The CIMA Thread

nasned26 · 12-10-2015 12:18pm

Hi guys.

I have passed 2 operational OTs in the past fortnight, and plan to complete the final one next week. (For anybody that has been procrastinating on this - my advice is to just go for it - they are not as difficult to pass as I had expected - I took one week AL from work, and closed them out - well worth it.)

My question is on the operational CS. If I pass the final OT next week, I will just about make the cut off for November CS entry, which will leave me limited time to prepare for it. Since I will have some free time in January, I really want to pass the operational CS this year, to allow me to make headway on management OTs early next year. What is the best strategy for CS study? Are there specific study materials available, apart from the unseen materials provided by CIMA (I won't be able to access them until/if I can register for the exam). Does anybody have any tips for success, under time constraints?

Thanks.

uberwolf · 12-10-2015 1:13pm

nasned26 wrote: »

Hi guys.

I have passed 2 operational OTs in the past fortnight, and plan to complete the final one next week. (For anybody that has been procrastinating on this - my advice is to just go for it - they are not as difficult to pass as I had expected - I took one week AL from work, and closed them out - well worth it.)

My question is on the operational CS. If I pass the final OT next week, I will just about make the cut off for November CS entry, which will leave me limited time to prepare for it. Since I will have some free time in January, I really want to pass the operational CS this year, to allow me to make headway on management OTs early next year. What is the best strategy for CS study? Are there specific study materials available, apart from the unseen materials provided by CIMA (I won't be able to access them until/if I can register for the exam). Does anybody have any tips for success, under time constraints?

Thanks.

Firstly, fair play. That's good going.

As referenced earlier this thread i passed the case study on the back of two days work, and not especially focused work either. So I'm well qualified to answer this question :$

I do a lot of assessment and reporting as part of my day job, so i was comfortable with required style of writing. This was the main departure from the OT IMO.

What i had available to me was bpp's video tutorials on the preseen, running through their potential questions and how to answer them. There was nothing mindblowing in the potential answers to be fair, it served principally as a refresh of the material - some of which i hadn't seen in 6 months.

I think Cima provide sample answers for the previous exams. That would be my starting point if i were you. It is definitely doable.

kilburn · 08-11-2015 9:49am

Anyone doing case study exams over the next few weeks

Shaque attack · 08-11-2015 10:44am

Yeah, doing the Strategic Case Study in a couple of weeks. Decided to go it alone on this one because I only decided to do it last week!

Hard to know where to go with it but going to try dig up a few sample Q & A's to get a feel for what they'll be after in the exam.

Are you doing any?

kilburn · 10-11-2015 12:15pm

No not this time still working way through the OT's

Shaque attack · 23-11-2015 11:00pm

Anyone else here doing the case study this week? First variant out tomorrow so best of luck if you are.

Levitate · 11-12-2015 3:23pm

Has anyone done the Strategic Case Study under the new syllabus through either Independent Colleges or First Intuition in Dublin. Just wondering how you found either of those colleges?

Shaque attack · 11-12-2015 6:00pm

I did it under my own steam but haven't got results yet so may yet be going through one of them. I actually think I would give thought to Astranti as an online option. I used their free materials and found them very good.

Whatever way you go at, I think the approach to take is to get all the different models (SAF, PESTEL, Mendelow etc) and relate them to the pre-seen and you should be fine.

At least that's what I wish I did!

KaseLieberKase · 29-01-2016 11:39pm

Hi all

Does the syllabus change much year to year? I have a set of the books for the certificate in business accounting from 2010/2011.

Would these be of any use to me to help revise?

Thanks

KLK

uberwolf · 30-01-2016 9:48am

KaseLieberKase wrote: »

Hi all

Does the syllabus change much year to year? I have a set of the books for the certificate in business accounting from 2010/2011.

Would these be of any use to me to help revise?

Thanks

KLK

year to year, no. But it does change periodically. It is due to change in 2017 to this - http://certba.cimaglobal.com/syllabus/

from what I can see it changed in 2011, so that would rule your books out.

I would say that at certificate level the material constitutes the building blocks, so whilst some things might drop out and others might be added, the basic content shouldn't change too much.

KaseLieberKase · 30-01-2016 9:00pm

uberwolf wrote: »

year to year, no. But it does change periodically. It is due to change in 2017 to this - http://certba.cimaglobal.com/syllabus/

from what I can see it changed in 2011, so that would rule your books out.

I would say that at certificate level the material constitutes the building blocks, so whilst some things might drop out and others might be added, the basic content shouldn't change too much.

Thanks for the info.

On 2017 change do you reckon if I would be better off waiting until it's out? I was going to start the certificate in May this year.

uberwolf · 30-01-2016 11:15pm

KaseLieberKase wrote: »

Thanks for the info.

On 2017 change do you reckon if I would be better off waiting until it's out? I was going to start the certificate in May this year.

Do you have any exemptions? I haven't studied the differences, but clearly it's one exam fewer.

There's a lot to be said for pushing the boat into the water! I did the 5 exams in a little over 4 months. So start in May with a fair wind you'll be done by December.

KaseLieberKase · 31-01-2016 12:08am

uberwolf wrote: »

Do you have any exemptions? I haven't studied the differences, but clearly it's one exam fewer.

There's a lot to be said for pushing the boat into the water! I did the 5 exams in a little over 4 months. So start in May with a fair wind you'll be done by December.

No exemptions (chemistry degree) but reckon I could knock the maths module out fairly quickly.

4 months is impressive, I was thinking an average of one module a month would be a stretch.

Would rather get started this April but if it will hinder me in the future I can wait.

EDIT: Due to the new syllabus dropping C03, you can apply for a waiver if sitting the old syllabus.

Geraldo · 25-02-2016 8:02am

Hey, would anyone have any question books for p2? Have the exam next Tuesday so need them fast. I have the Kaplan book but after doing a Pearson practice exam last night I was blown away by how different the questions are.
I'm in Dublin for work or live in navan. Cheers!

Shaque attack · 25-02-2016 5:13pm

I don't but you might be able to get more questions from the kaplan site using your book. I think there is a code or something but not sure tbh.

Geraldo · 25-02-2016 6:53pm

Shaque attack wrote: »

I don't but you might be able to get more questions from the kaplan site using your book. I think there is a code or something but not sure tbh.

Cool, I'll try that so. Couldn't believe how different the questions were!

Fat_Friar · 26-02-2016 2:30pm

Hi all,

I am thinking of doing the CIMA cert and would like to hear your thoughts on if it's worth it.
First off I have an artsy undergrad and am doing a sort of artsy/businessy master's degree at the moment. I am hoping to get work in a professional services firm (but not to be an accountant, more likely consulting) which is the reason I am thinking of taking CIMA cert.

I have no doubt I could complete it with home study (it seems piss easy, am I mistaken? I opened up a past paper there and knew most of the answers without ever having studied, just seemed common sense) but must I register with a college to take the CBA?

Has anyone taken the CBA in Limerick? - Where/ how much does it cost?

Are there any other costs to becoming CIMA certified? (cert level only).

Is it worth it? (Bearing in mind I am a poor student) Thanks!!

uberwolf · 26-02-2016 9:11pm

home study. Yes. I did them in 4 months.
Register with a college - no. All you do is register with CIMA as a student, and then register for each exam as you go. Links for both on the CIMA site. Standard costs for each exam. 50 or 60 a go maybe?

any other costs? No. remain registered with cima to continue using the accreditation.

worthwhile. Who knows.

stephenmario · 10-03-2016 4:05pm

Fat_Friar wrote: »

Hi all,

I am thinking of doing the CIMA cert and would like to hear your thoughts on if it's worth it.
First off I have an artsy undergrad and am doing a sort of artsy/businessy master's degree at the moment. I am hoping to get work in a professional services firm (but not to be an accountant, more likely consulting) which is the reason I am thinking of taking CIMA cert.

I have no doubt I could complete it with home study (it seems piss easy, am I mistaken? I opened up a past paper there and knew most of the answers without ever having studied, just seemed common sense) but must I register with a college to take the CBA?

Has anyone taken the CBA in Limerick? - Where/ how much does it cost?

Are there any other costs to becoming CIMA certified? (cert level only).

Is it worth it? (Bearing in mind I am a poor student) Thanks!!

The Cert level might give you a slight advantage for an entry level job but most people who would be going for these jobs are already exempt from them through their Business/Accounting undergrad. I would say there is very little advantage in just doing the Cert level as something you want to put on your CV.

Geraldo · 13-03-2016 10:33pm

Geraldo wrote: »

Cool, I'll try that so. Couldn't believe how different the questions were!

Passed P2 anyway. Onwards to F2 now.

stephenmario · 13-03-2016 11:26pm

Hi guys,

Would anyone be able tell me how much work the Mgmt Case study is? I've P2 and E2 passed. I failed F2 a while ago and need to revise for it or possibly take classes for it. I haven't done a case study exam on the new system.

Thanks.

kilburn · 16-03-2016 8:31pm

Geraldo wrote:

Passed P2 anyway. Onwards to F2 now.

Well done how much study did you do and did you attend classes

Geraldo · 18-03-2016 8:34am

kilburn wrote: »

Well done how much study did you do and did you attend classes

I didn't do any classes just work from home. I have to say, I found it a lot of work. It's definitely the last I will do from home study. It's classes in first intuition for me from now. I've F2 and the case study left to sit at management level so hopefully won't be too much longer left.

Geraldo · 04-04-2016 11:01am

Was due to start F2 tonight with first intuition and they just cancelled due to lack of numbers. Shambles cancelling on the day it's due to start!
Anybody any experience of doing online courses? Want to try and get this done by end not may so I can still shoot for the August case study.

uberwolf · 04-04-2016 9:13pm

I did F1 and P1 through BPP. I will use them for F2 & P2

tomwaits48 · 06-04-2016 1:49pm

case study results out tommorow.

its going to be a long evening.

stephenmario · 23-04-2016 1:23pm

Geraldo wrote: »

Was due to start F2 tonight with first intuition and they just cancelled due to lack of numbers. Shambles cancelling on the day it's due to start!
Anybody any experience of doing online courses? Want to try and get this done by end not may so I can still shoot for the August case study.

Same happened with the mgmt case study as well. I got an email saying they have gone out of business or are no longer offering CIMA classes. The only other option for tuition for F2 is the accountancy school which doesn't start F2 again until August.

So I'm going to have to do F2 at home by the looks of things. If anyone has any electronic material for F2 please PM me as I would love to get more up to date material. I have E2 and P2 material I'll happily email to people please just pm me.

Geraldo · 25-04-2016 5:53pm

stephenmario wrote: »

Same happened with the mgmt case study as well. I got an email saying they have gone out of business or are no longer offering CIMA classes. The only other option for tuition for F2 is the accountancy school which doesn't start F2 again until August.

So I'm going to have to do F2 at home by the looks of things. If anyone has any electronic material for F2 please PM me as I would love to get more up to date material. I have E2 and P2 material I'll happily email to people please just pm me.

It really was a shambles but what can you do. Hopefully we can still plough on with home study and get F2 in plenty of time for the August case study.

Levitate · 29-04-2016 4:05pm

Hi,

As I've recently completed qualification, I am selling the following books. All of these are for the recently updated 2015 syllabus. Can arrange for collection in Dublin city.

E3 Kaplan Books (Kaplan)

For Sale (as bundle):

CIMA E3 Study Text (Kaplan)
CIMA E3 Exam Pactice Kit (Kaplan)
CIMA E3 Revision Cards (Kaplan)

€50 for bundle

P3 Kaplan Bundle

For Sale (as bundle):

CIMA P3 Study Text (Kaplan)
CIMA P3 Exam Pactice Kit (Kaplan)
CIMA P3 Revision Cards (Kaplan)

€50 for bundle

P3 BPP Bundle

For Sale (as bundle):

CIMA P3 Study Text (BPP)
CIMA P3 Exam Pactice Kit (BPP)
CIMA P3 Revision Cards (BPP)

€50 for bundle

KaseLieberKase · 30-04-2016 12:46pm

Anybody got the Cert level books for sale?

Based in D15 but can meet in the city centre also.

uberwolf · 04-05-2016 8:34pm

I hadn't really thought about it, but I suppose I do!

Books and exam practise kits. Kaplan.

KaseLieberKase · 04-05-2016 8:57pm

uberwolf wrote: »

I hadn't really thought about it, but I suppose I do!

Books and exam practise kits. Kaplan.

PM'd

DH2016 · 22-06-2016 9:35am

Hi there,

Was considering starting CIMA & as I have not much background in accounting, can anyone give me some quick advice about what it is like? I will be starting Stage 1 - 5 exams but I'm just looking for some feedback, e.g.:

I am working full time btw - does it take up much time outside of work?, is there course work involved or just constant self learning study? Can I start whenever? How long before I could start taking the exams do I have? Do I have a time limit in which to complete them?

Any more advice would be greatly appreciated - as Ive mentioned before, totally new to this, dont know much about it etc.

Thanks a million

KaseLieberKase · 22-06-2016 6:52pm

DH2016 wrote: »

Hi there,

Was considering starting CIMA & as I have not much background in accounting, can anyone give me some quick advice about what it is like? I will be starting Stage 1 - 5 exams but I'm just looking for some feedback, e.g.:

I am working full time btw - does it take up much time outside of work?, is there course work involved or just constant self learning study? Can I start whenever? How long before I could start taking the exams do I have? Do I have a time limit in which to complete them?

Any more advice would be greatly appreciated - as Ive mentioned before, totally new to this, dont know much about it etc.

Thanks a million

Pretty similar background to yourself. I passed my first exam last Saturday and can say for the cert level that an hour per night for 2/3 weeks will cover you to pass.

I found self-learning to be the best purely because I'm a cheap skate and the books explain it quite clearly. This may change after the cert level but I'll wait and see. Start whenever you like, sit the exams in any order and whenever you want (subject to exam centre opening times). There are 4 exams to sit unless you opt not to take the exemption for C03 (maths).

I've got a full exam kit for C05 (Fundamentals of ethics, corporate governance and business law) for sale by the way and will be selling the rest of my study texts as I pass them.

DH2016 · 23-06-2016 9:21am

KaseLieberKase wrote: »

Pretty similar background to yourself. I passed my first exam last Saturday and can say for the cert level that an hour per night for 2/3 weeks will cover you to pass.

I found self-learning to be the best purely because I'm a cheap skate and the books explain it quite clearly. This may change after the cert level but I'll wait and see. Start whenever you like, sit the exams in any order and whenever you want (subject to exam centre opening times). There are 4 exams to sit unless you opt not to take the exemption for C03 (maths).

I've got a full exam kit for C05 (Fundamentals of ethics, corporate governance and business law) for sale by the way and will be selling the rest of my study texts as I pass them.

Thanks a million - thats great.

So your saying if I was to start now - completion of all 5 cert level exams should take me approx 5-6 months?

Ive been reading a few things & the general consensus is that one cert level is completed, E1, P1 etc becomes a total step up and more time is needed.

The fear I have is once I complete the cert level that the step up will be too much and I'll not continue.

bmwguy · 23-06-2016 2:05pm

Yeah big step up but they are OK. Does require time and effort though. Cert level and pretty simple. Others are about the level of BA/MA compared to leaving cert for cert.

DH2016 · 23-06-2016 2:10pm

bmwguy wrote: »

Yeah big step up but they are OK. Does require time and effort though. Cert level and pretty simple. Others are about the level of BA/MA compared to leaving cert for cert.

Thanks a mil.

How long per exam would you estimate you need beforehand before taking it?

uberwolf · 24-06-2016 9:00pm

certs? I did the 5 in about 4 months, but I had some relevant work experience to work from. You'll know yourself once you're into them, and that's the beauty of the schedule on demand - you have exactly as much time as you need.

DH2016 · 28-06-2016 4:59pm

Hi again,

Ive got exemptions from stage 1 - first 5 exams.

I'm considering now going ahead starting E1 etc.

Fees wise...

How much does it cost to apply the exemptions?
How much do you think Id be paying for study for each exam?
How much is it to do each exam?

And one final question...

How long do you think I need study wise for each exam beforehand?

Thanks a mil

L.Jenkins · 29-06-2016 4:22pm

Would anyone have any study materials and/or books for CPA Formation 1 and 2?

imalwayshappy · 04-07-2016 10:56am

Hi All,

Quick question re the CIMA exams. My degree is in accountancy which results in getting a number of exemptions (all the c papers E1,P1,F1,P2,F2). The problem is I finished college 9 years ago and I have most likely forgotten most of the knowledge as I have been working in banking. My question is am I better starting from scratch or would I be able to get through the exams without the above knowledge? Essentially on the final paper/case study questions am I going to be lost sea?

Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks

Geraldo · 04-07-2016 5:57pm

Has anyone sat the management case study in the new format? I have F2 to get through this month hopefully and wondering whether that would leave enough time to sit the August case study. Would love to get it out of the way asap.

Ryan987 · 05-08-2016 11:20pm

imalwayshappy wrote: »

Hi All,

Quick question re the CIMA exams. My degree is in accountancy which results in getting a number of exemptions (all the c papers E1,P1,F1,P2,F2). The problem is I finished college 9 years ago and I have most likely forgotten most of the knowledge as I have been working in banking. My question is am I better starting from scratch or would I be able to get through the exams without the above knowledge? Essentially on the final paper/case study questions am I going to be lost sea?

Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks

Did you get any information on this I am in a similar situation myself finished college 7 years and thinking of going back studying professional exams, I am considering between CIMA and ACCA and interested in any information on courses for CIMA and how long people studied per exam in the new CIMA syllabus

stephenmario · 15-08-2016 11:11pm

Ryan987 wrote: »

Did you get any information on this I am in a similar situation myself finished college 7 years and thinking of going back studying professional exams, I am considering between CIMA and ACCA and interested in any information on courses for CIMA and how long people studied per exam in the new CIMA syllabus

Hi Lads I can help you out there. I was exempt from F1 and P1 and did E1 before the change to the new system. E2 is pretty easy, it's a very general business subject. I have a set of course notes I can email if you want to PM me. I'm pretty sure you'll be exempt from the case study, when you have 2 exemptions at a level, not certain on that though.

The F set of exams is tough when you've forgotten a lot of the college material. I would recommend tuition for them. I think it's defiantly worth doing them when you've relatively few exams to get the qualification.

Also if anyone has F2 material they can email me please PM me

KaseLieberKase · 21-08-2016 7:32pm

Just finished the cert level there yesterday.

If anyone has any questions on it feel free to ask. Prior to this I had essentialy no accounting knowledge so if you're in the same boat I can definitely help out.

I have the study text, revision questions, flashcards and notes for C04 and C05 as well as the study texts and revision questions for C01 and C02. if anyone is interested I will sell the full set for €120.

Naomi04 · 07-09-2016 1:34pm

Hi,
Does anyone know of any exam centers near Waterford where I can sit my exams. The exam center (Evolve in Dungarvan) I have been doing exams does not do Cima anymore. The nearest PearsonVue center is in Naas or Cork, both a bit of a hike on the morning of an exam.
Thanks

mr_edge_to_you · 27-09-2016 7:51am

Have any CIMA members here received an email re CPD assessment?

Have to be honest, this is something I've neglected and I'm now slightly concerned. I was always surprised that we were never required to log our CPD hours annually.

Just wondering am I on my own or is there others in the same boat?

Thanks

birebella43 · 27-10-2016 10:02am

New here glad to join this forum. Hey everybody

Loughc · 04-11-2016 9:47am

birebella43 wrote: »

New here glad to join this forum. Hey everybody

Welcome! If you need any advice here just shout, everyone here are very knowledgeable so you'll be in safe hands.

kilburn · 12-01-2017 9:43pm

Anyone get their case study results ?

The CIMA Thread

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