Jimmy Chilimigras
Passed the CPA exam at 15. Kesler was one of his study resources.
Kesler CPA Review student experiences
Real candidates.
Different paths forward.
Explore selected experiences shared with Kesler, including candidates who used our course on its own and those who added it to another course. Their stories show how they studied, not a promise of your result.
Find a story like yours.
From a first CPA exam section to a retake, see how candidates used Kesler on its own or alongside another course.
Kesler only · Working parent
FAR + AUD. Both on his first try.
“I am officially 2/4 with FAR and AUD both done on their first tries.”
“It’s the only service I have ever used for CPA review and without a doubt the only thing I will need to finish my final two.”
Kesler Member
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Evan reported passing FAR and AUD while working full time and raising two small children. He praised the textbook, MCQ and simulation practice, and described the course’s game features as:
“super fun gamification elements like leveling up and xp that make studying very fun.”
Kesler only · First REG attempt
REG: 84 on her first try.
“Yes this was the first try for REG, I scored an 84”
Kesler Member
When Bryan asked whether she was only using Kesler:
“Yes I am only using Kesler”
REG passed · Study Loops
Three down. One to go.
“I passed!! 3 down, one to go. I'm coming for that t-shirt!”
Kesler Member
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Nguyenian described starting with quizzes, reading the material and flashcards, then using Study Loops to revisit weak areas and understand mistakes.
“This helped me figure out which areas I struggled with the most as well as why I got them wrong.”
Kesler only
Passed FAR using Kesler.
"I passed FAR 3/17 just using Kesler Review which I love so much! 🙏 I'm studying BAR now..."
Retaking AUD · Supplementing
62 → 69 → 79 in AUD
“Went from 62 to 69 to 79! I truly feel like supplementing with Kesler helped me get over the hump.”
Kesler Member
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“I felt like reading over the whys and gems helped me to understand the concepts better because the explanations are to the point and easy to understand.”
Retaking FAR · Becker + Kesler
FAR: 79 after eight attempts
“After 8 attempts, I passed FAR with a 79!”
Kesler Member
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“I used both Becker and Kesler CPA Review, and I went heavy on the Kesler side this time around - constantly reviewing my custom flashcards (I had accumulated around 270 of them), reviewing each questions’ “gem,” and circling back to Becker for more diversification with practice MCQs and sims.”
Final review · Becker + Kesler
A mock became his final-review map.
“With my results from the Becker, I referred to the Kesler textbook on weak areas AND areas which I thought I was confident in.”
Kesler Member
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What he changed: After Kesler’s final-review mentorship video, Steven scheduled a Becker simulated exam and used the results to guide textbook review. He reported passing FAR.
Full-time work + family · Supplementing
All four passed. Around a full life.
“I HAVE PASSED ALL 4 PARTS OF THE CPA EXAM!!”
Kesler Member
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“Try to stick as close to your study schedule as you can but don’t get down if you have to adjust it.”
How she made room: Julie reported working full time with four children and seven grandchildren. She used Kesler questions and cards when she could, alongside Becker, and adjusted her schedule when life needed it.
Returning to the exam · Working
A routine she could return to.
“With more study time, Bryan's mentorship, his recommendations of accountability partners, and looping, is what sealed the deal to help me pass these exams.”
Kesler Member
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What changed: A job with more flexible hours created study time. Mentorship, accountability partners and looping supported her return. She reported passing all four sections, including one that took four tries.
Persisting through FAR retakes
FAR: a reported 84.
“I PASSED FAR WITH AN 84!!! You have no idea what an accomplishment this is for me!”
Kesler Member
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Her starting point: Emma described years of repeated FAR attempts and credited Kesler’s study methods in her account of finally passing.
Returning after a failed section
Finding direction after a break.
“I took a 2 year sabbatical from the CPA exam after failing a section from a lack of confidence and direction.”
Kesler Member
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“The support, community, and direction that came with entrusting Bryan and his team was above and beyond what I thought I was signing up.”
What helped her return: Support, community and direction. This story describes her study experience; it does not report a passing score.
Kesler among his resources
Passed the CPA exam at 15.
"I'd like to thank especially Bryan Kesler for creating the wonderful Kesler CPA Review which makes one of the most challenging professional tests in the world more digestible. Without his hard work, it would have taken me much longer and been many times harder to pass each section."
Kesler was one of his study resources. This is an exam-passing milestone, not a CPA licensure or world-record claim.
Mentorship + community
Support after a failed attempt.
"Kesler CPA Mentorship has many great tips to help pass the CPA exam. I found their Facebook group very helpful after failures because everyone tries to be super positive and uplifting. It's nice to know you're not alone in this thing. I would recommend this to anyone struggling with the CPA exam who needs better techniques for every part of the exam from studying to taking, and even what to do after the exam. The Kesler study methods cover it all!"
Study methods + support
Encouragement through the journey.
"In my opinion, a must have to get through the CPA exam journey. The support from the group kept me going and Bryan's methods to studying is not covered by the review courses."
Supplementing
A process alongside her course.
"Kesler CPA mentorship is a great complement to your CPA review course! The techniques and tips are very well organized and the tools are tailored for your specific review course. In addition, Bryan is extremely hands on and checks in regularly on your progress. As an added bonus the member group is great and it's great to have a place to know we are on this journey to CPA licensure together!"
Question explanations
Reviewing why an answer works.
"Doing some Kesler CPA custom practice questions... and I just have to say how much I LOVE scrolling to the bottom after answering a question to read the 'gem of the question.' Whether I got the question right or wrong, I pretty much always find that information helpful!!"
Candidate experience
A recommendation from Jennine.
"An absolute MUST if preparing to take the CPA Exams."
Study methods
Looking for a study direction.
"If anyone is struggling with how to study or needs that extra spark, this is for you!"
Print + digital
Slowing down with the printed book.
"And I love the book! I bought all 4 but starting with FAR and like that I can write notes, highlight, add tabs, etc. I realized I missed a lot when I read through the app version as I tend to go faster. The book helps me read the lessons slower but more thoroughly."
Selected, self-reported experiences. Individual results vary; some candidates used other courses alongside Kesler. These stories do not establish results for Max, its Pass Guarantee or every current feature. Historical exam sections mentioned in a quote describe that student’s experience.
Hear from the candidates themselves.
These are student accounts, separate from Bryan’s course walkthroughs.
Candidate video account 1
Hear this candidate describe her own experience.
Candidate video account 2
A first-person account of studying with Kesler.
Candidate video account 3
Hear about this candidate’s study experience.
Separate research snapshot
What candidates reported in our 2026 sample.
The selected research sample below is separate from the named testimonials above.
A sample of 2026 candidate results
One section closer to done.
37 reported section passes
across 23 students
In our September 2026 sample, 23 candidates using Kesler CPA Review reported 37 CPA exam section passes.
Behind a passing section is the work it took to get there: understanding difficult concepts, reviewing mistakes, and making room to study. The stories on this page show how individual candidates approached that work, using Kesler as their main course or alongside another one.
Sample reviewed September 29, 2026: 50 self-reported section results from 34 students, including 13 failures. The 23 students are those reporting passes. This selected sample is not our total student population or a course-wide pass rate. The testimonials on this page are separate examples, not identified members of this sample.
A closer look at successful retakes
A failed attempt.
Then a passing score.
+16.6 points on average
Five students. Five reported retake passes.
These five students reported an earlier failing score after preparing with another course, then a passing score after adding Kesler. Their reported increases ranged from 4 to 28 points.
For a personal account of changing a study routine, read Jessica’s AUD story or Bryce’s FAR story in the Retake filter above. Those testimonials are separate from this research group.
Selected successful retakes; self-reported. Unsuccessful retakes are excluded. This is not an expected improvement or evidence that Kesler caused it.