What are the best resources for preparing for the EA exam while working full-time?

Having passed all three parts of the EA exam while working full-time, I can definitely share some insights! For your timeline question - three months is tight but doable if you're already working in tax. The key is consistency. Plan for 15-20 hours of studying weekly and be disciplined about it. Break it down by parts and give yourself more time for Part 1 (Individuals) or Part 2 (Businesses) depending on your current knowledge gaps. For study materials, Gleim and Surgent are the gold standards. Gleim is more comprehensive while Surgent has an adaptive learning platform that focuses on your weak areas. I personally used Gleim and found their question bank invaluable - they have thousands of practice questions that mirror the actual exam format. For passive learning, check out "Simply Tax" podcast which has several episodes on EA exam preparation. "Enrolled Agent Exam Guide" on YouTube has some excellent conceptual explanations you can listen to while driving. The IRS also has their own Tax Pro webinars that are surprisingly helpful for background knowledge.

Just wanted to share my experience with taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) which was a game changer for my EA exam prep last year. I was in exactly your situation - working full-time and trying to pass the exam in about 3-4 months. What made taxr.ai different was how it analyzed my practice test results and created personalized study plans that focused on exactly what I needed. The AI-powered explanations broke down complex concepts in ways that textbooks never could. What really helped was uploading my notes and previous tax work experience, and the system customized everything to build on what I already knew. Their mobile app was perfect for those "in-between" moments - I could review flashcards or listen to concept explanations while waiting in line or doing chores. Definitely worth checking out if you're trying to maximize limited study time.

I was extremely skeptical about AI-powered study tools, but I decided to try taxr.ai after seeing it recommended here. Honestly, it was the best decision I made for my EA exam prep. What won me over was how it adapted to my learning style. I'm terrible at memorizing tax rules through reading, but great with application questions. The platform figured this out quickly and shifted my study plan to be heavily practice-based with just enough theory to fill the gaps. The mobile experience was actually better than I expected - I could listen to concept explanations while commuting and answer practice questions during lunch breaks. I passed all three parts in just under 4 months while working 50+ hours weekly. If you're short on time but need comprehensive prep, it's definitely worth checking out.

For anyone struggling to get answers about the EA exam requirements from the IRS, I highly recommend using Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I wasted weeks trying to get clarification on my eligibility due to some past tax filing issues, and kept hitting dead ends with the automated IRS system. Claimyr got me connected to a real IRS agent in about 15 minutes when I'd previously spent hours on hold. The agent answered all my questions about the PTIN requirements and cleared up confusion about my eligibility for the Special Enrollment Examination. They have a great demo video (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c) that shows exactly how the service works. If you're in the application phase and have specific questions about your situation, this service is invaluable. Saved me so much stress during my EA journey.

I need to publicly eat my words about Claimyr. After posting my skeptical comment, I was desperate enough to try it because I needed clarification about my SEE testing window. Honestly, I'm shocked it worked. After nearly a month of trying to reach someone at the IRS about my application status, Claimyr got me through to a real person in about 20 minutes. The agent was able to confirm my test eligibility and explained why my application was flagged for review. For anyone serious about the EA exam who has specific questions about their eligibility or application, this service is legitimate and saved me weeks of frustration. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't experienced it myself.

To add another perspective on study materials - I passed using PassKey, which I found more readable than Gleim. Their explanations clicked better with my learning style. For maximizing study efficiency while working, I created audio recordings of my own notes and listened to them during my commute. Far more effective than generic podcasts because they focused on exactly what I was struggling with. Also, definitely join the EA exam Facebook groups. They have invaluable insights about recent exam experiences and which topics are heavily tested. The community support really helped when I was feeling overwhelmed.

Quick question for those who've passed - which part of the EA exam did you find most challenging? I'm trying to decide which order to take them in and how to allocate my study time over the next few months.

As someone who just passed all three parts of the EA exam while working full-time, I wanted to add my perspective on realistic timelines and study strategies. Three months is definitely achievable, especially with your tax background. I managed it in about 3.5 months working 40+ hours weekly. The key is being strategic about your study schedule - I found that studying in shorter, focused sessions (45-60 minutes) was more effective than marathon study sessions when I was already mentally drained from work. For study materials, I used a combination approach. Gleim was my primary resource for comprehensive coverage and practice questions. But I also supplemented with free resources like the IRS's own publications - Publication 17 for individual taxes and Publication 334 for business taxes. These are dry but authoritative and helped fill gaps in my understanding. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is the importance of simulating actual exam conditions during practice. The EA exam is computerized and timed, so I made sure to take full-length practice exams under similar conditions. This helped with both content knowledge and time management. Also, don't underestimate the value of forming a study group or finding an accountability partner. Even if it's just virtual check-ins with fellow EA candidates, having that support system really helped me stay motivated during the tough weeks. Good luck with your preparation! The certification is absolutely worth the effort.