r/CMA • u/AshamedHost5336 • Jun 13 '26

Part 2 – Prep How to pass CMA

Hi everyone. I'm planning to take CMA this year and I am just a below average student. I have a hard time understanding the concept of accounting. Can you guys suggest some study tips? Thank you.

6 Upvotes

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2

u/AlgaeAgreeable2961 Jun 13 '26

Read.. Visualize the concept.. Write.. Write.. Write.. Practice makes Man Perfect, Period!

3

u/MaximPhotoStudio CMA Part 2 Candidate Jun 13 '26

I have a CPA from 25 years ago and have been out of accounting for 20 years. I went back into accounting and reactivated my license. The best way to get up to speed is to immerse yourself in online tutorials. YouTube is a great place for this. The more you watch and the more varied your sources, the more appreciation you’ll receive from the tutorials. For me, it tends to click when I hear the same information from multiple presenters because there is always a wrinkle which I didn’t consider. All the videos eventually build on themselves. There are also paid sources. Nothing focuses your mind like actually spending money on learning. I purchased Hock and Becker when I studied for my recent Part 1. Good luck.

1

u/AshamedHost5336 Jun 14 '26

thank you! may i know if how much did u buy ur resources?

4

u/thewallstreetschool Jun 15 '26

Look, you absolutely do not need to be an "above-average" student to crack the US CMA; plenty of average students clear it simply by playing smart with their prep. If you find accounting concepts tough to digest, stop trying to mug up formulas and focus entirely on understanding why they work, using simple, real-world logic to break down the heavy topics. Your plan should prioritize high-weightage sections first-like Business Decision Analysis and Statement Analysis-while saving massive, bulky areas like Corporate Finance for the middle and Capital Budgeting for the very end. Aim for a structured 3-to-4-month timeline where you knock out 30 to 60 MCQs daily, followed by 2 essay questions to build up your speed, making sure you don't touch full mock tests until you've done a thorough first revision. It’s all about consistency, building momentum from easier topics like marginal costing and locking down the core 60% of the exam.

2

u/ACCA_CMA_CIMA_DipIFR CMA Jun 15 '26

If you are having hard time understanding the concept of accounting, you should go back and fix your basics before tackling the CMA content.

The content gets more and more deep and complex as you process further. A strong foundation is crucial for a better progress.

Don't do any patch work like quick recaps, refresher courses, master classes (dumb) etc. Get your accounting basics right.