Key Points on the new exam structure. To help you with the transition to the new
syllabus we have pulled out the key points you need to know about the exam ...
CIMA 2015 Syllabus
Kaplan’s Student Transitional Guidance
CIMA’s 2015 revised syllabus launch has created an exciting future for the qualification. At Kaplan we see it as a really positive step in delivering a Management Accountant with high quality technical skills and the ability to see the linkages in the workplace between financial accounts, management accounts and the enterprise’s operational and strategic issues. Strategic Case Study
Key Points on the new exam structure
E3
To help you with the transition to the new syllabus we have pulled out the key points you need to know about the exam structure along with our advice of what exams to take under the revised syllabus in 2015.
So what’s changing?
P3
F3
Management Case Study E2
All exams will now be taken on computer. The existing papers will be set as objective tests, with the addition of integrated case studies after each level is complete.
P2
F2
Operational Case Study E1
P1
F1
Objective Tests
Integrated Case Studies
The 9 existing pillar papers (Operational level E1,P1,F1, Management level E2,P2,F2, Strategic level E3,P3,F3) will now be referred to as subjects and will:
The main change in the new structure is the addition of 3 integrated case studies to be used for each level of the CIMA syllabus (Operational, Management and Strategic). The case study will test a candidate’s ability to apply all 3 subjects from that level to a business or industry scenario.
Remain largely unchanged in syllabus content Be tested by 90 minute, objective tests, sat on a computer Have exams ‘on demand’ with results available shortly after the end of the exam Consist of objective test questions, which are short questions that include multi choice, multi response, fill in the blank, true and false, data entry, rank, sort Focus on levels one, two and three of the CIMA hierarchy of verbs, but will also test levels four and five (e.g. analyse), especially at the Management and Strategic levels Under the new structure a level must be passed before moving up to the next level and there will no longer be an option to approach the exams in pillars
The Strategic integrated case study will replace T4 (part b) On completion of each level of objective tests an integrated case study will test a candidate’s ability to combine their knowledge and learning across the three pillars and will test a candidate’s ability to apply, analyse and evaluate The Operational Integrated Case Study could involve creating costings for a product (P1 task), followed by advising on how best to market the product (E1 task), followed by the impact on the financial statements of holding more inventory (F1 task) Achieved by setting a simulated business context relating to fictional organisations based on a real business or industry
3 hour duration, available during four 5-day exam windows (Feb/May/Aug/Nov) Sat on computer and will be marked by examiners Will include pre-seen material and unseen material available during the assessment and will comprise short answers and essays. There will be limited calculations Results available 3 weeks following the end of the exam window The integrated case study for a level has to be passed before moving on to the next level’s OT exams
Our recommendations for the transition Please read the guidance below on our recommended approach to transition. This is based on your exam position on 1st January 2015, assuming that you’ve not taken any exams in 2015.
If you require any more personal guidance, please speak to your local Kaplan centre, email or call us on:
[email protected]
Your position on 1st January 2015
01908 540 069
Advice for 2015 Move on to the Professional Qualification and attempt the Operational level.
All Certificate level papers completed
You can choose to study for one, two or three Operational Test (OT) exams at the same time. Once you've passed your three OT exams, study for the Operational Integrated Case Study.
Your position on 1st January 2015
Advice for 2015
Professional Competence Level (T4 part b) failed
Study for the Strategic Integrated Case Study.
Your position Advice for 2015 on 1st Jan 2015 Operational Level papers completed under the old syllabus Move on to the Management level.
E1
F1
P1
You can choose to study for one, two or three Management level (OT) exams at the same time. Once you’ve passed your three OT exams, study for the Management Integrated Case Study.
E1
If you have passed both E1 and F1, rather than having received an exemption, you can apply to CIMA for the Operational level waiver. This means you don’t have to take P1 and will move straight on to the Operational Integrated Case Study. You will need a basic knowledge of the P1 syllabus in order to sit the Case Study exam, please talk to your Kaplan Advisor about how we can support you with the knowledge gap. Note: You can still apply for the waiver even if you had attempted P1 in November but were unsuccessful.
F1
The waiver is not available to anyone who has been exempt from an Operational paper; in this circumstance you will need to study and pass your P1 OT before moving on to the Operational Case Study.
E1
P1
If you have passed both E1 and P1, rather than having received an exemption, you can apply to CIMA for the Operational level waiver. This means you don’t have to take F1 and will move straight on to the Operational Integrated Case Study. You will need a basic knowledge of the F1 syllabus in order to sit the Case Study exam, please talk to your Kaplan Advisor about how we can support you with the knowledge gap. Note: You can still apply for the waiver even if you had attempted F1 in November but were unsuccessful. The waiver is not available to anyone who has been exempt from an Operational paper; in this circumstance you will need to study and pass your F1 OT before moving on to the Operational Case Study.
F1
P1
If you have passed both F1 and P1, rather than having received an exemption, you can apply to CIMA for the Operational level waiver. This means you don’t have to take E1 and will move straight on to the Operational Integrated Case Study. You will need a basic knowledge of the E1 syllabus in order to sit the Case Study exam, please talk to your Kaplan Advisor about how we can support you with the knowledge gap. Note: You can still apply for the waiver even if you had attempted E1 in November but were unsuccessful. The waiver is not available to anyone who has been exempt from an Operational paper; in this circumstance you will need to study and pass your E1 OT before moving on to the Operational Case Study. Study for the P1 and F1 Objective Tests. You can take one at a time, or study for both together.
E1
Once you’ve passed your OT exams, study for the Operational Integrated Case Study. Study for the P1 and E1 Objective Tests. You can take one at a time, or study for both together.
F1
Once you’ve passed your OT exams, study for the Operational Integrated Case Study.
P1
Study for the E1 and F1 Objective Tests. You can take one at a time, or study for both together. Once you’ve passed your OT exams, study for the Operational Integrated Case Study.
Your position Advice for 2015 on 1st Jan 2015 Management Level papers completed under the old syllabus Move on to the Strategic level.
E2
F2
P2
You can choose to study for one, two or three Strategic Objective Test (OT) exam at the same time. Once you’ve passed your three OT exams, study for the Strategic Integrated Case Study.
E2
Study for the P2 Objective Test.
F2
E2
Once you’ve passed your OT exam, study for the Management Integrated Case Study.
P2 F2
P2
Study for the F2 Objective Test. Once you’ve passed your OT exam, study for the Management Integrated Case Study. Study for the E2 Objective Test. Once you’ve passed your OT exam, study for the Management Integrated Case Study. Study for the F2 and P2 Objective Tests. You can take one at a time, or study for both together.
E2
Once you’ve passed your OT exams, study for the Management Integrated Case Study. Study for the E2 and P2 Objective Tests. You can take one at a time, or study for both together.
F2
Once you’ve passed your OT exams, study for the Management Integrated Case Study.
P2
Study for the F2 and E2 Objective Tests. You can take one at a time, or study for both together. Once you’ve passed your OT exams, study for the Management Integrated Case Study.
Your position Advice for 2015 on 1st Jan 2015 Strategic Level papers completed under the old syllabus E3
F3
E3
F3
E3
P3
Study for the P3 Objective Test. Once you’ve passed your OT exam, study for the Strategic Integrated Case Study.
P3 F3
Study for the Strategic Integrated Case Study.
P3
Study for the F3 Objective Test. Once you’ve passed your OT exam, study for the Strategic Integrated Case Study. Study for the E3 Objective Test. Once you’ve passed your OT exam, study for the Strategic Integrated Case Study. Study for the P3 & F3 Objective Tests. You can take one at a time, or study for both together.
E3
Once you’ve passed your OT exams, study for the Strategic Integrated Case Study. Study for the P3 & E3 Objective Tests. You can take one at a time, or study for both together.
F3
Once you’ve passed your OT exams, study for the Strategic Integrated Case Study.
P3
Study for the E3 & F3 Objective Tests. You can take one at a time, or study for both together. Once you’ve passed your OT exams, study for the Strategic Integrated Case Study.
