ExamFinch.com My Study

Study guide

Exam Structure and Content Breakdown

Practice this exam

CMA Part 1 Certified Management Accountant

Track your progress as you read

Finished sections get a check mark.

1 Introduction

About the CMA Part 1 Exam Exam Structure and Content Breakdown Pass Rates and Scoring How to Use This Study Guide

2 1. External Financial Reporting Decisions

1.A Financial Statement Preparation 1.B Revenue Recognition 1.C Lease Accounting 1.D Inventory and Fixed Assets 1.E Financial Statement Analysis

3 Planning, Budgeting, and Forecasting

Strategic Planning Process Budgeting Methodologies Sales and Production Budgets Financial Budgets Forecasting Techniques

4 Performance Management

Variance Analysis Fundamentals Manufacturing Variances Responsibility Accounting Transfer Pricing Performance Measurement Systems

5 Cost Management

Cost Concepts and Classifications Job-Order and Process Costing Activity-Based Costing Cost-Volume-Profit Analysis Relevant Costing and Decision Making

6 Internal Controls

Internal Control Frameworks Enterprise Risk Management Internal Audit Function Governance and Compliance Fraud Prevention and Detection

7 Technology and Analytics

Data Governance and Management Business Intelligence and Dashboards Predictive Analytics and Modeling Data Visualization Best Practices Emerging Technologies in Finance

Exam Structure and Content Breakdown

Key Takeaways Explain This Topic AI

Six content domains: External Reporting (15%), Planning/Budgeting (20%), Performance Management (20%), Cost Management (15%), Internal Controls (15%), Technology/Analytics (15%).

Technology and Analytics weight has increased significantly to reflect modern data-driven decision making.

MCQ section: 3 hours for 100 questions; case-based section: 1 hour for 2 CBQ sets (about 30 minutes each).

Must earn at least 50% of the MCQ points to unlock the case-based section.

CBQs test how you apply concepts to a short business case through drag-and-drop, fill-in-the-blank, select-from-a-list and calculation items.

Last updated: November 2026

The CMA Part 1 exam is divided into two sections: multiple-choice questions and case-based questions (CBQs). Understanding the exact breakdown of content areas helps you allocate study time effectively.

Content Domain Weights (2024 Update)

  • Domain Weight Description
  • External Financial Reporting Decisions 15% GAAP, IFRS, financial statement preparation
  • Planning, Budgeting, and Forecasting 20% Budgeting processes, forecasting, strategic planning
  • Performance Management 20% Variance analysis, KPIs, responsibility accounting
  • Cost Management 15% Costing methods, cost behavior, CVP analysis
  • Internal Controls 15% Risk management, compliance, audit processes
  • Technology and Analytics 15% Data analytics, visualization, emerging technologies

Recent Change : The Technology and Analytics domain has been significantly updated to include AI, blockchain, predictive analytics, and business intelligence tools.

Section 1: Multiple-Choice Questions (3 hours)

  • Aspect Details
  • Total Questions 100 multiple-choice
  • Scored Questions All but a small number of unscored pretest items
  • Time Allotted 3 hours (180 minutes)
  • Passing Requirement Must earn at least 50% of the MCQ points to access the CBQs
  • Score Weight 75% of total exam score
  • Question Types
  • Recall questions : Direct knowledge testing
  • Application questions : Applying concepts to scenarios
  • Analysis questions : Interpreting data and making decisions
  • Section 2: Case-Based Questions (1 hour)
  • Aspect Details
  • Total Sets 2 CBQ sets
  • Case Length About 250 words per business case
  • Item Types Drag and drop, fill in the blank, select from a list, calculation
  • Time Allotted 1 hour (plan about 30 minutes per set)
  • Score Weight 25% of total exam score (the same weight the essays carried)
  • How CBQs Are Scored
  • Points per item - You earn points for each correct response
  • Partial credit - Available on CBQ items, as it was on essays
  • No penalty - Wrong answers do not subtract points, so answer every item
  • Results - Emailed and posted about two weeks after the end of the month you tested

Format history : Through the May/June 2026 window this section could be two essay scenarios. Essays remain on exams delivered in mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan; check your regional handbook if you test there.

  • Content Domain Details
  • Domain 1: External Financial Reporting Decisions (15%)

Topics include:

  • Financial statement preparation under GAAP and IFRS
  • Revenue recognition (ASC 606)
  • Lease accounting (ASC 842)
  • Inventory valuation methods
  • Fixed asset accounting and depreciation
  • Financial statement analysis and ratios
  • Domain 2: Planning, Budgeting, and Forecasting (20%)

Topics include:

  • Strategic planning concepts
  • Budgeting methodologies (static, flexible, rolling, zero-based)
  • Forecasting techniques (qualitative and quantitative)
  • Pro forma financial statements
  • Annual profit planning
  • Top-down vs. bottom-up budgeting
  • Domain 3: Performance Management (20%)

Topics include:

  • Variance analysis (flexible budget variances, sales variances)
  • Responsibility centers (cost, profit, investment centers)
  • Transfer pricing
  • Key performance indicators (KPIs)
  • Balanced scorecard
  • Benchmarking and performance measurement
  • Domain 4: Cost Management (15%)

Topics include:

  • Cost concepts and classifications
  • Job-order and process costing
  • Activity-based costing (ABC)
  • Cost-volume-profit (CVP) analysis
  • Relevant costing for decision making
  • Supply chain management
  • Domain 5: Internal Controls (15%)

Topics include:

  • Internal control frameworks (COSO)
  • Enterprise risk management
  • Internal audit function
  • Compliance and governance
  • Fraud prevention and detection
  • Information systems controls
  • Domain 6: Technology and Analytics (15%)

Topics include:

  • Data governance and management
  • Business intelligence and dashboards
  • Predictive analytics and modeling
  • Data visualization best practices
  • Emerging technologies (AI, blockchain, RPA)
  • Cybersecurity and data privacy

CMA Part 1 Content Domain Weights (%)

Sections you finish are checked off in the contents.

  • Up Next
  • Pass Rates and Scoring
  • Continue learning