How to Pass the CMA-- three simple steps

Now that I've been a CMA for nearly four months, I figure I can speak like an expert regarding my 14 months of work toward my CMA status...

Three simple (notice I didn't say easy) steps for passing the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exams:

1. Sacrifice

2. Study

3. Stick to It! (focus/perseverance)

a couple of my many scratch paper study notebooks

If you're considering earning your CMA, hopefully you're smarter than me (or at least a faster learner), because that will make it a better experience all around for everyone in your life.

You'll hopefully then require 

-less sacrifice: blocking off every Saturday, every morning before work, nearly every evening after work, etc. can get old pretty fast. This is the kind of sacrifice that includes everything from leaving your toilet dirty for an extra week to not going on fun trips with friends to reserving the luxury of cooking for rare and special occasions,

-fewer than 550 hours of studying-- instead of MORE, like me... :(  

and a -shorter time of intense focus on the exam materials (the more study required the greater endurance required).

My top study recommendations include:

1. Find a good study program (unless you're a genius and already know all the material-- then, just take the exams). I highly recommend Gleim.

2. Figure out what works best to help YOU learn the material. For example, Gleim offers a "handy" computerized calendar which will automatically send you annoying texts and emails to remind you when you're "behind" and should be studying more according to the automated schedule. This is one of the most unhelpful setups possible for me and my personal learning style. Therefore, I did not use the automated study calendar. Some of the best study helps I used included customized hand-written note cards, video lectures, scratch paper (no restraints; you can always plant another tree later after you finish studying), and reviewing all answered questions both correct and incorrect.

3. Periodically allow for study breaks. Come up for air; be human (or at least pretend you are) every once in a while. I typically didn't study on Friday evenings, and also took every Sunday off. I usually planned one special, small event for the weekend-- like going grocery shopping, or having dinner with friends one evening, or... cleaning the bathroom (okay, so maybe that was just a necessity not a fun event). The world will be a happier place if you take periodic study breaks. Just don't take too many ;).

4. Book some cheerleaders just-in-case. You might need some positive reinforcement some days-- depending on the day it might be someone who knows all about rigorous, academic accounting exams OR it might be someone who knows nothing at all about accounting. Both can be the best of encouragers depending on your situation.

5. Persevere. It will (hopefully) end... 

some.day.

in a good way.

Mine did. (after 14 intense months)

{and I'm elated, in case you can't tell}