Fast Forward Academy is newer on the test review scene, and the Fast Forward Academy Enrolled Agent Review course helps prepare candidates to take the EA exam in 2023 with some unique features and pioneering takes on exam prep. Fast Forward Academy touts sleek software for a seamless student experience and a focus on study time efficiency with emphasis on passing the exam.
But is Fast Forward Academy really comparable to more well-known EA review courses? I’ll break-down what I think the course does well, what it lacks, and more below. But for a quick answer, yes, I do think that Fast Forward Academy is a worthy EA exam review course, but I think it’s best for a certain type of student. Keep reading to find out what I mean below.
At a Glance
- 15 hours of video lectures
- over 3,000 Enrolled Agent exam questions + explanations
- Physical and digital textbook
- Desktop, mobile and tablet friendly
- Visual progress guide
- Dynamic UI including highlighting, flashcards, and split-screen learning
- Timed practice test simulations
- Community forum and Academic Support a click away
- Prices range from $466 to $594
What Sets Fast Forward Academy Apart:
To me, the sleek user interface and focus on time efficiency really sets Fast Forward Academy apart. After all, their motto is “learn fast and pass.” They stress on only focusing on the material actually needed to pass the test, rather than getting bogged down with superfluous information.
Overview of Features
EA Course Software
The software is where Fast Forward Academy shines, in my opinion. The user experience is much smoother and more intuitive than other courses. The split-screen view option really makes it easy to watch lectures, take notes or make flashcards at the same time. This makes for a much more seamless digital study experience. The whole feel of the interface is very sleek and modern; in my opinion much smoother than some of the other course interfaces.
The other software feature is that Fast Forward Academy tracks how your performance so you can really see which subjects need more attention. They make detailed performance reviews after you work through the test bank questions, making a visual representation to show you where you should focus. You also input how confident you are in your answer, so the software can further analyze your preparedness, and you don’t get led astray by lucky guesses. FFA also uses community data, so you can see how you stack up against average test takers. FFA’s software really gives you a wealth of knowledge so you will truly know when you are ready to finally take the real exam.
Textbook
The textbook is available in digital and print form. I really like FFA’s textbook because it has so many intuitive and convenient features. You can make flashcards, bookmark, highlight in four different colors, take notes, watch lectures, and even take a quiz on the material that you just read right “in the book.” The text is well-written and easy to read, clearly communicating the information without extra fluff.
Video Lectures
Fast Forward Academy is actually a pioneer in that they were the first test prep provider to offer video lectures, though now they all do. The video lectures are by Brian Hock, a CMA and CIA. The lectures are presented in a split-screen view, so you can view the corresponding textbook text, take notes or view discussions at the same time. To be honest, these lectures on their own aren’t particularly remarkable in their content or delivery, but the thoughtful design with the split-screen really elevates the experience. I also like how the video lectures have slides highlighting the vital points. You can view the videos at different playback speeds, and with closed captioning, too.
The course has a little over 15 hours of video lectures split into around 100 lessons. The way the lectures are split is nice so that you aren’t overwhelmed. I also like how within the video you can easily skip around to the section you want, like how some YouTube videos are now. The only slightly negative aspect of the video lectures is that they are repurposed lectures from the CPA course, so they are not specifically made for the EA course. This being said, they are perfectly suitable to the EA course review, so it’s not a real issue.
Simulated Exams
Fast Forward Academy has unlimited practice tests that simulate the real test by being timed, weighted and graded like the real EA exam. FFA claims that their practice tests are “as close as you will get to the real Enrolled Agent Exam.” I found this mostly to be true, though the tests are comparable to other practice tests offered by other companies. Technically, you can create an unlimited practice tests with the text bank questions. So you have plenty of practice material to work through.
Exams can be made by many different kinds of filters, selecting precisely which material you intend to focus on. A strength of Fast Forward Academy is that you can make exams made up of questions you answered incorrectly previously, so you can really hone in on what needs reviewing.
Practice Questions
I really like how the practice questions come with explanations. You also mark your confidence with your answer as your answer them, as “Certain” or “Unsure,” and this is factored into the progress tracking. This all works in tandem with the performance tracking that Fast Forward Academy stresses as the key to focused, efficient study. FFA has over 3,500 practice questions so you can never really run out of questions. I feel as if the questions are high-quality and close to the nature of the real exam questions.
Performance Metrics
A unique feature of Fast Forward Academy is that they have a visual representation of your performance. This makes it incredibly easy to monitor your performance in specific topics so you can immediately see where you need to focus your studies. The visual representation is intended to be a bullseye so when all sections are in the center and green, you’re ready.
FFA has you enter how confident you are in your answer, so the software doesn’t get tricked by your lucky guesses. Community data from other users is also taken into account, so you can see how you measure up against others. I think FFA is very thorough in how they measure performance, so you never will waste money and time taking the real exam before you are ready.
Community Forum
Fast Forward Academy maintains a lively discussion forum. I was wondering if anyone actually uses it, but rest assured, it’s always very active and if you were to have a question, it would get answered quickly. It’s actually a great resource in that you can search for questions others had to help you clarify information, and also look at popular posts. The forum is accessible from within the course dashboard. There are official moderators on the forum to give official clarifications, but you might find that your fellow students are just as adept at answering your questions. Using the community forum definitely makes you feel less alone in taking the SEE.
Academic Support
If you find yourself needing more one-on-one help than the community discussions and explanations provide, you can contact an academic specialist for help easily and quickly. I think this is a really nice feature to offer, as I often find myself with complex questions. Though I will say that this feature is not unique to Fast Forward Academy, as other test providers offer this.
Webinars
Fast Forward Academy offers 23 Bootcamp-style webinars available on-demand for an additional $50. These 23 webinars are instructor-led and cover all three parts of the exam. These webinars are like a little extra supplement to the course, but in my opinion, are not at all mandatory. It’s a worth-while add-on if you want a little more review in a more condensed, digestible format.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Excellent software user experience
- Focus on time efficiency
- Pioneer of video lectures
- Good value
Cons
- I’m not sure this course is ideal for someone who has zero background in finance or taxation. I find the coursework geared towards someone who has some familiarity.
- FFA doesn’t always provide explanations for the why an answer is wrong.
Ideal Student
Who is Fast Forward Academy EA Review perfect for? In my opinion, FFA is perfect for someone who might has some background in taxation and finance, and is somewhat confident in their knowledge and ability, but also values speed and sleek UI.
The FFA motto is “learn fast and pass.” If you are very nervous test-taker and would prefer to be extremely over-prepared for an exam with no care for how much time studying takes, maybe FFA isn’t for you. But I think FFA is perfect for anyone who values efficiency and would find other exam prep courses tedious and overwhelming.
Pricing 💸
Overall, FFA EA course options are very competitively priced, and can be cheaper than major competitors such as Gleim. The Bootcamp webinars are 23 sessions covering all three parts of the EA exam.
All courses come with the option of purchasing printed flashcards for an additional $120.
I also want to mention that Fast Forward Academy appears to have sales often where you can snag a course for around 15% off.
| Online EA Course | EA Smart Bundle | EA Smart Bundle + Bootcamp | |
| Price | $549. | $649. | $699. |
| Video Lectures | ✔ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Test Bank | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Digital Flashcards | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Textbook | Digital only. | Digital or print. | Digital or print. |
| Forum Access | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Unlimited Practice Exams | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Academic Support | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| On-demand Bootcamp Webinars | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ |
FAQ
How does Fast Forward Academy compare to Gleim?
I think that FFA and Gleim are geared towards different types of learners. Gleim is obviously the bigger name in the EA test prep world, while also having a more traditional style and more thurough content. FFA is more about speed and only focused on passing the exam.
Does Fast Forward Academy offer a free trial?
Yes, FFA does offer a three-day free trial. The free trial does not include practice exams.
Does Fast Forward have free updates and access until you pass?
Yes, FFA gives free updates to all online material, but you will have to pay a small fee to get an updated print textbook. With FFA, you also have access until you pass.
Does Fast Forward Academy give refunds?
The refund policy at FFA is that students can receive a full refund within 30 days of purchase if they are not satisfied.
Does Fast Forward Academy have financial aid?
No, FFA does not offer financial aid at this time. They do have a payment plan option, subject to credit approval, on their EA Smart Bundle.
Does Fast Forward Academy have a mobile app?
Currently, FFA does not have a mobile app. But you can easily access FFA materials in any web browser with internet connection, and the user experience is pretty seamless.
How can I get product support?
If you run into technical or other issues, there is a phone number to call, or an email, or live chat on their website. I’ve found the response time to be good.
What’s the pass rate for Fast Forward Academy users who take the Enrolled Agent exam?
FFA does not appear to give pass rates for their users.
Does Fast Forward Academy offer EA continuing education?
Yes! FFA does have IRS-Approved continuing ed classes for EAs, as well as for CPAs and tax preparers.