CMA Passing Score

Last Updated On -13 Jan 2025

Understanding the CMA passing score helps every applicant know the exam pattern, and get through the questions to secure decent marks.

The CMA exam is one of the most difficult and time-consuming financial exams. Many candidates inquire, "How is the CMA exam graded?", “What is the passing score”? Every applicant should be aware of the exam pattern and how to maximize their marks by understanding how grading is done. It also allows you to focus your attention on the most important areas of the exam and prioritize your time appropriately. This blog offers a concise description of how the CMA exam is assessed.

What does CMA mean?

CMA, or Certified Management Accountant courses are a global standard for management accountants and financial professionals looking to advance their careers. CMAs have substantial knowledge of not only basic financial accounting procedures but also commercial decision-making and strategic management.

The Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) provides the US CMA course in about 150 countries, and it is the top credential in the field of management and accounting.

In India, the Institute of Cost Accountants of India administers the CMA India course.

How are the Scores Calculated for CMA Exams?

The CMA pass mark is 360. The scores are on a scale of 0 to 500, with 500 representing the ideal score. Scores are adjusted to accommodate multiple versions of the test with different questions, which may vary in difficulty. In terms of weight, the first part is the most essential, accounting for 75% of the final score, while the second part is 25%. Both parts are graded on a scale of 0 to 500. Because all candidates are given different "forms" of the exam, they must obtain passing scores for each. This evens out the general complexity of the questions in each form.

A score of 360 represents the minimum passing scaled score. This allows applicants to see how they performed on the 360-point passing standard. One form may need a CMA US pass percentage of 75%,but another may require a CMA pass rate of 60%. For this reason, a standard scale score of 360 is used as a baseline. The score does not reflect the percentage of questions answered correctly.

What is the CMA Exam Paper Pattern?

The CMA examination paper is broken into two parts. The first part has 100 multiple-choice questions (MCQs). Candidates have three hours to solve these MCQs. Each question contains four answer alternatives, of which they must choose one. The plus side here is that there is no negative marking for incorrect responses, so it is highly recommended that you answer every question, regardless of whether you are certain of the answer or not, as doing so raises your chances of getting it correct by 25%.

The next part comprises the two CMA essay questions. You have thirty minutes to complete each essay. If you complete the MCQs within three hours, you can use the remaining time on the essay question. However, once you've done that, you won't be able to go back and check those MCQs, so be sure before moving on to the next part.

Note: To be qualified for the essay portion, you must answer a minimum of 50% of the MCQs correctly.

How to Pass the CMA Exams?

The Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) does not announce the minimum score required to pass each question because the difficulty of each question differs according to the candidate's performance. If you must set a target, aim to score more than 75% in both the MCQ and essay sections. Working out the combination and permutation during the exam is not only a waste of time, but it may also have an impact on the quality of your responses.

CMA Examination Grading System:

The CMA exam is graded in two parts, and each part is scored independently. Essays may be graded with partial credit. Points are awarded for correct, however there is no deduction for an incorrect answer. The exam grading is accounted for different versions of the test, for example, one version may require passing percentage of 75%, while another version may require onlr 60%.

For CMA USA, the exam is graded score from 0 to 500, with 360 being the minimum passing score or 70% overall. The exam is administered in two parts and the average pass rate for both the exams is 50%.
For CMA India, the exam is also graded from 0 to 500, with 360 being the passing score. The exam is divided in two parts, first section is worth 75% of total score, and then the second section is worth 25%.

After completing the exam, applicants receive a full assessment of their performance. The score report provides the candidate's acquired score for each part of the exam, as well as a performance evaluation outlining their strengths and shortcomings in each part. This evaluation can be quite beneficial for individuals who intend to repeat the exam, as it reveals areas where they must make improvements.

How to Retake the CMA Exams?

If a candidate does not pass the CMA exam on their first attempt, they can repeat it. However, they have to wait at least 30 days until they can retake the exam, and they can only do it three times in 12 months. If a candidate fails to pass the exam for the third time, they must wait one year before trying to take it again.

To summarize the CMA pass marks, applicants have to get a level of 360 to pass. The exam is graded using a scaled scoring method that takes into consideration the level of difficulty of the questions that candidates are given. After completing the exam, students receive a score report that includes a complete evaluation of their performance, which might be useful when retaking the exam. If you want to become a CMA, understanding the CMA exam passing score and grading procedure is important.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is a score of 250 points in MCQ preventing me from taking the essay part of the exam?

Your score is calculated based on how challenging your exam version is. The multiple-choice questions (MCQ) section accounts for 75% of your overall score, while the essay part accounts for 25%.