Resit guide
By Leyton Ramskill, Relationship Programmes Team
Contents
Introduction Index
Creating a personal SWOT How to use the Exam Blueprints Marker insight — Understanding your exam results CIMA academic insight Tutor insight CIMA question tutorials Time management Ready or not?
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Introduction
Introduction Index • Creating a personal SWOT • How to use the exam blueprints • Marker insight • CIMA academic insight • Tutor insight • CIMA question tutorials • Time management • Ready or not? Speak to someone
Home
This resit guide was specifically written to provide targeted advice for candidates recently unsuccessful with their CIMA examinations. It will allow you to easily find the CIMA resources specific to your needs, all in one document. Before you attempt a re-sit or read the rest of this guide, there are three initial steps to consider:
Do you know why you were unsuccessful with your CIMA examination? If the answer is "yes" then you’re already on course to be successful with your next attempt. For example, perhaps you recognise that you didn’t allocate enough time for study or question practice. You, therefore, already know what study weaknesses need to be addressed that will drive the direction of a revision plan or study timetable. If the answer is ‘no’, then this needs to be addressed before going any further. So, how do you find out specifically why you were unsuccessful? You could start by reading the examiners’ feedback in the Study Planner, which addresses all the common errors candidates make in the examination.
For Case Study examinations, a better understanding of how the markers mark would also be extremely useful (both are addressed in the later sections). If you’re still unsure, then you may wish to consider speaking to a CIMA Registered Tuition Provider and having expert CIMA tutors review your work. If you haven’t already booked your re-sit, we’d recommend doing so as soon as you can. Having a date to work towards helps you plan your studies, focus your time and prepare for a successful resit exam.
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Finally, from everyone at CIMA, we want to wish you well with your forthcoming examinations and will look forward to welcoming you to membership in the not too distant future!
Don’t give up! It can be disheartening to miss out on an exam at the first attempt. But this represents nothing more than a minor delay in achieving your career goals. Continuing your studies shows a degree of resilience — a characteristic in great demand by employers. There may be moments in your career where you’re mentoring or training others; again, the empathy you’ll have obtained from this whole experience will be invaluable.
Mark Foley Director of Relationship Programmes, CIMA
Index
Creating a personal SWOT This tool allows you to reflect on your study and exam performance to date. It will provide a useful basis to plan your revision towards the re-sit exam. How to use the Exam Blueprints Understand where your exam questions come from and how they can help you prepare for your exams. Marker insight — Understanding your exam results This is a useful article on understanding your results and our marking processes; essential reading following unsuccessful exam attempts. CIMA academic insight — Case Study Examinations walkthrough answers Get insight into what the examiners are looking for and how marks were awarded, illustrated with a real exam script. Tutor insight — 10 easy steps for revision and exam preparation Use this easy-to-follow guide to maximise the effectiveness of your revision with key tips for exam success from our CIMA academic experts. CIMA question tutorials Get hands-on experience with our computer-based assessment format for anyone wishing to familiarise themselves with the method of exam assessment. Time management This covers both aspects of time management — familiarisation of the exam-style questions to aid exam time management planning and recommended techniques to aid time prioritisation during the study. Ready or not? Still unsure if you’re exam-ready? Our guide to exam readiness will ensure you’ve got all angles covered!
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Introduction Index • Creating a personal SWOT • How to use the Exam Blueprints • Marker insight • CIMA academic insight • Tutor insight • CIMA question tutorials • Time management • Ready or not? Speak to someone
Creating a personal SWOT
Creating a personal SWOT analysis is a good place to start on your re-sit journey. Reflecting on your strengths, weaknesses and the threats we face — as well as the opportunities open to us — will offer insights that can help shape your studies. An illustrative example is provided on the next page to help you get started. When you’ve drawn up your SWOT, use it to help you answer the following questions:
Where, when and for how long will I be able to study each week? (Tip — Being honest with yourself here will help you develop an achievable plan that will boost your confidence as you progress through it.)
Based on your available hours and hours of study needed to complete your subject or subjects (find these in the CIMA Study Planner), how many weeks before will you be ready for your exam? (Tip — Book your exam now for 2–3 weeks after you plan to complete your studies. Our research shows this is the best time to secure a pass.)
What do you think will be your main “limiting factors” and what can you do to address them?
CIMA Training and Development Find your tuition provider CIMA Study planner
Useful links:
SWOT example
Strengths may include:
I enjoy studying.
I have a supportive family.
I have study buddies at work.
I can attend college/follow a formal course of study.
My employer is very supportive.
I am on an approved CIMA Training and Development scheme.*
Weaknesses may include:
I always run out of time in exams.
I struggle with some aspects of maths and worry I’ll find some exam topics hard.
I’m not sure my basic skills are good enough to start CIMA studies.
Generally, I am a procrastinator and fear of failure makes that worse.
My employer isn’t interested in my studies.
Opportunities may include:
I can look for a CIMA Registered Tuition Provider* and may even access free resources from them.
I could book a revision course or “question-based day” to get some contact time and inspiration just before the exam.
I can access lots of free resources in the CIMA Study Planner.
I could investigate courses to help fill my skill gaps (e.g., speed reading, typing, personal effectiveness and time management).
Threats may include:
There is no face-to-face CIMA tuition in my area and I prefer that.
I don’t have a lot of money to invest in study resources.
I am starting a new project/job just as I am planning to begin my CIMA journey.
If I take up the exemptions I have been offered, I may have knowledge gaps.
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I get time off for exams and/or study.
I rarely have to work overtime.
My work is very relevant to my studies/my studies are relevant to my work.
I am interested in the subject material.
I am organised and self-disciplined.
I struggle with some aspects of maths and worry I’ll find some exam topics hard .
I am self-financing and can’t afford a formal study course.
I work very long hours/I travel a long way to work.
There are no colleges near me.
My work isn’t at all relevant to what I am studying.
I have many family commitments which impinge on my study time/have nowhere quiet at home to study.
I get terrible exam nerves and always underperform.
I could book onto a revision course or “question-based day” to get some contact time and inspiration just before the exam.
If I go into work an hour early each day, I can do some self-study whilst it’s quiet.
I can ask my employer whether I can have a placement in another department/work on a project that matches my current areas of study.
If I fail an exam, I won’t be able to afford to re-sit for months
I’ve never been great at written exams, so I think I’ll be OK with Objective Tests but worry about the Case Studies .
If I don’t complete my exams soon, my family will suffer/be unhappy with me.
How to use the exam blueprints
What are the blueprints? The blueprints set out in detail what is examinable in the Case Study Examinations and the Objective Tests. They complement the syllabus document and provide details specifically related to the types of assessment. What are the main features and purpose? There is a blueprint for each level of the 2019 CIMA Professional Qualification that can be found here.
Each blueprint:
Remember, the representative task statements are not an all-inclusive list.
Case Study Examination
Explains the examination key features,
Gives an overview of each level of the examinations,
Lists competencies, skills and knowledge required to pass the examination,
Provides Case Study role simulation information and assessment outcomes and
Shows the Objective Tests representative task statements.
Review the roles for the case study that will help you to get into the right mindset for the examination.
Use the core activities and ‘I Can’ task statements to make sure you are exam-ready and hence confident.
Objective Tests
Use the blueprint to help you understand the types of questions you might be asked.
Go through question practise using the representative task statements.
Use it as a checklist to ensure you are exam-ready.
Exam blueprints 2019 CIMA Professional Qualification Syllabus Study planner Book your resit here
Marker insight — Understanding your exam results
If you want to better understand your results and learn more about our marking processes, please read the article we’ve published here. The article covers: How will you receive your exam results? How will your results be presented? What is a scaled score? Best way to use your exam feedback We feel this article is especially important to anyone who has had an unsuccessful exam attempt. It covers both Objective Test and Case Study examinations. Please read carefully all the sections on Performance Descriptors as these are often overlooked and can be of great benefit.
Marker Insight — Understanding your exam results
CIMA academic insight – Case Study Examinations walkthrough answers
Get insight into what the examiners are looking for and how marks were awarded, illustrated with real exam scripts. The scripts will allow you to compare actual exam standard answers with sub-standard answers that candidates produce in the Case Study examinations. They can be accessed here.
CIMA academic insight — Case Study Examinations walkthrough answers
Tutor Insight — 10 easy steps for revision and exam preparation
Create a dedicated revision plan How long will you be able to study for each week? Consider varying your learning — audio aids, visual aids, etc. Key tip: Produce a revision timetable leading up to the exam date and stick to it!
Exam familiarisation Can you describe the exam format, features, time aspects, response requirements and process of the exam? Key tip: Go through CIMA Question Tutorials.
Choose the right revision aid Have you identified available resources, study options and revision/exam-preparation time required? Have you used ‘pass cards’ or succinct summaries of what you’ve learned? Key tip: Enroll for a revision course with a training provider or purchase question led revision materials.
Switch to active learning Switch from passive to more active learning. Start a learning period with question practice, rather than passive reading. Any specific topics you feel need attention? Key tip: Perform questions under timed conditions to test time management.
Lessons learned What went well so far? What’s proving difficult to master? What technique needs improving? Prepare a list of actions to address your ‘limiting factors’/’blockers’. Key tip: Make a note of any mistakes you made (we love yellow stickies) to aid recall.
Covered everything? Do you understand what it takes to pass the exam and how it is scored based on blueprint core activities? Key tip: Check your knowledge against the paper-specific exam blueprints (the blueprints are used to set exam questions).
Exam techniques Are you equipped with exam and recall techniques and time management strategies? Key tip: Develop exam skills and techniques — visit CIMA’s online Study Planner for guidance.
Mock exam Performing mock exams is essential — reflect on what can be further improved or learned before the exam day. Key tip: Our data-driven evidence reveals that performing a mock exam improves your chances of examination success.
Exam day prep Do you know the exam day procedure — what to expect at a test centre or online remote exam? Check that you’ve performed a system test if you are performing an exam at home/office. Key tip: Exam day guidance can be found here.
After the exam What you could have done differently? Key tip: Any techniques you can use for future exams? It’s worth continuing your studies now that you have some momentum.
These tips will ensure that you’ve considered and reviewed all the available CIMA resources needed to make your exam preparation more effective. Exam revision can be daunting. To help you, our academic experts offer some essential revision tips as you prepare for your upcoming exams.
Tutor insight – 10 easy steps for revision and exam preparation
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CIMA question tutorials
This section provides hands-on experience with our computer-based assessments. CIMA offers two types of question tutorials to cover the Objective Test and Case Study exams. The question tutorials provide examples of the types of questions encountered in the exam. They can be used to experience the test driver and how items are presented. They allow you to explore this technology and become familiar with how the online system works.
The Objective Test question tutorials:
Provide answers to the questions throughout the exam by clicking on the ‘answer’ button at the top left of the screen.
The Case Study tutorials:
Provide candidates with an opportunity to practice a full-length case study exam.
They should be taken using the supporting material — pre-seen, model answers and marking guidance — see additional resources provided.
They are tailored for each qualification/subject and provide examples of question types will likely to encounter in the live exam.* Please note: these tutorials should not be viewed as a full test.
*Please note there are some slight differences between the functionality of the question tutorials and the live exams. In the live exams, there is no ‘navigator’ button — candidates can move to the next question by pressing ‘next’. Questions can be flagged for review and reviewed at the end of the exam via the review screen.
How to register for a free question tutorial:
Take the exam tutorial here. Book your re-sit here.
You'll get an email with details of the exam.
Select an exam.
Checkout and submit your request.
Take the exam immediately or complete it within one month.
Follow the link below ‘create account’ and complete the details.
Time management
There are two main topics here — managing your study time and planning your time in the exam. Managing your study time effectively Please also view our latest webcast on time management via this link. This video is ‘a must’ for anyone whose motivation or concentration levels have fallen in recent months. It also provides some reassuring advice for those who’ve simply not felt ready or confident enough to book an exam.
CIMA Case Study exams are designed to be business simulations of real-life job tasks that someone at that level is expected to perform. Therefore, the three-hour exam (both operational and management) has four sections (tasks), which are each 45 minutes long. The Strategic Case Study exam has three sections and 60 minutes are allowed for each section.
Candidates may finish a section early and move on to the next, but cannot return to previous sections in their remaining time. Therefore, candidates will have to manage the time only within each section. As a result, you can effectively manage your time through answer-planning that allows you to:
The following article details a 5-step approach to answer planning in CIMA Case Study examinations.
Time management during Case Study exams
Deconstruct questions Decide upon the right number of points and prioritise them for each sub-task Answer each sub-task in the required amount of depth Systematically sense-check the strength and validity of each point Provides structure to your answer, giving you the words to use for your subheadings
Step 1: Read the task (question) carefully Consider the incidental (unseen) information provided for the task. How many times should you read the question requirement? The answer is simple – read as many times as it takes for you to understand it!
Step 2: Investigate the background of the task (question) Understand the background to the requirement and the exact examiner expectations in the task set. The acronym ‘FORMAT’ will help you to remember the below key points
Format of the answer (e.g. report, discussion paper, briefing note, etc.) Objective (or the purpose) of the task (e.g. recommendation to the board) Recipient of your work (e.g. line manager or a colleague without a finance background) My role as simulated in the exam (e.g. finance manager in the MCS examination) Action or the verb (e.g. Discuss how the conflict …’’) Time allowed (and marks) for the task
Step 3: Structure planning Sketch each requirement of the task as a series of headings for the answer, along with indicative time and marks allocated for each requirement. Look at each sub-task carefully to see whether they can be split further into sub-headings. Look for ‘and’, commas and full-stops in the requirement. Answer planning provides a structured layout allowing you to allocate your time in proportion to the allocated marks and, most importantly, answer ‘all’ requirements in the task. Be aware that marks will be equally split amongst the sub-requirements in each sub-task, hence you will have to split the time equally, too.
Step 4: Content planning Add the main points (a word or two) for each sub-heading that reminds you of the point you are going to develop in a paragraph. Read the question requirement again to ensure that the points you have added remain relevant so that you are answering the exact question set by the examiner.
Step 5: Produce the answer Remember, CIMA Case Study examination tasks will be practical and applied, not theoretical or academic. To be successful, you will have to perform the core activities in the same way, and to the same standards, that would be valid and valued in the workplace. Make sure that you:
State each Point clearly and completely Explain (or Examine) points in adequate depth Simulate the role through Analysing and building Arguments Relate points, appropriately applying and referencing to the scenario Link back to the requirement through integration of knowledge and/or points
The acronym ‘PEARL’ will help you to remember the above key points.
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Each Objective Test exam is 90 minutes long and comprises 60 questions drawn from across the syllabus in line with the weightings for each content area as set out in the examination blueprint. You may answer questions in any order and can navigate back and forth to any question to change your answer. Watch this video for the best tactics to manage your time in CIMA OT Exams.
Time management during Objective Test exams
There may be a few questions based on the same data. In that case, all such questions will be one after the other. Do all such questions in one go so that you may maintain the flow of thoughts and save time from repeatedly reading the question. The best way to master time management tactics is to practice questions and mock exams to time.
Take about 10 to 15 minutes to click on the ‘Next’ button through all 60 questions. Answer the short questions that can be answered quickly and confidently. These include brief ‘knowledge’ and ‘definition’ multiple choice questions where the correct answer can be identified immediately without re-reading the question or the options. At the end of the first round, you may have answered all ‘easy’ questions and gathered some confidence. Hint: Use the ’Flag’ function for questions where you have worked out an answer but you would like a second chance to review it, if time allows, at the end of the exam. All questions you have skipped and not answered will be recorded as ‘incomplete’ for later review. ‘Incomplete’ status may reflect a question with no response at all or one where the answer is only partially complete, such as a multiple-response question.
Once you click on ‘Next’ on the (last) 60th question, the exam takes you to a review screen which lists the status of all 60 questions. When you are at the review screen, you may begin the second round and you are given four options.
You must return to the review screen and click on ‘Review Incomplete Items’ and ensure that an answer is submitted for every question. You should aim to complete this round 10 minutes before the exam end time. Hint: The time remaining will be shown on the top-right corner of the screen. However, a window will pop up to alert you that there are five minutes remaining. In any remaining time, review any questions which remain flagged, making sure that you consider the options or calculations carefully during these last few minutes.
Answer all questions, allowing adequate time for each question in four rounds.
Use the ‘Review Incomplete Items’ function again, this time tackling the short questions where you are less confident and will need to give more consideration, more thought or require workings. Also, you may tackle longer questions, with more complex data, and you need to consider the approach required to answer the question. Hint: Do not spend too long on any one question, which is ideally a maximum of three minutes per question. If you think you need more time to review a question, submit your ‘best’ answer and click on the ‘Flag’ button review the question in the time remaining after all questions have been attempted.
Attempt incomplete questions where you know the approach to answering such as calculations and questions that require the analysis of a short scenario or set of data.
Select an individual question for review Review all 60 questions in sequence Review only the incomplete questions in sequence Review only the questions you have flagged
Review screen
At the end of the Objective Test Exam
This is an important feature to use when you have clicked through all the questions. Once you have clicked on “Next” on the 16th question, regardless of whether you have completed all questions, the exam takes you to a review screen that lists the status of all 60 questions.
After 85 minutes, a window will pop up to alert you that five minutes remain. You are strongly advised during this time to return to the review screen. Click on “Review Incomplete Items” and ensure that an answer is submitted for every question. In any remaining time, review any questions that remain flagged. At the end of the 90 minutes available, the exam will close down. All complete answers, including those that have been flagged, will be recorded for scoring. Any that are incomplete will earn no marks.
Complete — There is no mark on the review screen against questions you have completed.
Flagged — These are questions that you have consciously flagged for review.
Incomplete — These are questions for which you have submitted no answer or a partially complete answer. This provides a safety net. If you accidentally click on two options when the question has asked for THREE, the review screen identifies the omission for you.
The review screen is the first time you will have the option to ‘End the Exam’. If you choose to end the exam, a warning screen will pop up asking you (twice) to confirm. If you have any incomplete questions, the pop up will alert you to this, telling you how many such items there are. Note: It will not mention any flagged items.
When you are at the review screen, you are given the option to:
Review all 60 questions in sequence.
Review only the incomplete questions in sequence.
Review only the flagged items
Select an individual question for review.
Ready or not?
You’ve been studying for weeks, you’ve practised exam-style questions and you feel that you have a comprehensive understanding of the syllabus. So, why do you still have a feeling that you aren’t quite ready to take your assessment? Most people get anxious about exams and it’s easy to convince yourself that you don't know enough.
Sticking to your study plan and taking your assessment as soon as you have completed it means that the material will be fresh in your mind. Now consider again the question at the start of this chapter — do you still feel that you aren’t quite ready to retake your assessment?
To help you determine if you are assessment-ready, consider these points:
Have you completed exam-style questions, under timed exam conditions, and were you happy with your performance?
Although you do need to have a thorough understanding of the whole syllabus, you may choose to be more pragmatic and consider the following:
You may not feel 100% confident about everything and, realistically, you will always be stronger in some areas than others.
Your goal might be to pass the exam, rather than a prize-winning submission.
Have you kept to your study plan and covered all syllabus topics?
Are you unsure of some syllabus areas? What can you do to be more confident in these areas? Maybe you could try and explain the topic to somebody else.
Most candidates who have passed a CIMA exam would say that they didn’t feel 100% ready.
Would delaying your assessment and performing more study make a big difference to your result?
If you would like to speak to someone in our support team directly, please send an email to: learntosucceed@aicpa-cima.com. Or, book your re-sit here.
Would you like to contact CIMA?
learntosucceed@aicpa-cima.com
