Gleim vs Hock EA Review: Which Enrolled Agent Prep Course Is Better?

2026-07-09

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

Gleim EA Review and Hock International are the two most recommended EA exam prep providers. They take very different approaches — Gleim is a test bank with thousands of questions. Hock is Christy Pinheiro teaching you tax law on video. Each works better for a different kind of learner. Here's how to pick. And when you might want neither.

Quick Comparison

	Gleim EA Review	Hock International
Price	$500-800 per part	$50-75/month
Format	Textbook + test bank	Video lectures + textbook
Question bank	3,000+ per part	~1,500 per part
Adaptive learning	Yes. adjusts to weak areas	No
Video lectures	Limited	Extensive (Christy Pinheiro)
Free trial	10-15 questions	Sample lectures
Best for	Self-study, test-takers	Visual/auditory learners
Mobile app	Yes	Limited

Gleim: The Test Bank King

Gleim built its reputation on question volume. Their test bank is the largest in the industry. 3,000+ questions per part with detailed explanations. The adaptive learning system identifies your weak areas and feeds you more questions in those topics until your scores improve.

The question variety. Gleim's questions closely mirror the actual SEE format. The explanations are thorough. The adaptive system works. It's the same approach medical and pilot exam prep uses.

The textbook is dry. The video lectures are sparse and supplementary. If you learn best by watching someone explain concepts, Gleim will frustrate you. It's designed for people who learn by doing.

Who should pick Gleim: Self-directed learners who want maximum practice questions. People who already have some tax knowledge and need to fill gaps. Anyone who learns best by testing themselves repeatedly.

Hock: The Video Lecture Powerhouse

Hock's standout feature is Christy Pinheiro's video lectures. She's taught thousands of EAs and her teaching style is clear, practical, and exam-focused. The lectures walk you through each topic with examples and exam tips.

The lectures are genuinely good. If you learn by listening, Hock is the best option. The monthly subscription model means you can start for $50 and cancel when you pass.

Fewer practice questions. The question bank is adequate but not as deep as Gleim's. No adaptive learning. If you're a heavy test-taker who needs thousands of questions, you'll run out.

Who should pick Hock: Visual/auditory learners. People new to tax who need concepts explained from scratch. Anyone who wants to start cheap ($50) and scale up if needed.

Where Both Fall Short: Free Practice Volume

Neither Gleim nor Hock gives you enough free questions to evaluate the product properly. Gleim's free trial is 10-15 questions. Hock gives you sample lectures but not a real question bank.

This is where EA Dojo fills the gap: 4,006 free practice questions with instant grading, flashcard mode, and no account required. You can start studying immediately while deciding which paid course to supplement with.

Which Should You Choose?

If you...	Pick
Want the most questions	Gleim
Learn best from videos	Hock
Have some tax experience	Gleim (test bank fills gaps)
Are starting from zero	Hock (lectures teach from scratch)
Want to start for free	EA Dojo (4,006 questions, $0)
Want structured + free practice	Hock or Gleim + EA Dojo for extra drilling

Start with free practice on EA Dojo to understand your weak areas and see how you learn best. If you're retaining well from practice questions alone, you might not need a paid course at all. Thousands of EAs pass using only free resources.

If you hit a wall, add a paid course that matches your learning style: Gleim for more questions, Hock for video instruction. Don't buy both. Pick one and supplement with free EA Dojo practice.

Start practicing for free →