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CIMA Exam Results and a Look at the Grading Mechanism

By Stephanie Ng
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Eager to find out when you will get the CIMA exam results, and how to interpret the performance report?

CIMA Exam Results for Objective Tests

Since the implementation of the new format, it is the easiest and fastest to get the CIMA objective test exam results — you get a “pass” or “fall” grade immediately after the computerized exam.

After 48 hours, you will receive an email, confirming that CIMA exam results breakdown is available in the MYCIMA portal.

CIMA Exam Results Breakdown

The results are shown in a table format, listing the subject areas in the objective test.

Each subject area is marked “proficient” or “not proficient”, with more detailed comments on how you can improve.

Here is a sample showing the candidate getting a “not proficient” in Financial Reporting:

Image courtesy of thecimastudent.com

If you’d like to have a glimpse at how the full performance report looks like, check out this official video from the CIMA:

A Note on CIMA Exam Pass Mark

The CIMA states that you need a 70% accuracy to pass each objective test. At the same time, they tell you the CIMA exam pass mark is 100.

Please understand that you are given a scaled score ranging from 0 to 150. The emphasis is that this score is scaled, meaning that you cannot figure out your percentage accuracy by a straight formula. In fact, if you try to divide 100 by 150, you get 66.7% instead of 70%.

The scaling is a way for CIMA to balance the more difficult questions with the easier questions . The system weighs difficult questions slightly more, such that students who got a few more difficult questions wrong would still score the same as those getting more easier questions right.

CIMA Case Study Results

The questions in case study exams are more complex. Human graders instead of computers mark this exam, and therefore, we need to wait for approximately 5 weeks after the end of the testing window to get the results.

Similar to the objective test, the performance report is available on the MyCIMA portal, and is presented in the form of a table. We will see “Strong”, “Moderate” or “Fail” in each of the 5 competencies.

In this example, the table is showing “Moderate” under technical skills is marked “Moderate”, with details on areas of improvement:

For those who would like to know the technical side of grading, here is a detailed explanation by the CIMA:

A Note on CIMA Case Study Pass Mark

The pass mark for case study is 80, out of a scaled score of 0 to 150. The candidate must also score a “Moderate” or “Strong” across all competencies in order to pass the case study exam. This is to ensure that the candidate is not weak in a particular area and that he/she is “business ready”.

Even if you pass, take a look at the performance report for rooms of improvement. This will only help you in the next CIMA case study exam.

Is This helpful?

I hope the discussion on CIMA exam grading and results is helpful in preparing psychologically for this exam. If you have any questions, please drop a note in the comment section. Thank you and good luck!

For Your Further Reading

Frequently asked questions on the CIMA exam
CIMA exam historical pass rates

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.

Approved CIMA Exam Calculator (+ My Recommendation)

CIMA Practice Exams and Online Course: A Comparison

How Hard is the CIMA Exam? 3 Ways to Find Out the Difficulty

Your Quick Guide To Passing The CIMA Case Study Exams In 2024

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MJ THE TUTOR

Cima exam support and preparation, a brief look at how the case study scaling mark works – how does 100 equate to 150.

*This post has been updated on 24 August 2020 to cover the 2019 CIMA syllabus and exam changes.

Thank you for Saturday’s class.

I am re-taking MCS this sitting and I have a question with regards scoring.

Last time I sat the May exam, I did not make it and only got 77. I failed because I was below the minimum 80 while the max score was 150.

In the masterclass, you mentioned having an available 100 marks, but how does the 100 marks reconcile back to the scaled 150 score?

Best regards John

You are very perceptive. I intentionally did not focus too much time on the link between the 100 marks to 150 scaled score in the masterclass. Although it is not an overly complicated process, I didn’t want students spending many restless nights understanding scaling when content and exam preparation should be given more attention.

I will try and explain the case study scoring in simpler terms with an example below. The main thing in any event is that you’ll need to try and score well for the 100 marks so that when it is scaled, you will still get a good scaled score.

So I will illustrate a sample MCS exam variant, where the exam is 3 hours = 180 mins. In that 180 mins, you need to make 100 marks. Let’s say that for this particular exam variant, the split of the question time is:

Q1 = 45 minutes = 25 marks Q2 = 45 minutes = 25 marks Q3 = 45 minutes = 25 marks Q4 = 45 minutes = 25 marks

You’ll note here that our planning of mark allocation in the masterclass is very similar to the above split.

CIMA scales the marks from 100 to 150 so as to even out the playing field. There are 3 variants on each exam sitting. Each variant has varying degree of difficulty. The uncertain part of the scoring comes in when you get whichever variant on the day of the exam.

Now in your last MCS exam that you took, I’m not sure if your specific variant was the easiest of the lot or in the middle of the pack or the most difficult one. If you scored just around 50/100 for it, there is a likely possibility that you’ve failed. CIMA themselves urge students to attempt to get at least 60% on a 100-mark exam. I am assuming here then that on average, when the 60/100 is scaled, you are around the 80/150 scaled mark.

If your mark was close to the 60/100 level, let’s say around 57-62%, then there might be a chance that you did not pass, depending on the exam variant that you got on the exam day. So do be careful about scoring just enough. The goal should be to score better than 60/100. The truth of the matter is that if you obtain a good mark, then there is really no way that it could be scaled into a fail.

I hope this helps you understand the scoring a bit.

Your tutor MJ

PS It might also be a good idea to know about the core activities and the level of answers that gain you the best marks – check those out here .

To see CIMA’s take on the Case Study Exam Results, check out this video: https://youtu.be/YEGqXfjQ_y4

>> Need more practice mocks to get a better score? Check out Astranti’s OCS Mock Exams , MCS Mock Exams , or SCS Mock Exams .

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5 thoughts on “ A Brief Look at How the Case Study Scaling Mark Works – How Does 100 Equate to 150? ”

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How are CIMA Case Study Exams Marked?

In the cima exam, it’s essential to consider the question “how are cima case study exams marked” looking at how each section is marked and what you need to pass..

When sitting a professional exam like CIMA, it’s essential to consider the question “How are CIMA Case Study Exams Marked?” looking at how each section of the test is marked and what you need to do to pass. Read on to find out more about your CIMA case study exams. The assessment of a CIMA qualification is done through two tests – the Objective Test (OT) and an integrated case study exam. Once a learner finishes three OT exams, the next step is to pass the case study exam for each level: operational, management and strategic.

Learners can only advance to the next qualification level if they’ve passed both. OT exams are subject to a unique grading called a scaled scoring system. This system ensures that candidates get a comparable score across the different versions of the same exam. We’ve previously covered how OT exams are marked, but here is the discussion in case you missed it. In this blog, we focus on marking the CIMA case study exams.

CIMA Case Study Exams

CIMA case study exams test a wide range of skills, including communication skills, research & analysis, and information presentation. These exams are meant to gauge your application ability of the concepts and theories you’ve learned during the OT exams in real-life situations.

Case study exams don’t involve much calculation but instead, how to analyse and comment on presented financial data. When a student fails in CIMA exams, the reason is often due to the case study exams. Examiners attribute this to the lack of understanding of what is tested and how the exams are evaluated. Therefore, getting a solid grasp of the concept of a case study exam guarantees a pass.

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Cima syllabus changes and how they affect case study exams.

In 2019, CIMA adopted a new syllabus to adjust to the shift in the marketplace. The change mainly affected OT exams because they introduced new content. On the other hand, the case study exams remained largely unaffected except for the changed marking scheme.

Structure of the CIMA case study exam

Pre-seen material.

Six weeks before the exam window, the pre-seen material is sent to learners. It describes a business scenario designed to give a learner perspective on financial records and details of a fictional company.

Exam format

The CIMA case study exam questions are essay-based, so they are more complex than the OTs, but don’t let that scare you. It’s nothing you haven’t covered before. The case study exam reflects a real-life business environment involving time-bound tasks based on the pre-seen material. In each question, you’ll encounter an unseen aspect that you’ll have to factor in when answering.

Case study exams are computer-based and administered over three days in four windows each year-end of Feb, May, Aug, and Nov. Three hours are allocated for the exam. Time is divided accordingly, and each question has a dedicated duration you can spend on it. After the time limit has been reached, you are moved to another question with no option to revisit the question. There are different versions of the exam, so the probability of the person next to you having the same question is low. The number of questions in the case study exam is between 3 and 5, depending on your level.

CIMA case study exams marking

The marking of case study exams is done manually. The results are then released 5 weeks after sitting the exam. You get a mark out of 150, where a score of 80 and above is a pass (53.333%). You also need to attain a minimum threshold score across all competencies. This score is approximately 1/3 of the total marks allocated for each competency.

Let’s consider a case where 20 marks are allocated for technical skills. In this case, you need to get a minimum score of 6.7 to qualify for a pass. This evaluation ensures a learner is ‘business ready’ in all aspects. The marking process is comprehensive and rigorous to ensure the learner’s performance reflects their ability. Moderation checks are done to eliminate any errors that could have occurred in the marking process.

Below is an excerpt (explaining the marking process) that was obtained from a past Examiner Report:

‘The weighting attached to each sub-task was stated, and candidates were advised to allocate the time available for each sub-task based on those weightings. Markers were instructed to adopt a holistic approach to marking, which meant that the answer to each sub-task was read and judged on its merits. Markers were provided with specific guidance regarding the characteristics of level 1, level 2 and level 3 answers for each separate sub-task. As always, the key to achieving a passing mark or better is to answer the question as set. Higher marks are awarded to fuller answers that are relevant and correct.’

After completing the marking, results are carefully and thoroughly evaluated to ensure accuracy. They are recorded and then published. Candidates receive a pass/fail decision and a scaled score on results day.

Final thoughts

We hope this guide on the CIMA case study exam marking helps you prepare for the exam. Check out our tips on passing the case study exam to help you fully understand the marking system for CIMA.

Read more: 7 Ways to Pass Your CIMA Case Study Exams

Everything You Need to Know About Accounting Standards

What is scaled scoring for cima ot exams, current ratio & quick ratio: use of liquidity ratios, cima exams: new resources to pass ot & case study, cima classroom vs. online learning: which is better for you.

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Understand the three Case Study levels

Each Case Study exam lasts three hours, with multiple tasks of equal lengths. There is a natural progression to the levels — Operational, Management and Strategic — that simulate how work as a management accountant progresses. To reach the Case Study level, you will have already passed the Objective Tests, which focus on ensuring that you have acquired the knowledge and skills for each pillar. Case Study exams are more about interpreting data and require practical answers to practical questions and simulate real-life business scenarios.

Operational Case Study (OCS)

Focus — The short-term role of the finance officer and the implementation of decisions.

Skills you need to convey — How to work with others in the organisation and use appropriate data and technology to translate medium-term decisions into short-term actionable plans.

Stats — Three-hour exam containing four tasks related to the enterprise, performance, and financial pillars; allotted 45 minutes per task, each task has two to three sub-tasks.

Management Case Study (MCS)

Focus — The role of the finance manager involves translating long-term decisions into medium-term plans.

Skills you need to convey — How to use data and relevant technology to manage organisational and individual performance; allocate resources to implement decisions; monitor and report the implementation of decisions; prepare and interpret financial statements to show performance.

Strategic Case Study (SCS)

Focus — The role of the senior finance manager entails long-term strategic decision-making.

Skills you need to convey — How to support organisational leaders to craft strategy and evaluate and manage risks that might prevent the successful implementation of strategy, including sourcing financial resources; value the organisations.

Stats — Three-hour exam containing three tasks related to the enterprise, performance, and financial pillars; allotted one-hour per task, each task has two to three sub-tasks.

Understand the Case Study exam cycle

Understand the pre-seen materials

Pre-seen materials — known as ‘preseens’ — are background information about the fictitious organisation featured in the Case Study exam. This information forms the basis of the tasks you can expect to see in the exam. The preseen tells the story of the company, including the industry and context in which it operates, its financial statements, management accounts, markets and competitors. Preseens are usually 26–30 pages long. Key tips include:

• Be ready — Familiarise yourself with the company, industry and current events.

• Analyse — Perform an analysis such as strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) or political, economic, social and technological (PEST); review financial statements and reporting issues. The end of the preseen will contain live issues regarding what is happening in the industry. For instance, a new standard may have come out that will change reporting standards from the current year to the next and that the Case Study exam must address.

• Cross-reference with the blueprint — Being able to know what you can do is critical. Can you discuss finance options, dividend policy or evaluate digital strategies?

Tackling ‘I can’ from each of the core activities in each of the sections is necessary for success. For instance:

• I can identify relevant costs and benefits. • I can advise on the communication process. • I can recommend a dividend policy. • I can use appropriate technologies to gather data for costing purposes, from digital and other sources.

Have a broad syllabus knowledge and know your company intrinsically.

You become the person when you role-play the exam. Avoid prefabricated answers, as the exam will have details not included in the preseens. Your answers have to be relevant to the question.

Plan your exam approach Manage your time — If you can complete a section early, that time does not get applied to the next section. We suggest spending all of your allotted time within the section.

Keep your answers real and relevant — Remember, this is a role-based exam; identify one or more factors that might be relevant, then explain why that approach would be relevant. The more tangible details you provide, the higher you are likely to score. Do not offer irrelevant arguments for the sake of padding your answers. Aim for neat, discreet paragraphs.

Understand the scoring — People mark the exams, and the pass rate is 60%. Even though a scale is scored 80 out of 150, 60% is the pass rate.

The sub-tasks will be weighted differently. Each case will contain tasks from all five of the core activities:

• Evaluate opportunities to add value. • Implement senior management decisions. • Manage performance and costs to aid value creation. • Measure performance. • Manage internal and external stakeholder.

Scoring example

As the MCS Examiner said: “For a 12-mark answer, it might be possible to identify, say, four issues. A candidate who aims to write about four topics only has to score three marks for each to obtain full marks.”

You have all the tools you need to do well on the CIMA Case Study exams. From all of us at the Association, we wish you the very best for your next Case Study exam.

• The content of this article is based on a Case Study Masterclass webinar delivered by CIMA and BPP in November 2020

CIMA CURRENT ADVICE

Should you sit your case study exam online?

Many students do have a successful experience sitting their case study exams online. However, due to the less controlled environment of the online setting and the need for a continuous and regular internet connection, there are some students who have a disrupted exam experience. Test centres offer a reliable, controlled environment in which to take a test. Where possible, if you feel comfortable travelling to a test centre and feel at ease with the safety and hygiene procedures that have been made available in test centres as a result of the COVID19 pandemic, we recommend that you take your case study in a test centre.

Pearson Vue have more information on the measures that have been put in place.

Privacy Overview

Examiner's advice on common mistakes in CIMA's CGMA Case Study exams

CIMA® CGMA Case Study (CS) examinations are designed to challenge candidates to provide solutions to the type of problems that they would encounter in the workplace for the job role matched to the level of the professional qualification. The examination uses a simulated Case Study to provide a rich, immersive scenario to prepare and to provide a context for the tasks in the examination.

The scenarios are developed around today’s modern business environment and the challenges that candidates will face, allowing them to demonstrate the core activities that have been employers have identified as critical. Examination tasks will be practical and applied, not theoretical or academic.

Therefore, to be successful, you will have to perform the core activities (in the Exam Blueprints ) in the same way and to the same standards that would be valid and valued in the workplace. The Examiner’s Report is one of the most important resources that would help you produce an answer that would score highly. CIMA publishes a comprehensive Examiner’s Report for each level and you may read it in the study guide exam window of Study Hub under the ‘Full Post-Exam Support Materials’.

Examiners have identified four common mistakes across all three levels, not only under the 2019 Professional Qualification (PQ) but also under the 2015 PQ — candidates keep failing CIMA's CGMA CS Exams for the same reasons despite the syllabus change! If a candidate scores low marks (e.g., score at a level 1 on a given trait), it is likely that they did one or all of the following:

Failed to answer the question that was asked.
Demonstrated limited technical ability (i.e., gaps in knowledge or understanding).
Provided insufficient justification for arguments.
Failed to reflect the scenario or the specifics of the organisation and its environment.

As always, the key to achieving a passing mark or better is to answer the question as set. Higher marks are awarded to fuller answers that are relevant and correct.

‘To achieve a level 3 in most traits, it was expected that you would demonstrate good technical understanding of the topic being tested through clear and comprehensive discussion, and where asked, justify your answer. The answer should, of course, be applied to the organisation (both pre-seen and unseen materials) and the particular scenario within the task’. — Examiner

These are the top 5 expectations of the examiners in your CS Exam answers. You answer should:

Be relevant to the requirement.
Demonstrate the necessary technical knowledge of the syllabus content.
Demonstrate your ability to apply that knowledge to a specific scenario, as specified in the case.
Be well-structured , with good use of paragraphs to clarify the development of an explanation.
Contain justification of the arguments made in the answer.

To achieve this, below are the top 10 recommendations by the examiners.

Before the exam

Revise study materials thoroughly. Candidates should study all areas of the syllabus and ensure that all three pillars are covered. It is risky to skip topics, even if they are difficult.
Read the pre-seen material carefully and think about it. Think about the industry and the entity. That is important because the tasks are all about the application to the scenario, which could mean that the technical issues have to be applied in a particular way.
Practise tasks from past case studies and reflect on whether your answers are full and relevant. Take the time to type or write full answers. You need not necessarily do so under exam conditions at first because part of the value of this exercise is to ensure that you can interpret and answer questions correctly, within the time allowed.

During the exam

Plan your answers during the exam and pay close attention to timings. It is very helpful when constructing your answer that it has a logical structure. Typing an outline answer plan at the start of each task or requirement will help you to plan the structure and reduce the risk of forgetting any good points.
Use time wisely. The tasks are subdivided into separate requirements, with recommendations as to the weighting for each requirement. If you have, say, 24 minutes available for a requirement then you should aim to spend roughly that amount of time on it. It is probably unwise to pinch time from another requirement to make that answer as full as it can possibly be. If you run out of ideas before the time has elapsed, then it might be better to spend some of the time left thinking about possible ways of expanding that answer, rather than returning to an easier requirement. It is, of course, worth using the whole time allowed for each task, even if that does mean reviewing and expanding answers.
Answer the question. No matter how obvious that seems, markers regularly observe that candidates often fail to respond to the specific question requirements. Revising for the CS Exams requires that you study and learn several models and theories for each of the three pillars. Tasks will generally expect that these models and theories will provide a suitable structure for answers, but the key is to apply that knowledge to the scenario. Candidates frequently offer detailed summaries of syllabus content, with little or no reference to the scenario. Answers must relate to the scenarios to earn a passing score.

‘There were many examples where candidates answered the task that they had prepared for and wished they had been asked, rather than what they were asked. Preparation, ahead of sitting the exam is to be applauded, but candidates need to mindful that they must tailor their answer to address the task given to them on the day. Candidates need to read the task very carefully to ensure that they do not end up wasting time’. — Examiner

Application to the scenario is key. It must be stressed that demonstrating good technical understanding is not enough on its own to pass. Candidates need to demonstrate technical understanding in the context of the scenario and the particulars of the issue addressed. Information given to candidates as part of the task is there for a reason and should be, as far as possible, incorporated into answers, along with relevant information from the pre-seen. Clearly, where there are gaps in knowledge, the application is not possible and therefore the importance of candidates ensuring that their knowledge base is complete needs to be stressed.
Commit to an argument. Some answers are weaker because they seem to have been written to avoid contradicting the examiner’s suggested solution. Remember that the marker will mark answers on their merits. There can sometimes be more than one correct answer in business. If you are unsure, then invest a minute or two in thinking and developing an argument rather than typing something vague and unhelpful.
Keep your answer relevant. No matter how tempting it is, do not waste time in providing irrelevant material that does not answer the question. Candidates for the CS Exams often investigate the industry and learn about recent events in the business news. The insights from such background research can often help develop answers. However, the danger is that candidates often feel obliged to offer real-world examples that do not relate to the task. Credit is given for all relevant points made in the answer, including illustrations from the real world. Irrelevant points will simply waste time, even if they demonstrate prior reading.

‘You are able to explain with clarity and comprehensively, rather than making unsupported statements. Writing comments such as, “this improves decision making”, “this graph is essential” or “planning is enhanced” are not enough to gain any marks. Candidates must explain “how” and= ‘’why’’ this is the case. Explanations can quite often be improved by adding, “because of …” at the end of a sentence. Explanations should also utilise the information given to you within the case study itself, especially financial information. For example, reasons for variances are often given to you in the unseen information, the skill is to pick this out and use it’. — Examiner

Make sure the presentation and tone are right. Marks are not allocated for setting out documents in a specific way. Similarly, it may be necessary to answer in a manner that could prove unpopular with senior managers, perhaps by recommending the rejection of a proposal made by one of the directors (note: more applicable to SCS Exam). The best way to deal with that is to offer a clear and relevant argument that satisfies the requirement. We recommend that you read the examiner’s report in conjunction with the examiner’s suggested answers and marking guidance.

Note: This article is commissioned using extracts directly from the Examiner’s Reports across all three levels of CIMA's CGMA Case Study Examinations

COMMENTS

CIMA Exam Results and a Look at the Grading Mechanism
The pass mark for case study is 80, out of a scaled score of 0 to 150. The candidate must also score a “Moderate” or “Strong” across all competencies in order to pass the case study exam. This is to ensure that the candidate is not weak in a particular area and that he/she is “business ready”.
Quick Guide to Passing the CIMA Case Study Exams in 2024
The case study is TOTALLY different to any CIMA exams you’ve sat before, so you need a new way of doing things. This definitive guide will answer all of your burning questions about the CIMA case study exams, giving you the BEST chance at success. 1. CIMA case study exam basics.
Mastering the CIMA Case Study: Your Complete Guide to Success
You will get a mark out of 150, according to a scaled score. 80 is the passing mark (around 53%). But you need to demonstrate a minimum threshold score for each competency and integration (approximately 1/3 f the total marks available for each competency.
A Brief Look at How the Case Study Scaling Mark Works – How ...
CIMA scales the marks from 100 to 150 so as to even out the playing field. There are 3 variants on each exam sitting. Each variant has varying degree of difficulty. The uncertain part of the scoring comes in when you get whichever variant on the day of the exam.
How are CIMA Case Study Exams Marked? - Learnsignal
The marking of case study exams is done manually. The results are then released 5 weeks after sitting the exam. You get a mark out of 150, where a score of 80 and above is a pass (53.333%). You also need to attain a minimum threshold score across all competencies.
Case Study support 1 – preparing for the Case Study exam
CIMA describes the case study exam as a “role simulation”. It requires candidates to “respond to authentic work-based activities presented during the examination, drawing together learning from each of the three subjects to provide solutions to the issues and challenges presented”.
Passing the CIMA case study exams - PQ Magazine
Understand the three Case Study levels. Each Case Study exam lasts three hours, with multiple tasks of equal lengths. There is a natural progression to the levels — Operational, Management and Strategic — that simulate how work as a management accountant progresses.
Examiner's advice on common mistakes in CIMA's CGMA Case ...
CIMA® CGMA Case Study (CS) examinations are designed to challenge candidates to provide solutions to the type of problems that they would encounter in the workplace for the job role matched to the level of the professional qualification.
CIMA Management case study exam explained - Kaplan
There are 5 at management level: Evaluate opportunities to add value. Implement senior management decisions. Manage performance and costs to aid value creation. Measure performance. Manage internal and external stakeholders. Each task will be made up of sub-tasks that cover one or more core activities.
Understanding Scaled Scores - Practice Tests Academy
Have a look how it appears in reality: To pass an objective test exam, you must achieve a scaled score of 100 or more out of 150, which makes a passing score 67% (as opposed to 70% previously). Each candidate has a different set of 60 questions.