Exam Review FAQs

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! 

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.

Yes, we offer 3-, 6- or 12-month payment plans through Affirm. Rates from 0–30% APR. Learn more→

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.

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.

Yes, we offer a pass guarantee!
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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. 

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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.
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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.

Candidates are eligible to take the online-proctored CISA exam at any time.

The CISA exam is administered at PSI testing centers globally. For a complete list of locations, go to https://isacaavailability.psiexams.com.

Candidates can view their results immediately after the exam is completed. Official results are emailed to candidates within 10 business days.

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.

Exam registration costs $575 for Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) members, and $760 for non-members.

Yes. CISAs must complete a total of 120 continuing education hours every three years, with at least 20 hours completed per year.

The CIA exam is offered on demand year-round. Candidates must schedule their exam within 180 days of registering for the exam.

No. You may take them in any order.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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→

The CMA exam is offered during two-month windows: January and February, May and June, and September and October.

No. You may take them in any order.

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.

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.

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.

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→

The EA exam is offered from May 1 – February 28, with blackout periods in March and April.

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”.

Candidates’ raw scores are converted into a scale ranging from 40–130. Candidates must receive a scaled score of 105 to pass.

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.

Candidates must pass all three parts of the EA exam within two years, starting from the date the first exam is passed.

Candidates will receive their test results immediately upon exam completion.

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.

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. 

The Enrolled Agent exam has an approximate pass rate of 70%. As long as you fully prepare, you have a strong chance of passing. 

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.  

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. 

The online proctored SIE exam is offered year-round.

The SIE exam can be taken with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

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.

Exam fees of $80 are due at the time of scheduling. Note that these fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.