cima management case study exam results

How to Pass CIMA Case Study Exams: Detailed Guide to Success

This CIMA case study article shows you how to write an answer that puts you ahead of 90% of candidates, offers expert preparation tips, and increases your chances of obtaining your qualification.

1. How to Pass CIMA Case Study Exams: An Introduction to Our CIMA Exam Experience

In the last five years, we’ve helped over 10,000 CIMA students from 94 countries prepare for and pass their CIMA exams. In that time, VIVA’s tutors have seen every kind of exam answer you can imagine.

As an official CIMA tuition provider, we've seen everything; the good, the bad, and the downright baffling! But more importantly, we’ve also seen what works, and what definitely does not work.

In this article, we’ve compiled all of the key DOs and DON’Ts our CIMA tutors have gleaned from their years marking VIVA students’ CIMA mock exam answers. We see the same kinds of mistakes made over and over again. And the great news for you is — these mistakes can be very quickly rectified to help you pass your CIMA exams the first time around.

The Starting Point: What to Be Aware of before Learning More about CIMA Exam Strategies

The first step is being aware of what to avoid in CIMA exams.

This sets the foundation for you to go on refining and perfecting your approach. As in any other walk of life, perhaps the most important thing is to avoid doing foolish things rather than seeking perfection.

In the words of the very wise Charlie Munger: “It is remarkable how much long-term advantage people like us have gotten by trying to be consistently not stupid, instead of trying to be very intelligent.”

All the advice below comes directly from our CIMA case study professional tutors, who mark thousands of student scripts throughout the year.

If you wish to get your VIVA mock exam answers corrected, check out our CIMA course pages , where you can obtain professional marking services as part of the Elite Course.

2. What to Expect on Exam Day

Before we get into the meat of the matter, let’s just review what exactly you can expect to be presented with on exam day. (Feel free to skip on to the next section if you are already well acquainted with the Case Study exam format):

• You will be faced with 1 of 3 CIMA exam variants during any specific exam window (that's a total of 6 variants per pre-seen document under the 2019 CIMA syllabus)
• Each variant is broken down into timed sections (maximum of 5, minimum of 3)
• Each section will include either emails, records of conversations, schedules of information or combinations of all 3
• These give new information that leads on from the pre-seen document information
• Within each section, there will be a task or tasks for the candidate to complete (e.g. write a report, write sections of a report, write an email)
• These tasks might be embedded in the body of the email or conversation
• The task or tasks might include several different elements that pull from different pillars and competencies
• Candidates are NOT expected to perform any detailed calculations
• Each section will move through time (you cannot go back to a previous section once you move on to a subsequent section)

Of course, the best way to familiarise yourself with the real-life experience of a CIMA case study exam is to practice as many different mock exams as possible.

VIVA's OCS, MCS and SCS courses come with up to 5 different professionally prepared CIMA mock exams based on the current pre-seen, which you can practice online under timed exam conditions.

You’ll also want to review past CIMA exam variants to familiarise yourself with the different question styles that can come up.

However, there’s no substitute for timed practice based on the current pre-seen material – and that’s what you’ll get with us.

Source: Pexels

3. Reading the Question: Establishing the Case Study Exam Tasks and Requirements

One common error that our tutors' report is that students do not answer all the requirements included in the task.

In some cases, of course, this is simply down to the student not knowing how to answer the particular requirement. However, we have seen many scenarios in which students have simply missed the requirement due to not having read the question carefully enough!

Consider the sample below taken from a case study exam:

Here we have examples of what is sometimes called “triggers”. These are the places in the question where the requirements are explicitly stated.

Triggers are sometimes in the form of questions, sometimes not. Look out for phrases like “I need you to”, “I would welcome your suggestions for”, “Please draft”, and “Can you please include in your report”.

These are the sections that you really need to pay close attention to because it is there that you will be presented with the requirements.

As you can see in the screenshot above, there is one “task”, i.e., the report that you must draft. But the task has two requirements.

One is a comparison of financial performance and the other deals with the introduction of the balanced scorecard.

However, notice that each requirement contains several sub-requirements.

In the case of the first requirement, notice the “and.” You have to both “compare” and “analyse the implications.” Too many students will simply read the “Compare” part and completely pass over the analysis of the implications:

Likewise, in the case of the second requirement. There’s even more going on here, so you must pay close attention as you read through these “triggers.”

Not only do you have to offer your “suggestions for the other three quadrants,” but you also have to “explain why we have chosen the measures for each quadrant” and “ how they will influence behaviours in the company.”

All of these elements must be addressed to gain full marks.

But too often, students only pay attention to the first one or two. It is not necessarily the case that the first thing asked is the most important or even carries the most weight in terms of marks!

So, it’s essential that you carefully read these trigger sections thoroughly, making a note of each requirement as you go.

Another crucial point: answer the questions that have been asked!

This might seem obvious, but you'd be surprised how many students fail to do this. There are two main reasons students fail to answer the question asked:

(i) because they answer a question they wish they had been asked instead;

(ii) They don't read the trigger verbs carefully enough and misinterpret what is being asked.

The first reason has to do with the fact that sometimes, students will carefully prepare for particular kinds of questions during their exam preparation or practice. They will feel much more confident about some particular question types than others and will have prepared very effectively for those question types.

So strong is their hope that this kind of question will come up on exam day that when they read a question that is superficially similar, they will "shoehorn" their prepared answer into that question.

The result is an answer that is either only partly relevant or, in the worst case, utterly irrelevant to the question being asked!

So remember: don't let your hopes/preferences/strengths influence the kind of answer that you give. Allow the question to dictate what kind of answer you write.

The second reason students fail to answer the question asked is that they misinterpret a key term or phrase or forget what they were asked after they start writing. Consider the example below: ‍

In this example, an incorrect interpretation of the question might be to think about identifying the "limitations" or "drawbacks" of TQM, instead of the "obstacles" that might be encountered when implementing TQM.

The second part of the requirement is about how to overcome those obstacles. An incorrect interpretation might be "what the benefits of TQM would be, after implementing."

You can see that these are "similar" kinds of questions, but strictly speaking, they are different. So be very careful when reading the requirements or trigger sections that you identify the key verbs and key terms so you are certain that you are answering what is being asked.

A final point: ensure that your answers are in alignment with the question asked.

This is essentially about ensuring that you do not go off task as you write your answer - that your answer tracks the requirement and corresponds to each part of the requirement.

Too often, students go off task, padding or filling out their answers with irrelevant information. While writing each new paragraph, the key is to briefly refer back to the question and quickly ask yourself: "Is this relevant and contributing to answering the question?".

This is a good "check" to ensure you align your answers with the question.

4. Good Structure and Planning Can Help You Pass Your CIMA Case Study Exam

We really can’t overemphasize the importance of proper structure for your answers when it comes to achieving the required CIMA pass rates.

There are three main reasons why structure and careful planning is essential for getting your CIMA certificate:

1. It helps to ensure you have enough points raised to obtain top marks

2. It helps to prevent the duplication of content

3. It makes life easier for the marker – more precisely, it makes it easier for the marker to see that you have indeed addressed each requirement adequately, where you have done so, and how much you have written for each requirement. Consider good structure as being key to a more positive examiner experience.

If you clearly signal where each task starts and ends with headings and sub-headings and give each relevant point a full, separate paragraph, you will be making the examiner’s life easier (a happy examiner is likely to be more generous with marks!).

The post-exam reports ALWAYS mention the importance of structure. An orderly answer indicates an orderly and clear thought process behind your answer and shows evidence of planning.

5. Our Top Tips for CIMA Case Study Exam Structure and Planning

Firstly, a common question from students is: how do I know how many paragraphs to write for each task?

Now sometimes, we get lucky and a task or requirement will say something like: "Identify five risks..." or "Give three benefits...". In such questions, it's obvious how many paragraphs there should be!

For five risks, we will write five paragraphs, one for each risk. For the three benefits, we will write three paragraphs, one for each benefit.

Unfortunately, CIMA isn't always so generous! We are not always given the specific number of points explicitly. And so the question then becomes: how do we decide on the number of paragraphs to write?

The key is to look at the percentage of marks allocated for that particular task. CIMA now includes a percentage allocation for each task.

A good rule of thumb here is that for every 10% allocated to a particular task, you add one paragraph. So if a task is worth, say, 33%, you will write approximately three paragraphs. If a task is worth 60%, you will write about six paragraphs.

Note that this is a "rule of thumb." This, of course, isn't supposed to be a perfect formula, but rather a guideline to get you started.

There may be cases where four paragraphs are sufficient for a 60% task, if the paragraphs are long and substantial enough in terms of content . Nevertheless, this is a useful general guideline.

We recommend that you plan and structure your answers before you begin writing. 

However, many people lose valuable time at the beginning of each section planning their answers elaborately on the separate whiteboard provided on exam day. Instead, we recommend planning your answer within the answer box itself, not on the whiteboard or outside of the answer box.

A great way to plan on the fly is to work up a structure and fill in the gaps as you proceed. This forces you to get writing immediately, and by the time your structure is "filled out" the answer pretty much writes itself as you just go back and flesh out each heading and sub-heading:

Requirement A (this would correspond to the first requirement, so use an appropriate title, e.g., “Financial Performance”)

- Paragraph 1 (relates to first major point): idea 1, idea 2, idea 3 (If you have time, it’s worth emphasising the title of this key point by underlining it or putting it in bold, for example)

- Paragraph 2 (relates to second major point): idea 1, idea 2, idea 3

- Paragraph 3 (relates to third major point) etc etc: idea 1, idea 2, idea 3

Requirement B (this would correspond to the second requirement, e.g., "Balanced Scorecard")

…repeat as per above

TASK 2…repeat as per above

Remember, get straight to the point.

Write a 1-2 line introduction at the beginning of your answer, restating briefly what you were asked and the order in which you will address each point in the body of your answer.

Too many students waste time in their opening remarks repeating information we already know or rehearsing irrelevant information.

(You will see in VIVA’s model answers how short the introductions are -> you want to give yourself as much time and space as possible to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding! No marks are given for pleasantries).

It's also a good idea to have a "time plan" for each section of the exam. Now some students worry when they hear this: "ANOTHER PLAN!? Isn't that just going to waste even more of my time!?" 

But there is no need to worry here because a time plan is really very simple - but also crucially important! You need to know roughly how much time you can spend on each task so you don't run out of time!

The first thing to do is, note the length of time allocated per section. In the case of the OCS and MCS, that will typically be 45 minutes per section (with 4 sections in total).

In the case of the SCS, it will typically be 60 minutes per section (with 3 sections in total). The next thing to note is that not all of that time will be or can be spent literally answering the question.

Because, of course, some of that time will be needed for reading the question! So it's a good idea to deduct a short amount of time from the total allocated to a section and consider this your "reading time."

A good target is around 5 or 6 minutes maximum for reading the question. The amount left over after you deduct the reading time is the amount that you can allocate to actually writing your answer.

Now, remember: writing your answer should include the planning process. So you don't need to allocate a separate portion of time to the "planning." Consider planning and writing part of the whole answering process.

So after you deduct the reading time, you now need to decide how to allocate the "answer time."

And this is a relatively simple process. Note the percentages allocated to each task/subtask. Then use that to calculate that percentage of the answer time.

So, for example, let's say you have a section of 45 minutes. You deduct 5 minutes for reading time, which leaves 40 minutes.

Let's say there are two tasks: the first one is worth 60%, and the second one is worth 40%.

60% of 40 minutes is 24 minutes. 40% of 40 minutes is 16 minutes.

And there you have it! You would have 24 minutes to write your answer for the first task, and 16 minutes to write your answer for the second task.

7. A Quick Word on CIMA Case Study Answer Length

I'm sure you've all heard the cliche, "it's about quality, not quantity"!

Of course, there's a kernel of truth to that. But let's be realistic: you're not going to pass your exam if you write 2 lines of text, even if they're the best lines ever written by a CIMA student!

So the cliche only gets us so far. The reality is that markers consistently report that longer answers do tend to score higher marks. And that shouldn't be surprising. 

Other things being equal, the longer an answer is, the more likely it will contain more points - or more detailed points.

When it comes to the OCS and MCS exams, you should be aiming for a minimum of 2 pages, but ideally, 3 pages in a typical 45-minute section would be best if you want to score well.

Each relevant point you make should get a separate paragraph and be supported by examples, reference to the pre-seen and perhaps the real-life industry if applicable, and relevant theories from the Enterprise, Performance and Financial pillars.

In the case of the SCS exam , you should aim for a minimum of 2.5 pages, but ideally, 3.5 pages + in a typical 60-minute section if you want to score well.

8. What about the Content of Your CIMA Exam Answers?

Of course, we can’t tell you exactly what to write – that depends on the questions asked on the day! But there are some fundamental rules of thumb and principles that you should bear in mind.

(i) Justify and Explain

One very simple but crucial point is the following: you have to justify all your arguments and should explain technical terms.

Now that might appear obvious. But you’d be surprised how frequently students fail to do these basic things. And our tutors believe they know why.

This is the error of assuming that the marker will already know what you are talking about. The thing is, they probably will! But that’s not the point.

The point of the exam is to demonstrate your understanding!

So even if you think your marker will probably know what you mean, you should act as if they might not. Show them that you understand, and leave no room for doubt.

A good tip here is to try to really adopt the role that you have been assigned - and correspondingly, speak to the character whom you are addressing in the scenario as if they really are that person!

That way, you are more likely to consider terms they may not fully understand and give more comprehensive explanations of your arguments and conclusions.

Consider the following passage, which is taken verbatim from a past student’s mock exam answer for the Strategic Case Study of May 2018:

“Mr. Winston, however, may not understand the online streaming industry, where consumers just want to watch movies and tv series without interruptions of advertisements in between. His presence may also de-motivate other employees looking to grow within the business. The cultures may be different and it will take him a long time to get used to the streaming business.”

The student left it at that and then moved on to the following requirement. You should be able to see clearly what is wrong here, even without knowing what question was asked.

Each of the three sentences above could (and should have) been explained. Take the first. The obvious question is: why may Mr. Winston not understand the streaming industry?

Consider then the second sentence. The obvious question here is, why might his presence de-motivate other employees?

There’s a hint when he mentions other employees have been willing to “grow within the business,” but the student still fails to make his argument explicit.

What he might be trying to say is that, given that existing employees have grown with the business and have been loyal to the company for a long time, they might feel some resentment towards an external person being given a high-ranking position – instead of hiring from within the company.

But this is not what the student wrote. And so, he lost potential marks by not spelling it out. In the case of the final sentence, there are two more key points left undeveloped: in what way exactly may the cultures be different? And why might it take Mr. Winston a long time to get used to the business?

It’s clear that these points seemed obvious to the student, but he ultimately lost marks because he did not demonstrate understanding.

What you’ll often find is that, once you begin to explain something that seems to “go without saying,” you actually think of interesting points that you hadn’t considered before or that you had forgotten. You want to give yourself as much opportunity to make as many points as possible in support of your answer.

(ii) Give Specific Examples in Terms of the Pre-seen Company

It is not enough to simply define a theory or principle or even to explain a theory or principle in the abstract.

You have to apply it as well. What does that mean?

Basically, you have to be able to say why or how a particular theory/principle/method is relevant to the specifics of the unseen and pre-seen information.

Ask yourself: How can this theory be applied to the current case? What are some concrete examples of the abstract concepts I am using here in terms of the current company?

To follow my own advice, let’s look at another example from another real student’s answer. In this case, the student is asked to give examples for each category in a cost of quality report (OCS May 2018). The student’s answer to this requirement is as follows:

“A) Examples of costs to be included in each category of the report are as below:

1. Wastage of materials when errors are found.

2. Duplication of workload when errors are found

3. Damage to morale when work has to be repeated

1. Loss of consumer confidence

2. Damage to reputation

3. Cost of replacing the product

1. Invest in better-trained staff to ensure fewer errors in production.

2. Invest in higher quality materials to ensure the material doesn't fail.

3. investment in automating processes to reduce human error

1. Inspection of raw materials on arrival

2. Inspection of completed goods before they leave the factory

Notice that this segment of the answer is quite well-structured. The student uses headings and sub-headings and orders the answer logically.

However, the problem is that the student doesn’t actually give specific examples for each category that are derived from the company in question (a luxury bag manufacturer in this case).

Instead, she gives generic examples that could come from almost any company that manufactures any product. In this case, the student would need to provide specific examples.

So instead of simply saying “wastage of materials when errors are found,” the student should give concrete examples of errors that could occur in the context of this company, a luxury bag manufacturer. What kinds of materials are likely to be wasted? What kinds of errors might be found?

These are the kinds of questions you should be asking yourself when applying a particular theory or model to the current case. The marker needs to see that you can actually use the theories and models you have learned during your objective studies in a real-world scenario and in a realistic way.

This shows you’re ready for the real world as a management accountant! Simply giving generic examples that could equally well apply to any number of companies or scenarios is not sufficient to score full marks.

(iii) Avoid List-style Answers

Another common error is that students will give their answers in the form of bullet points.

Unfortunately, this is not what markers are looking for. It might seem neat and tidy and concise to you, but to a marker, it will simply give the impression of superficial engagement. Lists also give the impression that you are rushing through the answer.

Try to write your answers in prose style. It should be conversational but professional. You are trying to engage with and guide the fictional person who has asked for your assistance. Throwing a list of bullet points without elaboration will not be acceptable!

Now that’s not to say that you can’t use bullet points to structure your answers. But this is different from simply having a list of one-liners alongside bullet points.

You may organize your sub-headings in a bullet-point style, but what follows should be in prose style, with full sentences, explanations, examples and justifications.

9. Managing Technical CIMA Questions That Appear in Exams

Many students mistakenly believe that when it comes to more technical questions involving financial statements and “the numbers,” a different approach is necessary.

Students feel they need to spend much of their time performing calculations and showing off their ability to use various formulae from their objective studies. 

However, this is not the case. In fact, you are not expected to perform lengthy calculations when it comes to technical components in the case study exam. Instead, the extent to which you will be expected to demonstrate your technical capacities corresponds to the following:

You will need to be able to:

- explain how the content of a schedule/table/financial statement has been prepared

- interpret the solution from a schedule/table/financial statement

- interpret the information within the schedule/table/financial statement

- explain the accounting treatment for a certain type of transaction and the impact on the financial statements

The occasional basic calculation can be made to illustrate a point or to support your interpretation, but that interpretation should be written in prose form.

Markers do not want to see long strings of calculations and formulae without any written explanation or justification. If you do include calculations, keep them short, and focus instead on demonstrating your understanding through written means.

When it comes to a general approach to technical components, we recommend that you follow the order of operations indicated in the diagram below:

We've already dealt with structure above.

In terms of content, it's a good idea to start with the general theoretical and technical concepts/principles that you are going to be using in the requirement. You don't need to spend too long on this phase - you're not expected to give a complete, exhaustive abstract explanation of a model or theory.

Rather, give a short but jargon-free summary of the model or theory that you are making use of. You want to spend as much time on the application phase as possible. This is where you will demonstrate your deep theoretical understanding. 

Remember, markers want to see you applying your knowledge as if you were really working in this company, in the specified role, and charged with the tasks outlined in the exam .

Simply stating abstract principles would not be acceptable in the real world. Nor is it acceptable in the CIMA case study exam.

Finally, and ideally, you want to move beyond the narrow application of the relevant theory to the specifics of the case.

Markers like to see students adopt a wider perspective of the business and spell out some of the broader implications of your solution to the task/requirement.

It's a good idea here to stretch out your time horizon and consider second and third-order consequences of a particular action - positive or negative.  

Markers also like to see students derive conclusions and recommendations in questions where students are asked to consider advantages and disadvantages/risks and benefits of particular courses of action. This shows deeper engagement with the case and wider business awareness.

10. How to Pass CIMA: Key Takeaways for Upcoming Case Study Exams

When it comes to case study success, there are three really key components:  

1. Solid theoretical knowledge relating to objective subjects

2. Intimate knowledge of the pre-seen and some familiarity with industry trends

3. Excellent exam answer technique

Too many CIMA students get hung up on revising their objective test theory in the wrong way, i.e., committing theory to memory from their CIMA objective test textbook material. The result is less flexibility in producing answers to new problems.

A much better approach is to review key theories by applying each one to the specifics of the current pre-seen document.

In this way, you kill two birds with one stone, i.e., solid theoretical knowledge and intimate knowledge of the pre-seen.

Then it's all about honing your exam technique. The reality is, our markers report over and over again that the typical student's main problem often isn't so much their lack of theoretical knowledge (although that is sometimes definitely the case), as they cannot order their thoughts, apply their knowledge, and master their timing.

 When it comes to timing, there's no substitute for practice (all of VIVA's mocks can be taken in our online CIMA exam simulator under timed conditions).

If you combine practice with careful attention to the points listed above, you will likely write an exam answer that puts you ahead of 90% of CIMA students.

11. Get Ahead with VIVA Financial Tuition

It doesn't matter what kind of business career you're after, CIMA qualifications can unlock a brighter future.

Whether you aim to be a Chief Financial Officer or business owner, our CIMA exam tips and advice can get you where you want to go faster, and for a fraction of the cost of traditional tuition providers. Start your journey today and discover our range of CIMA courses .

Check out our market-leading Study Packs for the current Case Study. The packs include hours of high-quality video tuition by some of the world's leading CIMA experts, alongside mock exams modelled closely on the official CIMA exams and a whole range of support materials. You might also want to read: Working through your CIMA Case Study Course .

Like to explore how VIVA can help you with your CIMA studies?

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CIMA Dates & Deadlines

Whether you’re a student preparing for exams, a professional planning to start studying CIMA/CGMA, or an employer supporting your staff’s CIMA/CGMA journey, this guide aims to provide you with up-to-date information on exam registration deadlines, exam dates, course dates, and other important milestones.

• 18 April 2024

CIMA students will be familiar with the complexities of the CIMA calendar. After Certificate level, there are 3 Objective Test (OT) exams at each level, followed by a Case Study Exam, each with its own deadlines at key points in the exam sitting cycle. A missed course start date or exam entry deadline can throw even the most meticulously planned study schedule off track.  Use this guide to stay on track towards achieving your goals, plan ahead and keep up to date with important deadlines.

Objective Tests (OT’s)

📅Course start dates:   All year round!

Unlike Case Study exams, exams for Objective Test modules do not follow an exam sitting cycle. Therefore, you can book ObjectiveTest exams at various dates all year round. Likewise, you’ll find that FI courses for Objective Test exams start all year round, online and in local study centres. You can also study on-demand via FI Online . Planning and preparation are key to getting the result you want on the big day. Find tips on preparing for your exam below:

🔍 10 Exam preparation mistakes to avoid 🔍 Dealing with exam nerves

August 2024 Case Study Exam Sitting

📅 Exam Results Day:  

Operational Level: 26/09/24 | Management Level: 03/10/24 | Strategic Level: 10/10/24

November 2024 Case Study Exam Sitting

📖 November Case Study course dates:  27th September – 24th October 2024

Courses for the November Case Study exams start in September and will run throughout October. Spaces are limited, so we would recommend booking as soon as possible to secure your place. Can’t make these dates?  Study on-demand with FI Online instead.

🔍 What happens on a Case Study course?

🔔 November Exa m entry deadlines:

Operational: 22/10/24 | Management: 29 /10/24 | Strategic: 05/11/24

⚠️ November Mock Submission deadlines:

Mock 1 – Operational: 13 /10/24 | Management: 20/10/24 | Strategic: 27/10/24

Mock 2   – Operational: 20/10/24 | Management: 27/10/24 | Strategic: 03/11/24

Mock 3   – Operational: 27/10/24 | Management: 03/11/24 | Strategic: 10/11/24

🔍 Mock exam marking – everything you need to know

📅  November Exam Week:

Operational: 06-08 November  | Management: 13-15 November   | Strategic: 20-22 November

Planning and preparation are key to getting the result you want on the big day. Find tips on preparing for your exam below:

🔍 10 Exam preparation mistakes to avoid

🔍 Dealing with exam nerves

🔍 Case Study Exams: What’s the examiner looking for?

Operational Level: 02 /01/25 | Management Level: 09/01/25 | Strategic Level: 09 /01/25

February 2025 Case Study Exam Sitting

📖 February Case Study course dates:  03rd January – 18th January 2025

Courses for the February Case Study exams start in January and will run throughout. Spaces are limited, so we would recommend booking as soon as possible to secure your place. Can’t make these dates?  Study on-demand with FI Online instead.

🔔 February Exam entry deadlines:

Operational: 21/01/25  | Management: 28 /01/25 | Strategic: 04/02/25

⚠️ February Mock Submission deadlines:

Mock 1 – Operational: 14 /01/25  | Management: 23/01/25 | Strategic: 26/01/25

Mock 2   – Operational: 21/01/25  | Management: 29/01/25 | Strategic: 02/02/25

Mock 3   – Operational: 29/01/25  | Management: 06/02/25 | Strategic: 09/02/25

📅 February Exam Week:

Operational: 05-07 February  | Management: 12-14 February   | Strategic: 19 -20 February

Operational Level: 23 /03/25 | Management Level: 03/04/25 | Strategic Level: 10 /04/25

May 2025 Case Study Exam Sitting

📖 May Case Study course dates:  25th March – 12th April 2025

Courses for the May Case Study exams start in March and will run throughout April. Spaces are limited, so we would recommend booking as soon as possible to secure your place. Can’t make these dates?  Study on-demand with FI Online instead.

🔔 May Exam entry deadlines:

Operational: 22/04/25  | Management: 29 /04/25 | Strategic: 07/05/25

⚠️ May Mock Submission deadlines:

Mock 1 – Operational: 15 /04/25  | Management: 24/04/25 | Strategic: 27/04/25

Mock 2   – Operational: 22/04/25 | Management: 01/05/25 | Strategic: 04/05/25

Mock 3   – Operational: 28/04/25  | Management: 07/05/25 | Strategic: 11/05/25

📅 May Exam Week:

Operational: 07-09 May | Management: 14-16 May | Strategic: 21 -23 May

Operational Level: 26 /06/25 | Management Level: 03/07/25 | Strategic Level: 10 /07/25

August 2025 Case Study Exam Sitting

🔔 August Exam entry deadlines:

Operational: 22/07/25  | Management: 29 /07/25 | Strategic: 05/08/25

📅 August Exam Week:

Operational: 06-08 August | Management: 13-15 August | Strategic: 20 -22 August

Operational Level: 25 /09/25 | Management Level: 02/10/25 | Strategic Level: 09 /10/25

Quick links: Studying CIMA at FI | Book CIMA courses now | Study Centres | Online Courses

We wish you the best of luck with your studies. Remember to balance your study time with some fun and relaxation too.

Considering starting your ACCA studies? Find more useful articles below:

Experience a CIMA online course before you buy it.

Guidance to help you add structure to your CIMA studies.

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CIMA Exam Results and a Look at the Grading Mechanism

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Eager to find out when you will get the CIMA exam results, and how to interpret the performance report?

CIMA Exam Results for Objective Tests

Since the implementation of the new format, it is the easiest and fastest to get the CIMA objective test exam results — you get a “pass” or “fall” grade immediately after the computerized exam.

After 48 hours, you will receive an email, confirming that CIMA exam results breakdown is available in the MYCIMA portal.

CIMA Exam Results Breakdown

The results are shown in a table format, listing the subject areas in the objective test.

Each subject area is marked “proficient” or “not proficient”, with more detailed comments on how you can improve.

Here is a sample showing the candidate getting a “not proficient” in Financial Reporting:

Image courtesy of thecimastudent.com

If you’d like to have a glimpse at how the full performance report looks like, check out this official video from the CIMA:

A Note on CIMA Exam Pass Mark

The CIMA states that you need a 70% accuracy to pass each objective test. At the same time, they tell you the CIMA exam pass mark is 100.

Please understand that you are given a scaled score ranging from 0 to 150. The emphasis is that this score is scaled, meaning that you cannot figure out your percentage accuracy by a straight formula. In fact, if you try to divide 100 by 150, you get 66.7% instead of 70%.

The scaling is a way for CIMA to balance the more difficult questions with the easier questions . The system weighs difficult questions slightly more, such that students who got a few more difficult questions wrong would still score the same as those getting more easier questions right.

CIMA Case Study Results

The questions in case study exams are more complex. Human graders instead of computers mark this exam, and therefore, we need to wait for approximately 5 weeks after the end of the testing window to get the results.

Similar to the objective test, the performance report is available on the MyCIMA portal, and is presented in the form of a table. We will see “Strong”, “Moderate” or “Fail” in each of the 5 competencies.

In this example, the table is showing “Moderate” under technical skills is marked “Moderate”, with details on areas of improvement:

For those who would like to know the technical side of grading, here is a detailed explanation by the CIMA:

A Note on CIMA Case Study Pass Mark

The pass mark for case study is 80, out of a scaled score of 0 to 150. The candidate must also score a “Moderate” or “Strong” across all competencies in order to pass the case study exam. This is to ensure that the candidate is not weak in a particular area and that he/she is “business ready”.

Even if you pass, take a look at the performance report for rooms of improvement. This will only help you in the next CIMA case study exam.

Is This helpful?

I hope the discussion on CIMA exam grading and results is helpful in preparing psychologically for this exam. If you have any questions, please drop a note in the comment section. Thank you and good luck!

For Your Further Reading

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May 2024 Case Study Review

The May 2024 case study exams are now over. If you took the exam this sitting – good luck. It’s a big moment, and I hope it’s good news for you on results day.

In the meantime, it can be interesting to see how others found the exam. So in this post, I’m going to analyse the results of a recent survey by Astranti, as published on their Facebook study groups: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cimaoperationalstudygroup/posts/1662512457821064/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/cimamanagementstudygroup/posts/2394713367393177/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/cimastrategicstudygroup/posts/7451042674949973/

Over half of OCS candidates reported that their exam was more difficult (or much more difficult) than expected.

This is fairly typical. The essay-style format can be a shock to candidates who aren’t used to it, especially for working professionals who finished school or university years previously and haven’t had to write in this style since then. So don’t worry too much if you’re in this group as you’re not alone.

The results from the MCS and SCS are more positive.

MCS RESULTS:

SCS RESULTS:

Most MCS and SCS takers have already completed at least one case study and have a better idea of what it takes to pass. Just a third of candidates found these exams more challenging than they expected, though there’s no detail about whether this includes the Gateway or CFO route.

Technical Knowledge

This is where things get interesting.

At the OCS there’s a strong correlation between how difficult candidates found the exam and whether they’d have spent more time on theory.

Those who struggled with the exam are almost twice as likely to wish they’d spent more time revising technical knowledge as those who found the exam as expected.

The OCS is by far the most technically-oriented case study. Revisiting your knowledge from E1, P1 and F1 (or their FLP equivalents) is time well spent and means you’re much less likely to struggle in the exam.

Now let’s look at the MCS.

As you can see, the trend here is almost exactly reversed. Those who struggled with the exam were over twice as likely to wish they’d spent LESS time revising theory.

What’s going on here? Why is something that’s an advantage in the first exam suddenly a drawback in the next?

Making the Leap

When moving from the OCS to the MCS, the biggest difference is going beyond just knowing the theory.

Be prepared to make the leap from just understanding how a model fits a scenario, to analysing its impact. Think about how you’d apply it logically in the real-world, and what the consequences of your recommendations will be.

It’s still important to have a good technical understanding. Make sure you know your models and how they’re applied. But spend more time engaging with the pre-seen and understanding the business and its strategic goals and direction, and keep that context in mind as you write.

Now that the exam is over, there’s not much to do but wait for results day.

The next few weeks can be nerve-wracking and everyone has their own way of coping with the stress of waiting. That might mean making a start on your studies for your next objective test, going through your notes just in case you need to resit, or even taking a break altogether.

There’s no right or wrong answer. Find what works for you, and try not to worry too much.

As a reminder, CIMA don’t permit students to discuss any details about the exam. If you’re not sure whether you can share something – play it safe, and don’t share it. This includes things like specific bits of theory.

However, it’s okay to share your general feelings on the exam. So – how did you find the difficulty overall? Did you over- or under-revise the theory? Did you manage your time? Let me know in the comments.

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Financing capital projects - 15%

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Financial reporting standards - 25%

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Group Accounts - 25%

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CS Case Study

In an increasingly digital world, rapid changes in technology are creating challenges for the business models of organisations. It is also making it difficult for business leaders and employees to create and preserve sustainable value. Against this digital backdrop, it is imperative that finance professionals possess relevant technical skills, a sound understanding of their organisation, as well as the ability to influence and lead people. This will make them capable of providing the insight their organisations need to craft and successfully execute their strategies. 

The 2019 syllabus continues to bridge the skills gap of newly qualified finance professionals worldwide, meeting the employability needs of both business and people. In designing the syllabus, we set out to enhance the relevance of the syllabus to employers; ensure the rigour of the related examinations and align the learning experience of candidates to the real world.

The case study is designed to bring together the knowledge learnt at the objective test levels. The case study exam is tested using core syllabus areas designed to reflect the daily tasks expected of a finance professional at the relevant exam level.

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Sustainable e-waste management in higher education institutions: case study of Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology

• Original Paper
• Published: 14 September 2024

Cite this article

• T. Q. Thao 1 , 2 ,
• T. H. Hanh 1 , 2 &
• N. N. Huy   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-2918-7935 1 , 2  

The global concern for e-waste necessitates comprehensive research, especially in educational institutions. This paper examines the case study of Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), examining the generation, flow, and potential environmental impact of e-waste from 2024 to 2034. The research incorporates life cycle inventory (LCI) and material flow analysis (MFA) to estimate the volume and composition of obsolete electronic and electrical equipment (EEE). The study reveals a substantial increase in discarded devices at HCMUT, aligning with campus expansions. E-waste is estimated to generated 1.5 times from 16,792 kg in 2024 to 25,230 kg in 2034, emphasizing the urgency for effective waste management. MFA models delineate the flow of e-waste materials, emphasizing the need for targeted recycling measures. The examination of specific EEE types (projectors, computers, air conditioners, and lamps) reveals varying recyclability proportions, necessitating tailored management strategies. The absence of a specific e-waste management law in Vietnam, coupled with manual and unsafe processing practices, contributes to environmental and health hazards. The paper emphasizes the imperative for sustainable practices in higher education institutions (HEIs) and presents HCMUT's case as pivotal. The university's commitment to sustainable development is highlighted, underscoring the importance of integrating e-waste management into broader environmental strategies. As HEIs globally struggle with e-waste challenges, the study proposes a framework for effective management, incorporating LCI and MFA for informed decision-making. The results provide valuable insights for developing practical and sustainable e-waste management measures, guiding HEIs toward minimizing environmental impact while fostering a culture of responsible e-waste practices.

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Source: compiled from Huisman ( 2008 ); Cheung et al. ( 2017 ); (Nguyen 2018 )

Source: HCMUT Department of Equipment Management

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• Environmental Chemistry

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), VNU-HCM for this study.

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Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), 268 Ly Thuong Kiet St., District 10, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

T. Q. Thao, T. H. Hanh & N. N. Huy

Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, Linh Trung Ward, Thu Duc District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

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TQT conceived, designed, and supervised the study and prepared the first draft manuscript. THH collected and processed data. NNH prepared and revised the whole manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to N. N. Huy .

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Thao, T.Q., Hanh, T.H. & Huy, N.N. Sustainable e-waste management in higher education institutions: case study of Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol. (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-024-06012-w

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Received : 02 April 2024

Revised : 09 August 2024

Accepted : 19 August 2024

Published : 14 September 2024

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-024-06012-w

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