CIMA

System
System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
edited 10:09AM in AAT student discussion
Have made some enquireis regarding CIMA and have been told that it is equivalent to double the jump form intermediate to technician.<BR>Having decided to give it a try this has worried me enormously as I was also told that the national average on passing exams is only 50%. Work would probably fund the study (£1850 for 18months), two exams every six months.<BR><BR>Any comments?<BR><BR>Does anyone know what book is used as I wouldn't mind buying it just to see what its like if I decided to start in Nov?<BR>Many thanks<BR>

Comments

  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    CIMA

    Although the pass mrk is only 50% - it is not so easy to achieve. Do not be fooled by the pass mark, as just getting 50% is tough enough. Have you checked the statistics on the CIMA website. No more that 60% of people have passed certain papers.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    CIMA

    CIMA site is down at the moment, so unable to check. Had hoped to get a look at some past papers.<BR>
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    CIMA

    Think the Cima site is up again now. I wouldn't look at the papes though you'll only scare yourself! I moved from AAT to Cima exactly 2 years ago, have just passed Cima Strategic Level and am waiting to sit Topcima. Yes the jump is hard, and yes pass rates are low - in fact lower than 50% for certain papers. However, it is perfectly do-able. I found I had to change my mindset from AAT where you aim for as near-perfect as possible with little time pressure, to getting as many easy marks as possible in as little time as possible and then moving on. <BR><BR>I am presuming from the cost you indicate that you will be studying with BPP/FTC or similar. Their revision course are excellent at targeting exactly what you need to do in knowledge, formats to set out answers, exam technique etc. Using BPP taught and revision courses and following all the rules ie near-perfect attendance, submitting course exams, and spending a lot of my own time in the run up to exams, I sat 3 papers per sitting and have passed all first time. My personal belief is that AAT is a better grounding for Cima than Cima's own certificate level; because AAT takes longer we study things in depth and for me this worked well once I got onto Cima. <BR><BR>Books it depends on who you are studying with - I used BPP but to be honest rarely opened them as their courses give you all the notes you need. Cima do have their own study systems, but it's probably best to check with the college you intend to use before you shell out too much. If you are going to look would suggest you start with Financial Accounting Tax Principles and/or Management Accounting Performance Evaluation as these both build on AAT.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    CIMA

    I did CIMA three years ago at foundation level and didn't like it, there was too much management accounting and I hadn't looked into it enough before I started. It cost over £500 for the year and then you had to pay for the exams and your enrolment on top of that. I'm not sure now exactly how much but I think enrolment was about £70 and the exams were £45?? <BR><BR>The thing that I did like was that although the pass mark was 50% it was done by computer and you got to know your result right away. A little clock comes on and after a minute it tells you your result. If you have failed you can re-sit as soon as the college you attend has a date for more exams.<BR><BR>The books I used were BPP. I ended up going back a stage and doing the AAT first but now I have to do December resits for Technician before I can think about doing ACCA or anything else!<BR><BR>Hope I helped you some way.<BR>
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    CIMA

    Hi danteandsam,<BR>Thank you so much, after reading your comments I am now quite confidance to have a go for CIMA. I have passed my AAT Technician level this June was not fully decided either take ACCA or CIMA. I have got confidance now to start CIMA thank again<BR><BR>PS: If some one else also can exchange their experiance with us it will be much appreciated.<BR>Riaz
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    CIMA

    I would be studying with Sussex Downs College, do you think that the course fee is too high?<BR><BR>You mention BPP/FTC is this home study?<BR><BR>I did struggle with the work load for Technician, perhaps I was too studious always doing the homework and going over as many questions/past papers as I could find time for.<BR><BR>Still unsure what to do, my boss has been very supportive and is willing to let me start even with the cost and low pass rates.<BR><BR>However I do suffer with all the stress, would like to be qualified but wonder if I am upto it. Could do NVQ4 Management and a payroll qualification in stead, and poss wait until next academic year, but will probably have lost momentum by then!
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    CIMA

    Nicola<BR><BR>You say your over zealous with your study but you won't regret that as when you do ACCA or CIMA you get percentages, not just pass or fail.<BR><BR>Then you see a reward for your hard work<BR><BR>Annette
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    CIMA

    BPP and FTC are 2 private providers, not just for home study, that's just the way I did it and it's worked for me but if you have a local college it's certainly worth trying them. Re your feeling you can't do it, I started AAT Foundation sure I couldn't do it, was the same every year of AAT, and really only started Cima to see how far I could push myself, partly because I don't have a degree. And now I'm nearly finished thank goodness! What I've gradually realised is that actually most people feel the same. If your boss is supportive and willing to pay I definitely think you should go for it. I considered waiting a year after I finished AAT but now I'm so glad I didn't, and I'm not sure I would have gone back if I hadn't just carried on.

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