Studying for the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exam is no easy feat. With its rigorous two-part structure, testing both financial management and decision-making skills, many candidates find themselves overwhelmed by the sheer volume of material.
In fact, fewer than 45% pass on their first try.
CMA Exam Academy is one prep course that aims to help you improve those odds, and I’m going to break it all down for you. From personalized coaching to detailed study plans, this program offers a lot. But is it the right fit for you?
Is CMA Exam Academy Right for You? Here’s How to Know
- If you struggle to stay motivated and need personalized guidance, then you could use CMA Exam Academy’s one-on-one coaching to get tailored advice and accountability throughout your study process.
- If you prefer a structured study plan that breaks down the exam material into manageable weekly chunks, then CMA Exam Academy’s 16-week Accelerator Program is an ideal fit to keep you on track and ensure steady progress.
- If you feel overwhelmed by multiple-choice questions, then you can benefit from CMA Exam Academy’s whiteboard explainer videos, which simplify complex questions with step-by-step walkthroughs.
- If you’re new to accounting or returning after a long break, then CMA Exam Academy’s comprehensive study materials, including video lessons and textbooks, will help you re-learn and strengthen foundational concepts.
- If you have a busy schedule but need to stay accountable, then CMA Exam Academy’s weekly progress check-ins and unlimited coaching support will ensure you stay on track without feeling overwhelmed.
- If you’re looking for extensive practice, then CMA Exam Academy’s test bank of over 4,000 multiple-choice questions and essay simulations will give you the preparation you need for exam day.
CMA Exam Academy Course Highlights
The CMA Exam Academy offers a 16-week Accelerator Program to help you prepare for the CMA exam in a clear and manageable way. This program offers personalized support and a structured plan to help you stay on track with your studies.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Weekly Calls with Your CMA Coach: Got questions? You’ll have a weekly call with your personal CMA coach to get all the answers you need about exam prep, the CMA designation, and even career advice. It’s a great chance to get personalized support and real human interaction, something most other courses don’t offer.
- Unlimited Coaching Support: Unlimited coaching support is a standout feature that sets CMA Exam Academy apart. Whether you need clarification or run into challenges, you can email your coach anytime and expect a response within 24 hours. This level of personalized support is rare in other CMA prep programs, making it an invaluable resource for those who need regular feedback and accountability to stay on track.
- Weekly Progress Check-Ins: Staying on track can be tough, but with weekly check-ins from your coach, you’ll stay accountable. You’ll also receive assignments to reinforce what you’re learning and build your confidence.
- 24/7 Access to Your CMA Coach: Feeling stuck? No worries! You can email your coach anytime and expect a response within 24 hours. There’s no limit to the number of questions you can ask your CMA coach, so feel free to reach out as much as you need.
- HD Video Lectures for Every Topic: Get access to high-quality video lectures that break down every topic covered on the CMA exam. With content divided into bite-sized lessons, you won’t feel overwhelmed while studying.
- Whiteboard Explainer Videos for MCQs: Struggling with multiple-choice questions(MCQs)? The whiteboard explainer videos walk you through tough MCQs step-by-step, making them easier to understand and solve quickly.
Additional resources include:
- Personalized Test Bank: With over 4,000 practice questions, essay scenarios, and exam simulations, this test bank is designed to help you feel confident on exam day. It’s the perfect tool to sharpen your skills and guarantee you’re ready.
- Printed and Digital Textbooks: Do you prefer physical textbooks? You’ll receive printed books covering 100% of the ICMA Learning Outcome Statements. These books are written in a fun, easy-to-understand way by CMAs and CPAs. Plus, you get instant access to the digital version too!
- Private CMA Community: Join a community of CMA candidates just like you. Inside, you can ask questions, swap study tips, and stay motivated by connecting with others on the same journey.
- Flashcards Mobile App: Study on the go with the CMA Coach Flashcards app. This app covers all major topics for the exam and is perfect for quick review sessions. Available for both Android and iOS.
Study Tools You Can Grab from CMA Exam Academy
If you’re looking to boost your exam prep, CMA Exam Academy offers study tools you can buy individually. Here’s a breakdown of what’s available to help you ace the exam:
Current CMA Textbooks
These textbooks cover all the key topics you’ll need to know. Whether you’re new to accounting or have experience, they break things down in a way that’s easy to understand.
CMA Video Lectures
With on-demand access, these video lectures cover every topic in detail. For one low monthly fee, you get videos, audio lessons, and whiteboard explainers to help you with tricky multiple-choice questions.
CMA Test Bank
Practice makes perfect, right? This test bank offers over 4,000 multiple-choice questions and 35 essay simulations. It’s the best way to focus on areas that need extra attention so you can pass both parts of the exam.
CMA Audio Lectures
Turn downtime into study time. Whether you’re commuting, running errands, or working out, you can review key concepts with audio lectures for both parts of the CMA exam.
CMA Formula Guides
Formulas are key to passing the CMA exam, and you don’t want to forget any! These guides include all the formulas you’ll need, making it easy to memorize them so you can walk into the exam feeling confident.
1-on-1 CMA Tutoring
Need a little extra help? Work directly with a certified CMA tutor who can answer all your questions and help you with any problem areas. They’ll even create a custom study plan to make sure you’re fully prepared.
Pros
- Organized Study Plan: If you like structure, this program has you covered. Nathan and his team provide a clear, step-by-step study plan that breaks the CMA exam syllabus into manageable weekly chunks.
Many students have found the structured study plan incredibly helpful, especially for those returning to their studies after a long break. One Reddit user shared their experience: “I had a lot of success with CMA Exam Academy. I had to re-teach myself a lot of concepts since I was 12 years out of undergrad when I started the study process.”
The program’s detailed study schedule, which includes scaling up practice quizzes and tests, is another feature students appreciate:
“The textbooks, lectures, and regimented, planned-out study schedule were helpful. Particularly since there was a plan for how to scale up practice quizzes and tests, what score to achieve before moving on, and an easy way to track which concepts or sections I needed to work on more.”
This kind of structure can be a game-changer, especially for those juggling busy schedules or needing to relearn key concepts. - Personalized Help: One of the best parts of the CMA Exam Academy is the one-on-one coaching. You’ll get individual attention through personal coaching calls, unlimited email support, and weekly check-ins to track your progress. This isn’t just about passing—it’s about really understanding the material so you can succeed long-term in management accounting.
- Great Learning Materials: You won’t be short on resources with CMA Exam Academy. You’ll have access to high-quality video lessons, a test bank with over 4,000 questions, 35 essay scenarios, and up-to-date textbooks in both print and digital formats. One cool bonus is the Accounting Fundamentals textbook, which is super helpful if you need a refresher on the basics.
- Extra Perks: The program also comes with some nice extras like free worldwide shipping, an in-person exam rehearsal, and a year of continuing professional education (CPE). These add-ons make it feel like you’re getting more than just basic prep materials as you work toward your CMA designation.
Cons
- Not as Flexible: If you’re looking for a flexible schedule, this program might feel a bit rigid. The weekly modules and assignments help keep you on track, but they don’t offer much room for adjusting to your own pace. One user noted, “The program isn’t paced well if you follow it verbatim, and the author/lecturer can be overly technical when he doesn’t need to be.”
If you prefer a self-paced study plan that fits into your personal schedule, this could be a downside. - Higher Price Point: Although priced at $1,900 (discounted to $1,600), CMA Exam Academy is a considerable investment. However, with its comprehensive one-on-one coaching and structured study plan, the higher cost can be justified by the extensive support offered. It’s important to weigh this personalized assistance against more affordable but less guided options like Surgent.
- Takes Time: The program is designed to take 16 weeks, which is a solid time commitment. If you’re working full-time or have other responsibilities, it might be hard to fit in all the study sessions. You’ll need to stick with the plan to cover everything, and that might be a challenge if you’re in a rush to finish.
CMA Exam Academy Discount
If you think this course is for you, why not save with our exclusive CMA Exam Academy promo code?
Save 20% on CMA Exam Academy Review Course
CMA Prep Course Showdown
Check out my detailed analysis of the best CMA prep courses, or see below for a quick comparison.
Becker vs. CMA Exam Academy
Becker’s pricing is on the higher side, but it comes with over 4,000 practice questions and 76 SkillBuilder videos. Becker also offers solid support options through phone, email, and chat, plus a money-back guarantee.
On the other hand, CMA Exam Academy puts a strong focus on personalized coaching and a clear study plan. If you’re someone who likes a ton of study materials and different ways to get help, Becker might be more your style.
Surgent vs. CMA Exam Academy
Surgent’s pricing is lower and includes 55+ video lectures. What really sets Surgent apart is its adaptive learning technology, which adjusts to how you’re doing and helps you focus on areas where you need the most work.
Both Surgent and CMA Exam Academy offer money-back guarantees, but if you’re looking for a tech-driven study experience, Surgent’s flexibility might be the better pick. CMA Exam Academy is more structured and traditional than the others.
UWorld vs. CMA Exam Academy
UWorld offers a huge library of over 6,100 practice questions and more than 60 hours of video lectures, making it a great fit for students who want a lot of self-study materials. Plus, the mobile study app was helpful in studying on the go, whether I was waiting for an appointment or waiting for my pasta to boil.
CMA Exam Academy stands out by offering one-on-one coaching and regular feedback, making it a better choice for those who value personalized guidance and a study plan focused on accountability.
Gleim vs. CMA Exam Academy
Gleim is known for its detailed study materials, with over 3,000 practice questions and plenty of video content. It’s a solid choice for independent learners who want lots of resources.
CMA Exam Academy, on the other hand, focuses on offering personalized support with step-by-step modules and coaching sessions, which is perfect for anyone who prefers more structure and accountability while preparing for the CMA exam.
Bottom Line
For candidates who need structure, accountability, and personalized support, CMA Exam Academy offers a standout option. With its 16-week Accelerator Program, one-on-one coaching, and targeted study tools, this course is designed to not only cover the CMA syllabus but also help you apply the material effectively. Unlike many other programs that leave you to figure things out on your own, CMA Exam Academy provides hands-on guidance every step of the way.
However, if you prefer a more flexible, self-directed study approach, you may want to explore other options. Ultimately, the decision comes down to how you learn best and the level of support you need to succeed.
FAQs
CMA Exam Academy stands out in its personalized approach. Unlike other programs, this course offers one-on-one coaching, weekly check-ins, and a detailed study plan to ensure you’re fully prepared. If you need structure and accountability in your exam preparation, this program is designed to guide you through every step of the process.
This program is designed with a structured approach to ensure success on the Certified Management Accountant test. With personalized coaching, comprehensive study materials, and plenty of practice questions, the program covers all the essential topics you’ll need. Plus, the weekly progress check-ins and targeted feedback keep you on track.
Yes, the coaching support is incredibly helpful, especially if you’re new to accounting or need extra guidance. The coaches are experienced and provide one-on-one sessions to help clarify difficult concepts, offer study tips and ensure that you’re fully prepared for the challenges of the certification exam.
While CMA Exam Academy offers structure with weekly modules and assignments, it’s flexible enough to adapt to your schedule. If you prefer a structured yet flexible CMA course that allows you to work at your own pace while having the support of a coach, this CMA review course could be a great fit.
Yes, the CMA Exam Academy provides access to a large test bank with thousands of practice questions, mock exams, and essay simulations. These tools are essential for your CMA exam preparation and help you get familiar with the exam format and question styles. This kind of CMA review helps you identify areas where you need to improve before test day.
