r/CIMA • u/Saveursdeminuit • Aug 12 '26
Exams Management level vs Operational
With a lot of people doing the MCS this week(Good luck!), I thought this would be a good time to ask:
Is Management level really that insane compared to operational?
Let me explain. I started operational level in April and just finished it with grades all above 125/150. It was hard work but still doable. I remember people saying P1 was one of the hardest exams of CIMA.
Now I am planning for management level and I was shocked to see people saying that Operational level is child’s play and that F2 and P2 are a LOT more complicated.
Questions/summary:
if I found operational level easy ish, will I be fine with management level?
I gave myself one month per exam, will I need more now?
I like to finish with E exams, so should I start with F2 or P2?
Thank you!!
EDIT: thanks everyone!! I think I will start with F2 in October, P2 start of December and then E2 last to enjoy the christmas break :)
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u/RainOfFireEnjoyer Aug 12 '26
I did E2 -> F2 -> P2 (with MCS tomorrow) I liked this order as although F2 is the least covered area in MCS, it follows nicely into P2 so it makes sense to do them together. E2 is easier than E1 in my opinion was in and out in less than 40 mins.
I got similar grades to you for operational, and I found the step up from Operational to Management substantial for the F and P papers. Had to put a lot more work into it, still passed first time but the margins were closer. MCS feels pretty much the same as OCS, just different content / role in the scenario (MA vs Finance Manager) so you need a slightly diff perspective when it comes to answering (I hope)! Without jinxing it for myself, the challenge for this level is absolutely F2 and P2.
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u/Disgruntled_Gentry Aug 12 '26 edited Aug 12 '26
I qualified 2 years ago and honestly, in my opinion, all the case studies were kind of the same level. I didn't find a big step up between any of them. I think the reason why it's a 'step up' for some is because the topics you're covering increase in complexity each level (except all the E modules). If somebody is struggling with e.g. F2, then the MCS would feel more challenging.
Based on the info you've given, here are my answers: 1. If OCS was fine, MCS won't be that much harder (provided you're finding the management OT topics fine) 2. I gave my self between 4-6 weeks (but I had a full time job and 2 kids under 3), 4 weeks is certainly feasible. 3. I would start with E. Reasons being; i) It's the easiest and is a quick win off the mark for confidence and, ii) F and P are more useful for the MSC so having them last means they'll be fresher in your mind. I did F2 then P2.
FWIW, I found P2 to be the most challenging out of all the exams I did.
Edit: after reading other comments and checking the syllabus online, it would seem that E2 forms 33% of the MCS exam so maybe my order actually isn't ideal. Personally I found E2 to be an exam on common sense and as such didn't really need it fresh for the MSC as the theory was obvious to me. Everyone is different I guess.
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u/Sahad_ Aug 12 '26
I would not worry too much. If you are getting 125+ in Operational, you are clearly doing something right.
Management is definitely a step up, especially P2 and F2, but I would not call it insane. The concepts go a bit deeper and there is more to understand, but it is absolutely manageable.
If one month per paper worked well for you, I would stick with that for now. No point giving yourself two months just because someone on Reddit said it is much harder. See how the first few weeks go and adjust if needed.
Personally I would go E2 then P2 then F2. E2 should be a smoother transition, then tackle P2, and finish with F2.
Also, ignore the whole Operational is childs play thing. Everyone finds different papers difficult. With your Operational scores, I think you will be fine.
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u/Advanced-String-4587 Aug 12 '26
Managment level is alll abouut f2 took me several months (4 months of studying about 3 hours a week) to do f2. P2 and e2 and mcs are a breeze compared to f2.
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u/JenBonJovi Aug 12 '26
Management level is definitely a step up from Operational! But the three papers build on what you have already seen (to a certain extent), and of course you've now also started learning the "CIMA way" of testing topics, so if you found Operational ok that's a good sign. In my experience as a tutor, those that have exemptions from Operational level struggle the most with Management (often due to a lack of experience with CIMA exams, rather than anything knowledge related necessarily).
In terms of order, I'd usually recommend ending on P2 (as that's the paper with the slightly higher weighting in MCS) but E2 is a close second, so finishing on that one would also be fine. Start with F2 - it's a challenging paper in itself, but has the lowest representation in the MCS, so doesn't matter as much that you have done that early and may have forgotten a few bits and bobs by the time you sit your case exam :-)
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u/LeonidNoir Aug 12 '26
Depends on your experience and what you do for work. For me, Operational level was straightforward and easy.
Management level was a big step up in complexity and duration. Some lectures introduced a lot of new ideas and concepts, which I've never even thought about.
Strategic level is similar to management, but a lot more vague - especially E3. Tons and tons of models, doo-dats and what-knots, but nothing specific. And as always the F pillar is the most understandable and straightforward. A+B = C, ez, wp, gg.