With two parts and roughly 150 to 200 hours each, the CMA is one of the more manageable professional credentials to combine with a full-time job. The key is to give each topic time in line with its exam weight, and to adjust your practice for the case-based format introduced in 2026.
CMA start-date planner
| Weeks needed | |
| Finish new material by | |
| Review and practice exams |
Three quarters of your hours go to learning new material and the final quarter to review and mock exams.
Part 1: hours by topic
Based on 180 hours, with 135 for new material and 45 for review and practice exams.
| Part 1 topic | Weight | Suggested hours |
|---|---|---|
| External Financial Reporting Decisions | 15% | 20 |
| Planning, Budgeting and Forecasting | 20% | 27 |
| Performance Management | 20% | 27 |
| Cost Management | 15% | 21 |
| Internal Controls | 15% | 20 |
| Technology and Analytics | 15% | 20 |
| Review and practice exams | – | 45 |
Part 2: hours by topic
| Part 2 topic | Weight | Suggested hours |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Statement Analysis | 20% | 27 |
| Corporate Finance | 20% | 27 |
| Decision Analysis | 25% | 34 |
| Risk Management | 10% | 13 |
| Investment Decisions | 10% | 14 |
| Professional Ethics | 15% | 20 |
| Review and practice exams | – | 45 |
Topic weights were unchanged by the 2026 format update.
A sample week at 12 hours
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| Monday | 1.5 h new topic reading |
| Tuesday | 1 h multiple-choice practice |
| Wednesday | 1.5 h new topic reading |
| Thursday | 1 h multiple-choice practice |
| Saturday | 4 h new topic plus one timed case set |
| Sunday | 3 h review of mistakes and weak areas |
What to change for case-based questions
- Multiple choice first. You need 50% on multiple choice to reach the cases, and it carries most of the marks.
- Practise numerical entry without options. Budget variances, ratios, NPV and IRR come up often in cases and leave no room for guessing.
- Read the case twice. Underline figures and constraints before answering. Most lost points come from missed details.
Read more about the new format in our CMA exam format guide, and check the 2027 testing windows.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours should I study for each CMA part?
Most candidates plan around 150 to 200 hours per part. Accounting graduates often need less for Part 1, while candidates new to corporate finance may need more for Part 2.
Which CMA part should I take first?
Many candidates start with Part 1 because its budgeting, cost management and reporting topics overlap with day-to-day accounting work. Others start with Part 2 if they are strongest in finance and decision analysis. IMA lets you take either part first.
Can I pass a CMA part in three months?
Yes, if you can study about 12 to 15 hours a week. At that pace, 150 to 180 hours fits into roughly 12 weeks.
Did the CMA syllabus change in 2026?
No. The 2026 update replaced essays with case-based questions, but the topics and their weights stayed the same.
How should I prepare for CMA case-based questions?
Master multiple choice first, since you need 50% there to reach the cases. Then practise timed case sets with numerical entry, especially on budgeting, variance analysis and capital budgeting.