To pass the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exam, candidates must achieve a minimum scaled score of 360 out of 500 on each of the two exam parts. The CMA exam is administered by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) and consists of Part 1: Financial Planning, Performance, and Analytics, and Part 2: Strategic Financial Management. Both parts must be passed individually your performance on one does not affect the passing status of the other.
The scoring system uses a scaled method that accounts for question difficulty, so the raw number of correct answers doesn’t directly translate to your final score. Each exam part includes 100 multiple-choice questions (75% of the score) and two 30-minute essay scenarios (25% of the score). To move on to the essay section, you must correctly answer at least 50% of the multiple-choice questions.
The CMA exam is known for its rigor, and global pass rates typically hover around 40–50%, underscoring the importance of thorough preparation. Many successful candidates invest in quality review courses, create structured study plans, and take timed practice exams to build both content mastery and test-day stamina.
Remember, you have three years from the date of entry into the CMA program to pass both parts. If you don’t pass a section on your first try, you’re allowed up to three attempts per year per part.
Ready to earn your CMA credential? Start with a solid study strategy, stay consistent, and leverage trusted prep resources to boost your confidence and maximize your chances of scoring above that crucial 360 threshold. Your future in management accounting begins with one well-prepared step make it count!