Cheat Sheet
CMA (IMA) Cheat Sheet
By The Exam Atlas Editorial Team · Verified 2026-05-29
A final-revision summary for the CMA. Study aid only — no notes in the proctored exam.
The two parts
| Part 1 — Planning, Performance, Analytics | Part 2 — Strategic Financial Management |
|---|
| Reporting decisions, budgeting, performance, cost, controls, analytics | Financial analysis, corporate finance, decision analysis, risk, investment, ethics |
Exam facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|
| Per part | 100 MCQs (3 hrs) + 2 essays (1 hr) |
| Pass mark | 360 / 500 (scaled) |
| Eligibility | Bachelor’s + 2 years’ experience + IMA membership |
| Concept | Idea |
|---|
| Contribution margin | Sales − variable costs |
| Break-even units | Fixed costs ÷ contribution margin per unit |
| ROI | Operating income ÷ invested capital |
| Residual income | Operating income − (capital × required return) |
| NPV | Discounted cash flows − initial investment |
| Current ratio | Current assets ÷ current liabilities |
Reminders
Practise the essays under time pressure · Part 1 is cost/analytics heavy · Part 2 is finance/strategy heavy · ethics appears in Part 2.
FAQ
- Can I use notes in the CMA exam?
- No. It is proctored. Use this for final revision before exam day only.
Sources
