[OnmywaytoCPA]

Anyone else waiting on the CMA score release tomorrow? I’m praying that I passed Part 2, so I can put this exam behind me.

REG - 74, Retook 6/10/16, scored a 72 (Hate this exam)
BEC - 69, 79, 8/1/15
AUD - 83, 4/4/15
FAR - 77, 2/27/16

[Mercenary]

How are the essays on the actual exam? I am using Gleim and the essays when I self grade I always miss this or that and so my score is awful. I do fine on the Gleim MCQs so far but I am concerned about the essay question. Seems like you have to know the stuff inside and out. I remember being concerned about BEC WCs but they were simple enough, these practice essays are far more difficult than any WC or Sim from the CPA.

[NoName]

Thanks @ OnmyWaytoCPA! It must feel great to be finally (finally) be done (inclusive of the added task of finishing the CMA).

Funny enough I don't feel the CMA exam is “easier” versus the CPA exam. I honestly think it's comparable but overall might require slightly less time since there are only two exams versus four. I put in a similar amount of time studying for part 1 as I did individually for both FAR and REG.

The fear of the unknown was part of my motivation to study harder.

The thing I found most frustrating is that the practice multiple choice questions take forever. It felt that anywhere from 25% to 50% of the Gleim practice MCQ test bank would take at least a few minutes per question (especially the first time you see them).

Keep in mind my only perspective is only from Gleim so maybe other providers aren't as brutal.

[Helen]

For those of you that have taken Part 2, is a financial calculator necessary or do they provide the PV/FV tables for you to make the calculations?

[Fk]

@Helen, You are not allowed to carry Financial Calculator. PV/FV table will be provided in the exam.

[Helen]

In the IMA handbook, it says certain types are allowed.

[Fk]

@ Helen Only Basic Calculator allowed.

[ninja.pro]

You can have a financial calculator. I brought mine to the exam.

[B4BeanCounter]

You can definitely bring a financial calculator to the prometric for taking the CMA exam. Just make sure it's the one of the ones that's allowed per the CMA Handbook provided.

[mtaylo24]

The tables are built into the exam and pretty much all you need. No need to show off with a BAII Plus.

AUD - 1st - 60 (12/12), 61 (2/13), 61 (8/13), 78! (11/15)
REG - 55 (2/16) 69 (5/16) Retake(8/16)
BEC - 71(5/16) Retake (9/16)
FAR - (8/16)

[Anthony]

@Mtaylo24 @Phil @OnmywaytoCPA I took the test in Oct using Gleim and failed (210). I was starting a new job in October and basically stopped studying. That's great you guys passed. @phil I see you passed using Gleim. I like Gleim a lot. Does anyone have any recommendations?

[OnmywaytoCPA]

@Anthony I used Gleim to barely pass Part 1. I failed Part 2 with Gleim. I switched to Wiley for Part 2. I passed Part 2 with a 360 using Wiley but if I had not taken my Part 2 retake during the extended tax season and I could have put in a little more time and probably scored a 475 with Wiley. I put in a ton of hours with Gleim on Part 1 and barely passed. Gleim skips a lot of steps and assumes that you know a lot of the information. Wiley takes their time and goes over everything to make sure you understand. I would recommend Wiley. The mobile app, lectures and flash cards are amazing.

REG - 74, Retook 6/10/16, scored a 72 (Hate this exam)
BEC - 69, 79, 8/1/15
AUD - 83, 4/4/15
FAR - 77, 2/27/16

[mtaylo24]

@Anthony, I started with Hock and got mopped on my first attempt. Can’t say that I blame Hock, I just got too busy in life and I underestimated the exam. I wasn’t a fan of Hock’s answer explanation and text…I felt they were too wordy. Used Gleim for part 1 and 2 and passed them both. I used Gleim with the CPA, so I was used to the format and felt that it represented the exam well. I really took my time with the material, probably 9 months of casual study with part 1 and 8 with part 2.

AUD - 1st - 60 (12/12), 61 (2/13), 61 (8/13), 78! (11/15)
REG - 55 (2/16) 69 (5/16) Retake(8/16)
BEC - 71(5/16) Retake (9/16)
FAR - (8/16)

[Anthony]

@onmywaytoCPA shoot I went with Gleim because of the reviews I read. It's too late to switch to Wiley. I have the premium package from gleim, so I think I will have to rough it out. I wish I would've know how great the notecards are from wiley.

and @Mtaylo24 I think I might take 5-6 months to study for each part with Gleim. I am no longer at EY and now in house, but the hours are still harsh. I fell I need to get back on a schedule. The personal counselors really push the adaptive learning, so I will try that this time. The first time I took the exam I just did tons of MCQs but didnt study really at all the last month and a half due to new job. I think if I study 1-2 hours a day and 4-5 on saturday and sunday I will be ok. I am going to take the exam for part 2 in June. I have to pass both by sept 2021

I appreciate you both getting back to me so quickly. I was pretty bummed I failed, but want to keep going. Please feel free to give me any advice. I am totally open to any suggestions. Thanks

[Chris]

Congrats to those of you who passed!

I'm curious, how many of you considered the CGMA exam prior to taking the CMA? I've been on the fence for months now as to which to pursue. I'm leaning toward CGMA, but feel like the IMA as an organization may have more to offer. Any insight would be appreciated.

Best of luck

NH CPA
REG: 07/03/2014 - 88
AUD: 08/30/2014 - 73 - Retake 10/16/14 - 86
BEC: 05/31/2015 - 77
FAR: 08/08/2015 - 64 - Retake 11/23/15 - 77

Becker*NINJA Notes/MCQ*

Now I could let these dream killers kill my self-esteem
Or use my arrogance as the steam to power my dreams ~ Kanye West

[OnmywaytoCPA]

@Chris I wanted to obtain the CGMA back when they gave it away if you were already a licensed CPA, but I missed the deadline. Now they have all of these hoops and a case study for something that a few years ago, they just handed to people. Even if I would have gotten the CGMA before the AICPA required a test, I would have still pursued the CMA exam. I think that the AICPA wants to use the CGMA to compete with the CMA certification because the CMA is gaining some popularity. I'm not knocking the CGMA, if someone has the credential, it's great to have but for me, I just can't see myself paying for it.

REG - 74, Retook 6/10/16, scored a 72 (Hate this exam)
BEC - 69, 79, 8/1/15
AUD - 83, 4/4/15
FAR - 77, 2/27/16

[Author]

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