cima operational case study exam

Exam Resource

Free exam and question tutorial operational case study.

To help you become familiar with the exams, we have free exam and question tutorials. All tutorials are: • Hosted by Pearson VUE • Accessible over the internet

The exam tutorial allows you to gain familiarity with the technology used to deliver the exam. It is also available 15 minutes prior to starting your test - access it at https://home.pearsonvue.com/cima/questiontutorials

The operational question tutorial allows you to gain familiarity with the types of questions encountered in the exam. It can be used to experience the test driver and how items are presented. We have prepared two sample case study exams based on CIMA's 2019 CGMA Professional Qualification. Open the PDF to access all the supporting material you will need before and after you have completed the tutorial case study.

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar

Free ACCA & CIMA online courses from OpenTuition

Free Notes, Lectures, Tests and Forums for ACCA and CIMA exams

20% off ACCA & CIMA Books

OpenTuition recommends the new interactive BPP books for June 2024 exams, Get your discount code >>

Top tips for Operational Case Study examination

• Application is so important. Generic textbook answers do not score well. The secret here is assimilation of the technical knowledge with the context and details of the pre-seen scenario.
• Use the company name/ staff members/ key themes of the pre-seen -eg environmental or innovative plans to underpin your suggestions & make them relevant & applied.
• Make sure you know your pre-seen inside out… eg if the company does not offer credit sales at the moment, be careful not to suggest debt factoring as a way to ease cashflow!!
• CIMA examiner has asked that students assume life as normal for their case-study answers (Eg a life before COVID pandemic began)… Although, all relevant comments will be awarded if correct and in context, but you should avoid excessive references to COVID/ lockdown/ impact of health social distancing etc on the company.
• Students should be familiar with the CIMA Blueprint… particularly the I – CAN statements. 

https://www.cimaglobal.com/Documents/Future%20of%20Finance/1901-9263%20Operational%20Exam%20Blueprints%20FINAL%20ONLINE%20v4.pdf

The ‘I CAN pages from this link are pasted below..

These tell student the weightings and mix of the topics they can expect in EVERY OCS exam…

For example -from the ICAN table..– Section F ( working capital) will be between 7 and 13% of every op case study exam paper – so this table shows the importance of those topic areas – eg we know from this that working capital will be examined in EVERY OCS exam paper going forward (at least 7% of the marks) – so this topic is guaranteed…

Use your objective test knowledge ( 2019 syllabus) notes & Open Tuition lectures to revise – bearing in mind P1 is the LEAD paper for OCS, but F1 and E1 both important too,

When working through your P1/ F1/ E1 notes –try to keep a high level overview – rather than drilling down to the detailed calculations – instead be able to explain/ define/ know the pros and cons of techniques and whether they would be ‘useful’ for the pre-seen company in your scenario.

Graphs are common in the OCS – so be sure you can explain and interpret graphs ( linear programming for example).

Always write enough – ensure you expand/ explain & apply. Leave lots of white space – use subheadings to present your answers & help markers award marks that you deserve.

Avoid bullet points – unless you are out of time

Use the percentage weightings of each exam SUBTASK to guide how much time to spend on each part of your answer

Visit CIMA website & find detailed examiner reports & past exam questions to see errors and weaknesses made by students in recent sittings. Also a good way to see the types of questions to expect and level of detail CIMA are requiring in their answers.

Operational Level

Operational Case Study

Comprehensive online CIMA OCS courses covering every exam window. Now enrolling for August 2024.

• 29 hours of course content
• 3 Mock Exams with Solutions
• Applied theory sessions
• ACCA exam debrief lectures
• 100s of Practice Questions
• 250 exam-grade questions
• Specimen exam debriefs
• 130 exam-grade questions
• Award-winning training
• Mock exam debrief lectures
• Exam debrief lectures
• Theory review lessons of key topics
• Buy and start studying immediately
• Mock exam debriefs

Start learning from only £199.

• Elite Course

Course Features & Benefits

HD video lectures covering the entire syllabus delivered by expert tutors. Crisp audio and vivid examples, accessible from anywhere.

Prepare with realistic exams designed by CIMA gurus for each window. Our online simulator offers real test conditions to practice with precision. Model answers included.

Download detailed course notes on the complete syllabus. Crafted with clarity, these concise and clear guides are filled with real-world examples.

When you buy an individual standard course, you get access to that course forever . With any future syllabus updates automatically added.

Contact our student support team any time if you have technical issues with your course or doubts about your access.

VIVA's courses are structured in manageable unit by unit blocks. Your progress is saved automatically so you can resume where you stopped.

Your tutor walks you through every question from the ACCA AFM practice and specimen exams, explaining how you should answer on exam day.

All our courses are updated to reflect the latest syllabi. Any updates to courses you have access to are incorporated free of charge.

VIVA only works with elite tutors from across the UK and Ireland - from university lectures to former Big 4 managers and company directors.

Your tutor walks you through every question from two ACCA SBR specimen exams and one mock exam, explaining how you should answer on exam day.

Your tutor walks you through every question from the ACCA LW specimen exam, explaining how you should answer on exam day.

Your tutor walks you through every question from two ACCA TX mock exams, explaining how you should answer on exam day.

Handy on-demand review lessons covering the key topics from the E, F and P pillars.

Our famous E/F/P Applied sessions identify the key theories from your OT studies, and model how to apply them in your answers on exam day.

Your tutor walks you through every question from the ACCA AA specimen exam, explaining how you should answer on exam day.

• Multi-award winning accountancy tuition - VIVA has won and been nominated for several prestigious awards since its founding, including the CIMA Global Pass Rate Excellence Award and the PQ Magazine Awards.
• Accredited provider - VIVA is officially recoginsed by both ACCA and CIMA as an accredited tuition provider, meaning you're getting content and coverage that you can trust.
• Groundbreaking value - born online, VIVA's unique scaled delivery model ensures you get direct access to the world's best tutors without being charged to cover bloated overheads as with traditional providers.
• Student satisfaction - we prefer to let our students do the talking. Check out what they're saying about VIVA and why they rate us 4.9 out of 5 here .
• Flexible payment and study plans - VIVA offers several study options, including individual courses, instalment plans and our famous All Access yearly subscriptions .

Andrew is a Chartered Accountant and award-winning tutor. He previously worked as a forensic accountant at a Big Four firm, and spent several years tutoring at Kaplan UK. He was voted PQ Magazine's Lecturer of the Year - Private Sector in 2018. His average student feedback score in 2022 was 9.6/10, having taught over 1,000 learners. He has guided '1st in the World' students on 4 separate occasions.

Andrew is VIVA's CIMA OCS guru and is ready to bring his considerable practical and educational experience to bear and help you unlock the latest pre-seen.

Elite Course Extra Benefits

Our Elite Courses include everything from the Standard Course offerings, plus a range of personalised and exclusive features that will guarantee you pass your exams.

Our Elite courses include live, interactive sessions with your tutor and a small cohort of Elite students. Personalised guidance on exam technique and marking criteria.

Elite students get round-the-clock support from their tutor, via office hours, forum access and live interactive sessions.

Mock marking comes as standard for all mock exams on the Elite courses. Our experienced markers give personalised feedback, not just generic advice.

Your tutor will guide you through full mock exam questions, explaining how to approach answering each component, things to avoid, etc.

Your Elite tutor will host sessions focusing on exam writing technique, giving demonstrations and inviting collaboration on constructing answers that are sure to pass.

VIVA's partnership with Circle offers access to a modern private community platform to connect with Elite colleagues, share ideas, and receive guidance and discussion ideas from your tutor.

*We're so confident in the power of our Elite Courses, that we guarantee your pass. If you meet the conditions and still somehow don't pass, we will grant you free access to the next Elite Course.

Course Syllabus

Operational Case Study covers real-world problem-solving: applying operational theories to practical business challenges. Now enrolling for CIMA OCS Aug24 courses.

Pre-course work

Choose your exam window.

Select the tab corresponding to your preferred exam window, and then choose between the Standard or Elite Course (features explained in detail above).

The course runs for 5 weeks, starting on Jul 06, 2024.

We offer two payment options.

The course runs for 6 weeks, starting on Sep 20, 2024.

The course runs for 5 weeks, starting on Jan 03, 2025.

Trusted by over 10,000 students

Despite very difficult personal circumstances, with VIVA's help I managed to not only pass the SCS but to achieve my highest case study score from the 3 levels. Please keep doing what you do as it's so good!

I passed my OCS with a scaled score of 137 and got a letter from CIMA saying that I obtained the joint third position for the February 2019 case study and I believe that VIVA's materials really helped to make this possible.

VIVA were absolutely key in my CIMA Case Study exam - where I received first position in the world! I felt extremely supported with VIVA throughout the course, and would recommend them to anybody. I just wish I had found them much earlier in my studies!

I would highly recommend VIVA Financial Tuition to any CIMA student looking to achieve a high grade in their exams. Their courses offer remarkable value for money when compared to some of the traditional tuition providers. (World Prizewinner 2017)

I want to thank VIVA for bringing to a successful end my study journey. I only wish I knew about VIVA earlier! Since using VIVA, I have passed my final exams.

I have used VIVA for all three Case Studies, passing first time on all three. I could not have done it without VIVA's help! Hands down, the best resource out there for CIMA Case Studies.

Before I signed up with VIVA's Elite course I was already enrolled with another tuition provider, and the way VIVA runs this course is 100x better! I will highly recommend you to my coworkers who are early in their CIMA journey.

I have passed my SCS using VIVA. I had failed 3 times with other tuition providers. The difference for me was expert feedback on the mock exams.

Unfortunately, your browser does not meet our new security requirements. Before March 17, 2018, upgrade your browser to the newest version to avoid any interruption in accessing PearsonVUE.com.

To purchase an exam:

• Create account
• Forgot my username
• Forgot my password
• COVID-19 FAQs
• Need help? Contact customer service

Related links

• FAQs: About the test
• FAQs: Troubleshooting
• AICPA & CIMA website

CIMA's Question Tutorials

Get hands-on experience of our computer-based assessments. CIMA ® offers two types of question tutorials to cover the objective tests and case study exams.

The question tutorials provide you with examples of the types of questions encountered in the exam. They can be used to experience the test driver and how items are presented. They give you the opportunity to explore this technology and become familiar with how the online system works.

• are tailored for each qualification/subject and provide examples of question types you are likely to encounter in the live exam*. Please note: these tutorials should not be viewed as a full test.
• provide answers to the questions throughout the exam, by clicking on the ‘answer’ button at the top left of the screen.
• provide candidates with an opportunity to practice a full-length case study exam.
• should be taken using the supporting material – pre-seen, model answers, and marking guidance, see additional resources below.

*Please note there are some slight differences between the functionality of the question tutorials and the live exams; in the live exams there is no ‘navigator’ button – candidates can move to the next question by pressing ‘next’. Questions can be flagged for review and reviewed at the end of the exam via the review screen.

How to register for a free question tutorial

• click ‘create account’ and complete the details
• select an exam
• checkout and submit your request
• take the exam immediately or completed it within 1 month
• get an email with details of the exam

Additional Resources

• Operational case study question tutorial supporting material
• Management case study question tutorial supporting material
• Strategic case study question tutorial supporting material
• Level 4 EPA 1 role simulation question tutorial supporting material

Exam tutorials

These are designed to familiarise you with the exam software and functionality you will encounter at the test centre. They are not tailored towards any one qualification.

Take the exam tutorial here »

NB: The above system requirements may only apply to running the tutorials. CIMA’s online exams details »

0800 048 7804   |   [email protected]

About Us Testimonials Exam Dates About CIMA Quick Purchase Basket Help Contact Us studyHUB Home

CIMA Operational Case Study

Pass your case study exam with Astranti

Want to   pass your CIMA case study exam   in the quickest and easiest possible way?

Our CIMA operational case study course is designed to give you the highest quality teaching, course materials and support to do just that!

Our courses will help you pass with:

+ Expert insights into the pre-seen , key theory revision and detailed guides on how you need to approach the exam to gain extra marks

+ Access to experienced tutors , mentors and markers

+ Seven challenging mock exams  and further case study practice questions

However, if a full course isn’t for you, you can also purchase individual course materials and support tailored to your specific needs.

Find our more below, or give us a call or use our live chat to discuss what’s right for you.

Countdown to the May 2024 CIMA OCS exams:

Free case study resources.

Sign up now to get the following:

+ A free mock exam with solutions & debrief video + Free access to our sample OCS course hub + Our operational study tips email newsletter

We know how important your privacy is. That’s why we do not share any details that you give us.

Popular courses and study materials