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  • 1.  Suggestions to clear CMA Exam

    Posted 06-07-2025 06:39 AM

    Hi,

    I wanted an opinion on passing the CMA exam. I have appeared for CMA Part 2 exam twice but both the times I didn't enter into the essay section and hence failed both the exams scoring 210 and 260 respectively.  I appeared for CMA Part 1 exam on May 2025 window, this time I was well prepared and confident compared to the last two times that I would  enter to the essay section but unfortunately I didn't score 50% for MCQ section and I didn't enter essay section. I did my CMA certificate course has an integrated course from my university but it didn't help me to clear the exam and later on I enrolled with a US institute for CMA coaching, but still I am not able to clear the exam.

    If anyone could share the exam tips, recommended resources and an effective study strategies that helped you in your CMA journey, it would be really helpful for my exam preparation.



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    Merlin
    Student
    India
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  • 2.  RE: Suggestions to clear CMA Exam

    Posted 06-07-2025 07:02 AM
    Only thing you need is just practice, master youself with mind calculations and calculator, I used Gleim material and practice mock exam which was more than enough to pass.



    Sent from my Galaxy






  • 3.  RE: Suggestions to clear CMA Exam

    Posted 06-08-2025 01:14 PM

    Hi Merlin.

    I used Gleim materials to prepare for the CMA exam and went through all the questions and essays in the CMA Exam Support Package. Reviewing these about two weeks before the exam was especially valuable. If you cannot grasp at least 80% of the questions at that point, I recommend postponing the exam.

    I also took a course with B Certified Pro, which helped me identify the most relevant exam topics and focus my studies more effectively. Thanks to this approach, I passed the exam on my first attempt.

    Best regards,

    Ivana



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    Ivana Zmikic CMA
    Consultant
    Vienna
    Croatia
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  • 4.  RE: Suggestions to clear CMA Exam

    Posted 06-08-2025 04:33 PM

    Merlin

    foremost - don't loose heart / patience . CMA is a tough exam and needs hard work + right guidance .

    Reading through your email :

    1. Since you are saying you did well but still did not go to the Essay question , it appears that you could have done well on the easy questions not the tough ones. While IMA does not disclose its marking scheme, it is well known that tough questions carry more marks . So what ever material you are using , go back and diagnose which specific sections you scored less including the IMA report card . 
      2. Don't "learn" the topic / understand the topic . Most questions that comes in CMA with higher marks are deep topic based application questions . 
      3. Take this with a pinch of salt - don't count on your university tutors / coaching centres. Most of them are themselves not qualified and often work on a commercial model . They skim on the topics. 
      Last but not the least , do not loose hope / your CMA goal . Success built on failures often build strong edifices . 
      Best wishes 



    ------------------------------
    Devashis Chakrabarti CMA
    Director/Manager
    BANGALORE
    India
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  • 5.  RE: Suggestions to clear CMA Exam

    Posted 06-09-2025 02:11 AM
    Merlin,

    As you have already appeared for the exam thrice, I would suggest you to take a break from exams and focus on learning through work experience as of now.

    In future depending on your area of interest, you can pursue this or any other professional certification.


    Regards
    Kushnabh




    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Suggestions to clear CMA Exam

    Posted 06-09-2025 08:32 AM

    Hi Merlin. I was using Wiley, but when I did samples of some of the other study materials, I didn't do very well. I looked a lot closer to the CMA study materials and bought some of the recommended reading materials. Most of the books are old, so there not very expensive.  I am older and a lot over the material was totally new to me, but I passed 1st try using this method. Good luck!



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    Judi
    Philadelphia PA
    United States
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