CIMA Home Study

zhulme

Hello, i was wondering if i could get some advice of any of you?

I am awaiting my results for my last AAT exam and am looking to start CIMA via homestudy in January due to work constraints and my nearest uni that teaches Cima being over 30 miles away!

I did study AAT as a homestudy and wondered if anyone else has done something similar and what your thoughts are on the step up from AAT and the best exams to start off with?
Many Thanks

Zoe
:huh:

*Jo

Hi zoe,

I completed AAT by distance learning only and usually scored well in each exam with mainly "exceeded expectations" on the exams that were given feedback for. I found I didnt make much use of the tutor support so felt I could have done just as well studying by myself using the text books.

I am now studying CIMA by home study using textbooks and whatever information I can find online. I originally tried the CIMASTUDY online tution but didnt like it. The first unit I studied was F1 as I wanted to get it out of the way as I work in industry. I decided if I could pass the financial paper the other two would seem easy in comparison :blushing: Due to personal issues and not finding enough time to study I scraped a pass right on the 50%. I would say the low pass rate was down to not enough effort rather than lack of knowledge and I am hoping to do better in my next exam E1.

I feel the step up from AAT is a big one but know I also need to knuckle down and get on with it rather than currently finding any excuse to leave study just for anouther night!

My plan to begin with was to start with sitting just 1 paper for the first two sittings as I also work full time and then progress to 2 papers per sitting for the next two sittings which should take me nicely up to the 3 papers you have to sit together at strategic level. Although I want to qualify reasonably quickly lack of time and funds play a huge role in how many I can sit at once.

I would have a look through the syllabus and decide how you feel comfortable proceeding. You may prefer to sit your best subject first to give you a good start or like me to sit your worse subject first in order to get it out the way.

Btw I am now studying the E1 paper which should be a nice easy paper but its sooooo wordy and no numbers so Im finding it a bit dull to be honest which isn't helping the concentration levels.

Good luck in what you decide.

Jo

ademoore

I studied majority of Cima papers at home just using text books, passing all exams first time successfully.
I took 6 yr study break before starting strategics due to family, and then decided due to long break to use classroom courses, and finished with t4 using an online method.
Studying cima is definitely do-able, and you can save a lot of money doing it, but you do need the focus and drive to achieve it!
cima has good student forums for help too, and there is also casestudyaide.com as a further forum. Its not that commonly used below t4 level however once students start using it, it can add a lot of value there and allows you to build up some study groups.
Good luck!