United States · Licensing exam
Start with the free official material: the PSI candidate bulletin, which lists every topic and how many questions it gets, and the IRS sample questions. Most people then add a review course with a large question bank and full mock exams. Check that any course you buy is updated for the July 2026 to February 2027 window, which tests tax law through December 31, 2025. We checked each option’s price and what’s free in October 2026.
The closest thing to an official study guide. It lists every topic in Parts 1, 2 and 3 with the number of scored questions in each area, and says which tax year is tested. Use it as a checklist against whatever course you buy.
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Based on tax law through December 31, 2025. The IRS says these were never used on a real exam, so they show the style rather than the actual questions. There’s a page or PDF for each of the three parts.
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PSI points candidates to the tax code, regulations, Circular 230, and IRS forms, instructions and publications. Publication 17 is a solid base for Part 1, and Circular 230 is the core of Part 3.
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Not a review course, but a useful place to learn what the job involves. Its Education Foundation offers scholarships to help people prepare for the SEE.
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Premium adds more than 30 hours of video lectures, full-length mock exams and a personalized final review. Every question explains both the right and wrong answers. Gleim offers a pass guarantee, with terms on its site.
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The Ultimate and Premier packages give access until you pass, and the test bank gives 24 months. Single parts come with 12 months of access. The packages include a money-back pass guarantee, with terms on Surgent’s site.
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Includes 155+ audio lectures, 3,000+ study questions, unlimited practice exams and flashcards. Access lasts until you pass, and you can ask for a full refund within 30 days. Bootcamp webinars expire at the end of each testing window.
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Essentials gives 12 months of access, 3,000+ multiple-choice questions and one simulated exam per part. Pro and Premium give access until you pass and include Becker’s pass guarantee, which is $100 back if you don’t pass.
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A cheaper, text-based course with a textbook, 550+ review questions and three full practice exams for Part 1, with a money-back pass guarantee. Achievable’s own page says Parts 2 and 3 need another provider.
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A practice-question app for all three parts. It says it isn’t affiliated with the IRS. 4.4 stars from 25 ratings.
Checked October 2026
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Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.