Exam section that is being rescheduled.
Do CPAs have continuing education (CE) requirements?
Yes. CPAs must complete CE to maintain their license. Each jurisdiction has specific requirements for completing this requisite including the number of hours needed, the reporting period, and specific areas of study.
We offer more than 1,200 CE webinars a year, with a full library of self-study courses, tailored in-firm seminars and training, and accounting exam prep programs for several core credentials and certifications.
See CPE Course Catalog→
EA Exam FAQs
When is the Enrolled Agent (EA) exam offered?
The EA exam is offered from May 1 – February 28, with blackout periods in March and April.
Where can I take the EA exam?
Exams are offered at Prometric test centers. Candidates living overseas can find international testing locations at Prometric.com/SEE by selecting “Contact Numbers–Including International Contacts”.
How is the EA exam scored?
Candidates’ raw scores are converted into a scale ranging from 40–130. Candidates must receive a scaled score of 105 to pass.
How much does the EA exam cost?
Exam fees of $203 (effective March 31, 2022) per part are due at the time of scheduling. Note that these fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
How long do I have to pass all three EA exam sections?
Candidates must pass all three parts of the EA exam within two years, starting from the date the first exam is passed.
When are EA exam scores released?
Candidates will receive their test results immediately upon exam completion.
Do Enrolled Agents have continuing education (CE) requirements?
Yes. Enrolled Agents must complete at least 72 hours of CE from an IRS-approved CE provider every three years. Additionally, EAs must complete at least 16 hours of CE per year, including two hours on the subject of ethics. View a list of IRS-approved Enrolled Agent CE course packages.
How do I prepare for Enrolled Agent Exam?
To prepare for the three-part EA Exam, you will need a basic understanding of tax. Surgent EA Review can help you understand your knowledge gaps, get familiar with the question formats and predict your score. With a comprehensive exam prep course, like Surgent, you should be fully confident you’ll pass on the first try.
Is the Enrolled Agent Exam difficult?
The Enrolled Agent exam has an approximate pass rate of 70%. As long as you fully prepare, you have a strong chance of passing.
What is the best EA study program?
According to independent review sites like Crush the EA Exam and Accounting Institute for Success, Surgent EA Review is the best course for tax professionals. Surgent EA Review includes personalized, guided study, time-saving features and plenty of options to suit your learning style. Compare EA Review courses
What is the hardest part of the Enrolled Agent Exam?
The hardest part of the exam is building your testing endurance. When taking a three-hour (or more) exam, it’s challenging to maintain focus. Surgent offers unlimited practice exams and coaching options to help you become a better test–taker.
SIE Exam FAQs
When is the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam offered?
The online proctored SIE exam is offered year-round.
Where can I take the SIE exam?
The SIE exam can be taken with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.
How is the SIE exam scored?
The SIE exam contains 75 multiple-choice questions. Candidates have one hour and 45 minutes to complete the exam with a passing score of 70% or greater.
What is the best SIE Review course?
Surgent offers the fastest route to a passing score, along with adaptive learning technology, ReadySCORE metric and a pass guarantee. Shop SIE Review now.