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Are you planning to take the Certified Management Accountant exam? If so, you need to start preparing now! The CMA exam is not an easy test, but with enough preparation, you can pass. In this post, we’ll discuss the best way to tackle CMA exam prep and provide a few examples of potential study schedules to follow.
First, let’s talk about how much time you should realistically devote to studying for the CMA exam. This is a difficult question to answer because it depends on a number of factors, including your starting knowledge, how quickly you learn and retain information, and whether you have other commitments that will take up some of your time.
That said, most people will need to devote at least 300 hours to studying for the CMA exam on average. It takes around 170 hours to study for Part 1 and 130 hours for Part 2. This may seem like a lot, but remember that the CMA credential is a valuable one that can help you advance your career.
There are a few different ways that you can study for the CMA exam. You can use a prep course, study on your own, or hire a tutor. The best way to study depends on your learning style.
For example, if you want extra help and one-on-one attention, a tutor may be the best option for you. On the other hand, if you value flexibility and learning on-the-go, self-study materials may be a better fit.
If you’re not sure how to start studying or what method will work best for you, we suggest answering a few of our free CMA exam practice questions. This assessment covers both parts of the exam and will help you identify your strengths and weaknesses.
When you’re setting up your CMA study schedule, don’t forget to account for the CMA exam testing windows. You don’t want to rush to wrap up studying for a part and then have to wait until testing is available.
Now that we’ve gone over how to study for the CMA exam and how much time you should dedicate to studying, let’s look at a few example schedules. These schedules will help you visualize how different study plans affect how long it takes to prepare for both Part 1 and Part 2, which you’ll study for and take individually.
Our CMA Review Course breaks up the CMA exam topics into bite-sized Study Units—Part 1 has 20 Study Units and Part 2 has 15. Our study schedules also cover what pace you’ll progress through the Study Units. You’ll find some Study Units more difficult than others, so don’t worry if some take you a little longer than others. Depending on your background knowledge, some topics will be easy for you and some will take some extra study time.
Remember, these are only examples. Every person’s situation is different, so make sure to tailor your schedule to fit your needs.
This slow study plan is not recommended because it will take you so long to finish studying for Part 1 that by the end, you’ll probably have forgotten some critical details from your first few weeks. If you only study for a few hours each week, you’ll have to spend more time reviewing topics to refresh your memory than studying new topics.
We recommend following a more rigorous strategy to get the most out of your study time.
This is our recommended study schedule for most people. On average, candidates can pass both parts of the CMA exam in just over 6 months using this schedule.
If you have a bit more time to study, consider increasing your study hours per week.
This increased study pace will set you up to pass your exam sooner, but it’s a busier schedule. If you’re working full time and have other rigid time commitments it could be difficult to fit in this many study hours each week.
This rigorous study schedule will put you on track to pass the CMA exam quickly and reach your goals sooner. Before you commit to this schedule, be sure you can block out enough hours and can stick to your plan.
This is an aggressive study plan for people who want to finish their studies as quickly as possible. This plan may be ideal for students and others who have breaks or time off to study. However, we don’t recommend this approach for everyone. This schedule can be difficult to stick to and may lead to burnout.
Remember, the most important thing is to find a study schedule that works for you. If you can stick to your schedule and put in the work, you’ll be well on your way to passing the CMA exam.
| 5 hours per week | 12 hours per week | 15 hours per week | 20 hours per week | 25 hours per week | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sit for Part 1 in: | 34 weeks/ 8.5 months |
14.2 weeks/ 3.6 months |
11.3 weeks/ 2.8 months |
8.5 weeks/ 2.1 months |
6.8 weeks/ 1.7 months |
| Sit for Part 2: | 26 weeks/ 6.5 months |
10.8 weeks/ 2.7 months |
8.7 weeks/ 2.2 months |
6.5 weeks/ 1.6 months |
5.2 weeks/ 1.3 months |
| Pass the CMA exam in: | 60 weeks/ 15 months |
25 weeks/ 6.3 months |
20 weeks/ 5 months |
15 weeks/ 3.7 months |
12 weeks/ 3 months |
Knowing what to study is just one part of the equation. Let’s finish with a few general tips to help you succeed.
If you follow these tips, you’ll be well on your way to passing the CMA exam and becoming a Certified Management Accountant. Our CMA Review course will set you up for success and provide the support you need to stick to your study plan and reach your goals. Good luck!
