How to plan for CMA Inter for just passed CMA Foundation Students

CMA Foundation is a stepping stone in the journey of becoming a Cost Accountant.

The second step of the CMA Examination is the Intermediate level which is very different from the Foundation level in terms of the number of subjects and the difficulty level. It demands a lot of hard work, dedication, patience, and most importantly CONSISTENCY to clear the examination in one shot.

It is said that - “If you fail to plan well, you are planning to fail”

Which are the Subjects to be studied at CMA Intermediate Level?

CMA Intermediate level comprises 8 subjects divided into Group I and Group II, each group having four subjects as mentioned below:

Group I:

Financial Accounting
Laws and Ethics
Direct Taxation
Cost Accounting

Group II:

Operations Management and Strategic Management
Cost and Management Accounting and Financial Management
Indirect Taxation
Company Accounts and Audit

Within what time should you register for the Examination?

How to decide whether to appear for both groups or one group at a time?

The Institute allows you to appear in one group or both groups at a time. It is always advisable to prepare for both groups at a time to pass your CMA Exam at the earliest. However,  you may decide to appear for a single group due to time or any other constraints.

Say, your score is as follows:

Aggregate of Group I - 210 
Aggregate of Group II - 195 
40+ in every subject individually. 

The total aggregate score is 405/800 (more than 50%)  in both groups.

If you appear in both groups, you will pass this exam due to the set-off effect. Whereas,  if you have appeared in a single group at a time, you will pass in Group I (as the aggregate score is more than 50%) and you will have to re-appear for Group II (as the aggregate score is less than 50%).

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What should be your Average Study time per day?

After your CMA Foundation results are out, you can appear for CMA Intermediate earliest after 10 months of registering in CMA Intermediate with the Institute.

The following table illustrates the detailed preparation time for the Intermediate exams in 3 cases-

- If you appear for Both Groups
- If you appear for Group I only
- If you appear for Group II only

The workings have been prepared by assuming that you will start your classes right from the next month after your result. e.g. If your CMA Foundation results comes out in Mid January, then you have to start your classes right from February.

Note:

1. If you pass CMA Foundation in January, you must complete all your classes within 8 months i.e., by September to appear in CMA Intermediate in December. Similarly, if you pass the CMA Foundation in July, you must complete all your classes by March to appear in CMA Intermediate in June.

2. As per this timeline, you are required to do the classes for 6 days a week i.e., on average 25 days per month and 1 day per week should be devoted to Revision and for referring to the Institute's Study Material of the topics that have been covered during the week for every subject.

3. If you are preparing for a single group as per this timeline, you will be able to complete your syllabus in 5.5 months. Hence, you may be a bit flexible in doing the classes and you will also get ample time to revise the subjects.

4. The above timeline has been prepared to assume that you are taking classes for every subject. However, if you are not taking classes for any particular subject then you should do an equivalent amount of self-study for that subject as per the timeline to keep the preparation for all subjects at par.

What is the suggested Study Plan which I should follow to complete my preparation?

Case 1: If you are preparing for Both Groups

* If you have college during any of the times, you may adjust these time slots to suit your college schedule. Ensure that you do at least three classes every day to complete the syllabus on time.

Note:

1. This Study Plan has been prepared to assume that you will initially invest in 5 or 6 subjects and after completing them you will invest in the other subjects.
2. You are advised to study Financial Accounting, Direct Taxation, and Financial Management for the first 4 months and then start Company Accounts, Indirect Taxation, and Cost Gr 2 during the remaining 4 months in the same time slots to avoid stress and maintain a balance.
3. This timetable has been prepared to assume that each subject comprises 70 classes on average.
4. However, the number of classes may vary (maybe more or less) depending on the subjects. So, once you finish the classes of a particular subject (which has fewer classes) according to this schedule, you must utilize that time slot to complete the additional classes of other subjects (which has more classes)
5. If you are unable to complete the classes of any subject as per this time schedule, you should do 2 classes on Sundays to make for the difference.
6. Along with your classes, you should continue to revise and practice the chapters covered in the lectures and also refer to the Institute's Study Material of the chapters simultaneously to ensure the complete coverage of the syllabus and boost your confidence level. This may be done on Sundays or every day after your classes as per time availability.

Case 2: If you are preparing for Group I only

Case 3: If you are preparing for Group II only

Note:

1. You are advised to complete the classes of FM first and thereafter start with Cost Group 2.

2. Once you complete all the classes of Audit, you should complete the additional classes of OM-SM in the same time slots and also start revising the other subjects.

You can study 700 marks of your CMA Inter with SJC under one roof. We provide you with single-window support for your different subjects.

To know about the Courses that we teach - Click here.

Click the button below to read about the preparation strategies for CMA Online Exams.

Do not miss watching these important videos!

The Three-Tier Preparation Model

see more: All About CMA intermediate 

How do Self Study during Tuition?