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CMA Exam Scoring Guide: CMA Scores and Grading System Uncovered!

By Stephanie Ng
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The CMA Exam Score and Grading System

The IMA CMA exam uses a scaled score, so candidates are sometimes confused about their final CMA scores. However, the system is easy enough to follow if you know the basics of US CMA passing marks.

But before going over an average CMA exam score, you must know the format of the exam and the types of questions.

CMA Exam Scores and Question Format

The CMA exam is actually a two-part test:

CMA Part 1 : Financial Planning, Performance, and Analytics
CMA Part 2 : Strategic Financial Management

The CMA exam format is the same for both parts, each with 100 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and two essays. So between Part 1 and Part 2, candidates must answer 200 MCQs and four essays.

On test day, you tackle the MCQs first. If you answer at least 50% of the MCQs correctly, you can move on to the essays. On the other hand, if you incorrectly answer 49% or fewer MCQs, you cannot attempt the essays and will automatically receive a failing CMA score.

Additionally, you are allowed 3 hours for the MCQs and 1 hour for the essay question. If you manage to finish early in the MCQ section, then you can use the extra remaining time on the essays. Once you confirm that the MCQ section is completed, you cannot go back and make changes.

How Is the CMA Exam Scored?

In your final CMA scaled score, 75% of points come from the multiple-choice questions, and 25% are from the essays.

Nevertheless, the CMA pass mark isn’t as simple as correctly answering a certain percentage of questions. Why? Well, the IMA actually uses several different versions of the CMA exam each year to discourage cheating. Although the IMA tries to keep the difficulty level the same between the exam versions, some minor differences are possible. For example, the passing score could be 70% for one particular version but 65% for another.

As a result of the variations in exam versions, CMA exam scoring uses a scaled system. Basically, the IMA takes your raw score (the number of correctly answered MCQs and essays) and converts it to a uniform scaled score between 0 and 500. Furthermore, the passing score for the CMA exam is 360.

However, because of the scaled system, don’t assume that a 360 means that you answered 72% of the questions just because 360/500 = 72. In other words, if you get a 400, it doesn’t mean that you got 80% (400/500) correct, either.

Reaching the 360 CMA Pass Score

The CMA exam score scale was developed to ensure that scores accurately reflect candidates’ potential as Certified Management Accountants. Here are a few tips for reaching a passing grade:

How to get a CMA passing grade on the MCQs

Although each CMA exam part has 100 multiple-choice questions, only 90 are graded and included in your score. The other 10 questions are being tested for future exams. But don’t try to guess which MCQs are the test ones and skip them. Instead, the best way to get a high CMA score to pass is to answer each and every MCQ.

Getting good CMA passing marks on the essays

Some candidates struggle with the CMA essays , but they aren’t as intimidating if you practice the essays in your review course first. Plus, keep in mind that candidates are awarded points for each correct partial response. So even if you don’t answer an essay 100% correctly, you can still build toward a CMA pass mark. You should show your work, too, because that can help you receive partial credit.

Who Grades the CMA Exam?

The IMA relies on both computer algorithms and human graders to determine your CMA score. First, your MCQ answers are analyzed by a computer, and your raw MCQ score is calculated. Then, specially trained graders review your essays. All essays are graded simultaneously to ensure fairness and consistency in the CMA test scores. What’s more, the graders first examine a selection of sample essay responses to make sure they have accounted for all possible solutions. In fact, they even re-examine essays on the pass border to make sure candidates receive the correct CMA score.

What Is the CMA Exam Score Scale?

Your raw score on the MCQs is added to your raw score on the essays to equal your total raw score. But remember, the MCQs account for 75% of your raw score, while the essays are worth 25%.

The IMA doesn’t make any additional information about the CMA exam score scale public except to say that your raw score is converted to a scaled score between 0 and 500.

Is The Exam Adaptive Like The CPA Exam?

No. Each question on the CMA exam is equally weighted, unlike the CPA Exam , which has adaptive questions based on your performance. Besides, since each MCQ on the CMA exam has the same weight, “easy” questions count toward your score the same as “hard” ones.

Tip: If you run out of time on the MCQs, skim through the remaining ones and look for easy questions. Answer them the best you can, and then guess on the hard ones. This will help maximize your CMA score.

What Does This Mean to You?

I don’t think you need to dwell on analyzing the CMA exam score and grading system. In any case, it is robust enough to give you a fair score. Having said that, there are test-taking strategies that you can use based on this particular scoring mechanism:

1. The Exam Is Positively Graded

There is no penalty for wrong answers. Therefore, you should attempt all questions — even blind guessing if you run out of time.

2. You Only Need an Overall Passing Mark

You don’t need a passing mark for BOTH the multiple-choice and essay sections, but this means that you need to do relatively well on both. In terms of study strategy, you should pay attention to the multiple-choice questions AND to answering the essay questions properly. The post “ Part 2: How the Essay Section Is Graded ” gives you everything you need to know to CMA passing marks on your essays.

FAQs about CMA Scores

What is the highest score you can get on the cma exam.

CMA test scores range from 0 to 500, with 500 being the highest.

What Is the Passing Score for the CMA Exam?

The US CMA passing score is 360 out of a possible 500 points.

Is the Certified Management Accountant Passing Score Same for Both Parts?

Yes! The CMA Part 1 passing score is 360, the same as the score needed to pass Part 2.

Is the CMA Exam Multiple Choice?

The CMA exam includes both multiple-choice questions and essay scenarios with 4-8 questions per scenario.

How Many Questions Can You Miss on the CMA Exam?

The most important thing to remember is that you must correctly answer at least 50% of the multiple-choice questions before moving on to the essays. Plus, if you take several practice tests in your CMA review course, you’ll better understand what it takes to pass the exam.

How Does the CMA USA Pass Mark Compare to Other Accounting Exams?

The CMA US pass marks are comparable to other accounting credential exams, such as the CPA Exam. For instance, the CMA exam pass rate is about 45%, just under the CPA exam pass rate average of about 50%.

Will the CMA Passing Score in 2023 Be the Same as in 2024?

The CMA exam passing score has historically been 360 out of 500 points on a scaled system. Furthermore, it does not seem that the IMA plans to change the passing score for the CMA exam anytime soon.

How Is the CMA Exam Graded? Explaining the CMA USA Passing Marks

Here is an overview of the CMA exam grading system and testing strategies:

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About the Author Stephanie Ng

I am the author of How to Pass The CPA Exam (published by Wiley) and the publisher of this and several accounting professional exam prep sites.

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Decoding the US CMA Passing Score: A Comprehensive Guide

Getting to know the US CMA Exam Structure

Part 1: financial planning, performance, and analytics, part 2: strategic financial management, syllabus overview of the exam, time breakdown of the exam.

Prioritise Based on Weight: The importance of each section should be familiar – allocate more time to the MCQs because they contribute to a very large proportion of the total score.
Set Sectional Goals : Divide the 3 hours for the MCQ section into short time segments for stacks of questions. Be sure you set goals when completing specific question sets. This way, there is a consistent pace throughout the section.
Flag and Move On : If an MCQ proves difficult, tag it and move on to another. Time management is not about lingering on one question. Allow some time at the end to go back through the flagged questions. This helps eliminate spending too much time on one question and getting closer to the US CMA passing score .
Develop a Pacing Strategy : Identify a need for uniformity of speed. Spend the first few minutes quickly scanning the MCQs and trying to spot a few that look like they would not give you so much trouble.
Essay Section Structuring: The approach to time management that works in the essay section is based on structuring your responses. Plan what major points you would like to highlight before proceeding to the more lengthy response. This creates a streamlined answer and helps you get the required US CMA passing score .
Practice Time Simulations: Get used to working within time restraints by practising in simulation exams. Practice tests should be arranged to fine-tune pacing along with any weak spots in time management.
Time Blocks for Essays: In the case of the essay, the best way would be to break the time allocation of 1 hour into individual chunks for each question. This strategy will help ensure concentration and avoid wasting precious moments on a question set in an essay.
Monitor the Clock : Regularly check the time remaining throughout the exam. Most examination platforms display a timer, enabling you to gauge your progress. Adjust your pace if needed, ensuring that you allocate sufficient time for each section.
Stay Calm and Focused: Time management means that speed is not the only essential factor; one should also remain calm. Calm yourself and remain focused on avoiding unnecessary stress that might influence decision-making during the exam.
Simulate Exam Conditions: You should practice timed quizzes and mock examinations if you are going to sit for your exams during the preparation stage. In addition to improving your time management, this type of work also gets you familiar with the intensity of completing tasks within a given period. Many students prefer this method to surpass the US CMA passing score.

What is the US CMA Passing Score?

the scaled scoring model, strategies to achieve the us cma passing score.

Comprehensive Study Plan : Create a thorough study plan that encompasses all topics present in an exam.
Practice Questions : Repeatedly solve test questions so you can get used to how the exam must be done.
Mock Exams : Practise mock exam papers. These can give you an idea of what the actual exam may be like and what stage of preparation you have reached.
Focus on Weaker Areas : Identify, assess, and prioritise targeted improvements in your weak areas. This will help you improve upon your study strategy and get the US CMA passing score.
Time Management : As you progress through the mock tests and practice questions, keep an eye on how much time you spend on each section and what you can do to distribute it evenly.

Q.1. What is a US CMA passing score ?

Q.2. how is the us cma passing score calculated, q.3. how do i pass the cma exam on the first attempt, conclusion.

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