management case study exam cima

Management Case Study

Exam windows, exam resources.

Resources to help you prepare for your case study exam.

Exam Resource

A Walkthrough of Real Exam Answers

Tables and formulae provided in exam, free exam and question tutorial management case study, case study performance descriptors, calculator guidance, resitters guide - ot and cs exams, learning resources catalogue, what do my exam results mean, further reading.

Exam Technique

Case Study support 1 – preparing for the Case Study exam

Case study support 2 – planning a good answer, case study support 3 – developing a fuller answer.

Study Support

How to use the CGMA Blueprints

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 »

• Course Finder
• Career Advice
• PQ Awards 2022
• PQ Awards 2021
• PQ Awards 2020
• PQ Magazine
• NQ Magazine

Mark Foley shares four top tips on mastering the CIMA Case Study Exams The CIMA Case Study exams are the final capstone exams of each level of the CIMA Professional Qualification, which students must pass to gain the CGMA designation. We explore four tips to help you prepare for the exams.

Understand the three Case Study levels

Each Case Study exam lasts three hours, with multiple tasks of equal lengths. There is a natural progression to the levels — Operational, Management and Strategic — that simulate how work as a management accountant progresses. To reach the Case Study level, you will have already passed the Objective Tests, which focus on ensuring that you have acquired the knowledge and skills for each pillar. Case Study exams are more about interpreting data and require practical answers to practical questions and simulate real-life business scenarios.

Operational Case Study (OCS)

Focus — The short-term role of the finance officer and the implementation of decisions.

Skills you need to convey — How to work with others in the organisation and use appropriate data and technology to translate medium-term decisions into short-term actionable plans.

Stats — Three-hour exam containing four tasks related to the enterprise, performance, and financial pillars; allotted 45 minutes per task, each task has two to three sub-tasks.

Management Case Study (MCS)

Focus — The role of the finance manager involves translating long-term decisions into medium-term plans.

Skills you need to convey — How to use data and relevant technology to manage organisational and individual performance; allocate resources to implement decisions; monitor and report the implementation of decisions; prepare and interpret financial statements to show performance.

Strategic Case Study (SCS)

Focus — The role of the senior finance manager entails long-term strategic decision-making.

Skills you need to convey — How to support organisational leaders to craft strategy and evaluate and manage risks that might prevent the successful implementation of strategy, including sourcing financial resources; value the organisations.

Stats — Three-hour exam containing three tasks related to the enterprise, performance, and financial pillars; allotted one-hour per task, each task has two to three sub-tasks.

Understand the Case Study exam cycle

Understand the pre-seen materials

Pre-seen materials — known as ‘preseens’ — are background information about the fictitious organisation featured in the Case Study exam. This information forms the basis of the tasks you can expect to see in the exam. The preseen tells the story of the company, including the industry and context in which it operates, its financial statements, management accounts, markets and competitors. Preseens are usually 26–30 pages long. Key tips include:

• Be ready — Familiarise yourself with the company, industry and current events.

• Analyse — Perform an analysis such as strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) or political, economic, social and technological (PEST); review financial statements and reporting issues. The end of the preseen will contain live issues regarding what is happening in the industry. For instance, a new standard may have come out that will change reporting standards from the current year to the next and that the Case Study exam must address.

• Cross-reference with the blueprint — Being able to know what you can do is critical. Can you discuss finance options, dividend policy or evaluate digital strategies?

Tackling ‘I can’ from each of the core activities in each of the sections is necessary for success. For instance:

• I can identify relevant costs and benefits. • I can advise on the communication process. • I can recommend a dividend policy. • I can use appropriate technologies to gather data for costing purposes, from digital and other sources.

Have a broad syllabus knowledge and know your company intrinsically.

You become the person when you role-play the exam. Avoid prefabricated answers, as the exam will have details not included in the preseens. Your answers have to be relevant to the question.

Plan your exam approach Manage your time — If you can complete a section early, that time does not get applied to the next section. We suggest spending all of your allotted time within the section.

Keep your answers real and relevant — Remember, this is a role-based exam; identify one or more factors that might be relevant, then explain why that approach would be relevant. The more tangible details you provide, the higher you are likely to score. Do not offer irrelevant arguments for the sake of padding your answers. Aim for neat, discreet paragraphs.

Understand the scoring — People mark the exams, and the pass rate is 60%. Even though a scale is scored 80 out of 150, 60% is the pass rate.

The sub-tasks will be weighted differently. Each case will contain tasks from all five of the core activities:

• Evaluate opportunities to add value. • Implement senior management decisions. • Manage performance and costs to aid value creation. • Measure performance. • Manage internal and external stakeholder.

Scoring example

As the MCS Examiner said: “For a 12-mark answer, it might be possible to identify, say, four issues. A candidate who aims to write about four topics only has to score three marks for each to obtain full marks.”

You have all the tools you need to do well on the CIMA Case Study exams. From all of us at the Association, we wish you the very best for your next Case Study exam.

• The content of this article is based on a Case Study Masterclass webinar delivered by CIMA and BPP in November 2020

CIMA CURRENT ADVICE

Should you sit your case study exam online?

Many students do have a successful experience sitting their case study exams online. However, due to the less controlled environment of the online setting and the need for a continuous and regular internet connection, there are some students who have a disrupted exam experience. Test centres offer a reliable, controlled environment in which to take a test. Where possible, if you feel comfortable travelling to a test centre and feel at ease with the safety and hygiene procedures that have been made available in test centres as a result of the COVID19 pandemic, we recommend that you take your case study in a test centre.

Pearson Vue have more information on the measures that have been put in place.

Copyright © 2024 PQ Publishing.

Privacy Overview

Exam timetable

View key dates to help you plan your studies. Plan your CIMA’s CGMA® exams. On-demand tests are available all year. There are four windows a year when you can sit the Case Study Exams (February, May, August, and November).

Every purchase you make from the AICPA & CIMA is safe and secure. We also guarantee 100% customer satisfaction on most of our products. If you’re not satisfied with your purchase, please contact us.

To start the return process, please contact us first. View all products eligible for refunds .

This site is brought to you by the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, the global voice of the accounting and finance profession, founded by the American Institute of CPAs and The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.

CA Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

• Subscribers

Welcome, Login to your account.

Recover your password.

A password will be e-mailed to you.

Young Ghanaian excels in global finance and accounting exam

Ms Lilian Maimouna Nelson has emerged as the latest Ghanaian candidate to achieve one of the world’s highest marks in her cohort of the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) Strategic Level Case Study Exam.

The exam is the final capstone exam of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) CGMA Professional Qualification towards becoming a Chartered Global Management Accountant.

She follows in the footsteps of another Ghanaian CIMA member, Michael Mensah Ahorlu, ACMA, CGMA, who achieved a joint third global position for the same exam.

Ms Nelson said she was proud to have achieved such a result for the Strategic Level Case Study Exam, and could not believe that she had achieved a joint fifth position in the world.

“The entire learning journey was hands-on, challenging, yet practical, and thrilling. I am excited to add my CGMA designatory letters behind my name, and make a valuable impact in my organisation,” she added.

Paul Aninakwah, ACMA, CGMA, Country Director for Ghana, Benin, Cameroon, and Sierra Leone, at AICPA & CIMA said they were happy to celebrate yet another great performance from a CGMA candidate in Ghana. 

“Lilian has once again proved to young Ghanaians that it is possible to dream big and earn a globally recognised designation.”

“This result underscores her hard work and passion for finance and accounting, and the skills and competencies earned on her CGMA journey will make her a great asset to any organisation,” he said.

The CGMA designation was established in 2012 by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and  CIMA to recognise a unique group of accounting and finance professionals who have reached the highest benchmark of quality and competence.

It is built on extensive research to maintain the highest relevance with employers and help candidates develop the business, digital, people, and leadership skills, needed to build successful careers in accounting, business, and finance.

Source: GNA

Government experts meet on illicit maritime activities draft supplementary Act

Ferry on River Oti resumes operation

Your email address will not be published.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Copy short link

0800 048 7804   |   [email protected]

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

CIMA Management Case Study

Theory revision series

In our post-exam surveys after almost every management case study exam, students tell us they wish they’d spent MORE time revising the theory from their E2, F2 and P2 exams.

For many students, it’s been months (if not years) between them passing their objective test exams and attempting the case study – a lot of time for their knowledge to slip!

And yet, to revise all three subjects in full is nigh on impossible when you also have to understand the pre-seen and master your case study technique too.

Our aim is to save you time and make your life easier!  We have examined the last 8 years of case studies to work out what theory tends to come up regularly and what rarely comes up at all, and summarised all the key examinable topics in a clear and simple way in our revision texts and videos.

Our MCS theory revision series: + Covers all the most important theory that you need to know for the case study exams + Converts the key content from over 1,200 pages of syllabus study texts into just 453 pages + Condenses the theory into manageable chunks, with around 26 hours of video to watch + Gives you the platform to successfully apply the syllabus theory to the pre-seen company and the un-seen exam scenarios

Find out exactly what’s covered and take a look at our samples from the theory revision series below.

“I couldn’t recommend Astranti enough. I used them throughout my case study preparations and found their materials prepared me so well for the exams, meaning I was confident in all aspects from exam technique to theory to case study analysis.”

CIMA Case Study Student , January 2024

“I have completed CIMA’s MCS and SCS with Astranti and have passed them both at first attempt. Great Customer Service, Course Structure is Excellent. Mocks and Theory Revision Kits are the best feature of the course.”

CIMA Qualified , April 2022

Learn what it takes to pass

Focus on the key topics you’re most likely to be tested on

Refresh your syllabus knowledge with help from our tutors

Clear and simple examples bring each topic to life

Reduce revision time

Avoid rereading the full E2, F2 and P2 study texts

Save yourself time and focus on the most important topics

Revise from one place, using our study texts or videos

Switch up your learning

Watch the videos, download the audio or print the study texts

Cement your knowledge in the way that suits you

Content is split into manageable chunks to make things easier

Take a look for yourself…

Part 1 – Key theory from CIMA E2

Part 1 - What's covered?

• Chapter 1: The elements of business models
• Chapter 2: Management and leadership
• Chapter 3: Culture and conflict
• Chapter 4: The management of groups
• Chapter 5: Project management

Total video running time: 8 hours

Part 2 – Key theory from CIMA F2

Part 2 - What's covered?

• Chapter 1: Long-term finance
• Chapter 2: Group accounts
• Chapter 3: Foreign currency transactions
• Chapter 4: IFRS 15 revenue
• Chapter 5: IFRS 38 intangible assets
• Chapter 6: Provisions and contingencies

Total video running time: 9 hours

Part 3 – Key theory from CIMA P2

Part 3 - What's covered?

• Chapter 1: Investment appraisal
• Chapter 2: Activity based management
• Chapter 3: Cost planning
• Chapter 4: Cost management
• Chapter 5: Product life cycle and pricing strategies
• Chapter 6: Risk management
• Chapter 7: Performance evaluation
• Chapter 8: Performance measurement in responsibility centres
• Chapter 9: Transfer pricing

Total video running time: 9.5 hours

What our students have to say…

Please see our  testimonials page  for our latest student reviews. Here are a couple of examples:

“I have completed CIMA’s MCS and SCS with Astranti and have passed them both at first attempt.

Great Customer Service, Course Structure is Excellent. Mocks and Theory Revision Kits are the best feature of the course.”

“I have purchased the theory revision series for Management Case Study and now Strategic. Very informative and provides useful scenarios you can expect to see in the exams as well as gaining an understanding of how to build application marks in case studies.

I passed MCS first time with the help of this, so I’ve purchased in again for SCS. Fingers crossed! Would highly recommend this revision series. Thank you!”

Passed CIMA MCS , October 2021

Purchase the theory revision series

The Theory Revision Series is also part of our MCS Premium Course. Head to the course page to find out more.

MCS Theory Revision Series £165

To qualify for the pass guarantee you need to ensure you complete ALL of the following steps. Failure to complete all of these steps will mean you will not qualify.

View & Print:

1. Click the “View + Print” link to view the study text.

2.  Wait  for all of the pages to load , this can sometimes take a couple of minutes depending on the size of the document (scroll to the last page to ensure that every page loads).

3.  Click  on the print icon within the document viewer (NOT the print icon in the browser menu).

4.  Follow  the steps to print.

Other things to try:

Please try an alternative browser.   Google Chrome and Firefox are recommended, but other  browsers may also work.  Updating your browser to the latest version can help your document load more quickly.

If you are using Windows XP and a version of Internet Explorer older than 9, we cannot guarantee  that printing will be possible. We recommend obtaining access to a computer with at least Windows 7.

Updating to the latest  version of flash can help to resolve some people’s printing issues ( download the latest version of flash .)

If your document fails to load, try clearing your cache and browser history. If your documents still do not load it may be due to the network you are on. We suggest trying to print on a different network.

If you still cannot print your document we suggest using a different computer and/or printer in case you are experiencing a hardware issue.

This Content is Locked

To access this resource you will need to purchase it, or join our complete course. Visit our quick purchase page to get the resources you need.