What's New in Becker's Study Planner: More Flexibility, Less Clutter

Whether you're studying for the CPA, CMA, EA, CIA, or CIA Challenge Exam, the hardest part is often just knowing what to work on each day and trusting that it will add up to readiness on exam day. That's the job of the study planner built into every Becker exam review course—and it just got an upgrade. 

Summary 

Becker's updated study planner, already included in every CPA, CMA, EA, CIA, and CIA Challenge Exam Review course, now lets you choose which study tools go into your plan, add extra review time after simulated exams, and see your schedule as sequential tasks and time-bound events—without resetting any of the progress you've already made. 

What Is Becker's Study Planner? 

Becker's study planner is a customizable schedule built into your Becker course that turns the full exam review into a day-by-day plan. 

At the start of your course, you enter your planned exam date and the number of hours you can realistically study each week, and the planner maps the course on that timeline, telling you exactly what to study each day to become Exam Day Ready℠. And if you don't yet know your exam date, just input your pace and the number of hours you plan to study, and the planner will suggest a target testing date. 

The plan isn't locked in once it's built. If your work schedule shifts, a busy season hits, or you get behind when studying, you can edit the details and the planner adjusts with you. That flexibility matters because almost every candidate falls behind at some point; a plan that adapts keeps a rough week from turning into a reason to give up. 

What's New in the Updated Study Planner? 

The update focuses on three areas: a more flexible setup, a new way to organize your schedule, and less clutter on your calendar. 

A More Flexible Setup 

• Choose which study tools to include. You can now see a list of all the study tools available in your course—including required elements and additional support options—and select which ones go into your plan. This lets you build a plan around how you actually learn, instead of working around tools you don't plan to use. 

  The tools available at set-up are: 

  • Learning tools: 
    • concept videos 
    • LiveOnline classes (if applicable to your course) 
    • DeepDive workshops (if applicable to your course) 
  • Practice tools: 
    • MCQs (multiple-choice questions) 
    • TBQs (task-based questions) (if applicable to your course) 
    • CBQs (case-based questions) (if applicable to your course) 
    • Practice tests 
    • Flashcards 
  • Review tools: 
    • Mini exams 
    • Simulated exams 
    • Final Review 
• Add extra review time after simulated exams. You now have the option to schedule additional review time after each simulated exam. Simulated exams show you where your knowledge is still shaky, and building in time to act on those results means you can close gaps before exam day rather than squeezing review into whatever time is left. 
   

New Tasks and Events 

Your schedule now separates your work into two types of items: tasks and events.  

• Tasks are the sequential "to-dos" that move you through the course, such as watching a lecture video. They follow a set order, and you can reschedule them when life gets in the way, so the structure of your review stays intact even when your calendar doesn't. 
• Events are time-bound activities. These include live classes and custom activities you plan for yourself, such as "review flashcards every Sunday." Adding recurring habits as events helps you protect the study routines that keep material fresh. 
   

Less Clutter on Your Calendar 

Optional sessions now appear in your planner only if you've registered for them. In CPA Exam Review, that applies to Deep Dive Workshops and LiveOnline classes; in CMA, EA, and CIA Exam Review, it applies to LiveOnline classes. The result is a calendar that shows what you've actually committed to, so you're not sorting through sessions you never planned to attend. 

Get the Most from Your Becker Study Planner

A few simple habits will help you turn the new features into real progress: 

1. Start with an honest weekly hour count. 

   The planner is only as realistic as the hours you give it. Choosing a number you can sustain week after week leads to a plan you'll realistically follow. 
    

2. Be deliberate about your study tools.

   When you select the tools for your plan, keep the required elements and add support options where you know you'll benefit, such as extra practice in a topic that's historically been tough for you or an extra learning method that you know will resonate. 
    

3. Use review time after every simulated exam. 

   Simulated exams are designed to reflect the real exam experience, so your results are some of the most useful information you'll get. Scheduled review time gives you room to act on them. 
    

4. Turn good habits into events. 

   Recurring events, like a weekly flashcard session, help you keep earlier material fresh while you move forward through new content. 
    

5. Edit the plan when life changes. 

   Rescheduling tasks or updating your exam date is part of using the planner well, not a sign you've fallen off track. 
    

Get the Study Planner with Your Becker Course 

Whatever credential you’re pursuing to take your career further, the updated study planner is included in your Becker review course. As soon as you enroll, you can build a plan around your exam date, your weekly study hours, and the tools that fit how you learn. Choose your package for CPA, CMA, EA, CIA, or the CIA Challenge Exam and start your path toward exam success! 

Frequently Asked Questions 

What Changed in Becker's Study Planner? 

Becker's study planner now has a more flexible setup, new tasks and events, and a cleaner calendar. During setup, you can choose which available study tools to include in your plan and add extra review time after simulated exams. Your schedule now separates sequential tasks, like lecture videos, from time-bound events, like live classes and custom activities, and optional live sessions appear only if you've registered for them. 

Do I Have to Pay for the Updated Study Planner? 

No. The updated study planner is already included in every Becker CPA, CMA, EA, CIA, and CIA Challenge Exam Review course. Current students can find the new features the next time they log in, and new students get them as part of any exam prep package. 

What Is the Difference Between Tasks and Events in the Becker Study Planner? 

Tasks are the sequential to-dos that move you through your course, such as watching a lecture video, and they can be rescheduled when your plans change. Events are time-bound activities, including live classes and custom activities you create. Keeping the two separate makes it easier to see what's flexible in your schedule and what's fixed. 

Will Updating My Study Planner Erase My Progress? 

No. The planner updates don't change your existing study progress, so everything you've already completed stays recorded in your course. You can adjust your setup options, such as your study tools or review time after simulated exams, and continue from where you left off. 

Can I Change My Study Plan After I Set It Up? 

Yes. You can edit your exam date, weekly study hours, study tool selections, and other details whenever your schedule or study needs change. Tasks can be rescheduled, and the planner updates your plan to reflect where you actually are, which is especially helpful if you fall behind. See our tips on how to avoid CMA Exam overwhelm for more on keeping your plan manageable. 

Which Becker Courses Include the Study Planner? 

Becker’s updated and customizable study planner is included in every Becker exam review course at no extra charge.