CMA Part 1
CMA Part 1 Study Plan by Time Left
What to study first for CMA Part 1: sections ranked by question count, with plans for four weeks, two weeks and the final week.
- Questions and time
- 100 MCQs + 2 case-based sets · 180 minutes for MCQ practice; the real exam adds 60 minutes for cases
- Pass mark
- 360 on the 0–500 scaled score
- Exam fee
- USD 545 per part for professionals; USD 407 for students and academics. Membership and entrance fees are separate.
Start with 10 free questions to find what needs more work. No sign-up, with answer explanations.
Try 10 free questions and see your levelPut what you just read into practice
Start with 10 free questions to find what needs more work. No sign-up, with answer explanations.
Try 10 free questions and see your levelLast verified: 11 November 2026. This is an independent guide; it is not affiliated with Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) / Institute of Certified Management Accountants (ICMA) or any government body. Exam details can change, so check the exam page at Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) / Institute of Certified Management Accountants (ICMA) before relying on any figure.
This guide answers one question: with the days you have left before CMA Part 1, what do you study first? Section details are in the syllabus guide; booking and fees are in the registration guide.
The numbers behind the plan
| Fact | What it means for your study |
|---|---|
| 100 questions in 180 minutes (Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) / Institute of Certified Management Accountants (ICMA)) | About 108 seconds per question. Answer recall questions quickly to leave time for the ones that need reading or calculation. |
| Pass mark: 360 on the 0–500 scaled score | Your practice accuracy does not convert to this score, so use it to compare your sections with each other. |
| Fee: USD 545 per part for professionals; USD 407 for students and academics. Membership and entrance fees are separate. | Every extra attempt costs money and time, so do not book until your mock scores are steady. |
Sections in order of size
- Planning, Budgeting, and Forecasting: 20 questions (20%)
- Performance Management: 20 questions (20%)
- External Financial Reporting Decisions: 15 questions (15%)
- Cost Management: 15 questions (15%)
- Internal Controls: 15 questions (15%)
- Technology and Analytics: 15 questions (15%)
Four weeks or more
Give the sections 20 study days in proportion to their weight, then keep a week for mock exams:
- Planning, Budgeting, and Forecasting: 4 days
- Performance Management: 4 days
- External Financial Reporting Decisions: 3 days
- Cost Management: 3 days
- Internal Controls: 3 days
- Technology and Analytics: 3 days
After each section, work its questions in the practice area and read the explanation for every option you got wrong before moving on.
Two weeks
Ten days for the larger sections and four for mock exams and review:
- Planning, Budgeting, and Forecasting: 1 day
- Performance Management: 1 day
- External Financial Reporting Decisions: 2 days
- Cost Management: 2 days
- Internal Controls: 2 days
- Technology and Analytics: 2 days
The final week
- Day 1: the 10 free questions, to find your weakest sections.
- Days 2 to 4: Planning, Budgeting, and Forecasting and Performance Management first because they are the largest, then your weakest section.
- Day 5: one full mock exam: 100 questions in 180 minutes without stopping.
- Day 6: go through every question you got wrong and read the explanation for each option.
- Day 7: light review, and check your appointment, test centre and required ID.
Finished reading? Try a set of questions
Start with 10 free questions to find your weakest units. Keep practising with the full question bank and mock exams from SAR 26.