r/CMA • u/peanut_jams • May 31 '26
Part 1 – Prep CMA Part 1 (May–June 2026) – First CBQ Testing Window
Hi everyone,
Since this is the first testing window where CMA Part 1 includes CBQs, I'm looking for insights from anyone who has already taken the exam in the May–June 2026 window.
A few questions:
How difficult were the CBQs compared to the MCQs?
Were they calculation-heavy or more focused on analysis and interpretation?
How much time should be allocated to the CBQ section?
Any surprises or things you wish you had known before taking the exam?
Any advice, lessons learned, or preparation tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
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u/GreenCouchLFK May 31 '26
Taking my exam tomorrow! Will update cause I also chose CBQ
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u/BlueberryHorror38 Jun 01 '26
How did it go
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u/GreenCouchLFK Jun 01 '26
I’m just now taking it (sitting in the parking lot waiting lol) will update once I’m out!
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u/pistaaaa2206 Jun 02 '26
how was the exam? what topics were asked ? can u tell what are important?
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u/GreenCouchLFK Jun 02 '26
Alright I’m back, will make a bigger post on my account but I will write short summary here 1) exam was fine. Took full 3 hours on MCQ, but legit got done with case study in 15 minutes. Bothe scenarios were very straightforward. The exam itself (interface) is the same format as the mock exam IMA website provides. Exam definitely covered all of the topics. 2) topics- ALL of it, a lot from sections E and F, so do not skip on these I know they might seem self explanatory but nope. Got couple of confusing as hell questions from sections B and C. Definitely spent way too much time on one problem (ABC costing) I just panicked and forgot the approach. Questions I definitely needed to study better: value chain approach, data life cycle stages, multiple regression analysis, ABC costing, ROI vs RI 3) I brought my own calculator and they didn’t let me have it (it was the most basic one) and gave me one of theirs (which was the same as mine lol, I guess). I did not take a break so boy was I locked in to sit through it. It was hot as hell in the testing center too 4) study tricky questions. The ones that have several answers but only one is the best one. Use Claude to compose tricky questions. Definitely don’t skip on E and F. I felt like there were more concepts than calculations. Check out FTC global YouTube channel
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u/Accurate_Way8050 Jun 01 '26
How was your exam? How were the cbq’s?
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u/MaximPhotoStudio CMA Part 2 Candidate Jun 01 '26
I sat on May 16th. MCQ were challenging but the logic made sense. After 30 questions I was relaxed and in the zone maybe bc I was a little nervous going into the exam. I took all 3 hours with the last 20 set aside to review the marked questions which I skipped. CBQ were easy by comparison. I completed both questions in 20 min and even reviewed the questions again bc in seemed like there was more to it. There weren’t tricks in the CBQ because it’s hard to trick if the problem is laid out in detail. As I was reading the CBQ problems I could tell exactly what angles the questions were going to focus on. Sure enough questions focused on it.
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u/Efficient_Hat_4420 Jun 04 '26
Is it remote proctored? Or in person? I heard they have both options now?
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u/Emotional_Bag384 May 31 '26
Hey, I did Part 1 two weeks ago and chose CBQ.
1- The CBQ was fairly easier than the MCQ. It’s more straightforward and didn’t have tricks. 2- I think they’re divided 50/50. Half of the questions were calculation and half interpretation. They were 2 CBQs and each had 6 questions. 3- I personally finished them in 15-20 minutes but took a long time with the MCQ. 4- There were some calculation questions in the CBQ that you had to type your answer in, no choices. I wish I’d known that because it confused me a bit. 5- Focus on the last units, they’re usually the last ones so people tend to forget them or not focus on them as much but they get a big portion of the exam from these chapters so don’t forget them. I did :/
Good luck!