Best Enrolled Agent Study Materials: Free and Paid Options Compared

2026-07-08

Last reviewed: July 9, 2026. This article reflects current IRS rules and EA exam requirements as of this date.

The EA exam prep market splits into two camps: paid comprehensive courses and free practice resources. Both work. Which one you choose depends on your budget and study style.

Paid EA Review Courses

Gleim EA Review. The most established name. Large test bank, detailed textbooks, and adaptive learning that adjusts to your weak areas. Best for people who want structure and are willing to pay for it. $500-800 per part.

Hock International. Monthly subscription model. Video lectures by Christy Pinheiro are the standout feature. She's taught thousands of EAs. Good for visual/auditory learners. $50-75/month.

Surgent EA Review. Adaptive software that identifies your weak areas and focuses study time there. Best for people who have some tax experience and need targeted review rather than comprehensive instruction. $600-900 per part.

Fast Forward Academy. Online platform with smart flashcards, practice exams, and a question bank. Good user interface. Mid-range pricing. $400-600 per part.

Free EA Study Resources

EA Dojo. 4,006 free practice questions across all three SEE parts. Instant grading with full explanations. Arcade-style study console with flashcard mode, MCQ mode, and difficulty tiers. Spaced repetition via the companion EA Coach tool. Permanently free, no account required. eadojo.org

IRS Publications. The actual source material. Pub 17 for Part 1, Pub 334 for Part 2, Circular 230 for Part 3. Free on irs.gov. Comprehensive but not organized for exam study.

IRS SEE Sample Questions. 10-15 questions per part from the actual exam source. Useful for calibrating difficulty expectations but insufficient for real practice.

YouTube. Several EA tutors post free content. Quality varies. Best for supplementary learning, not primary study.

Which Should You Choose?

If you...	Use
Want the cheapest path	EA Dojo + IRS Publications ($0)
Learn best from video	Hock International ($50-75/mo)
Need structured curriculum	Gleim or Surgent ($500-900/part)
Have tax experience	EA Dojo + targeted paid practice
Are starting from zero	Combination: paid video course + free practice

Most candidates use a mix. Paid materials for learning the content, free practice questions for drilling. You don't need to spend $3,000 to pass. Thousands of EAs passed using budget approaches.

Start practicing for free →