How Long Should I Study for the CMA Exam? Planning & Optimizing Your CMA Exam Timeline
Determining how long to study for the CMA Exam depends on your professional background, learning style, and the amount of time you can commit each week.
While the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) allows up to three years to pass both CMA Exam parts, a dedicated study plan can help you finish much faster. But what's the best way to crack down on CMA Exam preparation when you also have other priorities? And how can you make the most of your CMA Exam study to optimize your path to certification? Find out.
Summary
Achieving the CMA certification typically requires a 6-to-18-month journey centered on passing a two-part exam. Plan an average of 150 study hours per part, optimized by maintaining consistency, leveraging customizable study planners, and utilizing support tools to quickly resolve knowledge gaps.
How Long Does It Take to Get Your CMA?
How long does it take to become a CMA? The answer isn’t the same for everyone. Your experience, knowledge, and education all factor into your CMA journey. But the longest, most challenging part of the process for most candidates is passing the two-part CMA Exam, which requires planning, preparation, and efficient use of your study hours.
How Long Should I Study for the CMA Exam?
The total number of study hours required to pass the CMA Exam varies based on your current skill level and learning style. Factors that influence your overall timeline include:
- Academic Background: A strong degree in accounting or finance can provide a head start on basic concepts, potentially reducing study time.
- Work Responsibilities: Professionals often take longer (9–12 months) compared to full-time students who might finish in 7–8 months. • Exam Windows: You must schedule your studies around the three annual testing windows: January/February, May/June, and September/October.
- Consistency: Studying a little every day is more effective than "marathon" sessions, as it aids long-term retention.
On average, plan for around 150 study hours per exam Part. However, if you’re inexperienced in management accounting or you haven’t previously studied the concepts, you may invest around 200 hours per Part; likewise, fast learners and experienced management accountants may need fewer hours—as little as 50-80 per Part.
Below are common study timelines based on weekly hours invested:
Hours Per Week | Approximate Time for Part 1 | Approximate Time for Part 2 | Total Study Time |
| 10 hours/week | 16 weeks | 13 weeks | 29 weeks |
| 12 hours/week | 14 weeks | 11 weeks | 25 weeks |
| 15 hours/week | 12 weeks | 9 weeks | 21 weeks |
| 20 hours/week | 9 weeks | 7 weeks | 16 weeks |
5 Tips to Make the Most of Your CMA Exam Study Timeline
#1: Define Your Weekly Study Hours
Your weekly commitment directly dictates your completion date. Decide how many hours you can dedicate to study each week, based on a realistic evaluation of your schedule and timing goals for passing the exam.
For those balancing full-time work or school, choose your study schedule with a realistic goal—something you know you can commit to—starting around 8-10 hours per week. On the other hand, if your top priority is to pass the CMA Exam as quickly as possible, accelerate your timeline by investing 20+ hours weekly into your study.
Becker’s CMA Exam Review includes a customizable study planner to help you with this scheduling. Using the number of hours you plan to study each week and your exam date (if scheduled), the planner outlines exactly what you need to study each session to guide your prep and ensure that you’re completely confident and prepared on exam day.
#2: When You Study, Study
Treat the time that you’ve dedicated to CMA Exam prep as a priority. If you try to multitask, you won’t focus your full attention on the exam concepts and your retention and understanding will be extremely stinted. Hone your focus and set aside all distractions to get the most of your study time.
#3: Take Planned Breaks
Stepping away from difficult concepts can provide mental clarity and prevent burnout. Plan to take a short, timed break about halfway through your study to get a drink, stretch, and recharge; this will help you maintain focus and improve overall retention.
#4: Identify Weak Areas
Identify the concepts that you struggle to understand. Then, focus your efforts there, slowing down your pace if need be, to make sure that you’re confident in those areas. Becker’s Adapt2U-driven, unlimited practice tests help you find knowledge gaps, for example, so you can hone your focus on those concepts and maximize the efficiency of your study time.
#5: Get Answers Quickly
Maximizing your study efficiency also means minimizing the time you spend looking for answers. Choose a CMA Exam Review that includes robust support to clarify doubts quickly and avoiding getting stuck on a single topic. For example, Becker’s NewtTM AI assistant provides instant, accurate answers—so you’re never stuck with a question for long.
Get Started with Becker
If you’re taking time from an already full schedule to prep for the CMA Exam, making the most of your study is important. And even more important is your success. Becker’s Pass Guarantee CMA Exam Review has the advanced study tools to get the most of your study and prepare you to pass the first time around. Try CMA Exam Review FREE for 14 days!
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About the author
https://www.imanet.org/ima-certifications/cma-certification/faq
https://www.accounting.com/certifications/certified-management-accountant/
https://synthesislearning.com/blog/cma-us-preparation-time-how-long/
https://imarticus.org/blog/cma-after-graduation-the-real-timeline-you-need-to-know/
https://www.sacbee.com/careers-education/how-long-it-takes-to-become-a-cma/