Top Tips and Strategies: Studying for the CMA Exam

If you have decided to become a certified management accountant, you will need to have taken the relevant undergraduate and graduate-level courses and completed some work experience before you can take the CMA exam. Once you are ready to tackle the rigorous examination, you can use specific tips and strategies to boost your efficiency with your online and offline learning. When you have the required study materials and a plan of action, you will have a training program tailored to your preferences.

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Select the Right Review Course

With a variety of online CMA review courses to choose from, you must spend time looking at the elements of each one to determine which program suits your learning style the best. For example, whether you learn best by studying visual material or audio material, you will find review courses that match your preference. Different courses also have varying durations, different amounts of practice questions, different types of textbooks, and various costs. Many courses also include excellent features like unlimited online coaching, and weekly assignments with email follow-ups. Compare the CMA review courses to find out which one is best suited to your circumstances.

Create a Schedule That Works for You

Your study schedule has to suit your specific circumstances. You will have to fit your learning time around the rest of your obligations. For each CMA exam section, it is recommended you study between 100 and 200 hours. Whatever schedule you come up with, make sure it is not erratic. Studying only in spare moments will not help you learn effectively. You must be in the right mindset to focus on the CMA study materials, so it is vital to set a routine and stick to it. Having a strict schedule allows you to prepare mentally, so pick times each week when you study for the exam and do nothing else. For example, your routine could involve two or three hours after lunch each weekday, four hours every Saturday morning, and a free day on Sunday. Use a schedule that works for you and do not deviate from it.

Take Study Breaks

Do not underestimate how important it is to take study breaks as part of your fixed schedule. For instance, if your routine involves studying for four hours on a Saturday morning, take a 15-minute break halfway through. If you do not take a break, you will be less able to focus on your study material, and you are more likely to get tired. It is also important to take a break from screen time. Too much time spent looking at a computer screen has been linked with shorter sleep duration, longer sleep onset, and sleep deficiency.

Everyone knows it is essential to take breaks during a working day to ensure you maximize your productivity, and studying is no different. But do not let your study breaks get out of hand! Do not merely take a break when you feel like it. Add breaks to your study schedule and stick to your routine.

Choose a Specific Place to Study to Avoid Distractions

If you study in a place that is prone to distractions, you will not get much done. If you study at home, you could have interruptions from your family or a loud TV. It is, therefore, best to find a specific place to learn where you will have no distractions. If you study at home, tell your family not to interrupt you while you are in your special study place, or learn in the designated location while you are alone at home. Alternatively, you may study better if you choose a place outside of your home, like a library or coffee shop. Choose a learning environment that works best for you. If you are 100% focused on the study material, you will accomplish much more. Also, make sure you do not get distracted by other things. Turn off your phone, log out of your email, and take any other steps to stop your study routine from becoming interrupted.

Ensure You Stay Motivated

It may be your dream to become a certified management accountant, but during the reality of studying hard for a difficult examination, it can be easy to become demotivated. After all, nobody said studying for the CMA exam was going to be easy. The more prepared you are for the tough process of studying, the more you can remain motivated when you find yourself getting tired and grumpy. That does not mean you will not have times when you begin questioning why you are even studying for the exam in the first place, but when you start to feel down about it all, remind yourself of your purpose. Whether you wish to pass the exam so you can earn better money, get a promotion, or attain a lifelong goal, keep your purpose in the forefront of your mind so you can remain motivated about studying.

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