Recently, many CPA Review course providers have started describing their courses as adaptive. Once you take a closer look at their software, it becomes pretty clear that most simply are not what they're claiming them to be.
Take Roger's SmartPath™ Technology for example, a software described as "a personalized learning experience." In truth, students' scores are only compared to those of other Roger students; study material does not actually adapt to performance. At the end of the day, choosing your CPA course is a big decision, and one that should be made carefully. Don’t be caught off guard! Continue reading to discover the hidden truths we’ve uncovered about adaptive learning claims by review course providers.
Overall Adaptive Rankings by Provider
Surgent's A.S.A.P. Technology™: Overall Adaptive Rating – 5 Stars
Pre-assessments identify student’s strong and weak areas and create a study plan based on result. As the student uses the program, the software continually adapts and delivers study plans guiding the student toward weaker areas and away from stronger areas. The student does not need to study all of the material.
Becker's Adapt2u™ Learning Technology: Overall Adaptive Rating – 2 Stars
Student takes a short pre-assessment at the beginning of each section. While quiz results determine the order of the material the student should study, it does not affect what material the student should study. Study material does not change along the way in response to student progress. Student is instructed to study all of the material.
Gleim's SmartAdapt™ Technology: Overall Adaptive Rating – 2 Stars
Student creates a test planner; the software then inserts course assignments into a calendar. There is a short pre-assessment that does affect the order in which the student completes the sections or the student’s planner. Student is instructed to study all of the material.
Wiley's Efficient Learning Platform™: Overall Adaptive Rating – 1 Star
Student takes a short pre-assessment at the beginning of each section; score determines the order the student should study, not what material the student should study. Study planner is a simple calendar (not student-specific).
Roger's SmartPath™ Technology: Overall Adaptive Rating – 1 Star
While students are now able to compare their score against other Roger CPA Review students, this course does not have any adaptive features, neither in the form of adapting to student progress along the way, nor in creating a customized study plan based on individual strengths and weaknesses. In fact, course provides no assessment to determine a student's starting point.
Adaptive Technology Feature Comparison
1. Assessments
A true assessment will thoroughly assess the student's knowledge of all CPA Exam topics. What we’ve uncovered with other review courses is that these “assessments” are simply a gimmick. They ask a small number of questions in the guise of assessing the student’s knowledge; however an 8-question quiz cannot possibly accurately test a candidate’s knowledge level on a large topic area. We've also found that -- with many other courses -- nothing is done with the results; study material is not adjusted AT ALL.
At Surgent, we realize that both quantity and quality of assessment questions are critical to getting an accurate read of each student's starting point. That's why the questions on Surgent's assessment are carefully selected to cross all topic areas of the CPA Exam section. At the end of your assessment, you'll receive a ReadySCORE -- which is a highly accurate measure of your baseline exam readiness -- as well as a comprehensive diagnostic report. Assessment results are also used to create study sessions for each student, guiding them to the areas they most need to improve, based on their assessment performance. No other CPA Review provider does that.
| Provider | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Becker's Adapt2u Learning Technology | 1 8-question quiz |
| Roger's SmartPath™ Technology | No assessment |
| Wiley's Efficient Learning Platform | Short assessment at the beginning of each category |
| Gleim's SmartAdapt™ Technology | 18 question quiz |
| Surgent's A.S.A.P. Technology™ | 10 quizzes comprised of a total 450 questions pulled from all CPA Exam categories. |
2. Study Planner
Many leading CPA courses have study planners in some capacity or another. Some place tasks on a static calendar, while others use a spreadsheet. No other courses' study planners adjust to accommodate student progress.
Our software actually calculates how much time a student needs to spend on each of their study days in order to be prepared by their selected exam date. In addition, our course adjusts the study time per day as a student progresses in the course.
| Provider | Study Planner |
|---|---|
| Becker's Adapt2u Learning Technology | Static calendar. Software does not calculate study time per day. |
| Roger's SmartPath™ Technology | Spreadsheet that cannot be customized. |
| Wiley's Efficient Learning Platform | Static calendar. Software does not calculate study time per day. |
| Gleim's SmartAdapt™ Technology | Static calendar. Software does not calculate study time per day. |
| Surgent's A.S.A.P. Technology™ | Study planner calculates necessary amount of study time per day based on student's chosen availability, and adjusts that study time based on performance. |
3. Customized Study Material
Most CPA Review providers instruct students to go through all course material, even for topic areas that the student has already mastered. This results in longer study times and can contribute toward fatigue and frustration.
With Surgent CPA Review, the amount and content of recommended study material is customized to each student. Factoring in the results of the assessment phase as well CPA Exam content weightings, the Surgent software will drive the student to study activities in the areas where they are showing the least amount of proficiency, instead of wasting their time on material they already know.
| Provider | Customized Study Material |
|---|---|
| Becker's Adapt2u Learning Technology | No tailored study plan |
| Roger's SmartPath™ Technology | No tailored study plan |
| Wiley's Efficient Learning Platform | No tailored study plan |
| Gleim's SmartAdapt™ Technology | Software directs users to specific categories based on assessment results. |
| Surgent's A.S.A.P. Technology™ | All study material is generated based on assessment results and CPA Exam content weightings. |
4. Adaptability to Student Progress
When choosing an “adaptive” CPA Review course, students should question how the adaptability actually functions. They’ll be surprised to find that most CPA Review providers aren’t adapting to the student at all. Students are still required to complete all of the tasks within the software, and most in a very linear approach.
Surgent's adaptive learning software continuously adapts to the student’s performance. Our software drives the student to their more problematic areas, while focusing far less on topics where the student is already proficient. Real-time algorithms factor in student progress, continually refining study material so study time is spent far more efficiently. This means shorter study times (students save up to 400 hours compared to study times with other courses!) and improved proficiency in troublesome areas.
| Provider | Adaptability to Student Progress |
|---|---|
| Becker's Adapt2u Learning Technology | No continuous adaptation |
| Roger's SmartPath™ Technology | No continuous adaptation |
| Wiley's Efficient Learning Platform | No continuous adaptation |
| Gleim's SmartAdapt™ Technology | Updates somewhat, although does not appear to update based on performance. |
| Surgent's A.S.A.P. Technology™ | Real-time algorithms ensure study material is always adapting to the student's progress. |
5. Content Category Weightings
It should go without saying that understanding how heavily the AICPA will test each content area is critical; students need to make sure they are putting enough emphasis on the more heavily tested topics. We uncovered that no other course takes into consideration content weightings.
With Surgent’s course, category weighting is factored into the algorithm used to determine what questions to deliver to the student. The software will make sure students are spending adequate time on the more heavily tested areas.
| Provider | Content Category Weightings Truth |
|---|---|
| Becker's Adapt2u Learning Technology | No content category weighting |
| Roger's SmartPath™ Technology | No content category weighting |
| Wiley's Efficient Learning Platform | No content category weighting |
| Gleim's SmartAdapt™ Technology | No content category weighting |
| Surgent's A.S.A.P. Technology™ | Assessment quizzes, daily study material, and practice exams all factor in exam content weightings. |
6. 1-on-1 Support
The cornerstone of adaptive learning is personalization, and we believe that extends to student support. The truth is, some providers may claim to offer live coaching or training, but we’ve found that students aren’t actually provided a designated mentor. Instead of being able to personally contact someone for help, you’ll need to submit a support ticket…and wait.
At Surgent, we’re committed to getting our students across the finish line. Through our scalable student support options -from CPA Exam success coaches to professor tutors- we’re going along the journey with our students. Success coaches help with accountability, study strategies and test-taking tips, while professor tutors help students master those difficult topics. All of our mentors can be contacted directly by the candidate.
| Provider | 1-on-1 Support |
|---|---|
| Becker's Adapt2u Learning Technology | No coaching |
| Roger's SmartPath™ Technology | Homework Help Center via email. Response time is typically 1-3 days. |
| Wiley's Efficient Learning Platform | Support available via email |
| Gleim's SmartAdapt™ Technology | Coaching available |
| Surgent's A.S.A.P. Technology™ | 1-on-1 support includes CPA Exam success coaches and accounting professor tutors, who are able to be contacted directly by the student. |
