CMA case-based questions (CBQs) present a short business scenario followed by linked tasks. You might calculate a value, choose an answer from a list or match information. Each CMA exam part in the case-based format has 100 multiple-choice questions followed by two case sets, with four hours for the examination.
The examples below show how the same facts can lead to several different questions. Try the tasks before opening the explanations. This guide covers IMA’s US Certified Management Accountant examination.
Format reference: IMA/ICMA’s current CMA examination handbook.
CMA Case-Based Question Format at a Glance
Each case gives you a business situation and the information needed for its questions. IMA describes a case of approximately 250 words followed by an integrated set of no more than seven questions. Supporting information may include an exhibit or a small financial schedule.
| Component | Structure and time |
|---|---|
| Multiple-choice section | 100 questions, with three hours allocated. |
| Case-based section | Two case sets, with one hour allocated to both together. |
| Overall examination | Four hours per part. Unused MCQ time carries into the case-based section. |
Sources: IMA’s CBQ structure guidance and timing guidance.
Check your format: some testing locations and languages follow different transition schedules. Follow the current IMA handbook and the format shown for your appointment.
The Syllabus Still Determines What to Study
CBQs test application of the CMA subjects. Budgeting, controls, financial analysis and investment decisions can appear through business scenarios. The response format changes how you demonstrate your knowledge.
Use our CMA Part 1 and Part 2 syllabus guide for the complete domains and weights. The short cases here illustrate selected topics.
What Do the Response Types Look Like?
Read the instruction for each task. A numerical box asks for a value. A selection task may ask for one answer or a specified number of answers. Matching and sequencing tasks ask you to connect or order the information provided.
| Response | What you do |
|---|---|
| Numerical entry | Calculate a budget or present value, then enter the result using the stated units and rounding. |
| Select from a list | Choose the description that correctly explains a variance or decision. |
| Multiple response | Select the requested number of supported conclusions or next actions. |
| Matching or ordering | Connect a risk with its effect, or put the supplied steps in order. |
IMA’s structure guidance identifies drag-and-drop, fill-in-the-blank, selection and numerical-entry tasks. Use the official Prometric CBQ simulation to become familiar with the actual controls.
“Before calculating, identify the decision the question asks you to make and the facts that affect it. A correct formula applied to the wrong information still gives the wrong answer.”
Shyam Sarrof, CMA (USA), CPA (USA)
Part 1 Case: Did Higher Costs Mean Overspending?
A manufacturer planned to produce 10,000 units. Its budget allowed variable production costs of $6 per unit and fixed production costs of $20,000. It produced 12,000 units, spending $78,000 on variable production costs and $21,000 on fixed production costs.
The manager compares the $99,000 actual total with the original $80,000 budget and calls the entire $19,000 difference overspending. Assume the $6 variable-cost standard remains valid at actual output, and fixed costs should remain $20,000 within this activity range.
| Item | Budget | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| Production | 10,000 units | 12,000 units |
| Variable costs | $6 per unit | $78,000 total |
| Fixed costs | $20,000 | $21,000 |
Try These Four Linked Tasks
- Numerical entry: What is the total flexible budget for 12,000 units? Enter whole dollars.
- Select one: Actual variable costs compared with the flexible budget are:
- Select one: Which statement is supported?
- Select two: Which checks would help investigate the spending difference?
Show Part 1 answers and workings
1. $92,000. Variable costs allowed = 12,000 units x $6 = $72,000. Add $20,000 fixed costs. The flexible budget is $92,000.
2. B: $6,000 unfavourable. Actual variable costs of $78,000 exceed the $72,000 allowed at actual output. Comparing with the original $60,000 variable budget would mix activity growth with the spending difference.
3. B. The extra 2,000 units account for $12,000 of budgeted variable costs. The remaining $7,000 comprises $6,000 in variable costs and $1,000 in fixed costs above the flexible budget. The fixed-cost increase needs its own explanation.
4. A and B. Quantities, prices, invoices and approvals can help establish the cause. The figures alone do not establish waste, misconduct or a justified budget increase.
What this tests: choosing the correct comparison before interpreting a cost variance. Here, actual costs should be compared with the budget flexed to actual activity.
Topic connection: Part 1 planning, budgeting and performance management. This shortened illustration is not a full-length exam case.
Part 2 Case: Should the Business Accept an Investment?
A company is considering equipment that costs $100,000 immediately. It expects net cash inflows of $60,000, $40,000 and $30,000 at the ends of years 1, 2 and 3. Its required return is 10%. The company’s financial rule is to accept a stand-alone project with a positive net present value.
Assume there are no additional tax effects, working-capital changes or salvage proceeds. For these tasks, use the rounded discount factors in the exhibit. Treat each question as answerable from the original case information.
| Year | Net inflow | PV factor |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $60,000 | 0.9091 |
| 2 | $40,000 | 0.8264 |
| 3 | $30,000 | 0.7513 |
Try These Four Linked Tasks
- Numerical entry: Calculate NPV using the supplied factors. Enter whole dollars.
- Select one: Under the stated financial rule, should the company accept or reject the project?
- Numerical entry: What is the undiscounted payback period in years?
- Match the effect: Holding the other assumptions constant, match each change to its NPV effect: A. Lower year-3 cash inflow. B. Higher initial equipment cost. Choices: increases NPV, decreases NPV, no change. A choice may be used more than once.
Show Part 2 answers and workings
1. $10,141. The present values are $60,000 x 0.9091 = $54,546, $40,000 x 0.8264 = $33,056 and $30,000 x 0.7513 = $22,539. Total present value is $110,141. Subtract the $100,000 initial outlay to obtain NPV of $10,141.
2. Accept. NPV is positive using the required return and supplied assumptions. A real investment review would also test the forecasts and operational risks before committing funds.
3. Two years. The first two years return $60,000 + $40,000 = $100,000. This is undiscounted payback. It ignores the time value of money and the year-3 inflow, so it answers a different question from NPV.
4. Both A and B decrease NPV. A lower future inflow reduces discounted benefits. A larger initial payment increases the amount deducted from those benefits.
What this tests: using the specified cash flows, interpreting the decision rule and distinguishing NPV from payback. Check whether a question gives rounded factors before choosing a rounding method.
Topic connection: Part 2 capital investment decisions. These selected topics are examples, not predictions of the questions on an appointment.
How Are CMA Case-Based Questions Scored and Timed?
You must earn at least 50% of the available MCQ points to access the case-based section. This is an access threshold. The final pass/fail result uses your combined performance across the examination, reported on a scaled score.
Exam weighting: MCQs contribute 75% of the total score; the case-based section contributes 25%. IMA confirms that the case-based section retains the former essay section’s weighting. See IMA’s weighting guidance and HOCK’s scoring explanation.
IMA states that CBQs award partial credit and that there is no penalty for wrong answers. Attempt the tasks you can answer, follow each instruction and keep moving if a calculation stalls. The public guidance does not provide a universal item-by-item formula for calculating partial credit yourself. Read IMA’s scoring and weighting guidance.
Plan Around Both Case Sets
The handbook suggests approximately 30 minutes per case set. Use that as a pacing check while allowing for differences between tasks. Any time remaining from the MCQ section is added to the CBQ hour. Once you leave MCQs, you cannot return to them.
Example: finishing MCQs with 15 minutes remaining gives you 75 minutes for the two case sets, rather than 60. Do not rush unanswered MCQs simply to create extra case time. Sources: IMA timing FAQ and the current handbook.
Passing Score and Results
The reporting scale is 0-500, with 360 or higher required to pass. Dividing 360 by 500 does not give a universal percentage-correct requirement. Your raw results are converted to a scaled score. IMA explains its grading process here.
The current handbook says CBQ results are normally emailed and posted to your profile approximately two weeks after the end of the month in which you tested. For appointment planning, see our CMA exam dates and booking guide.
How to Prepare for CMA Case-Based Questions
Practise the concepts and the response format together. Start with individual topics, then work through mixed cases where you have to decide which information matters.
Scan the tasks to see what they ask, read the relevant scenario and exhibits, then solve. If you understand a case more easily by reading its full narrative first, use that approach. Check your timing during practice rather than forcing one reading routine.
- Learn the topic. Be able to explain the rule or calculation before applying it in a case.
- Practise the response types. Check rounding, units, signs and how many selections each task requests.
- Work through complete cases. Use the scenario and exhibits to support every answer. A familiar keyword alone may not identify the right calculation.
- Add time pressure. Practise both case sets in one sitting after a substantial MCQ session. Use the official interface simulation as well.
- Review the cause of each error. Rework the task, then attempt a different scenario testing the same concept.
Use a Short Error Record
- Concept
- Revisit the rule. Can you explain why the formula or classification applies?
- Information selection
- Check which output level, period, cash flow or exhibit the task required.
- Calculation or entry
- Recheck units, signs, discount factors and rounding instructions.
- Timing
- Identify where you reread excessively or spent too long on one task.
Track the topics and errors you can correct consistently on unseen questions. A score on these two teaching cases cannot predict an examination pass. If you are still deciding your study sequence, our CMA Part 1 vs Part 2 guide compares the two parts.
Try the Official CMA Case-Based Simulation
Open Prometric’s ICMA page and select “CMA Simulation Exam with Case-Based Questions.” The page also lists an essay simulation, so choose the case-based link for the format covered here.
Use it to practise the testing interface and its controls. Our static examples explain the reasoning and calculations. They do not reproduce the official interface or form a full-length mock examination.
CMA Case-Based Question FAQs
Are CMA case-based questions harder than essays?
IMA says the format tests the same topics at the same difficulty level. Structured responses reduce the need for long written answers, but you still have to interpret a scenario and apply the correct accounting or financial concept. IMA’s statement on exam rigor.
Can I still use essay-based CMA study materials?
Current materials covering the relevant syllabus can still help you learn the underlying concepts. Add structured CBQ practice and interface familiarisation. Check the syllabus version and any content updates before relying on an older book.
Do I have to write long answers in a CBQ?
The case-based format uses structured tasks such as selection, matching and numerical entry. Follow the instruction on screen. The long explanations beneath our examples are teaching notes, not text you would type into a numerical answer box.
Does one wrong answer mean I lose the whole case?
IMA states that CBQs provide partial credit. Keep working through the remaining tasks. Avoid treating the entire case as lost because one question is difficult, and do not assume that every type of task has an identical credit calculation.
How many CBQ examples should I practise?
Use enough varied cases to cover the relevant subjects and response types. Review your mistakes, then try unseen cases under time pressure. The two illustrations here introduce the method. They do not cover the full syllabus or establish a readiness threshold.
Review Your CMA Case-Based Preparation
EduDelphi faculty can review practice-case calculations, interpretation errors and weaker syllabus areas, then recommend what to revisit. Preparation includes case-based practice, timed mocks and faculty feedback.
Bring a practice topic or a calculation you want to understand. Keep confidential examination content private. Explore our US CMA preparation options for the full training information.
EduDelphi / Delphi Training Center is an IMA Silver Approved CMA Course Provider. IMA awards the CMA credential and sets the examination requirements.
Discuss Your CMA Study Priorities
Ask about case-based practice and feedback on the topics you need to revisit.
Sources and Works Cited
Official examination guidance checked 3 November 2026. Follow your current IMA authorization and official updates for your appointment.
- IMA/ICMA. CMA Examination, current online Candidate Handbook. Examination structure, section navigation, pacing and results timing.
- IMA. How are case-based questions structured and how many are included? Case length, linked questions and response formats.
- IMA. How much time will I have to complete the case-based question section of the exam? Section timing and unused MCQ time.
- IMA. How does scoring and weighting work for the case-based question version? Access threshold, partial credit and wrong answers.
- IMA. How is my CMA exam graded? Scaled reporting and the passing score.
- IMA. Will case-based questions change the rigor of the exam? Content and difficulty.
- Prometric. Institute of Certified Management Accountants (ICMA). Official simulation links and testing-interface familiarisation.
The worked examples and their numerical assumptions are original EduDelphi teaching illustrations, not official IMA examination questions. They are shortened for explanation.
About the Author
The three editorial photographs are AI-generated illustrations. They do not depict actual EduDelphi learners or faculty.
