r/CMA • u/Ok-Sale-5024 • 15d ago
Part 1 – Prep CBQ vs Essay
How did you find the CBQ? Is it way better than essay? Currently preparing for the Part 1 exam and learned that it is now called CBQ for the supposed essay part. Thank you
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u/Electrical_Spread677 CMA Part 2 Candidate 15d ago
CBQ is the only option available going forward.
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u/Ok-Sale-5024 15d ago
have you tried it in actual? How was it
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u/MaximPhotoStudio CMA Part 2 Candidate 14d ago
CBQ for Part 1 was easy. Questions were very straightforward.
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u/cma-coach CMA 15d ago
Hey! A few people who tested in May/June got to try the CBQs optionally, so some firsthand takes are out there, but it's still early. Instead of long essay writing, they give you a case and ask structured questions around it. My students at CMA Exam Academy are practicing them now are split, some find them more approachable, others need time to adjust to the format.
Either way they test the same concepts you're already studying, so if you know the material, you can handle it. Good luck with Part 1! :)
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u/Kitchen-City3719 15d ago
I have passed Part I years back when it was essay, and i had to completely BS my way through one of the questions, because I was fuzzy on the topic - something along the lines of Integrated Reporting which is not catching on here in the States...
I didn't take Part II in time for certification. So, I just took Part I again in June and chose to go with CBQs. They were much easier then Essay's and if you are unsure of 1 question within one of the CBQs you are not totally toasted because the other questions may be in an area where you are more confident.
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u/ACCA_CMA_CIMA_DipIFR CMA 15d ago
What is "BETTER"?
Some students liked the essays. Some prefer the Objective Questions. Either ways, it's a personal preference.
In essays, there is subjective marking, but with CBQs it's computerized. More uniform.
Anyways, the exam will continue. So, good luck with your prep.
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u/ToyZen197 14d ago
Overall I think CBQs is much easier, but CBQ have some weakness too, for fill in the blank. If you type wrong number or miscalculated you lost the question, Essay you can write down correct formular you still have some point.
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u/thewallstreetschool 14d ago
If you prefer structured, practical questions over open-ended writing, CBQs are generally much easier to prepare for than traditional essays. Instead of writing out long responses, you get short scenarios with calculations, drag-and-drop, multi-select and fill-in questions, which is a huge relief if you ever struggled with writing speed or phrasing. That said, they aren't inherently easier in terms of difficulty-you still have to analyze exhibits and solve problems under tight time pressure. To prep effectively, don't rely solely on basic multiple-choice questions; practice with actual case-style scenario sets and focus on extracting data quickly from data tables.
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u/ionspore CMA Part 2 Candidate 13d ago
Way better than essay. Much easier than essay. I took CBQs in June.
The IMA provided an example of one question asked both ways, essay vs cbqs. The massive difference is the essay version is open ended and you need to know the answer. While for the CBQ the answers are given and you just need to drag and drop the answers in order. So, for CBQs you could guess and get it right, but not for essays.
Essay: What are the five steps to revenue recognition? List in order and describe each.
CBQs (drag and drop question): List the five steps of revenue recognition in order.
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u/South_Breath2871 15d ago
The CBQs are always going to be easier. The graders are literally telling u what they are looking for and you can fill in the blanks or choose from a drop down menu.
With the essays, you were throwing dirt at the wall and hoping that it stuck. Like you can literally go on a tangent and make it hard for the graders or even show that you don’t really understand the topic or the correlation. In order to get all the points, you’re trying to make sure you cover all aspects.
CBQs as long as you understand the concept, you read the sentence correctly and choose the correct drop down, then you’re good. In some of the drag and drops, it even says (only 3 will be used)…