Current feedback is that the IRS Enrolled Agent Exam is definitely getting more difficult.

Most exam candidates need more than an abridged version of information to prepare them to pass the EA Exam. Don't be fooled by "streamlined" or "fast" study methods, as such abbreviated efforts may not adequately prepare you for this increasingly difficult exam. Exam candidates have varying tax proficiency backgrounds and hence there is no appropriate one-size-fits-all study program.

The following significant disclaimer is posted on the Prometric website (the company that administers the EA Exam) regarding topics that may appear on the Enrolled Agent Exam.

"The following is a list of topics for each part of the examination. Not every topic on the list will necessarily appear on the examination and the list should not be viewed as all inclusive. Some topics may appear in more than one exam part."

Based on the above very revealing statement, most exam candidates need a comprehensive study program to pass the IRS Enrolled Agent Exam. Since the EA Exam is no longer an "open" exam, meaning that the actual questions are not published after-the-fact, it is critical that exam candidates prepare using a study program that includes both lessons with relevant background information (not just outlines or bullet points) and a software program with plenty of updated questions and complete answer explanations.

As a computer generated and random assigned exam, at any given time various versions of the exam are given. No one knows which questions will be on your exam. So, unless you are comfortable with the idea of retaking the exam to secure a passing score, it is best not to count on a "streamlined" study program.

Use the WiseGuides™ comprehensive program and choose the study methods that work best for you. Exam topics are introduced in the Lesson Book or in the Internet eCourse or CD Courseware lessons. Next, topics are incrementally mastered using the Question &Answer Software with complete answer explanations that are aligned with the lesson's topics. To wrap-up the learning process, the WiseGuides™ eStudy Cards Software helps to truly master the material by challenging you to answer questions without the crutch of choosing between given answer options (also known as multiple choice guessing). Use of eStudy Cards enhances essential concept mapping skills critical to applying tax law.

For over fourteen years, WiseGuides™ has helped candidates pass the EA Exam on the first try. We welcome you to visit our website to view excerpts from our EA Exam Lesson Books and to try our free software demo. Then, just give us a call to discuss your study options or to answer any questions you may have about the IRS Enrolled Agent Exam.