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There are plenty of ways you can incorporate CMA^® (Certified Management Accountant) exam prep into your daily routine and even reduce your CMA study time. So, let’s talk about six ways you can create efficiency in your studying and pass the exam as quickly as possible.

1. Create a Plan
   
   Before you jump into studying, it’s a good idea to have an idea of your exam date, allowing you to break down your study time into increments that lead up to exam day. 
   
   If you’re really looking to save time, you should find a course that creates a study schedule for you. Surgent’s CMA Review course allows you to plug in when you can study during the week, how long you can study, and the date of your scheduled exam. Your study schedule is then automatically populated and updates as you progress through the course.
   
   
2. Find A Review Course that Fits Your Study Style
   
   Some candidates learn best through self-study, some enjoy audio lectures, and others feel digging into multiple-choice questions and answers gives them the most comprehensive understanding of the material. Everyone has a unique learning and study style, so you want to find a review course that can cater to your needs. This may mean getting physical copies of materials, having video lectures, or having a large test bank of practice questions to work through.
   
   
3. Study in a Productive Environment
   
   Just like everyone has a unique learning style, candidates often have different perspectives on what constitutes a productive study environment. Do you like total silence? Do you enjoy listening to music? Or do you prefer to be in an area where there are very few distractions? These are all questions to ask yourself as you plan out where you’re going to do the majority of your studying. 
   
   
4. Strategically Study Your Weaker Areas
   
   Keep in mind that not every topic will come easily and not every topic will be difficult. There may be some topics in your CMA program that you know really well and others that you don’t. 
   
   There are also topics on the CMA exam that aren’t as heavily weighted or as heavily tested. You’ll want to know what these are so you don’t spend too much time on these areas and not enough time on more important topics.
   
   If you’re really looking for efficiency, look for a CMA review course that strategizes for you. Surgent’s A.S.A.P. Technology™ is known for helping CMA candidates develop a strong base in every topic with an algorithm that helps them focus on their weaker areas.
   
   
5. Find Study Materials that Tell You When You’re Ready to Pass
   
   One of the biggest wastes of study time is waiting to feel like you’re ready to pass the exam. To relieve you of this problem, you should find a CMA exam prep course that tells you when you’re ready to sit and pass the exam based on how you’re actually progressing through the course. Surgent’s ReadySCORE™ is an exam readiness indicator, unique to you, that lets you know when you’re ready to pass the exam based on how you’ve done in each area of the course. 
   
   
6. Stay Mentally and Physically Healthy
   
   Studying is draining, especially if it’s coupled with your other activities and obligations (like a full-time job, family, etc.). One of the best ways to combat study burnout and stay efficient is by staying mentally and physically healthy.
   
   Staying mentally healthy may include taking study breaks every day, going for walks or runs, or spending time (as appropriate, in light of the current coronavirus pandemic) with family and friends. Your physical health can be kept in check by doing any other physical activity you find enjoyable. The good news is, your mental and physical health often go hand-in-hand, so improving one will likely improve the other.

By implementing these study tips, you can efficiently prepare for and pass the CMA exam – and take your career to the next level. 

(This article is adapted from a post on Surgent's CMA Review blog.)