CIMA Exams list | Levels | Structure of syllabus

The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) is a world-renowned professional body that offers the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designation. To achieve this designation, candidates must complete 12 examinations, which are grouped into three levels: Operational, Management, and Strategic.

This blog post will provide an overview of the 12 papers that make up the CIMA examination system. By the end of this post, you will have a good understanding of the structure of the CIMA exams and what to expect from each paper.

This is an essential topic for those studying for their CIMA qualification, as it will give you a good idea of what is required of you. The exams are not easy, but with hard work and preparation, you can pass them and obtain your CIMA certification. We wish you the best of luck in your studies!

CIMA Exams list

Key takeaways

• Number of Exams: 12 across three levels
• Format of exams: Nine objective tests and three case study
• Time to complete: Three to five years
• The number of levels: Three. 1. Operational, 2. Management, and 3. Strategic
• Exam dates: Actual dates for the case study exam sittings are now available for 2023 exams on our blog.

Structure of the CIMA Syllabus

The syllabus of all three levels of CIMA revolves around three Pillars and 12 exams: nine objective tests, as well as 3 case studies.

Objective tests: Objective tests are 90 minutes long. These computer-based exams can be taken on demand at any Pearson VUE centre worldwide and are available every day of the week!

Case Study Exams: The CIMA Case Study exams are a challenging three-hour-long case study test that you can take. Available in four windows throughout the year, these computer-based tests are available at Pearson VUE centres worldwide.

The Three pillars of CIMA

These pillars are a way to structure knowledge and provide students with valuable business areas in addition to finance.

The Enterprise Pillar:  The Enterprise pillar focuses on the role of finance in interaction with other organizational units. It considers how data and technology can be used for strategic purposes and managing projects effectively to reach goals set forth by top management.

The Performance Pillar: The Performance pillar ensures that strategy and risk management are realistic. It provides tools to help you make decisions with an understanding of costs, budgets & prices as well as capital expenditure; it also teaches how to use these skills to identify risks before they become expensive mistakes!

The Finance Pillar: To position themselves for success, companies must first understand the financial aspects of their operations. This pillar provides a foundation in which all other pieces are built by analyzing both regulatory frameworks and external reporting requirements, as well as constructing complex statements that demonstrate how an organization is performing from a net income (or loss) point-of-view over time using tax fundamentals such outstanding questions like "What consequences do decisions have?"

CIMA Levels

There are three levels in CIMA. Completing all the levels helps you get this qualification

Operational Level - Level 1

The Operational Level consists of three computer-based Objective Tests and one Case Study exam.

The Operational level is all about making short-term decisions and implementing them. Candidates at this station will be able to work with others to use data & technology to translate medium-term plans into actionable items.

After passing this level: Diploma in Management Accounting (CIMA Dip MA).

The Operational Level consists of the following four papers:

E1 - Managing finance in a digital world

P1 - Management Accounting (Read our blog on how to pass the P1 exams)

F1 - Financial Reporting

Case Study - Operational Level Case Study

Management level - Level 2

The CIMA Management level focuses on how to make long-term decisions and implement them into action. Candidates can use data, relevant technology, and basic accounting skills to manage organizational performance across all levels of an organization while monitoring individuals' progress towards goals set out by management teams or directorships. 

After passing this level: CIMA Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting (CIMA Adv Dip MA).

 The Management Level consists of the following four papers:

E2 - Managing Performance

P2 - Advanced Management Accounting

F2 - Advanced Financial Reporting

Case Study - Management Level Case study

Strategic level - Level 3

The CIMA Strategic level requires participants to learn how to create long-term strategies for their organizations. They will also evaluate risks to prevent any setback from blocking this process, value all types of business entities involved with implementing your chosen course (both publicly traded companies and small nonprofits), and source financial resources necessary to make successful decisions!

 The Strategic Level consists of the following four papers: 

E3 - Strategic Management P3 - Risk Management   

 F3 - Financial Analysis    

Case Study - Strategic Level Case study

Qualification: Associate membership along with the associate chartered management accountant (ACMA) and Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designations 

Closing Comments 

CIMA is a world-renowned professional body that offers the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designation. The CGMA is globally recognized as the most advanced management accounting credential. 

To achieve this designation, candidates must complete the CIMA Exams list of 12 examinations, which are grouped into three levels: Operational, Management, and Strategic. 

This blog post provided an overview of the 12 papers that make up the CIMA examination system. By the end of this post, you should understand the structure of the CIMA exams and what to expect from each paper.

If you want to take a CIMA online course or CIMA books to prepare for your exams, feel free to reach out to our teams.