The IRS Special Enrollment Examination (SEE):

The EA Exam, officially known as the Special Enrollment Examination (SEE), is a three-part exam administered by Prometric on behalf of the Internal Revenue Service. Each part is taken as a separate 100 question EA exam and you will have 3.5 hours to answer all questions for that part. A new EA examination period commences each year on May 1 and continues through February 28 of the following year. No testing occurs during March or April. The period that begins on May 1, 2010 will include questions based on the 2009 tax year. A passing score on each part of the SEE exam is required before the IRS will admit an enrolled agent to practice. Scaled scores are determined by ranking your EA test results against others taking the examination, on a scale ranging between 40 and 130. A score of 105 is the minimum required to pass the SEE. Test results are available immediately following the EA test. Those who pass are informed, but they do not receive a score. Those who fail receive a score along with a diagnostic report indicating the areas of weakness. A candidate may re-take each part up to four times each testing period. There is a two year window from the time you pass the first part, to pass the other two parts of the SEE exam.

How to Register for the IRS Special Enrollment Exam

All candidates who wish to schedule an EA examination need a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) - To obtain a PTIN, you will need to complete a W-7P by mail, fax or online at www.irs.gov. The online method is quickest and provides you with the instantaneous issuance of the PTIN.

EA Examinations are administered by computer at Prometric testing centers. Currently, the Special Enrollment Examination is given at nearly 300 Prometric testing centers located across the United States and internationally. Test centers are located in most major metropolitan areas. Once you have your PTIN, you may register online at www.prometric.com/irs for your Special Enrollment Exam.

Question Types

The questions are multiple choice. Each provides four options from which you choose your answer. Three different multiple-choice formats are used.

Format 1 - Direct question - Which of the following entities are required to file Form 709, United States Gift Tax Return?

A. An individual
B. An estate or trust
C. A corporation
D. All of the above

Format 2 - Incomplete sentence - Supplemental wages are compensation paid in addition to an employee’s regular wages. They do not include payments for:

A. Accumulated sick leave
B. Nondeductible moving expenses
C. Vacation pay
D. Travel reimbursements paid at the Federal Government per diem rate

Format 3 - All of the following except - There are five tests which must be met for you to claim an exemption for a dependent. Which of the following is not a requirement?

A. Citizen or Resident Test
B. Member of Household or Relationship Test
C. Disability Test
D. Joint Return Test

The Best Strategy to Pass on the First Attempt:

Fast Forward Academy has a number of tools to help best prepare you for the Special Enrollment Exam (SEE) with a comprehensive enrolled agent review course including a study guide, free online test bank, and practice exams. As you know, the EA exam is graded on a curve so here’s how to use our EA review course to give yourself a competitive advantage. 

The best strategy to help you pass the first time:

·         Attack one section at a time, do not try to study for all 3 tests at once

·         Use the EA study guide and the free online test bank to study each section of the exam thoroughly

·         Once you think you’re ready for the real thing, take a Practice Exam on that section to measure your preparedness

After you have taken a practice exam, you may still need to study further. Here’s how to read the simulated practice exam momentum meter...

·         Momentum of 79% or less, use the reports to find out where you’re weak. Go back to the study guide and free online test bank and attack the weak areas. Then, take another practice exam to measure your improvement.

·         Momentum above 80%, use the reports and focus on the areas where you answered questions incorrectly. Use the study guide and free test bank to sharpen up in those areas and go take the exam!

The free test bank momentum meter is different, but the higher the better. In either tool, you can review your answers, whether correct or incorrect, and review the rationale. Plus we always list the exact chapter in the EA book to reference so you can improve in that specific area.

Between the book and the testing tools, you will have covered every topic needed to pass the exams the first time.