For the CMA (Certified Management Accountant) 2024 exams, the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICAI) has outlined the exam pattern for the Foundation, Intermediate, and Final courses. The exam pattern for both the December and June sessions will be available on the official ICMAI website. The exams for all three levels will be held as offline, center-based tests. Unlike the previous year, where the Foundation course exam was conducted remotely, the Intermediate and Final courses will return to the traditional in-center format. Familiarity with the CMA Exam Pattern 2024 enables candidates to approach the exams with confidence and maximize their performance.
CMA US Exam Pattern
CMA Exam Pattern for 2024 includes all the levels – Foundation, Intermediate, and Final. The exam pattern helps aspirants plan the preparation process accordingly. Objective and descriptive questions are a part of the examination. It focuses on both theoretical knowledge and practical application. Each paper consists of 100 questions. Candidates will have 120 minutes to complete the Foundation course exam and 180 minutes for both the Intermediate and Final course exams.
- Mode of Exam: The CMA exams are computer-based, with proctors if the applicant is attending the exams from their home.
- Duration: The exam is for 3 hours with an additional 15 minutes as reading time.
- Total Marks: Every exam paper is for 100 marks.
- Question Paper Type: The question paper is divided into two sections, and each section carries 50 marks with Descriptive and Numerical questions.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode of Exam | Online, i.e., Computer- Based Test (CBT) |
| Duration | 3 Hours + 15 Minutes Reading Time |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Type of Questions | Objective, Descriptive and Numerical Questions |
The students are advised to go through the CMA Exam Syllabus 2024 thoroughly to better understand the topics and contents of each subject and the mark distributions for each section.
CMA Exam Pattern Foundation Course
The CMA Foundation Course exam pattern consists of four papers. Each focuses on fundamental concepts such as Economics and Management, Accounting, Laws and Ethics, and Mathematics and Statistics. The exam is conducted in an objective, multiple-choice format, ensuring a clear understanding of core principles. The space below mentions the CMA 2024 exam pattern for foundation courses:
| Exam Features | CMA Exam Details |
|---|---|
| Mode of CMA Foundation exam | Offline Centre-Based Test |
| Type of questions in CMA Foundation exam | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) |
| Total marks in each subject paper | 100 |
| Duration of CMA Foundation exam | 120 minutes |
| Number of subject papers | 4 |
What is CMA Sectional Weightage for Foundation Course?
The CMA Foundation Course is divided into four sections. Each subject carries equal importance, helping students build a strong base for advanced levels. These help in understanding core principles and practical applications. The weightage of each paper in the CMA courses will be distributed according to the syllabus structure.
Foundation Course Paper 1: Fundamentals of Economics and Management
Paper 1 introduces students to the basic principles of economics and management. This emphasizes economic theories and managerial practices. Thus, preparing students to understand market dynamics and effectively manage business operations.
| Sections | Topics | Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| Section A – Fundamentals of Economics | Basic concepts of Economics | 20 marks |
| Forms of Market | 20 marks | |
| Money and Banking | 10 marks | |
| Section B – Fundamentals of Management | Management Process | 50 marks |
| Total | – | 100 marks |
Foundation Course Paper 2: Fundamentals of Accounting
Fundamentals of Accounting is a core paper in the Foundation Course, introducing basic accounting principles, concepts, and practices. Paper 2 builds a strong foundation for understanding financial transactions.
| Sections | Topics | Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| Section A: Fundamentals of Financial Accounting | Accounting Fundamentals | 35 marks |
| Accounting for Special Transactions | 20 marks | |
| Preparation of Final Accounts | 25 marks | |
| Section B: Fundamentals of Cost Accounting | Fundamentals of Cost Accounting | 20 marks |
| Total | – | 100 marks |
Foundation Course Paper 3: Fundamentals of Laws and Ethics
Paper 3 introduces students to the basics of laws and ethical practices essential for professional conduct. It covers key legal principles, contracts, company laws, and ethical frameworks. It helps students understand legal obligations and fosters ethical decision-making.
| Sections | Topics | Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| Section A: Fundamentals of Commercial Laws | Indian Contracts Act, 1872 | 40 marks |
| Sale of Goods Act, 1930 | 20 marks | |
| Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 | 10 marks | |
| Section B: Fundamentals of Ethics | Ethics and Business | 30 marks |
| Total | – | 100 marks |
Foundation Course Paper 4: Fundamentals of Business Mathematics & Statistics
Paper 4 introduces students to essential mathematical and statistical concepts used in business decision-making. The CMA course syllabus forms a solid foundation for advanced studies in finance and management.
| Sections | Topics | Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| Section A: Fundamentals of Business Mathematics | Arithmetic | 20 marks |
| Algebra | 20 mark | |
| Section B: Fundamentals of Business Statistics | Statistical representation of Data | 10 marks |
| Measures of Central Tendency and Dispersion | 30 marks | |
| Correlation and Regression | 10 marks | |
| Probability | 10 marks | |
| Total | – | 100 marks |
CMA Exam Pattern for Intermediate and Final Courses
The CMA exam pattern for both Intermediate and Final courses consists of two groups. Each group consists of four papers. The exams are conducted in descriptive mode, requiring analytical and problem-solving skills. The following section outlines the exam pattern for the CMA Intermediate 2024 and Final courses:
| Exam Features | CMA Exam Details |
|---|---|
| Mode of CMA Intermediate and Final exams | Offline test from centre |
| Type of questions in CMA Intermediate and Final exams | Descriptive |
| Total marks in each subject paper | 100 |
| Duration of CMA Intermediate and Final exam | 180 minutes |
CMA Exam Pattern Intermediate Course Topics
The course is divided into two groups: Group 1 and Group 2. Each group includes four papers, with Group 1 covering Papers 5 to 8 and Group 2 covering Papers 9 to 12.
| Group I | Group II |
|---|---|
| PAPER 5: Business Laws and Ethics (BLE) | PAPER 9: Operations Management and Strategic Management (OMSM) |
| PAPER 6: Financial Accounting (FA) | PAPER 10: Corporate Accounting and Auditing (CAA) |
| PAPER 7: Direct and Indirect Taxation (DITX) | PAPER 11: Financial Management and Business Data Analytics (FMDA) |
| PAPER 8: Cost Accounting (CA) | PAPER 12: Management Accounting (MA) |
CMA Exam Pattern Final Course Topics
The CMA Final Course is divided into two groups: Group 3 and Group 4. Each group includes four papers, with Group 3 covering Papers 13 to 16 and Group 4 covering Papers 17 to 20.
| Group III | Group IV | |
| PAPER 13: Corporate and Economic Laws (CEL) | PAPER 17: Cost and Management Audit (CMAD) | |
| PAPER 14: Strategic Financial Management (SFM) | PAPER 18: Corporate Financial Reporting (CFR) | |
| PAPER 15: Direct Tax Laws and International Taxation (DIT) | PAPER 19: Indirect Tax Laws and Practice (ITLP) | |
| PAPER 16: Strategic Cost Management (SCM) | PAPER 20: One of the following subjects.PAPER 20A: Strategic Performance Management and Business Valuation (SPMBV)PAPER 20B: Risk Management in Banking and Insurance (RMBI)PAPER 20C: Entrepreneurship and Start Up (ENTS) | |
In conclusion, understanding the CMA Exam Pattern for 2024, including the exam duration and marking scheme, is crucial for the preparation of CMA certification. Each paper’s duration and the associated marking scheme are designed to assess candidates’ knowledge and skills across various topics. By familiarizing themselves with these details, candidates understand CMA Eligibility, plan their study approach, manage their time during the exam, and focus on areas that will maximize their performance. This preparation will ultimately help them achieve success in the CMA examinations and advance their careers in management accounting.
CMA Exam Pattern FAQs
Q1: How many questions are there in each paper of the CMA exam?
There are two parts in the CMA exam syllabus. Each part is 3 hours long for 100 multiple-choice questions, representing 75% of the exam score. The second section is essay writing, representing the remaining 25%. You will be given 30 minutes for each of the two essays.
Q2: What is the marking scheme for the CMA exams?
The marking scheme for CMA exams generally follows a system where each question carries equal marks. The exact distribution of marks may vary depending on the specific paper and its format.
Q3: Are there negative markings in the CMA exams?
No, there is no negative marking for incorrect answers in the CMA exams.
Q4: How is the total score calculated for each paper?
The total score for each paper is calculated based on the number of correct answers provided by the candidate, with each correct answer contributing to the total marks.
Q5. What is the minimum passing score for each paper?
The minimum passing score for the CMA (Certified Management Accountant) Examination is 360 for both parts of the exam. The exam score range is 0-500.
