The big day has finally arrived: time to take your CMA^® exam. While your head may be crammed with knowledge about decision-tree analysis and fixed vs. variable costs, you also need to know what to expect at the testing center itself. Before you walk through those doors, here are some things you will need to bring – and some things you will need to remember:

• Arrive to the testing center 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment. If you are more than 30 minutes late for your scheduled time slot, you may lose your spot and may need to reschedule at a later date at an additional cost.
• Although not required for admission, you may want to present your ICMA® authorization letter at the time of the test.
• For admission to the test, you must present two forms of identification, at least one with a photograph and both with your signature. Approved photo IDs include a passport, driver’s license, military ID, credit card with photo, or company ID. Student IDs are not acceptable.
• Small battery or solar-powered electronic calculators are allowed, as long as they perform a maximum of six functions: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, square root, and percent. The calculator must be non-programmable and must not use any tape. Also, the memory must erase when the calculator is turned off.
• You will be provided with scrap paper, which will be counted by test center personnel when given initially and also when collected. Pencils are provided by the testing center.
• At the beginning of your test, you will be given the chance to take a tutorial to introduce you to the testing screens. The tutorial is not part of your testing time and may be repeated; however, total tutorial time is limited to 15 minutes.
• You will have three hours to complete Parts 1, 3 and 4 of the exam, and four hours to complete Part 2. Your time remaining will be displayed on the screen.

Conduct

Before the test, you must sign a statement agreeing not to disclose the contents of the exam or to remove exam materials from the testing room. You also must also attest to the authenticity of your credentials and the accuracy of all statements in your application.

Of course, cheating is not allowed, including copying answers from another candidate, using unauthorized materials during the exam, helping another candidate during the exam, removing exam materials from the testing room, divulging exam questions, and/or falsifying credentials. Examinees caught cheating will have their grades invalidated and will be disqualified from future examinations.

Grading

After completing Parts 1, 2, and 3 of the exam, your results will be displayed on the computer screen. You will also receive a printed and embossed copy of these results before leaving the testing center. Results are expressed as pass/fail, along with a scaled score, which ranges from 200 to 700. You need a score of 500 to pass, and all pass/fail scores are final.

The grading of Part 4, Business Applications (essay), is not automated and instead done by subject matter experts. Grades are mailed to candidates about six weeks after the end of each testing period. Again, all pass/fail scores are final.

Not Passing

If you do not pass Parts 1, 2, or 3, you will automatically receive a Detail of Performance report several weeks after your exam. This report, provided at no additional cost, shows your performance by each major topic area. For an additional fee, candidates who do not pass can also receive an Advanced Exam Performance Report, which shows performance at a more detailed level.

Exam part retakes are allowed, but you cannot exceed three retakes during a 12-month period. This period begins on the day you first sit for the exam.

Bear in mind that the staff at the Prometric Testing Center is not involved in the development of the exam or the procedures governing the evaluation of your performance. Questions or comments about the exam content or performance evaluation should be directed only to ICMA.

To learn more about the content of the CMA exam, visit the following links: CMA Exam Content Specifications and CMA Exam Learning Outcome Statements.

Good luck on the big day!

In the next issue: Preparing for Part 4 – And Coping with Test Anxiety