The CIMA Thread

kilburn · 25-07-2013 6:26pm

Hi meursault have you the E2 book?

Meursault · 25-07-2013 10:57pm

kilburn wrote: »

Hi meursault have you the E2 book?

Hi Kilburn. I have to hang on to that one for somene unfortunately.

alasav · 14-08-2013 3:32pm

Hi,

I am planning on sitting all 3 management level exams in November. As I work full time i know it's going to be tough going but i want to be in a position to sit the strategic exams in May next year. My big problem is that I find the self discipline difficult to just sit down and get it done. Having three small kids doesn't help either! I know I learn best from a classroom environment, but I live in the midlands and there are just no classroom courses available without travelling to Dublin which just isn't an option. Does anyone know of any study groups or tutors that give grinds in the midlands area? I can't see myself getting through all 3 without some sort of study support.

Thanks!

nasned26 · 22-08-2013 3:19pm

Meursault wrote: »

Hi nasned

Unfortunately the only option available in Cork is the blended learning in the CIT, which i did not find helpful at all.

you basically go through the courses yourself online, and then there is 2 1 day revisions courses, where they fly through as many topics as possible, without really explaining anything. They also claim that you can email them with any queries, but i found them to be really slow in responding, to be honest

what you may find useful is some of the Online class room courses that are available. if you log on to Kaplan's website you will find free tutorials for each level. i found these very helpful and i have actually signed up for the F2 online course with them this coming August. it works out at about 600 EUR, which is slightly cheaper than the courses provided by Griffith for ACCA. I believe BPP and Insaf also provide online courses. if you log on to the CIMA website and go to the CIMS sphere online discussion forums, you will see plenty of discussions on the pros and cons of each, which you may find informative.

I am based in Cork myself, so if you are looking for Operational or management level textbooks let me know, and i will sell them on to you for half price. they are all in perfect condition

the best of luck with whatever you choose

Hey Meursault,

Yep, I will need to get texts for upcoming exams E1, E2 and F1. Do you still have those available?

Geraldo · 25-08-2013 12:05pm

Hi.

If you pass the operational level in November can you sit the management level in march or do you have to wait until may?

Just trying to figure out if there's any way I can be finished by the end of 2014.

Cheers.

Johnmb · 25-08-2013 5:38pm

Geraldo wrote: »

Hi.

If you pass the operational level in November can you sit the management level in march or do you have to wait until may?

Just trying to figure out if there's any way I can be finished by the end of 2014.

Cheers.

For Operational, Management, and Strategic level exams, the March and September sittings are only for repeats, you can't sit any of them for the first time in those sittings.

Rusty Rothar · 13-09-2013 11:35am

started the route to CIMA this year, E1 and P1 done, doing F1 and F2 in November. I dont come from an accounting background, just wondering if anyone has done similar and how they coped with it? I work in financial services so could cover the core areas like project appraisal and risk management but am not involved in managing accounts or finance in general. Is it possible to become an accountant without ever doing real world accounting ?

a very cool kid · 20-09-2013 12:49am

Anyone else waiting anxiously for results?

Geraldo · 20-09-2013 12:33pm

Rusty Rothar wrote: »

started the route to CIMA this year, E1 and P1 done, doing F1 and F2 in November. I dont come from an accounting background, just wondering if anyone has done similar and how they coped with it? I work in financial services so could cover the core areas like project appraisal and risk management but am not involved in managing accounts or finance in general. Is it possible to become an accountant without ever doing real world accounting ?

Hi.
While it is definitely possible to pass the exams, you do need to get relevant work experience as well in order to apply for membership to the institute.

kilburn · 21-09-2013 3:15pm

You would need 18 months alone to cover the management accounts aspect of the work experience

kilburn · 05-10-2013 11:27am

Anyone got a copy of E2 text for sale

kilburn · 31-10-2013 7:44pm

3 weeks to the exams, how is every ones studying going or not?

Geraldo · 10-11-2013 3:34pm

kilburn wrote: »

3 weeks to the exams, how is every ones studying going or not?

Very slowly so far to be honest. Hopefully be alright though on the night. Good luck to everyone anyway!

kilburn · 18-11-2013 11:55pm

Best of luck to everyone over the next 3 days !

19-11-2013 11:46am

Ha - I don't miss those days. Good luck to all - remember to read the question fully.

I guess I am getting on a bit as I don't know anyone doing exams this week.

Time to start thinking of something new to do for the new year training wise.

Geraldo · 19-11-2013 8:42pm

E1 was ok today anyway. I was still writing in the last few minutes anyway so that's usually a good sign.
Fingers crossed for the next 2 now!!

kilburn · 20-11-2013 3:17pm

E2 was a bit tricky but ok. The questions were very vague.

statss · 20-11-2013 8:17pm

P2 today....it was almost too easy....such a shock....nowhere near as hard as I expected it to be....

Crybabygeeks · 20-11-2013 8:22pm

statss wrote: »

P2 today....it was almost too easy....such a shock....nowhere near as hard as I expected it to be....

I know - I thought the same thing. No limiting factors, linear programming - the usual "tough" questions.

Here's hoping we didn't miss a trick

statss · 20-11-2013 8:25pm

Crybabygeeks wrote: »

I know - I thought the same thing. No limiting factors, linear programming - the usual "tough" questions.

Here's hoping we didn't miss a trick

glad I'm not alone thinking that....only weird question was Q4, but there should be a few marks going for talking about spreadsheets....the others, well, I can't see myself failing any of them, got something down for every part of every question....fingers crossed anyway...

F2 tommorow, then, DONE.

sky2424 · 11-12-2013 8:21am

Hi all

I'm thinking of signing up to CIMA and starting off with home study for 1 or 2 of the operational papers.

Does anyone have any idea if the textbooks/material change much year on year?

Thanks

masalbeagdubh · 11-12-2013 9:14am

I think since 2010 the books have been the same each year so you could get them second hand. E1 is a good one to start with as its all theory and you could combine with F1 which is mostly calculations etc. The books are ok for theory but with F1 or P1 you might need to do a revision course or an online course etc.

Geraldo · 11-01-2014 6:39pm

Good luck to all getting results this week!

kilburn · 12-01-2014 10:17am

Hate this long wait

Shaque attack · 12-01-2014 11:42am

not long to go now though. Tuesday right?

Shaque attack · 14-01-2014 8:31am

Results are in!

F1 and F2 out of the way thank god. Best of luck to all y'all!

Crybabygeeks · 14-01-2014 10:52am

Hi everyone

Passed F1 - delighted and relieved! Hope everyone getting results is happy.

Does anyone have any experience of a good F2 lecturer in Dublin? Dont mind what college/provider, just wondering who the best (in your experience) lecturer is.

Thanks

statss · 14-01-2014 10:54am

Passed F2 & P2 thank God.

I'd recommend Gery Fahy in DBS for F2.

Shaque attack · 14-01-2014 11:36am

statss wrote: »

Passed F2 & P2 thank God.

I'd recommend Gery Fahy in DBS for F2.

Same as - had him for F1 and F2. Excellent lecturer.

Meursault · 14-01-2014 3:01pm

Passed F2, thank God. Have to resit P2 in Feb. does anyone have any advice on online revision courses for the resits?

well done to all that passed

statss · 15-01-2014 12:12pm

Meursault, not online but I did P2 with Michael Barry in Independent Colleges. I thought his notes were excellent. He did a revision weekend as part of it, if they are doing something similar for the resits I'd recommend it.

btw selling my F2 books if anyone's interested

http://www.adverts.ie/school-college-books/cima-f2-kaplan-study-text-exam-kit-revision-cards/4591859

Meursault · 15-01-2014 2:46pm

Thanks Statss,

Michael Barry is based in Dublin, it seems. I am based in Cork. It is very difficult to find anyone providing tuition for CIMA in Cork.

Anyway, thanks for the help

cheers

M.

Crybabygeeks · 15-01-2014 4:53pm

Might go with DBS so for F2.

regarding E2 - do you think a weekend revision course along with self-study is sufficient?
Anyone have any good recommendations for E2 lecturers in Dublin?

Also have E1 & P1 (texts, study notes from First Intuition and Independent Colleges) for sale if anyone is interested.

grange mac · 15-01-2014 7:07pm

To all of you that did not pass this time, stick with it. I know what it feels like but you will get there in the end & it is worth it.

I know of a chap who used to run cima courses in cork . I done topcima with him & he was a big reason in me getting it.

If any of ye looking for his details, drop me a pm.

Rusty Rothar · 22-01-2014 12:55pm

Crybabygeeks wrote: »

Might go with DBS so for F2.

regarding E2 - do you think a weekend revision course along with self-study is sufficient?
Anyone have any good recommendations for E2 lecturers in Dublin?

Also have E1 & P1 (texts, study notes from First Intuition and Independent Colleges) for sale if anyone is interested.

I'd recommend Gerry in DBS also, did F1 and F2 last term and found him really good.

I'm also looking at doing E2 self study this term. Anyone have any recommendations on whether its achievable or it there's a good home study web site anyone has used before?

Shaque attack · 22-01-2014 1:45pm

Rusty Rothar wrote: »

I'd recommend Gerry in DBS also, did F1 and F2 last term and found him really good.

I'm also looking at doing E2 self study this term. Anyone have any recommendations on whether its achievable or it there's a good home study web site anyone has used before?

I'm going the same route as yourself so I hope so!

Ceriousone · 22-01-2014 9:49pm

Does anyone have any views on the best college/lecturers for strategic level in Dublin?

Griffith dont seem to be offering CIMA at all anymore so that leaves:

Independent Colleges
DBS
First Intuition

First Intuition are operating out of the same building that BPP used in Ladd Lane. But other than that I know nothing about them. Has anyone any experience with them for Operational or Management level?

DBS seems to be the most popular choice in general for CIMA in Dublin but Im not sure if it is the best in every subject. I didnt have a great experience with them in E1 & E2.

Geraldo · 24-02-2014 7:01pm

Good luck to all sitting exams this week!

kilburn · 28-02-2014 9:44pm

What are people thoughts on the new exam format in the 2015 syllabus?

Irish Aris · 01-03-2014 1:29pm

kilburn wrote: »

What are people thoughts on the new exam format in the 2015 syllabus?

Not sure to be honest.
I am just about to start the professional level (first exam in May), so I wasn't sure how to approach it.
On first glance it looks like the exams might be a bit easier, but you'd have 3 case studies instead of 1. The exams will probably be closer to what is currently happening in the certificate level.
I guess we won't know for sure until we see specific examples on how the exam will look and the new books of course.
According to Kaplan, the new books will be available som time between September and November.
And CIMA said (I think on their website) that around June they will have examples of the new exam format.

Crybabygeeks · 04-03-2014 10:19am

Thinking of booking in for e2 revision course in Independent Colleges with Paul Russell. Anyone gone to this class before? It's about 6 weeks before exams so i think loads of time to prep.

minusthebear · 10-03-2014 2:08pm

Irish Aris wrote: »

Not sure to be honest.
I am just about to start the professional level (first exam in May), so I wasn't sure how to approach it.
On first glance it looks like the exams might be a bit easier, but you'd have 3 case studies instead of 1. The exams will probably be closer to what is currently happening in the certificate level.
I guess we won't know for sure until we see specific examples on how the exam will look and the new books of course.
According to Kaplan, the new books will be available som time between September and November.
And CIMA said (I think on their website) that around June they will have examples of the new exam format.

I think it looks a bit harder. hoping to finish strategic level this year, there's a lot to be said for having 4 years of exam papers to sift through

balkanhawk · 24-03-2014 12:44pm

Hi, does anyone know if the September Exam is only for resits with the transition?

Geraldo · 24-03-2014 8:09pm

balkanhawk wrote: »

Hi, does anyone know if the September Exam is only for resits with the transition?

Pretty sure it's just a resit exam alright.
I think the new syllabus looks great by the way. Certainly way more flexible anyway. Imagine being able to book a resit for the next day if you just missed out on one. You'd fly through so much quicker! Think they're computer marked too so you could even book before leaving.
Having said that, computer marked exams could be very tricky given that you may not pick up marks for attempting questions.

Meursault · 25-03-2014 2:20pm

September and March exams are for resits only - so you would have to fail the May/November exams before sitting the Sept/March exams

The new syllabus will be tricky enough for the first few sittings, I would say. For example, there will be no past papers to practice with, and also I dont like the idea of doing the performance exams in particular on computer

also, there are the extra case studies at each level

i am hoping to sit the strategic exams in november this year so it would be great to get as many out of the way as possible before the new syllabus next year

minusthebear · 27-03-2014 2:59pm

question for you CIMA qualified parents....became a parent recently...I was planning to sit the 3 strategic exams in Aug for the Nov 14 sitting however the reality of the new home life is hitting home....been doing 2 at a time so far....can't see how I could do 3 in one sitting on top of work, making class 3 nights a week, and a toddler...so was thinking of deferring them until next year for the new syllabus and do them 1 at a time...or does the fact the case study is 20% of each strategic exam in the existing syllabus mean the workload isnt too much extra?

kilburn · 07-04-2014 9:00pm

So anyone got any good study and resource links apart from the usual.

This youtube page can be good

http://www.youtube.com/user/theexpgroup/playlists

and this can be useful

http://www.kaplan-exam-tips.com/main/authorization/signIn?target=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kaplan-exam-tips.com%2Fcima%2Fcima-f1

Meursault · 08-04-2014 12:31pm

Hi Kilburn,

thanks for posting these links. The only online classes that I was aware of were the ones posted by Kaplan on their website, which are pretty good in fairness.

Meursault · 11-04-2014 3:15pm

Hi All, does anyone have any tips on E2? half the topics seem like waffle and it is difficult to determine what is likely to asked in the exam. Thanks. M.

Shaque attack · 14-04-2014 4:41pm

Meursault wrote: »

Hi All, does anyone have any tips on E2? half the topics seem like waffle and it is difficult to determine what is likely to asked in the exam. Thanks. M.

What way are you studying it, self-study or lectures?

I'm ploughing through it on self-study and the plan is to have the last few bits of the course finished this week and then just go through exam questions.

I think the trick to figuring out answering this type of subject (agreed btw, so much waffle!) is relating the exam question answers back to the study material and then a pattern emerges in how they want you to go about answering the questions.

I'm not too concerned about trying to figure out what topics are going to come up but I do think it's important to the get the hang of figuring out what it is they are asking and practicing relating it back to whatever scenario is given.

Here's hoping anyway! Did anyone else notice the exam centres have changed for Dublin? Now out in the Stillorgan Park hotel from what I saw.

The CIMA Thread

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