CMA Inter Exam Preparation Guide with Study Tips and Resources

Hello! I made this post to help people who aspire to pass the CMA exam or those who are trying to pass after failing. Here are some tips that I think everyone should know in order to succeed.

1. Study a lot. Don't take it lightly.

If you're working, try to study at least 3–4 hours a day. If you're studying full-time, study as much as you can. During weekends, aim for around 8 hours if possible.

In my experience, Part 1 is much harder to study because it covers a lot of topics, especially Internal Controls and IT. However, the actual exam is more straightforward. Part 2, on the other hand, is easier to study because it has fewer topics, but it's much harder during the actual exam because it requires more analytical thinking. One technique may work for one question but not for another.

1. Study the concepts.

This is the most important tip for me. Many people simply memorize the test bank without understanding why the answers are correct or incorrect.

1. Keep reviewing previous topics.

Even after moving on to a new topic, go back and review the previous ones from time to time so you don't forget them. Use active recall. Concepts are more important than many people think.

1. Practice the test banks a lot.

Understanding the concepts alone isn't enough. You need to master each topic so that even if a question is presented differently, you'll know how to solve it because you truly understand the concept.

1. Use the elimination method when answering questions.

Eliminate the wrong choices first to increase your chances of getting the correct answer. More importantly, understand why the wrong answers are wrong. When practicing, try explaining to yourself why each incorrect choice is incorrect. That will significantly improve your mastery.

1. Take notes if they help you.

As someone who hates taking notes because I get tired of writing, taking notes really helped me retain information. If you can study effectively without notes, that's great. But I personally recommend writing notes where you'll always see them. I usually write notes directly in my books, so every time I review, I'm reminded of important concepts. Sometimes I even write down points that appeared in the test banks but weren't discussed in the textbooks.

1. Decide which part to take first based on your strengths.

Part 1 is generally better for people with a strong accounting background. Part 2 is better suited for those who are stronger in finance. Choose the order that best matches your strengths.

1. Use AI when you're stuck.

If there's a topic or a test bank explanation that doesn't make sense, use ChatGPT or another AI tool like Google AI to help explain it more clearly. I personally use AI whenever something(theory or calculations) isn't clicking.

1. Be disciplined.

Study even when you don't feel like it. If you keep putting it off, you'll regret it when exam day is approaching and you realize you're still underprepared.

1. Choose a good CMA review school. For fellow Filipinos, Insights is available in clocktower in al rigga. The professors are filipinos and also the classmates. Cheaper isn't always better. Go for decently priced schools if you can afford.

2. I recommend HOCK and UWorld Accounting.

Gleim has good textbooks, but in my opinion, it skips quite a few topics. HOCK is excellent and feels very close to the actual exam. UWorld Accounting is also very good.

1. Decide whether to study alone or with a group.

This can make a big difference. I personally study alone because it works better for me, but many people learn more effectively in a study group.

I actually have a lot more advice, but I forgot some of it. I hope the things I shared here will help you on your CMA journey.

At the end of the day, understanding the concepts and practicing consistently are what will help you pass the exam. It all boils down to self- discipline.

Good luck, future CMAs!

Hey guys, I’m gonna be writing CMA Inter Dec 2025 and I’m mostly self-studying. Honestly feeling kinda lost on how to handle each subject.

Can anyone share some subject-wise guidance like:

Best way to tackle theory vs practical papers

Which books/classes/resources actually help for self-study

How you planned your prep + revisions

Any exam-day hacks or writing tips

If you’ve already cleared or are currently preparing, your advice would mean a lot.

Thanks in advance!

Hey everyone, I’m giving CMA Inter for the first time this upcoming attempt and I wanted some guidance from people who’ve already written it. What are the actual essentials I should carry to the exam hall, like the exact ID proof, stationery, calculator, and whether the A4 admit card we download from the institute website is the same one we’re supposed to take? Also, any do’s and don’ts inside the hall would be super helpful. For the descriptive papers, how did you structure your answers, how much explanation is expected, and what time-management strategy worked for you? I’d also love to know any common mistakes first-timers make and anything you wish you knew before writing your first CMA Inter.

I know the instructions are already given.. I want to know the practical tips apart from those, from seniors or candidates who've already given their attempt.. that might help me and other newbies :⁠-⁠).

Hello so a quick introduction, i passed grp 1 on dec 24 with 285 marks and grp 2 on june 25 with 291 marks.

My suggestion:- Self study is the best except for tax ( i could not get exemption in it).

Teacher suggestion- Law - Arjun chabra sir revision playlist ( score - 79) FA - Santosh kumar sir marathon ( score -77) Cost accounting- ranjan periwal sir marathon( score - 72) Tax- i would suggest take classes , i referred vijay sarda sir FastTrack free youtube Playlist and vivek gaba sir marathon ( score - 57)

Omsm- om from cma junction and sm from videos of mayank saraf (score- 76) Fm- Ranjan periwal sir playlist( score - 72) CAA- bishnu kedia sir marathons( score - 82) MA - Ranjan sir marathons( score -61)

I would highly suggest solve module & workbook sums. After solving module go for past paper , test yourself if you can do it.

Be conceptually strong ,dont try to mug up sums.

For law and audit remember keywords, underline them in exams.

Do your best, you will get through it.

This is for Financial Accounting. It is the pattern that you have to focus on preparing for it. You have to answer 5 questions. And out of five you have to get 3 answers right (provided you answer atleast 12 MCQs correctly). 12×2=24 and 3×11(keeping it low)=33. It totals to 57 and if you answer here and there you could possibly get to exemption. Choose the set you want to prepare for and my set is except partnership accounting i covered everything. So if that helps, you can follow the same. But dont spare the mcqs as they are the saviour. And you have to be thorough with AS too as they carry around 18-19 marks ( 7a, 7b and 8a/8b). Always try working out sums from past question papers and mock test papers. You will clear it. All the best (I'm appearing for group 1 this December 🥲)

​

Hi everyone,

I started my CMA Intermediate (Both Groups) self-study today, aiming for the June 2027 attempt.

Since I'm preparing entirely on my own, I know the journey will be challenging. I would really appreciate any guidance from seniors or anyone who has already cleared or is currently preparing for CMA Inter.

If you have any:

Study tips or strategies

Subject-wise guidance

Notes or revision material

Books or free resources

YouTube playlists or lectures

Question banks, mock tests, or previous papers

Common mistakes to avoid during self-study

Please share them in the comments or DM me. Any advice or resource, no matter how small, would be a huge help.

I’m planning to take CMA Part 1 in 7 days. Any quick tips on what to focus on, memorization hacks, or exam strategies?

Would really appreciate any advice!Thankssss

I am bit anxious and scared..

So i have registered right now for intermediate my aim is to give the exams in June next year so is it possible that the syllabus change thing in 2027 would affect it or should I continue with the existing syllabus..

Someone remind me to come back here

Hello, I am starting my US CMA journey & wanted to ask if someone has access to any good resources (free or paid) for covering the syllabus.

Ps. if anyone could share Becker access, that would be best.

I passed my CMA Intermediate in june 2026 and I'm going to give both groups a final in june 2027. I'm trying for rank and I'm confused between choosing the syllabus and when should I register for my final?

Please help

With seven weeks remaining until my CMA Part 1 examination, I am seeking guidance from recent successful candidates regarding how best to structure and optimize my preparation at this stage.

Both groups ka bata dena

And what if I give foundation in dec 26 and want to continue old syllabus for cma inter in June 2027

Is it possible?

My CMA Intermediate registration was confirmed on 1 September 2025. I had registered for the December 2025 attempt, but I did not appear for the exams and also did not attend the Practical/Skills Training sessions at that time.

I subsequently appeared for both groups in the June 2026 attempt.

When I log in to the Skills Training portal, I can access Batch 9 (December 2025) and all the video links are available. However, I am unable to enter Batch 10 (June 2026).

I had also received Microsoft Teams links for Practical Training before the December 2025 attempt.

​

Could anyone clarify:

Do I need to complete Batch 9 (December 2025) training?

Is watching the videos available on the portal sufficient?

Or do I have to attend/watch the Microsoft Teams sessions sent earlier via email?

Has anyone been in a similar situation? Any guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks!

With 7 weeks left, you still have enough time to pass CMA Part 1 if you study smart. Stop collecting resources, use one main source + question bank, and focus more on MCQs, essays, and timed mocks than passive reading.

A simple plan: first 3 weeks finish core topics with MCQs after each chapter, next 2 weeks heavy practice mode, week 6 full mocks + review mistakes, week 7 final revision, formulas and weak areas. Don’t treat every topic equally. Prioritize high-weight areas first. Daily, split time between concept review, MCQs and essay/error review. CMA rewards application and exam technique more than just reading notes.

for someone who's giving the cbqs, how would u suggest we study for this

Fuck, I realize I’m not studying enough if you guys are doing 3-4 hours a day.

My pov says take paid classes for G1 G2 can be done by your own and with some yt content but for G1 be serious

I am a final year bcom student, had not done internship, so I am planning to do now, should I do us cma right now or after bcom?

It depends on your prep material, but personally I went through all of the lectures and then drilled MCQs, and then on specific topic areas where I was weak I would take specific time out, usually with ChatGPT to go over examples of those areas over and over until I had them down.

Just raw dog through mcqs and case based questions across various question banks. Leave the less weighted/less important parts(be very selective in leaving). All the best

For direct tax: you can watch shirish vyas rapid revision playlist. For costing: refer to ranjan periwal marathon Regards to law and idt: i can't say (relied on physical classes material) Financial accounts: for this MAYBE, abhimanyu agarwal, if he has got free lectures at youtube. AS: Aakash Kandoi revision playlist, he's the best in teaching AS

Omsm: no idea but Maybe mayank saraf CAA: you can refer to bishnu kedia for audit and company accounts, I did my Financial statement schedule 3 from Aakash Kandoi revision playlist Fmda: again there's a free playlist of ranjan periwal take help of that MA: again ranjan periwal one shot

I will suggest first check out the free lectures available on youtube whether it is hunting you or not, if it's not suiting then would suggest to go for the classes.

Stay consistent throughout the journey, its a long journey, take 2 subjects at a time complete it then hopp onto other, make summary notes for that last day revision alongside the regular lectures itself do not wait for the last moment, after completing a chapter make sure you do it's PYQs at that time itself, don't wait for last 3 months, give tests/ test yourself under time pressure, give test of each chapter or few chapters combined, then give 2 full mocks after completing the syllabus.

Make sure while revising you use your summary notes and the subject notes both from the beginning.

When starting with G2 subjects, make sure you don't lose your grip at G1 for that takeout atleast 2 hours and dedicate it to that subject of G1 alongside when you are doing your course for G2

All the best

Start with ICMAI's own study material and the mock test papers on their site, both free and both underused. For self study especially, the previous year papers matter more than any lecture because they show you the weightage per chapter, and CMA Inter rewards knowing where the marks sit.

There are full lecture playlists on YouTube for both groups, and what I do rather than just watching is paste the video link into studybuddy.vc so it makes questions straight from that video. When I pick a wrong option it tells me why that one was wrong, and it notices which topics I keep getting wrong and gives me more of those. Gets more difficult as you improve too. Free version handles this.

Biggest self study mistake is doing all theory first and leaving practice for the last two months.