CMA Exam Pass Rate: What the Latest CMA Pass Rates Mean to You
Have you been told the CMA exam is easy? Or are you convinced that it is super hard? You don’t need to be uncertain. Instead, to help us understand the CMA exam difficulty, we can look at signs like the CMA exam pass rate. The latest CMA pass rates help us see how challenging the exam has been for past candidates. And with this information, you can get a better sense of how much you need to prepare to pass the CMA exam.
In this post, I am going to walk you through it and help you understand CMA pass rates and how it relates to preparing for the exam.
Latest CMA Exam Pass Rates
According to the latest percentages, the average CMA exam passing percentage is 45%. The Institute of Certified Management Accountants (ICMA) seems to have slowed down their release of the CMA exam pass rates in recent years. Looking at past statistics, we can see that the ICMA used to release CMA passing percentages for each exam part about every 9 months. But the exact time period for the latest CMA pass percentages (40% for Part 1 and 50% for Part 2) is unclear. We have to do the best we can with the information that is given to us.
CMA Exam Pass Rates
| Exam Part | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2015-2016* | 2016-2017 | 2017-2018 (?) |
| Part 1 | 35% | 35% | 36% | 35% | 35% | 40% |
| Part 2 | 42% | 49% | 55% | 52% | 50% | 50% |
*In 2016, the ICMA adjusted when it releases the CMA exam pass rate data.
As you can see, the Part 1 pass rate was fairly consistent until it jumped up in 2017-2018. The Part 2 pass rate increased to 55% in 2015 but slowly fell back to the 2014 level by mid-2016 and stayed there ever since. There are different reasons for this pass rate, which we will discuss more later on. For now, let’s see how the CMA compares to other accounting certifications on pass rate.
CMA Passing Rate Compared to Other Accounting Certification Exams
One of the most popular questions I get from my readers is: how does the CMA exam pass rate compare to that of other accounting certification exams?
Usually, this is because candidates are trying to determine which is the hardest accounting exam, or they are comparing while deciding which certification they are going to go for. It’s not a bad strategy, but pass rates alone are not enough to tell you which exam is the hardest (or which one is best for you).
Contrary to popular belief, the overall CMA exam pass rates are lower than those of the “most difficult exams”, such as CPA and CFA. The CMA exam pass rate is also much lower when compared to some niche qualifications. For example, the Enrolled Agent exam pass rate is 61-86%. These statistics usually surprise people, since they expect the CMA to be easier, and therefore, have higher pass rates.
Should we conclude that the CMA exam is indeed more difficult, or are there other factors to consider? Let’s take a closer look at the CMA exam pass rate details.
CMA Exam Pass Rate Analysis
Doing analysis into the pass rate data we have for the CMA can help us determine patterns and also what factors contribute to these rates. Unfortunately, we only have regional CMA exam passing rates up to October 2015. But I think this information can still be helpful. So, I’ve retained this breakdown of the CMA exam pass rates breakdown by region and part.
Source: SF Magazine (Sep 2016)
Now, we can analyze the Part 1 and Part 2 performances in more detail.
Part 1 CMA Exam Pass Rates
For this 4-year period, the worldwide CMA exam pass rate was a rather scary 31%-35%. That’s very low in comparison with other exams. But, if you exclude the Middle East, the statistics look much better. These stats show us the Middle East scored significantly lower in pass rates when compared to other parts of the world.
Consequently, the charts make it quite obvious that if your native language is English or you have a chance to learn English in your country (notably Europe, and to a lesser extent, Asia), you have a higher chance of passing. Another reason the Middle East could have lower scores is that they lack the same resources for study materials. Many candidates from the Middle East use local study courses that could be out of date. When the study materials are not high quality, it reflects in the pass rates of those taking the course.
I don’t have details about the sudden jump in the Asian pass rate. Likely, the IMA counted the pass rate of the local language (63%) versus the English language (56%) among Chinese candidates or the weighted average figure. They represented the vast majority of Asian candidates in 2015. How much does language really affect the CMA scores and pass rate statistics? This is another important factor to consider when we examine pass rates.
The Effects of English on the CMA Exam Pass Rates
The CMA exam tends to have wordy and complex questions that could be a challenge for those with slightly weaker English language comprehension skills. Also, the CMA exam comprises not only multiple-choice questions but also an essay section that human examiners grade. This essay section weighs heavily on your ability to read and write English. If you are not a native English speaker, this is one part of the exam you may want to give extra attention to when studying.
We find more proof of the importance of English in China where candidates can choose to take the CMA exam in English or in Chinese, as mentioned above. The 7% point difference in the pass rates for these 2 exam versions is statistically significant. In short, when candidates can take the exam in their own language, they perform better. However, this is not available globally yet, as the CMA is primarily a U.S. distinction.
In light of this, international candidates should, therefore, practice English writing as part of their exam preparations.
Part 2 CMA Exam Pass Rates
The data reveals that the pass rate of Part 2 during this time period was considerably higher and even more significant in the non-English speaking regions.
The year-on-year improvement was also encouraging, with the Middle Eastern region reaching an all-time high of 45%.
Reasons for the discrepancy between Part 1 and Part 2 pass rates may include the fact that many candidates sit for Part 1 first and, as we can see, many candidates fail. Therefore, Part 1 seems to weed out the less-prepared candidates. The candidates who go on to take Part 2 were well-prepared for Part 1. And, now that they are more familiar with the exam, they are even more prepared for Part 2. You can take the exam parts in any order, but starting with Part 1 is popular, and that may be partly why its pass rates are lower.
Another potential reason for Part 2’s pass rate success is the fact that Part 2 tests candidates on a narrower range of subjects and, consequently, requires a bit less preparation than Part 1. Part 1 covers a broad scope of topics and can, therefore, be more difficult for some.
Lessons from the CMA Exam Pass Rate
Before you let these low pass rates scare you away, let me explain some other important details about the CMA exam. These things impact the pass rates and it is important to how you view them. Let’s explore.
1. Diversified Pool of Candidates
First, while the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) welcomes CMA candidates from all over the world, the exam format is U.S.-centric. Candidates outside of the U.S. may not be familiar with the terminology in the multiple-choice questions, and if their native language is not English, scoring well on the essays can be quite challenging. We outlined some ways this impacts the pass rate above.
2. Low Barrier of Entry
Second, the IMA lets candidates with just about any type of bachelor’s degree take the CMA exam. It is not specific to accounting degree holders. In contrast, CPA Exam candidates must take a substantial number of accounting and business courses.
The low barrier of entry attracts candidates who just want to give the exam a try. These casual takers do not invest sufficient time, money, or effort into properly preparing for the exam. You don’t have to be one of them and add to the statistic of lower pass rates. That’s why we are going over it now.
Conclusion
Now that you know more about CMA exam pass rates, you can prepare for taking the exam yourself and passing on the first try.
Therefore,
- If you have a good command of English, and/or
- If you work hard and complete lots of practice questions to get familiar with the style of the multiple-choice questions,
your chance of passing the CMA exam is much higher than the average CMA exam pass rate. Don’t let the numbers intimidate you. When you study and prepare yourself properly, you can be in the percentage who pass. Below is a video that helps you summarize the information above. It’s also helpful for people who learn better through visuals vs. the written word.
CMA Exam Pass Rates Video
In this video, I summarize the above information using more pictures and charts.
How did that video help you with understanding CMA exam pass rate information?
Next, let’s look at some ways you can increase your CMA exam pass rate. No one goes into the exam wanting or expecting to fail. Preparation is key to your success.
Ways to Increase Your CMA Exam Pass Rate
Obviously, if you are planning to take the CMA exam and you are reading this post, you already have an interest in doing well. That’s great! It means you’re on the right track and you’re doing the legwork necessary to ensure you have a passing score the first time you take the exam.
To give yourself the best chance at CMA exam success, you must review thoroughly and study well. You can learn exactly how to do that in my ultimate CMA exam prep guide, which includes 50 actionable tips to help you nail the exam!
Another way to ensure that you have everything you need to pass the exam is to use CMA exam prep. You can learn all about the most popular courses and get my advice on which ones to trust in my CMA review course comparison.
How to Study for the CMA Exam
To ensure you pass the CMA exam parts 1 and 2, you need to study properly. As I mentioned above, one reason for the low CMA pass rates is that people simply did not prepare for the exam properly. They may have been told it was the easier exam, or they may have just dropped into it on a whim, without much preparation put into it. Furthermore, they could have taken the CMA exam when they were not an accounting major and without doing the proper research to ensure they passed.
You don’t have to be a statistic. When planning your study for the CMA, here are some tips:
- Decide which part you are going to take first. There are two parts to the CMA exam and you don’t have to take them in order. Some people choose to take Part 2 first, since it tends to be easier. Once you know which part you are taking first, you can begin to study that part.
- Choose which exam window you are going to test in. There are only three times of the year that testing windows are open: Jan/Feb, May/June, and Sept/Oct. You will need to schedule your exam for one of these windows. When you decide in advance which testing window you are going to register for, you will know how much time you have to study and prepare.
- Create a solid study plan. I talked above about using study guides and review courses, but even the best guides are only as good as you allow them to be. It’s essential you make a study plan and then stick with it consistently. This is how you get efficient study in before your big day, so you can feel confident you will pass the exam.
Finally, to learn all about the CMA exam process, you can sign up to my e-course, which is completely free! Learn more about the course or sign up directly below.
Further Reading:
About the Author Stephanie Ng
I am the author of How to Pass The CPA Exam (published by Wiley) and the publisher of this and several accounting professional exam prep sites.
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could you please, help me to get a course make me good in English ?
cause I think that language is the only problem that faces me and thank u so much for mini course because it help me so much to understand some points I couldn’t understand.
THANK U SOOOOOOO MUCH
Hi Ibrahim this is a tough question… but I guess it depends whether you want to improve your reading or writing skills. For writing there is a book called “The Elements of Style” by William Strunk Jr. which is a classic for this purpose. hope it helps! Stephanie
سلام عليكم.
my opinion m.ibr that the language(Eng) is not the problem of the CMA.
I am CMA . My Language is not Sound as it should be
its only by practice
Thanks Amr. This is a great encouragement for all the aspiring CMAs! Stephanie
hi amir bhai if u r form pakistan so kindely give me ur contact number i want talk with u
Hi Amir,
I need your help to prepare the exams,
Can you guide me, mohsin@dopravo.com
السلام عليكم you mean that the cma exam not very hard but you should practice in examples ?or what please can you give me an advise am studying now cma part 1 and i am woozy mind how to study it study or resolve more examples ??i will be thankful to help me
Hi Mohammed, whether it’s hard or not is relative (i.e. it depends on your own experience and background).
This post attempts to analyze the difficulty based on objective factors: https://ipassthecmaexam.com/cma-exam-difficulty/
Hope it helps! Stephanie
I would like to inquire about salaries of the CMA holders in USA or any other place in the world.
Hi Mohammed yes I owe you all a post on CMA salaries… but there is a very detailed analysis on the IMA website. You can take a look at that for now? the latest for the US is done in 2011 and can be found here:
http://www.imanet.org/PDFs/Public/General/06_2012_salary_survey.pdf
Thanks Stephanie I appreciate your efforts.
Sure Mohammed you are most welcome! Stephanie
So kindly gentlemen,if i am working as a chief accountant on Egypt, and passing CMA exam and became certified. Is it enable me to work in USA and Canada in a good suitable position. While i have fluency in English cause i am working in a multinational company and my business language is English.
I do appreciate your prompt response.
Hi Helemish,
Getting the CMA will help you recognized in companies around the world especially in the US. For Canada, they have their own CMA certification but getting that requires studying within Canada, which could be hard to do.
So getting back to your question, while it helps I wouldn’t say it will guarantee you any jobs there. If you are working in a multinational company it will likely easier if you request for an opportunity to transfer to the US or Canadian regional office for a temporary exchange. If people there like you enough they will more likely offer you a permanent position. This is the easiest way to get hired in the US/Canada in my opinion, and I have readers who have done that. Hope it helps! Stephanie
Hi Stephanie,
Regarding CMA pass rates can you pls tell us about the score scale and the pass score, i think it s from 500 and am in Egypt how should i get to pass the exam
thanks,
Hi Amir, this is a good point — I should mention it somewhere above.
The scoring is 0-500 and the minimum score is 360. More details here: http://www.imanet.org/cma_certification/exam_scores.aspx
Stephanie
i’m currently reviewing for part 2 of cma exam and i’m finding it so much harder than part 1. i wonder why the passing rate for part 2 is higher than in part 1…
I hear you Tim… it depends on individual background, and also, the content can be difficult but the exam itself may not be so. For example, it can also depend on how “tricky” the questions are, whether the examiners test you at introductory level or advanced level of the same topic… by the way, which review course/material are you using? It makes a difference as they can over/under prepare you.
Hope the higher overall pass rate will give you some encouragement! Stephanie
i got the cmals 2-part combo package. but to be honest, i am having difficulty with it. lots of errors (both book and online practice) and the explanations are not complete. i’m trying to find other review sources (without spending again) as i have already spent so much on cmals if you know of any free resources for the cma review, would be very grateful! am already on panic mode…
Indeed CMALs is probably the most expensive… but Tin I am sorry to tell you that I haven’t found anything that is free regarding the CMA exam, and I don’t expect to find any honestly unless someone is willing to lend you a copy of the book. Anyway the value, in my opinion, is in the test prep software. I will still stick to working on those practice questions if your budget doesn’t allow another test prep provider.
Indeed you sounded stressed… maybe you can take a break for a day or two? Things usually “click” the next day. I know this is a cliche advice but it does work for me and quite a few of my readers. Good luck to your Part 2!! Stephanie
Will do. Thanks for the advice Stephanie! Appreciate it.
Sure! Stephanie
is it harder than the cpa or what ?
i dont want to be surprised if u know what i mean
I personally think it is not as hard in comparison, because CPA is a lot broader and I especially dreaded REG especially the US taxation section. For CMA it’s more like an expanded BEC and some CFA materials. I guess it also depends on your own background. Mine is much closer to corporate accounting than US tax accounting.
The lower pass rate can be explained by the fact the entry barrier is lower. For CPA a candidate is effectively an accounting major (often with masters’ degree) and therefore must do better when compared to the many CMA candidates who have never studied finance or accounting (since it is not required to sit for the exam).
Also, there are a lot more non-US speaking international candidates especially from China and the Middle East and the language should have some impact at the pass rate at a macro level.
Hello,
I have passed CMA part 1 exam with a score of 400. I am not sure how it converts into percentage to have an idea how well I have scored. Pls of someone can translate this score 400 out of 500 into some meaningful measure, it would greatly help
Hi Ikram, first of all congratulations! With such a low passing rate for part 1 I think you should be happy that you pass with any score. For your information, the full mark is 500 and the passing mark is 360. I don’t think they release any info on standard deviation so it would be hard to know which percentile you fall into, but I would say that with 400 you should have comfortably passed part 1.
Are you all ready for Part 2?
Cheers
Stephanie
Thankyou!!!! I am appearing for part 2 in May 13
Sure Ikram and my very best wishes to your Part 2! Stephanie
Assalam-0-Alaikum
I want to take admission in cma. i have done b.com in 2012 & now i want to take admission in cma but i am very confuse about thinking that could i be clear it.. & could u recommend me any good institute of cma in karachi.
cell: 00923453296655
Hi Muhammad, I don’t know about those in Karachi, but I generally recommend the online courses because they are exactly the same as the US candidates are using, and so the quality is guaranteed. Here are the details: https://ipassthecmaexam.com/cma-review-course/
Stephanie
hi there
i am a cpa candidate , and i am considering the idea of taking the part 1 cma exam since it is very similar to the BEC section
what do u think about it ?
i have strong desire to read and pass cma exams,it is not only English language level that make people from countries other than Europe,America and all countries that English language is their formal language not to be able to prepare for this certification but many obstacles may prevent and even deprive them to do this .one of these problems is how to attain cma questions and model answers and this is my case.in my self, ifeel that ican do well just if ihave attained the required questions and answers covering part 1 at this stage.
i like to know , the score of the essay only in the exam .
Hi Tamer, this is only an overall score and not an essay-only score… Stephanie
it mean that the score will be 30%,25%,25%,15%5% including both multiply choice and essay.
Hi
Well I am appearing for the CMA Part1 exam in
Sep2013 and I m preparing it from Wiley and doing
Practice from exam support package, and getting
62% in that package, my question is are the
Question are similarly related to the exam question
Or exam question wil be some different
Hi Rafay, I guess it is hard to generalize but from readers’ feedback the actual ones tend to be lengthy and more “narrative” than the ones in Wiley… It’s a good idea to rework the ones you did wrong to improve your accuracy to 75-80%.
Hello Sir,
I want to start CMA Part 1 preparation for exams, is it possible to prepare for exams by self study or it must that you have to take coaching for it, please guide me about this.
Thanks
Hi Mohsin, self-study is totally fine, and many candidates in the US and elsewhere in the world do that. A study plan is helpful to keep yourself on track. Good luck! Stephanie
Hi Stephanie,
Which books you will referred me for preparation of CMA part 1 exams, Your cooperation is really highly appreciated.
Thanks
Hi Mohsin, I like Gleim, but you can also check out the major providers (with my view on the pros and cons) here:
https://ipassthecmaexam.com/cma-review-course/
If you have any specific questions you can email me here or on that review page. Let me know if I can be more helpful! Stephanie
Hello Stephanie,
First of all, thank you for all the information you are providing in your website; It is a goldmine!
I am mooving to canada in January 2014 (waitng fo my visa) and I would like to arrive there having my CMA part 1 done , and take the part 2 once there.
1st question, can I tak the part 1 in Ireland, and the part 2 in Montreal with a tourist visa (if i will still be waiting for my working visa) ? I guess yes…but just to be sure.
2nd question:
I have a master degree in international management and 2 years exp as a junior project controller. English is not my native language but i do feel quite comfortable with it. I am wondering if I start in August 2013 to learn by my self , how long should I wait to take the part 1 (and 2).
Do you think end of septEember would be too early?
3rd question: I checked availabilities and it looks that they are tests for part 1 and 2 in november 2013 too in Dublin which strange as normally it is sept/oct and jan/feb… do you know if it is in fact possible?
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE for the time you’ll spend on my questions!
All the best!
Hi Paulette,
Thanks for your note! Before I answer your questions, could you let me know whether you are looking at the US CMA or Canadian CMA? Because getting the Canadian version makes more sense in your case if you work in Canada. My site only covers the US CMA offered by the IMA.
Stephanie
could you please tell me how many years allowed to get the cma after registration?
the three years are after the registration or after passing part one.
I believe it’s 3 years after you start the CMA program, i.e. after the registration. Stephanie
i registered in novemer 2012 and i did not pass any part upto now
i mean one year only remaining after the date of the registration , so i have to stop studing and examing or what can should i do?
Hi Tamer, if you registered in Nov 2012, you will be fine until Nov 2015. Plenty of time I imagine? Stephanie
sorry i registered in Nov 2011 not Nov 2012
Oh I see. Well still 15 months to go. If you put this as a high priority and get it done with, should still be very doable. Stephanie
hi stephan i like to ask u a question i am currently student of ACCA i just cleared 3 papers i now heard about CMA so i m now thinking to give CMA and get exemption in ACCA ?and how many exemption are?
Hello, 7 papers are exempted. Here is more info: https://ipassthecmaexam.com/acca-exemptions-from-cma/
Hi
There are some questions are bouncing in my forehead and need some answers if anyone could help:
Firstly, I am egyptian. SO, my 1st Q is:
How many people did achieve CMA certificate in my country or even in my region? in Average
2nd Q:
What are the perfect tips that could help me pass the certif. with a high score? referring that I am a commerce faculty grad plus I am working as an accountant. How to prepare and those steps should be taken
3rd Q:
Need to know the steps of making account for IMA
4th Q:
Which parts to focus on, in part 1?
5th Q:
Will I use Grammer & language kinda related stuff to express my answers in the essay’s question ?
Also if any CMA holder have other advices for me. well, that could help alot!
Best Regards
MT
Hi Mostafa, thanks for your note. Here are my answers to you:
1. I don’t have this particular data, but in Fiscal year ended Jun 30 there were 572 new CMAs from Middle East. This link provides more details: https://ipassthecmaexam.com/number-of-cma/
2. I don’t have any “perfect” tips, and in most cases the most important tip is your dedication and hard work. Secondly, the suitable CMA review course. Here is my suggestion on these courses: https://ipassthecmaexam.com/cma-review-course/
3. Not too sure what you mean by making account of IMA? Did you mean registering for the exam? Here are the steps: https://ipassthecmaexam.com/how-to-become-a-cma/
4. Either starting with Part 1 or Part 2 is fine. Part 1 is more on cost accounting and internal control; part 2 is more on financial management (similar to Level 1 of CFA)
5. Yes certainly you need proper grammar for the essay, but content, clarity and organization is important too. More tips here: https://ipassthecmaexam.com/cma-exam-essay-prep/
Regards
Stephanie
Hi Stephanie,
I’m using Gleim book and software for part 1, and i’m wondering how close are the MCQ in Gleim to the ones in the exam?
Thanks for your help and keep it up.
Regards,
Mus
Hi Mus, it’s really hard to tell, but I don’t think you should expect the same questions pop up in the real exam. At least gleim has some out-of-the-blue questions that train you to think on your feet. At least that’s what I like about Gleim. Cheers, Stephanie
Hi Stephanie,
As you mentioned in your many answer that minimum passing marks is 360 out of 500.
Is 360 score including essay ! If someone will gets 70% scoring in MCQ but he will get zero in essay , what will be the final result. Will he pass in the exam.
Regards,
Yes Mahesh, 360 is an overall score. The administrator doesn’t disclose the exact formula (it’s likely too complicated anyway) so I can’t answer your question, but generally candidates find the essays manageable. MC is the difficult part. Stephanie
can a normal student pass the wholly examintion of cma?
Well, it’s a very general question. I guess with dedication and hard work it is a passable exam. Stephanie
The reason that CMA part 1 has much lower passing rate in the middle east is a combination between 2 factors, English language and Internal Controls (Audit) Part, which almost has no numerical numbers and rely heavily on candidates English language specially when it comes in the Essay part of the exam
That’s a good point Khaled. Part 1 questions are indeed more “wordy”…
sir i live in pakistan and i,m student of CMA(USA) kindly tell me how can pass the cma in first attempt and also tell me the reason of failure and also tell me the future of cma.thanks
Hi Muhammad, here is a post on the reason of failure:
https://ipassthecmaexam.com/fail-to-pass-the-cma-exam/
For your other questions, you may want to check out my frequently asked questions page: https://ipassthecmaexam.com/cma-exam-faq/
Hello
i m appearing in May so i need to ask about text book,,I m using Gleim or Hock, is it enough for preparation?
Thanks
Hello
i m appearing in part 1 on end of May so i need to ask about text book,,I m using Gleim or Hock, is it enough for preparation?
Thanks
Hi Wahaj, it should be fine! Here is my analysis of the review courses for your reference: https://ipassthecmaexam.com/cma-review-course/
Hi Stephenie,
I am from India, if i do Cma from India will i get recognition and membership in cma us.
Hi Joseph, you can definitely take the US CMA exam in India. This post may help you: https://ipassthecmaexam.com/cma-in-india/
Regards
Stephanie
Thank you stephanie
You are most welcome! Stephanie
sir
iam Jaleel from india.If i passed both papers in CMA.Can i get a job in a reputed company for practical experience, by producing 2part’s marklists.
Hi Jaleel,
Yes you certainly can but there won’t be a job waiting for you. You need to apply just like any other candidates. With the CMA certification it helps especially if you look for companies in manufacturing, or involve in cost and inventory accounting, or the Fortune 100 companies in general. But you still need to proof yourself in other areas with a well crafted resume and good performance in interviews. Best of luck! Stephanie
thanks for your valuable informat
ion
You are most welcome! Stephanie
Hi Stephane,
I have completed my Degree in maths,PG in maths and MBA in Finance.I have been working in Qatar as Finance Manager/Finance controller for last 15 years.I would like to join to CMA to enhance my accounting skills.Would you mind to advise whether maths skills will add value while preparing and appearing for CMA course and exams.
Thanks and regards,
Binoy Chacko
hi Binoy,
I would say math and other quantitative majors do help, since accounting is very related to numbers. But then, advanced math like differentiation, integration and theoretical math is not necessary. So I guess it helps to a certain extent. Hope it helps? Regards, Stephanie
hi,
iam a bcom graduate student from india. i plan to join cma in this coming july.
is this cma a better option than mba finance? my famly is more sterssing on me for that. as i love accounting i go for a different course.
how many it consit of problem based and theory based. iam not good in theory papers as like problem papers.
thanks in advance
Hi Rafsal, it really depends on your future career plans. Here is my analysis on your situation:
https://ipassthecmaexam.com/mba-or-cma/
Please let me know if you have any questions and I will be happy to help. Stephanie
thanx staphine,
what noe iam looking at is to register an distand mba along with cma.
how many problem portions & theory portion it consists? can you tell me in a percentage form.
Hi Rafsal, do you mean the proportion of theoretical vs computational questions in the CMA exam? I don’t think the examiners disclose such information, and it is likely that the proportion changes in every exam. Remember it is a computerized exam which means that they generate different sets of questions for candidates, but the difficulty level is the same. I would focus on both theory and calculations as they help each other in your exam prep. Regards, Stephanie
helo sir..
i am irfan from pakistan
and i want to know that from where i can get the past papers mcqs??
Hi Irfan,
All major CMA review course have incorporate those in their offerings. You can check them out here: https://ipassthecmaexam.com/cma-review-course/
hi…. i got 300 score in part 1 🙁 i am currently studying part 2… i want to know that is it possible to manage both parts in same window..????
Hi Abdul, sorry to hear that, it’s quite close to pass! There are certainly readers who manage two parts with success. It depends on your available time and commitment. Since you should have known the materials for Part 1, it should be easier this time. I would suggest that you focus on the practice questions. Best of luck! Stephanie
Hi guys! Many of you are having doubts about the comparative difficulty of different US based exams. Here is a comparison starting from the hardest to the easiest.
CFA>CPA>CMA>CFE
CFE=certified fraud examiner.
Hope it helps!
Thanks for sharing Adi. Will see if others agree! Stephanie
I am faisal from jeddah currently doing job nd I hv plan to start CMA BUT I completely dont hv any idea about CMA .just recently I come to know I just want to make sure if I gv my 3 to 4 hours daily after 4 months I would be able to appear in part 1.
2nd I want to know the scope in saudi arabia and in future can I get job
Hi Faisal, thanks for your note. It usually takes about 100-150 hours of study for a typical candidate. Based on your plan, it would be 3.5 hours x 30 days x 4 months which is totally enough. Having said that, you do need breaks in between but even if the breaks it looks fine to me.
On whether you can get a job in Saudi Arabia, I understand the CMA certification is getting quite popular in the middle east so this is certainly helpful. But it also depends on your previous experience and your skill in interviews etc. Anyway, just work towards the goal one step at a time! Regards, Stephanie
Stephanie
Thanks for info. I will be writing in June15, can i study my own without help of any review course?
Cheers!!
Hi stephanie,
I have given my cma part 1 and my score is 310 . I did very well in my exambut the scores are disappointing. Please let me know the grading system and the way i have to prepare. im using gliem CMA Review system.
Thanks and regards
Sarada Akella
Hi Sarada,
Sorry to hear that… I have this page that explains the scoring system: https://ipassthecmaexam.com/cma-exam-scoring/
You might also want to check out the diagnostic report and see where the weaker areas are.
This page may also be helpful: https://ipassthecmaexam.com/fail-to-pass-the-cma-exam/
Regards
Stephanie
Hi Stephani,
I’ve gone thru almost all comments! and I am curious – will i Pass, If I take this challenge ??
I’m an average student but lazy bone! I do have good grasping power and intellect but with a moderate practice of say 10 hours a week, can i Pass one part in three months time ?
well, I am commerce post graduate and working as an accountant for three years now!
Haha John thanks for the honesty! You don’t need to be a A+ student to pass this exam, but do need to work hard. If your 10 hours per week is all solid studying hours, ie within that 10 hours it is all studying, and not occasional checking of emails, facebook etc, then you should have enough time to get well prepared in 3 months time. It all depends on your attitude. Good luck!
Hi Stephanie,
I am a juninor in Penn State, and my major is accounting. Can i take the part 1 test in China because i know there is a Chinese CMA test in Aug 8 in China. And then finish the second part in USA?
Hi Siyu, I am not sure if you can take one part in Chinese and the other in English… it is best to double check with the IMA. They can be reached at ima@imanet.org. Regards, Stephanie
Hi Stephanie,
I have appeared for part 1 during Feb 2015 and I got 340 score.
I would like to re appear during June 2015.Do you have any advise where i missed 20 marks .
Also can you advise whether there is any exam promotions price going on now.
Thank
binoy
Hello Binoy, that was very close! With more practice (and probably a bit more luck) you should be able to make it. Would you read this post that I have for retakers? And we can talk about this afterwards in detail: https://ipassthecmaexam.com/fail-to-pass-the-cma-exam/
Regards, Stephanie
HI I AM A NEW STRANGER TO CMA HOW CAN I PERFECTLY COMPLETE MY CMA…COULD U TELL ME PLEASE
Hi Narendra, I am not sure if I can help you achieve that… but with hard work and dedication, this exam is doable. You can start by reading this page: https://ipassthecmaexam.com/how-to-become-a-cma/
Regards, Stephanie
Thanks Stephanie for giving the information…and i want to attempt for the next January so which material is best for the CMA,& new syllabus also added in part1. and also please tell me the Registration fee structure.
Hi Narendra,
Here are the relevant posts.
Review material comparison:
https://ipassthecmaexam.com/cma-review-course/
Fee structure:
https://ipassthecmaexam.com/cma-exam-fees/
For other info the FAQ page is useful:
https://ipassthecmaexam.com/cma-exam-faq/
Hi Stephanie,
I have lost part 1 with a small margin .I got 340.Shall I apply for a re grade of the same.
Please advise
Thanks
Binoy
Hi Binoy,
Sorry to hear that, it was indeed very close. I’ve talked to a few candidates on this as well, but our consensus is that it is very, very unlikely that they will change the mark for you. For the border line ones they should have had manually checked for chances to bump you up (or down in some cases).
I have this post for retakers if you are interested to read further: https://ipassthecmaexam.com/fail-to-pass-the-cma-exam/
Regards, Stephanie
While comparing cma with cia which one is toughest course? Cia with mba without having cma is useful or not?
pls reply
Also wish to know about advantages of mba with cfe and mba with cma
Hi stephani
I passed CMA course via group coaching (3.5 months ) and one month review after that ( gleim book and CD ) with 420 as passing score in may /June 2015 first attempt
My question is
For part 2 do I have to change any thing in my studying way or the same should do the trick
Thanks Stefanie and your tips was always helpful
Hi Mohamed, that’s great! I would stick with your successful plan for Part 2 🙂 Regards, Stephanie
Hi Stephanie,
I am taking the exam in 1 month and now I am at the point of pure practise. When I was doing the MCQ part 1 for each of the modules with the gliem book, I averaged 77% overall. I want to get it into the mid 80s when doing the MCQ part 2 for each module.
Is this what you did when you wrote it?
I am trying to figure out how to be successful here because some of the MCQs are certainly tricky.
Thanks.
I would definitely work on the tricky ones Rob 🙂 I aimed for 100% accuracy — not all correct the first time of course, but make sure I did every single question right. Stephanie
Hi Stephanie,
Constantly, I have been seeing the difference in passing rate between the regions. Let’s say US and UK and Asia have much better passing rate when compared to Middle East. My doubt is whether the difficulty level of questions may vary regions to regions? But, people say online that Middle East is a non English country. I’m not agree with it because, CMA exam is comprises of technical knowledge about accounting not about grammar or fluency. I would like to know about your comments on it and I want to know whether it will help us to pass or will get easy questions if we choose exam center in highly passing rate regions?
Thanks a lot.
Hi Abdul, the exam questions come from exactly the same pool — so the difference is only on the candidates I am afraid. I am not suggesting the Middle Eastern candidates are anything less intelligent or hardworking, but I believe the English language plays a large part in it. It isn’t about grammar (although, in essay sections, that could be a factor). It’s more on comprehending the complex questions. A non-English speaking candidate may take longer to understand a question, or sometimes may not even understand it at all. This put them at a disadvantage.
So the solution shouldn’t be “overcoming the system” such as taking the exam in a different region. Rather, candidates should better equip themselves with more practice in understanding the practice questions, study in English (i.e. don’t take local coaching class that teaches in local language), read English newspaper and magazine, etc. In other words, got to immerse yourself in the English language all around to increase your chance of success.
Cheers, Stephanie
Hi Stephanie,
I am taking exame in JAN ,
1. now i am following wiley material and i completed total preparation. In practice wiley question bank iam scoreing 90-96 per.
2. wiley excel material is enough for preparion and in case of essay questions use same wording in wiley excel material.
Hi Nagaraju, I suppose you are making a comment instead of asking a question? If so it’s great to know. But generally I don’t think candidates should expect the exam has exact same working showing up in the essay section. Regards, Stephanie
Hello Sir,
I am graduated in B com.Now i am decided to study the CMA .Everyone say its a huge risk to study. The language is my problem.what will i do to pass the CMA? May i go for coaching these course?
Hi Mohamed, assuming you are from India, I’ve seen lots of Indian candidates since 2015. Not sure exactly why but I believe IMA is expanding in India, which is great for those who are or will become CMA some day. It is a tough exam, but certainly doable. Not sure what the “huge risk” is apart from that you may fail… yes, the pass rate is low and the exam questions can be long and tricky, but as I mentioned above, many candidates are casual takers who don’t bother to study much before entering the exam room. Those people fail, of course, but if one prepares well, the chance is much higher.
You may want to read my bloggers’ story to get a glimpse of what it feels like being a candidate: https://ipassthecmaexam.com/cma-exam-blog/
Dear Stephanie,
I would like to have your advise as I am planning to study CMA, which is the one to study first Part 1 or 2, which is the easy to study ?
Many thanks
Reji
Hi Reji, it doesn’t matter which one you take first. I suggest that you take the one you are more familiar with or more comfortable with.
Part 1 is more on cost accounting, internal control and some financial accounting
Part 2 is more on corporate finance
Please refer to these pages for more info:
https://ipassthecmaexam.com/cma-exam-part-1/
https://ipassthecmaexam.com/cma-exam-part-2/
Dearest Stephanie,
Im from Philippines and some of my friends told me that I should go to either Dubai or Australia to study for the CMA exam. And if I passed the CMA exam in Dubai, per say, I can only use my license in Dubai. Please explain this matter to me further for I am just a mere sophomore college student. Thank you and God Bless!
Hello madame,
I am a ca final student and presently undergoing articleship training under a chartered acountant,i also qualified b com in accounts and finance.My queries are mame should i start preparation for cma us during this period as i came to know its 6 months course.2 how shall i start my preparation self studying or take coaching ,from which book should i start from gliem or from wiley study mat.or could u please suggest me a coaching institute in kolkata where i can get guidance.I dont have any knowledge about this course and i am uncertain whether my ca course will benefit me in doing this course .
How will i get the study material of gliem and from where to register from.PLEASE HELP
Thanking you in anticipation.
Hi Azhar,
Thanks for your note. Sure you can start as a student — you even have a student discount for the membership and exam fees:
https://ipassthecmaexam.com/cma-exam-fees/
Then, on your second question, there should be local coaching classes, but I don’t personally recommend them, with reasons here:
https://ipassthecmaexam.com/cma-prep-course-online-live-class/
I list out the top review courses here together with my general recommendation:
https://ipassthecmaexam.com/cma-review-course/
If you have other questions, you will likely be able to find them here:
https://ipassthecmaexam.com/cma-exam-faq/
But you are most welcome to drop a note here again.
Hello madame,
will i get job opportunities in middle east or in european countries after i qualify the exam further i wish to know that will i be able to manage this course by daily 8 hours of study .
please suggest me a good study material and its course of procurement if i opt for self study.
Hi Azhar, you may want to check out the my Middle East bloggers’ pages because they speak with their first hand experience. Amani is a good one: https://ipassthecmaexam.com/author/amani/
If you can dedicate 8 hours to study, that’s great. Normally people can put in a couple of hours during the week and more in the weekends, since most candidates have a full-time job.
I list out the top review courses here together with my general recommendation:
https://ipassthecmaexam.com/cma-review-course/
Hope it helps, Stephanie
Hello Stephanie. I noticed that the passing rates for part 2 are higher. I that means the part 1 exam is harder or what?
I’ve past experience with the two parts. I scored 350 in part 1 and 390 in part 2.
I noticed that part 2 exam is more tough and complex, however, part 1 material is more dense. After I failed part 1 I changed my strategy and passed part 2. Sometimes I believe if I studied for part 1 with my new strategy I’d definitely passed the exam.
Now, I’m going to retake the exam with my new strategy. But I’m little worried from this passing rates!
Hi David,
What strategy did you use on part 2 that was successful? what did you forget to do on part 1?
focusing on the material itself beside the practicing of the MCQ. You need to familiarize yourself well with the material and what is being tested on this exam. Take your own notes.. Read the material well.. and Practice for the exam.. They ask questions from everywhere,, between the lines!
Hi David, I don’t think anyone knows exactly why Part 2 has higher pass rate. It’s hard to compare the difficulty because they test on very different subjects, and also, whether it’s difficult or not largely depends on one’s background. Another possible reason is that many candidates do take Part 1 first. If they fail they don’t move forward to Part 2. Those who continue have experience in the CMA exam and are more mentally prepared… Anyway, I don’t think you need to worry about this. Just focus on working on your weaker areas, and you will be fine. 350 was very, very closing to passing. Good luck!
Hi
Can any one give me the tips to pass CMA part 1. I attempted 3 times and I got340 only . I am preparing from Wiley and Gleim products . Really not understanding how to complete this part 1 . I have already cleared part 2 one before
Thank you
Rani
Hi Rani, maybe you need to go through the fundamentals of internal controls and / or cost accounting? Try to follow a classic example slowly, go through all the steps and try to redo all the steps on your own. I have a bunch of tips here as well but they apply to both Part 1 and 2: https://ipassthecmaexam.com/cma-exam-prep-tips/
Reply for Rani,
I am in the same boat as I have not done the exam yet but I am also not getting 85% on the practise exams yet so I cannot write the real exam yet.
Part 1 is the problem. some people are getting 450…I want to use their magic powers lol. how do they do it?
So Rick, among the 15% that you got wrong, what type of questions are they? Some people have this “internal control” intuition. You can generally get them by really understanding each question and answers as you go through them. If the weakness is cost accounting, it’s even better because once the idea clicks, you get them easily. I guess those with 450 are the ones who have mastered these tactics.
I took part 1 and passed with a 430. I just took part 2 in January, and I must say, I felt like part 2 was much more difficult for me. I don’t have the gut feeling that I passed like I did immediately after the first exam. It’s a terribly unsettling feeling. The wait until March is going to be rough. The thought of having to study the material again is so disheartening!
Hi Josh, yes, we all have different strengths and maybe your strengths are more on the Part 1 topics. No worries, just relax and wait till March to study again. It is tough waiting around though! Here are some suggestions on what you can do during these agonizing few weeks: https://ipassthecmaexam.com/cma-exam-results-waiting-time/
Hi Josh,
Give some best suggestions to clear Part 1.
Thank you
Rani
I used Gleim and did literally every practice question that they offer. That should prepare you sufficiently.
Good to know Josh. Congrats again in passing!
I cleared CMA Part 1 in Jan-Feb Window with 370. And here is the strategy I followed,
Chapter A- Numericals from Wiley, only focused on important concepts in A2
Chapter B- Numericals from Hock, Theory from Wiley Textbook- covered this comprehensively
Chapter C- Numericals from Hock- Comprehensively covered this as well
Chapter D- Numericals from Hock- This section requires a lot of practice as it has process costing, job order costing, absorption vs variable and overheads
Chapter E- Numericals and Theory from Wiley.- Easiest of all, don’t leave anything in this chapter
Apart from these, I saw videos on very important concepts that you will find in CMA like drum buffer rope system,variances, RI vs ROI, Balance scorecard etc.
Thanks a lot for the advice. Very specific and it’s going to be helpful for those who have Wiley and Hock 🙂
Hi Anon,
Congratulations. Details which you have given is very useful. I could not clear the Part 1 . I am preparing from Gleim. Can you advise Gleim / Hock which one is helpful to clear the exam. Essays – I am doing well. MCQs – I might missed the score. Please let me know some more tips to practice MCQ s . I am planning to retake the exam in this June…
Thank you
Rani
Stephanie- You are welcome, you are doing a great job. I am willing to contribute to your website after clearing my part 2.
Rani- Thank you.
Go to Roger CPA’s official youtube channel and watch all the videos on Variances and make notes.
Also, watch Education unlocked’s videos on youtube on Management Accounting topics. They’ll help you in building your concepts that give you a lot of clarity in answering theory questions.
Search for SusanCrosson on youtube, even her videos were of great help for me in standard costing.
Also, I have read a lot on a few accounting websites and I cannot recall their names now. And all the videos that I have suggested are free of cost, so do watch them.
Coming to Hock/Gleim question, Gleim was very bulky for me and was going way beyond the exam level. When I took the exam for the first time, I scored 330. My preparation was not effective at all and I only prepared from Hock. The second time, I followed the above mentioned strategy and I was expecting somewhere over 400, ended up scoring 370. Do sections B,C,D from Hock and section A(that includes the newly added syllabus), section E from Wiley/Gleim.
Hi ,
Thank you. How can we guess the scores after exam? I cannot afford to buy the HOCK product. It’s expensive for me. I am not understanding how to clear the exam. How many hrs & days you have prepared for the part 1?
I am a working professional, so I only prepared in the weekends. I gave around 100 hours(if not more) for part 1 alone. It took a lot of time for me to study the topics for the first time. I took coaching from a well known institute for this in my city and it wasn’t very effective , so I had to do a lot of self study. If you have gleim alone, even that is comprehensive enough for the exam. I suggest you not to spend extra money on buying courses.Make detailed notes on numericals from Gleim and revise. REVISION- is what makes the difference, which a lot of candidates don’t do properly. Prometric sends you an exam performance report few weeks after the result gets released, put more efforts in the sections where you under-performed. I actually took a lot of sectional tests and a mock test before the actual exam.After taking the actual exam,I had a feeling that I performed a lot better than the what I did in the mock test, so was expecting a score over 400.
Hi Sharma,
Thank you & it is really good suggestion . I will do practice more on weaker sections.
Rani
Hi,
I m doing ma mcom in India, after completion of mcom I want to move canada for doing CMA Anyone knows which is the best coaching centre in Canada… ??
How much i should spend…. ….. ??
Is there any exemption for post gratuated…??
Plz help me…
Hi Rashid,
Canada has merged its CMA into one new designation called the CPA Canada. I have an introductory page on this but I am afraid that’s all I know: http://ipassthecpaexam.com/how-to-become-cpa-in-canada/
Respected Stephanie,
It’s kindly to inform you that i’m a CA (PAK) as well as a CPA (PAK) student but now i want to skip both these certifications and want to join CMA (USA) Asap. I have keen interest in it but need your complete and helpful guideline regarding it’s books availability in soft form as i want to study myself .If you have the CMA PART 1 Books in soft form then please email me so that i may start my preparation for the upcoming attempt.
Also kindly share me a few past papers of Part 1 (if possible) so that i should got an idea regarding the exam paper.
Hope to hear from you soon via email (*** DELETED ***)
Thanks.
Regards,
Humayun Khan
Hi Humayun,
I am afraid you and other candidates must get your own review materials. Feel free to borrow from the library or from friends, but distributing copies without the approval of review materials is generally not allowed. You may also breach IMA’s code of ethics with this action. Because of this I will remove your email (also for your own privacy). Thank you.
hi
i just wanted to know which part should take first part 1 or part 2 for cma?
Hi Sukhbir,
You can take either one first. I would pick the one you feel strong / more comfortable at. Good luck! Stephanie
Dear all
I am happy to join you
I think the major obstacle in the exam of CMA is the time. We need to know the time management very well. Do you agree with me?
Yes that’s certainly one big factor especially for those who have a full time job and study on the side. Stephanie
hello ,firstly i want to thank you for this gold advices..
i feel that iam comfort to start with part one, how can i manage my time for part 1 test ?
my second question that now iam so keen about start Learning and take the CMA ..how can i keep this motivation up one my learning journey ?
Hi, Any idea when the result of CMA september 2017 result will be published?
Hi Saju, it is typically 42 days after the end of the exam month (in this case September), which is Nov 11. But since Nov 11 is a Saturday, I am guessing Nov 10 (Friday) or Nov 13 (Monday).
You can bookmark this page here:
https://ipassthecmaexam.com/cma-exam-results-waiting-time/
Thank you Stephanie
Hi sir. my name is Manvi. I am thinking to persue my career in marketing course. I am in 11th currently and will soon in 12th. I have read the eligibility criteria for cma and I am confused about the bechelor degree thing. Can you please help?
Weather the chances taken for passing the CMA examination has any effect on the future placements etc
Hi Roy, not sure what you mean by placement, but if you mean whether passing in one go or several attempts will have any impact, the answer is no. You are a CMA no matter how little or how much you put in as a candidate as long as you pass 🙂 Stephanie
which review course is best for us cma exam?
Please send an email to stephanie[at]ipassthecmaexam.com so I can help.