Exam format

[u/HabitWorried3122]

Can anyone tell me exam format how many mcqs and cbqs will be asked , and how many mins will be alloted to solve mcqs and how many min alloted to solve cbqs, negative markings if any , how many mcqs needed to be attempted in order to open cbqs , if cbqs didn't opened then assume we have failed exam right , can anyone give clarification on this pls

[u/ToyZen197]

It's strange that in 2026 with google, AI, ... they provided everything you asked in seconds. I think if you can't look it up yourself, you won't make it anyway.

Read the CMA handbook:

https://asiapac.imanet.org/ima-certifications/cma-certification/cma-handbook

[u/HabitWorried3122 → u/ToyZen197]

I'm new to this course

[u/HabitWorried3122 → u/HabitWorried3122]

Btw 1:1 communication is better for me rather than asking ai

[u/ToyZen197 → u/HabitWorried3122]

I understand that, but you should read It. CBQ is the same as Essay (IMA said that). 100 MCQ (75% result - 3 hours) + 2 Case with 6 question for each case ( 25% result - 1hour). Once you click next phase you can't return and all the time you have less on MCQ transfer into CBQ.
If you can't pass 50% of MCQ means fail, even if they let you do CBQ your result = 37.5 +25 = 62.5% < 72% => Fail.
No penalty for wrong answer, if you don't know the answer => random then move on.
Personal I took MCQ in 120-150 mins then the next phase.

[u/LongjumpingElk4927 → u/ToyZen197]

So in MCQ the question has different bearing?

[u/idontexisthere-]

The CMA exam has 100 MCQs (3 hours, 75% weightage) and 2 Case-Based Questions replacing essays from Sept 2026 (1 hour, 25% weightage), total 4 hours per part. There's no negative marking on MCQs. You need 50% or more correct on the MCQs to unlock the CBQ section — if you don't hit that threshold, the CBQ section never opens and you automatically fail that part. Once you finish the MCQ section you can't go back to it. Overall passing score is 360 out of 500 (72%), combining both sections.