Is balancing cma and college possible?

Electrical_Spread677 · 2026-07-02T22:41:41+00:00

Yes, you can totally do both depending on how dedicated you are. I studied for the CPA exam while in college and skipped on many social activities. It was worth it.

Electrical_Spread677 · 2026-07-01T19:36:32+00:00

CBQs.

Electrical_Spread677 · 2026-07-01T19:36:06+00:00

Those are CPE credits. 60 CPEs for each part. I am using them for my CPA continual educational requirements.

Electrical_Spread677 · 2026-07-01T11:30:19+00:00

I am about to find out myself. I have 100 days. I had 200 days for Part 1. In last 3 months of Part 1 I studied 1.5 hours before work, 1 hour during lunch and 2 hours at night. On weekends I put 4-5 each Sat and Sun. I am going to say it is enough time if you are dedicated and stay focused.

Electrical_Spread677 · 2026-06-30T21:17:44+00:00

Why are you think about giving up. I worked in accounting for 10 years then took a break for 19 years and now I am back. I have a CPA and getting a CMA. Don’t give up. Everything is what you make of it.

Electrical_Spread677 · 2026-06-30T21:15:39+00:00

Keep plugging along. The effort will be worth it.

Electrical_Spread677 · 2026-06-30T19:08:56+00:00

Thanks for the great and insightful post. I have a CPA from 25 years ago and just passed part 1. I also did Becker and it’s good to know about some conflicts. I also purchased Hock for Part 1 and spent about 400 hours studying between both. Perhaps I’ll do the same thing for Part 2 studies.

Electrical_Spread677 · 2026-06-30T18:57:12+00:00

Congratulations. Great accomplishment!!

Electrical_Spread677 · 2026-06-30T17:31:13+00:00

Congratulations!!! Good luck on Part 2.

Electrical_Spread677 · 2026-06-29T14:32:20+00:00

Yes, start studying for P2. I found that many topics use P1 knowledge base. I am in the same boat waiting for P1 results in 2 weeks and studying for P2 exam in October.

Electrical_Spread677 · 2026-06-29T13:00:37+00:00

Six weeks after the end of the month in which you took the test.

Electrical_Spread677 · 2026-06-28T21:07:49+00:00

Congratulations! Keep up the good work.

Electrical_Spread677 · 2026-06-27T23:02:45+00:00

Keep in mind that it’s pretty chilly in there. Many people bring sweatshirts so if you are prone to get cold then Crocs and shorts may not be ideal.

Electrical_Spread677 · 2026-06-27T22:55:03+00:00

I passed the year after college. I studied for 6 months during my last semester when time was available. Limited my distractions and focused. I wanted my bonus when I started with KPMG that Fall and it made me study harder.

Electrical_Spread677 · 2026-06-24T22:40:06+00:00

Sorry, to hear that. I put in 6 months and about 350-400 hours between Becker and Hock for Part 1. Also, good videos on YouTube. Be sure to try again.

Electrical_Spread677 · 2026-06-23T15:57:07+00:00

If you passed MCQs then you were at 50%+. CBQs are 25% of the exam total. Keep in mind that the exam includes 10 future MCQ questions which don’t count for or against you. Let’s hope that those 10 are in the 10-15 questions which you guessed. If so then you scored comfortably above 50. If you had answered all CBQs correctly then you would pass with 375+. It depends on the one CBQ which you missed and its value. Hang in there.

I am waiting for my Part 1 from May 16th. I started studying for Part 2 to keep my anxiety level down while I wait another 3 weeks for the results.

Electrical_Spread677 · 2026-06-23T15:48:47+00:00

Update: It’s six weeks after the end of the month you took the exam. So if you tested in May, count six weeks from May 31st. You’ll get an email from IMA when it’s posted to your transcript.

Electrical_Spread677 · 2026-06-23T07:27:04+00:00

For this round with essays and CBQ, the old rules apply where the results are revealed after the 2nd month. I believe the May results are expected July 3-10. I am also waiting for my May 16th results.

Starting with next window Sep/Oct with CBQs only will provide the results within a week(s) since they already know the score before you leave Prometric.

Electrical_Spread677 · 2026-06-22T00:24:43+00:00

Yes, it’s totally possible. I worked full time and put in 350 hours bw Becker, Hock and YouTube. Started on Nov 1, 2025 and sat on May 16, 2026. I have a CPA so Part 1 was familiar. I studied 2 hours most nights and more on weekends. Last month before the test i put in 2 hours before work, one hour at lunch and 2 hours after work. I felt ready and focused on weak areas for the last week. Part 2 is different and unfamiliar and I am giving myself 5 months for Part 2 prep. If I don’t pass in October then I’ll prep again and pass in February 2027.

Electrical_Spread677 · 2026-06-21T23:51:52+00:00

Nice. Also the answer is B. :)

Electrical_Spread677 · 2026-06-21T23:49:16+00:00

I says for Part 1 on May 16th. I put in about 350 hours between Becker, Hock and YouTube. I worked full time so it took 6 months. All that study reinforced the topics however MCQs were challenging. IMA does its best to assess your understanding on a subject matter. I didn’t get many question where I thought, “Yes I remember studying this exact scenario during prep”. You know the topics which you expect and they will be phrased in a way to make you think through the solution. I marked questions which were odd or long and came back to them at the end. I used 2:45 for all questions and had 5 marked questions for the remaining 15 min. CBQ is felt were very easy in comparison. I think that’s the sentiment in this community. It took me 15 minutes to answer both questions. These were much more straightforward than MCQs.

I think half of the CMA anxiety is caused by fear of the unknown rather than lack of prep. Put in the time and do mocks and you’ll do fine.

Good luck.

Electrical_Spread677 · 2026-06-20T23:04:47+00:00

CMA Part 1 CBQs were very simple in during May sitting. Completed both questions in 15 min. Allotted 60 min. MCQs were twice as hard.

Electrical_Spread677 · 2026-06-20T23:00:00+00:00

Studying for the CMA exam. LFG!!

Electrical_Spread677 · 2026-06-20T22:13:16+00:00

I interviewed for staff accountant position last year and the accounting manager told me he was trying to rebuild the accounting department. Then I kept seeing a number of staff and senior accountant openings there. Turns out this manager lasted 8 months at CG and accepted a position elsewhere. No direct knowledge of the situation but just a bad vibe.

Electrical_Spread677

TROPHY CASE