CMA - USAExam Techniques Workshop

By : Arshad Bhutta (CMA,ACCA)

Understating about Do’s and Don'ts

during CMA Exam

Objectives of Session

Introduction of IMA

Institute of Management Accountants (USA) which was founded in 1919 in Buffalo, N. Y. as the National Association of Cost Accountants (NACA). In 1957, its name changed to National Association of Accountants (NAA) and then in 1991, again its name changed to Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) and now it has global presence and awarded CMA certification to more than 50,000 members.

CMA is a certification awarded by Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) which comprises two parts exam

CMA PART 1 - FINANCIAL REPORTING, PLANNING, PERFORMANCE, AND CONTROL1) External Financial Reporting Decisions: 15% 2) Planning, Budgeting and Forecasting: 30% 3) Performance Management: 20% 4) Cost Management: 20% 5) Internal Controls: 15%

About CMA-USA

CMA PART 2 - FINANCIAL DECISION MAKING 1) Financial Statement Analysis: 25% 2) Corporate Finance: 20% 3) Decision Analysis: 20% 4) Risk Management: 10% 5) Investment Decisions: 15% 6) Professional Ethics: 10%

The CMA exam is administered electronically in hundreds of testing facilities worldwide. With three exam sessions

every year, you can schedule exams at any time and place convenient for you

Jan & Feb

Last Registration Date is 15 February

May & June

Last Registration Date is 15

June

Sep & Oct

Last Registration Date is 15

Oct

The exams are offered at Prometric Testing Centers located in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

CMA Examination Structure

CMA exam is 4 hours exam which comprises two exam windows. 1st exam window having 100 MCQ’s to attempt within 3

hours. 2nd exam window having two essay type questions to attempt

within 1 hours.

CMA Exam Structure

CMA Exam Marks WeightageCMA exam is 500 marks exam for each part. 1st exam window having weightage of 75% (375 Marks) of

total marks. 2nd exam window having weightage of 25% (125 Marks) of

total marks.

360 Marks

Target to Achieve?

Complete your sleep before exam. Be relax, confidant and committed during exam. Use simple calculator. Scientific calculator is not

allowed in exam. Don’t waste your time during exam by

concentrating irrelevant things. Review your complete syllabus before exam. Bring your passport, National Identity Card or

Driving License as proof of identification. Paper and pencils are provided by invigilators

during exam for workings and calculations.

How to achieve Target? General Guidance……..

Time Management

Major Impediment?

Total Time : 180 Minutes Time for each MCQ : 1.8 minutes Idle Time : 0.2 minute per MCQ Productive Time : 1.6 minutes per MCQ

1st Exam Window

Solution of major Impediment?

Average time required to attempt each question….. 30 MCQ’s requires 30 to 60 seconds = 15 to 30 minutes 30 MCQ’s requires 1.5 to 2 minutes = 45 to 60 minutes 30 MCQ,s requires 2 to 4 minutes = 60 to 120 minutes 10 MCQ,s requires 4 to 6 minutes = 40 to 60 minutes

Major Concern: identify the single word which may change the examiner requirement

1st 30 MCQ,s

Major Concern: Identify relevant data

Ignore irrelevant dataRead requirement first

2nd 30 MCQ,s

Major Concern: Read requirement first

Identify relevant data Ignore irrelevant data

3rd 30 MCQ,s

Major Concern: Time ManagementSolution: Study requirement first. Think logically. Don’t confuse. If can’t find the solution

and time is running out make your best possible guess.

Don’t leave question unanswered.

If this will appear on your exam window as 1st question then skip it and attempt in last phase of exam.

10 MCQ,s

• Answer all questions because there is no negative marking.• Mark the question which you don’t answer.• Attempt small questions 1st.• Leave big questions for last phase of exam.• Read requirements carefully.• All questions have equal marks, so don’t over concentrate on

big questions.• Don’t lose your focus during exams.

Do’s and Don’ts in 1st Exam Window

67 MCQ,s

How many right answers required to get access to 2nd Exam Window?

Option 1 – review your answersOption 2 – move to 2nd Exam Window and add the given time to 2nd exam window time

What to do, if answered all MCQ,s before given time?

Recommendation: Review

Total Time : 60 Minutes Time for each essay question : 30 Minutes Idle Time : 2 minutes per essay Productive Time : 28 minutes per essay Each essay question have 5 to 7 short questions

2nd Exam Window – Two Essay Questions

Solution of major Impediment?

2nd%20Exam%20window%20Prototype.xlsx

2nd Exam Window – Two Essay Questions

Prototype of Essay Type Questions ?

• Answer all questions because there is no negative marking.• Mark the question which you don’t answer.• Common mistake done by students is they will study scenario first which

will consume around 3 to 5 minutes for each scenario. • Most of the questions have same answer, so student must have to use

copy, past option to save their time. i.e.Write down two advantages of Payback period.Write down two advantages of NPV?

• Majority questions requires theoretical answers, so these answers must be concise, brief, relevant and smart.

• Numerical questions must answer after answering all theoretical questions.

Do’s and Don’ts in 2nd Exam Window

Thanks!