If you want to expand your knowledge and open the door to new career opportunities, getting your certified management accountant, or CMA certification is a great option. Having the right study materials and resources is essential to getting certified, so we're exploring the benefits of CMA online classes and how they can help you get ready to take (and pass!) your CMA Exam.
Understanding the CMA Exam
The CMA Exam is a two-part exam written and administered by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA). Part 1 covers financial planning, performance and analytics, with questions related to:
- External financial reporting decisions
- Planning, budgeting and forecasting
- Performance management
- Cost management
- Internal controls
- Technology and analytics
Part 2 covers strategic financial management, including:
- Financial statement analysis
- Corporate finance
- Decision analysis
- Risk management
- Investment decisions
- Professional ethics
Both parts of the exam include 100 multiple-choice questions and two 30-minute essay sections with written responses or calculations that reflect typical business scenarios. Note that, throughout 2026, the IMA is transitioning to replace the two essay questions with newly developed case-based questions (CBQs).
Studying to Pass the CMA Exam
The IMA recommends spending approximately 150 to 170 hours of studying per part, or up to 340 hours total. However, not all study hours are equal. How you study — based on factors like your learning needs, level of engagement, and quality of content — has a major impact on your success.
Relying on a textbook or practice questions is helpful. But it may not be enough to give you the hands-on understanding of how to apply complex exam concepts. If you want to study to pass, and not just memorize answers or drill MCQs, it's important to consider a wide variety of study tools and learning formats.
What Are the Benefits of CMA Online Classes?
With this understanding, it's important to consider the benefits of CMA online classes, and if they can help prepare you with a well-rounded study plan.
Clear Instruction
Relying solely on a textbook or self-guided instruction means that if you're stuck on an element you find confusing, you have to figure it out on your own. When you have access to lecture videos or even one-on-one instruction, you'll have an experienced instructor who can break down complex topics so you understand them correctly.
Added Context
While flash cards, textbooks, and even exam review questions can help you understand what a concept or topic is, an instructor can put the definition into context and help you better understand how to apply it in day-to-day accounting. Understanding how to apply what you learn is especially important in the essay section of the exam.
Easy Access
With CMA online classes and video lectures, you can study and learn just about any time and any place. The instructors design their lectures to be digestible and engaging, and as long as you have a smartphone, tablet, or laptop, you can watch them at your convenience. At the same time, even a digital textbook may be more difficult to hold your focus especially mentally, in a more distracting setting, such as a coffee shop or public transportation.
Passing the CMA Exam with a Balanced Review
The best course or program to prepare you for success on the CMA Exam offers a comprehensive, well-rounded education with a wide variety of materials and learning methods.
All Becker's CMA Exam Review packages include:
- Digital textbooks
- 500+ digital flashcards
- Simulated, customizable exams with over 4,000 multiple choice questions
- 76 essay questions
- 76 SkillBuilder videos with step-by-step guides to each essay
- Lecture videos
- Success coaching
Using all of these resources and following the recommended study structure will help you gain a deep understanding of exam concepts and how to apply them to gain your CMA certification and move onto the next stage in your career.
Experienced Becker's balanced and holistic study course in a 14-day free trial of our CMA Exam course. Discover how CMA online classes and more can help you succeed!
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