CMA Study Group

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  • 1.  Best Practices

    Posted 12-13-2019 04:03 PM
    Hi everyone,
    Congratulations to everyone who has cleared their respective CMA exams.
    Can the successful candidates share their best practices, which resource material they used, and after how many months of study were they able to successfully complete the exam?
    Please share your experiences.
    Thank you,
    Sanobar


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    Sanobar Anjum
    Academic
    Pickering ON
    Canada
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  • 2.  RE: Best Practices

    Posted 12-14-2019 01:50 AM
    Hi Sanobar, 

    I recently attempted for CMA part 1 exam on Sep Window and Part 2 on Oct Window. 

    CMA Part 1: 
    No. of days: 45 
    Avg study time: 5-6 Hours per day
    Productive hours: 3-4 Hours
    Study Materials: HOCK 
    Result: Failed, Scored: 310
    Reason: Wrong study approach, writing an exam after 10 years, Ran out of time during exam etc. 


    CMA Part 2: 
    No. of Days: 22 (Oct 2nd to Oct 28th with 4 days break in between to refresh)
    Avg Study time: 8-10 Hours per day
    Productive hours: 5-6 Hours
    Study Materials: HOCK - I only watched videos and went through the text book for some topics due to lack of time. 
    Result: Passed, Scored: 360
    Reason: More confidence, Time management and I had to fly to a different country to write the exam due to lack of seat availability in Qatar - So I took it seriously :) 

    Tips: 
    1. Understand the concepts and apply.
    2. Study time totally depends on each individual and background though professional work experience doesn't matter much. 
    3. DONT take it lightly, spend time and prepare yourself. To be honest, I don't suggest an intense prep as I did (Unless you have some reason to) - You are going to get drained. 

    About the Materials: 
    I dont comment about any other materials since I do not have personal experience, but if you are a fan of video lectures that DO NOT make you sleep and a detailed text book and a good question bank, you need QUICK response for any concerns, you need a partial payment plan for your materials, You need a pass guarantee, go for HOCK! 


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    Ramshid Naushad
    Analyst
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Best Practices

    Posted 12-14-2019 03:20 AM
    Hi,

    I passed Part-1 in my third attempt. the different thing I did this time was got the latest study material from Gleim (the book and the question bank). Gave my 30% of the time to book and 70% time to question bank. Studied from 10:30 pm till 2:15 am (Office Timings from 9 AM to 8 PM) for a period of three months. Honestly,  I never prepared for Essay Questions at all. My third attempt was with a gap of 1 Year and in my second attempt, I was unable to pass the MCQs section. 

    It's not easy but the key is to practice questions as much as possible and don't give up. If I can do it, anyone can do it.

    Wish you good Luck



    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Best Practices

    Posted 12-14-2019 08:59 AM
    Passed both first attempt. My best score was using multiple study guides, and spending about 10 to 15 hours a week for 9 weeks. 

    I'd suggest understanding all materials, doing all practice questions (some more than once or twice), and doing a mock practice test for 4 hours. 
    Time management is critical on this test too, so you have to recognize how very little time you will have to answer everything with no breaks. No penalties for guessing on the multiple choice, but trust me that it's hard to even guess against such a tight clock.

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    Christopher Neu
    Director/Manager
    Miami FL
    United States
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Best Practices

    Posted 12-16-2019 12:10 PM
    Hi!

    I think the key to successfully completing the exam is understanding the concepts clearly and extensive practice of the multiple choices. For both groups, I used the Hock study materials ( without videos). I first went through the entire syllabus quickly for the first time (like as if I was reading a book). Then, when I went through the material the second time in detail, I made notes of important points / concepts in my notebook. This helped a lot during my last week revision. As I completed a section of the syllabus, I would start answering multiple choice questions on a daily basis.. I would do about 20 of them when I was still studying. One I'd completed studying the entire syllabus, I started doing 50 - 60 a day. 

    About two weeks before the exam, I also gave a third reading (a very quick glance) to the entire syllabus. 3 days before the exam I just used my notes.

    I took about 2 - 3 months for each part.

    Hope this helps. All the best 😊

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    Aparna Vidyasagar CMA
    Student
    Santa Barbara CA
    United States
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    Original Message