Passing the IRS’s EA Exam marks the major milestone toward becoming an Enrolled Agent. But this doesn’t happen without preparation. Make the most of your prep time by understanding how to study for the Enrolled Agent Exam.
When you get a handle on how to study, you improve your focus and retention, maintain motivation, and—ultimately—reap bigger success on exam day.
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#1: Determine how much you time you need
Learning how to study for the EA Exam should begin with a realistic plan. You need to consider all your priorities—adding study as a new commitment, without replacing the other important aspects of your life, like time with family and your career.
You’ll sit for the EA Exam one section at a time. And since each section covers a different area of focus, you may need more time to study for one section and less for another, depending on your knowledge and experience in that area. You can take the exam parts in whatever section you prefer, so start with the one you're most comfortable and familiar with so you can start strong!
Remember:
- Part 1 covers Individual
- Part 2 covers Business
- Part 3 covers Representation, Practice, and Procedures
In general, we recommend planning on studying the following hours per section:
Exam Part | Study Hours |
| Part 1 | 70-90 hours |
| Part 2 | 80-100 hours |
| Part 3 | 60-80 hours |
TOTAL | 210-270 hours |
However, if you have background in one of these areas, you may not need all the recommended hours to prepare. Figure out roughly how many total hours you’ll need to study for the exam section you plan to take first, how many hours you can dedicate to exam review per week, and therefore how many weeks in advance you need to start studying before your exam date.
#2: Set your study schedule
Knowing how to study for the Enrolled Agent Exam includes having discipline. Having the discipline to stick to your schedule can make or break exam preparation. Once you plan your exam date, you can dig into the details of blocking out study time in your schedule.
Maybe you set aside an hour each morning, block out a few hours on three or four evenings each week, or dedicate your lunch breaks to EA Exam preparation—it’s up to you. Push yourself to study enough to be prepared on exam day, but not too much that you burn out and lose motivation.
And whatever you do, respect and stick to your schedule!
#3: Find your learning style
Everybody learns at their own pace and in their own style. If you don’t yet know how you like to learn, discover it! It will be key in how to study for the Enrolled Agent Exam.
Maybe you learn through listening, through writing things down, or reading. Again, there’s no “right answer,” but knowing how you learn best will guide you to seek those study materials and make the most of your time.
Becker’s EA Exam Review offers flexible resources and materials for all types of learners, including these tools and more:
- For readers: Digital textbooks, flashcards
- For listeners: Concept lecture videos
- For hands-on engagement: Unlimited practice tests, simulated exams
Find your learning style and take advantage of the tools that will help you best understand and retain exam concepts.
#4: Know what tax law to study
Tax law is constantly evolving, and the exam keeps up with this as best it can. Understanding how to study for the Enrolled Agent Exam means knowing which laws and regulations to review.
Each year, the EA Exam tests your knowledge of Internal Revenue Code, forms, and publications, as amended through the end of the previous year. That is, if you sit for the EA Exam in 2025, you will be tested on tax laws and regulations that took effect on or before December 31, 2024.
Reviewing the IRS’s syllabi offers insight into the general tax concepts that you should understand and know how to leverage.1
#5: Understand the three question formats
The EA Exam consists of entirely multiple-choice questions (MCQs). However, you’ll face three different types of MCQs:
- Direct questions: You’re given a clear question and must choose from the choices provided.
- Incomplete sentences: You’re given a partial statement and only one of the choices provided correctly completes it.
- All of the following except: You're asked a question in which all the provided responses are correct except one, and you must choose the incorrect choice.
When planning how to study for the Enrolled Agent Exam, practice all three of these MCQ formats. Familiarizing yourself will help you avoid getting confused and caught in the wording of a question when you truly understand the concept.
#6: Prepare to pass with Becker's EA Exam Review
Set yourself up for success by following a course that guides you through how to study for the EA Exam.
Becker’s EA Exam Review features:
- Updated content taught by experienced industry leaders
- Proven study tools to understand and retain information
- Personalized study planner
- Unlimited, customized practice tests
- Simulated exams
Try Becker’s EA Exam Review FREE for 14 days. Prepare to pass the EA Exam with confidence.
Try Becker's EA Exam Review FREE for 14 days!
See how Becker gets you Exam Day ReadySM with access to lecture videos, digital textbooks, 3,000 practice questions, and so much more.
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