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how long should you study for the ea exam

by Asha Ritchie Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Number of EA Exam Study Weeks

Exam Part # of Study Hours 10 Hours/Week 15 Hours/Week
1 80-100 8-10 weeks 6-7 weeks
2 80-100 8-10 weeks 6-7 weeks
3 60-80 hours 6-8 weeks 4-6 weeks
Total 220-280 hours 22-28 weeks 16-20 weeks
May 8 2022

40-70 hours

Full Answer

Do you have time to study for the EA exam?

Mar 23, 2021 · How long does it take to study for the Enrolled Agent exam? You have two years* to pass all three parts of the EA exam, so while you do not technically need to pass all three in the same year, many candidates want to pass before tax season to get more clients. This means appointments to take the exam early in the year can fill up quickly.

How many hours should I study for the Gleim EA exam?

Aug 27, 2015 · You may want to spend 35 - 40 hours on Part 2. Part 3 is on Ethics, Practice & Procedure. It is generally perceived as the easiest of the 3 exams. It has the least amount of material to learn, and much of it is very familiar to people. You may need to only spend 15 hours studying for Part 3

How much does it cost to take the EA exam?

In order for tax professionals to maintain the EA credential after passing the exam, the general requirements are 72 hours of CE during each 3-year enrollment cycle. Enrollment cycles are determined by the last digit of your social security number. 4. …

How many times can you fail the EA exam?

Apr 30, 2022 · You should be studying at least six days a week, but some people may prefer to do only an hour or so during the week and then load up on one weekend day. Others may favor the two to three hour per night approach, with more free time on the weekend. Regardless of what your studying style and approach are, you need to take SOME time off.

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How hard is it to pass the EA exam?

The most difficult test for most candidates is Part 2 (Businesses). Only about 60% of exam takers have passed this part in the past three years. Part 1 of the exam (Individuals) is also challenging; approximately 75-80% of exam-takers have passed this part of the exam in the past three years.

How long does it take to pass the EA?

You have two years* to pass all three parts of the EA exam, so while you do not technically need to pass all three in the same year, many candidates want to pass before tax season to get more clients.
...
Average time spent studying per part of the EA exam
Part 185 hours
Part 2125 hours
Part 355 hours

How do I study for the EA exam?

With these 6 tips, you'll learn how to pass the EA Exam on your first try.
  1. Get a Review Course Specifically for the Enrolled Agent Exam. ...
  2. Be Aware of Any New Material. ...
  3. KNOW the Fundamentals. ...
  4. Memorize Basic Tax Formulas. ...
  5. Get Familiar with Prometric's Exam Day Expectations. ...
  6. Learn to Budget Your Time (And Learn When to Move On)
Nov 15, 2019

Is the EA exam easy?

Though the pass rates are high, the exam is not easy, and the only way you can pass is to study well for several months. The best way to ensure that your studies will be effective is to stick to a EA review course program.Aug 24, 2021

Is enrolled agent worth it?

Individuals who are considering a new career path may find that becoming an enrolled agent is the right choice. Offering excellent job security and the opportunity to have jurisdiction throughout the United States, the position of enrolled agent can provide a good salary along with a rewarding career.

Is enrolled agent better than CPA?

An EA is the highest credential the IRS awards. A professional with this designation typically makes between $15,000 and $20,000 more than CPAs annually. You'll want to seek out an EA for any and all tax-related issues. In fact, the IRS says they are uncontested experts on such topics.Apr 29, 2022

Is the EA exam open book?

The examinations are closed book. You are not allowed to access notes, books, reference materials, or electronic devices at any time during the examination or during breaks. Unauthorized access to notes, books, reference materials or electronic devices may result in your test results being nullified by the IRS.

How long do you have to pass all 3 parts of EA exam?

two years
The only time constraint is that you must schedule the exam date within 1 year from your date of registration. After that, you have two years to complete and pass all three sections.

How much does an Enrolled Agent make in New York?

How much does an Enrolled Agent make in New York, NY? The average Enrolled Agent salary in New York, NY is $61,102 as of March 29, 2022, but the salary range typically falls between $51,364 and $71,598.

Is EA exam easier than CPA?

CPA and EA Exams: Which is Harder? Most people who have taken both report that the CPA Exam is more difficult to pass than the EA exam. The reason for this is the amount of information both exams cover. EAs must be tax experts, so the SEE goes into great depth on tax matters.

Can you pass the EA exam on the first try?

Just as some folks can pass all four parts of the EA exam on the first try, others may fail at a couple of parts before they get through them all. You can hold your head high as long as you are determined to succeed with sustained effort. Anyone would get discouraged if they scored less than a 70 on the exam.

How to track progress on EA exam?

At the end of each day, write down how much time you spent preparing for the EA Exam. An easy way to track progress is to give yourself a daily grade on performance. On a calendar give yourself an A, B, C, or an F.

What does it mean to be prepared for EA?

Being prepared means having your EA study guide with you and having a notepad and pen to take notes on. If you are preparing for the EA exam with Fast Forward Academy, you can study nearly anywhere.

How long does it take to pass the enrolled agent exam?

If your plan is to pass the Enrolled Agent exam within 90 days , it’s important to make the most of your time. When you procrastinate, you are putting your goals at risk and delaying your success. Make study a daily habit as soon as possible, and think about the reasons why you are working so hard.

What do you need to prepare for the Enrolled Agent exam?

You need to be master of the clock and the time you are spending on each question. When people have adequately studied but still fail the EA exam, they usually do so for a couple of reasons.

What are the parts of the EA exam?

Parts of the EA exam and scheduling your tests. The three parts of the EA exam cover: Part 1: Individuals. Part 2: Businesses. Part 3: Representation. Technically, you can take the three parts of the EA exam in any order. We recommend you take them in their natural order 1-2-3. You should save Part 3 for last, regardless, ...

When is tax season for EA?

All EA study plans below take into account that you’ll be busier during tax season (January 15 – February 28). Also, the two more time-intensive schedules include a week off during the holidays.

How many hours per week do you need to study for the TCJA?

If you can only commit the minimum of 10 hours per week to studying for the Enrolled Agent exam, focus on Parts 1 and 2. Leave Part 3 for the 2019 testing window. It will have the least amount of changes from the TCJA.

Does Gleim have a study planner?

Gleim also offers a Study Planner as part of its Enrolled Agent Review course that you can adjust to create your own personal schedule. If you are running out of time to prepare, you can use these guidelines to help you focus on the part that will be in your best interest to pass now:

When will the IRS test for TCJA?

The IRS will test the new TCJA tax laws on the 2019 Enrolled Agent exam beginning May 1, 2019. The new tax reform law took effect on January 1, 2018. However, the current EA testing window, May 1, 2018 – February 28, 2019, does not test TCJA material. The most recent information on the IRS website confirms that the current EA exam questions all ...

Is it hard to study for EA?

Study Intelligently. Studying for the EA Exam can be time consuming, and it can be tough too. But it doesn’t need to be. That’s why the review course you choose matters – and why it’s important for it to fit your personal learning style. In fact, the one you choose could be the difference between passing and failing.

Is there a set order for the EA exam?

There is no set order of the EA Exam, and so you can choose the order you sit for them in. Because of that, the order you sit for them really is up to you and your experience – we recommend that you take a look at the EA syllabus closely to see which topics you are most familiar with and take that exam part first. 6.

What is an EA?

Most of you will know that the Enrolled Agent (EA) is a tax advisor who is a federally authorized tax practitioner empowered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Holding an Enrolled Agent credential is a distinction of tax preparer, demonstrating expertise in the industry. Their role is to represent taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service ...

How many hours does it take to complete the SEE?

Each of the 3 parts of the Special Enrollment Examination (SEE – or also known as the Enrolled Agent Exam) include 100 multiple choice questions and you are given 3.5 hours to complete each part.

Why do we do practice exams?

Practice exams allow the candidates to test themselves under real examination conditions, using the software and timings that the real exam will also use. This is a crucial aspect of your studying, because it can help candidates to ease their testing anxiety.

Is an EA recognized in all 50 states?

But, unlike the CPA, an EA is recognized in all 50 states across the United States, and so this eliminates the applying to each individual state board of accountancy each time you move, or have out-of-state clients. 7.

What is the best EA review course?

Surgent EA Review is one of the best EA review courses for tax professionals, according to several independent review sites, including Crush the EA Exam and Accounting Institute for Success. You can take a look for yourself in this Enrolled Agent Course comparison, looking into Gleim EA Review Course specifically.

How long does it take to study for the EA exam?

If you study with Gleim EA Review and diligently follow that system, preparing for the entire EA exam will likely take at least 4 months. However, if you are very familiar with tax, you may prefer to study with Fast Forward Academy, as their high-tech system can help you save time.

How long does an EA exam last?

Once you pass your first EA exam part, your credit for that section lasts for 2 years from the date you passed. Therefore, you should pass the remaining 2 sections within those 2 years to avoid losing credit for your passed section and having to take it again.

How to pass the EA exam?

Pass Each Section on the First Attempt 1 Rely on an EA review course, 2 Give yourself plenty of time to prepare, 3 Stick to a realistic but consistent study schedule, and 4 Use your study materials to master all of the exam content.

How long does it take to become an enrolled agent?

Depending on your tax knowledge, becoming an enrolled agent can take 3-8 months. You may hear some enrolled agents boast that the EA exam is easy and they passed it in just a few weeks. Yet, the reality is that most candidates are not able to pass in 1 month. You may need more than 1 month or even more than 1 year to pass.

Why do people want to become an EA?

One of the main reasons people choose to become an EA is the generous enrolled agent salary. However, passing the EA exam (officially called the Special Enrollment Exam (SEE)) can take a good deal of time, so you need to prepare for that. I’ll help you determine how long it will take you to become an EA so you can develop your EA exam schedule.

What happens if you study with a course that doesn't meet your review needs?

If you study with a course that doesn’t meet your review needs and fails to prepare you no matter how long you study, you’re more likely to fail part of the exam.

How long does it take to get an EA?

And because this final procedure can extend so long, becoming an EA can take you anywhere from 3-8 months (or longer if life gets in the way of your study plans).

Studying During Work Hours

Once you decide to embark on that journey to get your Enrolled Agent certification, which will help you advance through your organization, you need to create a study program. We would suggest using an EA exam review course, but that’s only half of the battle—you need to find some time to study.

Humility Matters

One of the biggest mistakes that we see with regard to EA exam failure is a lack of humility. You need to be humble about this exam—it’s way better to over-study than to under-study. However, any amount of hubris about studying isn’t what may drag you down. It could be that you simply don’t study the right way.

Smart Repetition Is the Solution

When you’re studying, regardless of the length of your session, try to avoid the wrong repetition. If you do know something, and you’ve done the aforementioned hubris check, MOVE ON. We cannot emphasize this enough: don’t over study the same material! There’s a difference between learning and memorization.

Is Gleim a good study guide?

Furthermore, they are widely recognized as one of the best courses and most comprehensive study materials because of their thorough approach to presenting the information.

Is Gleim a good course?

It’s pretty much impossible to go through a Gleim course and not understand the topics. Yes, it is that in-depth.

How to prepare for the EA exam?

Take care of your mental and physical health: Get plenty of rest, exercise, and adequate nutrition in the two weeks leading up to the EA exam. Instead of cramming, review your notes to get an overall feel for the main points of the test. Be ready on test day: Arrive early to your test site on test day.

How many times can you take the tax exam?

Many tax professionals have to take the exam multiple times to pass all three parts. You are allowed to take each part up to four times between May 1 and February 28, and you have a two-year window from when you pass one part to pass the remaining two.

How many questions are asked in the Enrolled Agent exam?

How the Enrolled Agent Exam is Structured. Each part of the exam has approximately 100 questions, and they are usually in one of three multiple-choice formats: Direct question. All of the following except.

How to become an enrolled agent?

To become an enrolled agent you will need to: 1 Get a Preparer Tax Identification Number ( PTIN) 2 Schedule, prepare for, and pass a three-part exam covering all aspects of federal taxation 3 Apply for enrollment by filling out IRS Form 23 and paying an enrollment fee 4 Pass a suitability check, which involves both your tax history and a background check 2 

How long is the EA exam?

The EA Exam is made up of three parts - focusing on Individuals, Businesses and Representation, Practices and Procedures. Each section of the Exam is 3.5 hours long, and covers a range of question types. These question types can be seen below.

How many times can you take the EA exam?

The EA Exam is quite unique, in that you can register to retake a failed EA exam part in just 24 hours. You can actually take the Exam four times within one testing window, but if you fail each time, you do have to wait for the next testing window.

Can you access notes during a tax exam?

You are also not allowed to access any notes, books, reference materials, or electronic devices at any time during the examination or during breaks. Taking a look at any notes, books, reference materials or electronic devices can result in your test results being nullified by the IRS - so, it isn't worth it!

What is the minimum score required to pass the Enrolled Agent exam?

To pass the Enrolled Agent Exam, a score of 105 is the minimum required. This score is developed using a scaled score system - where your EA test results are ranked against others taking the examination, on a scale ranging between 40 and 130.

What are the sections of the tax exam?

The exam is broken into three separate parts and can cover all aspects of Federal taxation. Each exam is 100 questions with 3.5 hours allotted for each exam section. The parts include: 1 Individuals 2 Businesses 3 Representation, Practices, and Procedures.

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1.How to Study for the Enrolled Agent exam - Gleim Exam …

Url:https://www.gleim.com/enrolled-agent-review/study-for-the-enrolled-agent-exam/

19 hours ago Mar 23, 2021 · How long does it take to study for the Enrolled Agent exam? You have two years* to pass all three parts of the EA exam, so while you do not technically need to pass all three in the same year, many candidates want to pass before tax season to get more clients. This means appointments to take the exam early in the year can fill up quickly.

2.How To Pass the EA Exam (17 EA Study Tips) - Fast …

Url:https://fastforwardacademy.com/course/enrolled-agent-exam/ea-study-tips

30 hours ago Aug 27, 2015 · You may want to spend 35 - 40 hours on Part 2. Part 3 is on Ethics, Practice & Procedure. It is generally perceived as the easiest of the 3 exams. It has the least amount of material to learn, and much of it is very familiar to people. You may need to only spend 15 hours studying for Part 3

3.3 Study Schedules to Help You Ace the EA Exam Before …

Url:https://www.gleim.com/enrolled-agent-review/blog/ea-exam-study-schedule-tcja/

11 hours ago In order for tax professionals to maintain the EA credential after passing the exam, the general requirements are 72 hours of CE during each 3-year enrollment cycle. Enrollment cycles are determined by the last digit of your social security number. 4. …

4.Enrolled Agent Exam Study Guide | Pass in 47 Hours

Url:https://www.surgent.com/ea-exam-review/ea-review-study-guide/

30 hours ago Apr 30, 2022 · You should be studying at least six days a week, but some people may prefer to do only an hour or so during the week and then load up on one weekend day. Others may favor the two to three hour per night approach, with more free time on the weekend. Regardless of what your studying style and approach are, you need to take SOME time off.

5.How Long Does It Take to Become an Enrolled Agent?

Url:https://ipasseaexam.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-become-an-enrolled-agent/

22 hours ago May 13, 2022 · Most likely, you will spend over 100 hours preparing for the EA exam. The last thing you want are EA study materials that will get in your way, because you learn less efficiently, and add study hours to your schedule. Ultimately, you want something that works for you. That’s why I’ve reviewed all of the best enrolled agent classes and study guides.

6.How to Study for the EA Exam

Url:https://crushtheeaexam.com/how-to-study-for-the-ea-exam/

13 hours ago Jan 28, 2022 · Take care of your mental and physical health: Get plenty of rest, exercise, and adequate nutrition in the two weeks leading up to the EA exam. Instead of cramming, review your notes to get an overall feel for the main points of the test. Be ready on test day: Arrive early to your test site on test day.

7.5 Best Enrolled Agent Review Courses – 2022 EA Exam …

Url:https://www.ais-cpa.com/best-ea-review-courses/

22 hours ago With as few as 30 hours of study, you can be ready to take your first exam section in as little as two weeks! In short, Surgent EA Review will get you exam-ready, much faster. How difficult is the enrolled agent exam? Well, we'll put it this way: the pass rates hover around 71% for a reason.

8.How To Prepare for the IRS Enrolled Agent Exam

Url:https://www.thebalance.com/how-to-prepare-for-the-enrolled-agent-exam-3193034

29 hours ago

9.Enrolled Agent (EA) Exam Details: Questions, FAQs, Scoring

Url:https://www.surgent.com/ea-exam-review/about-ea-exam/

22 hours ago

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