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CIMA CASE STUDIES · COMING SOON
CIMA case study exams, explained
ONLINE100% online. Any device. Learn at your pace.
Pick your level. See how the exam works, what it tests and what we plan to build.
Independent guide, built from public CIMA documents. Nothing to buy yet.
Your path
Each case study is the last step of its level, after the three objective tests.
CIMA suggests taking E first, then P, then F, then the case study. You can attempt the case study once the objective tests of the level are done, or learning is completed or exemptions are given.
Choose a case study
Everything about one exam in one place. Every detail below is checked against CIMA’s blueprints; the Case Study pages give the sources.
OCS
Operational Case Study
Operational level · after E1, P1, F1
Coming soon
You act asEntry-level finance professionalConfirmed
Comes afterE1, P1 and F1Confirmed
Award linkPassing leads to the CIMA Diploma in Management Accounting, then the Management levelConfirmed
Our supportComing soon. Nothing to buy yet.Planned
Closes the Operational level. You work as an entry-level finance professional, using a fictional organisation you studied in advance.
Role and award: CIMA Operational blueprint 2026-27 (pp 12, 18). Read 20 Oct 2026. The qualification is branded the CGMA Professional Qualification in CIMA's blueprints.
Exam timeline 2026-27 blueprint
15 min tutorial first3 hours in total
Section 145 min
Section 245 min
Section 345 min
Section 445 min
Pre-seen copy on screen throughout
Section, cannot go backPre-seen on screenNew information at the start of each section
Marks scale Confirmed
Pass at 80
0150
A scaled score from 0 to 150. 80 and above is a pass. No minimum for each core activity.
Four windows a year Confirmed
JFMAMJJASOND
February, May, August and November. Dates, deadlines and fees are on the CIMA timetable.
New pre-seen released at least 6 weeks before the first exam date. Results come 6 to 8 weeks after, on your candidate dashboard.
Written answers in business formats: email, memo, report, briefing note
No specific calculations required, but show how you used the data
Marked by people
Built-in calculator, whiteboard and scratch pad
Source: CIMA Operational level examination blueprint 2026-27 (pp 21-22) and the CIMA exam timetable, read 20 Oct 2026.
Six core activities 2026-27 blueprint
A. Costing
Published share12-18%
B. Budgeting
Published share17-25%
C. Performance insight
Published share17-25%
D. Reporting, governance, ethics and tax
Published share7-13%
E. Short-term decisions
Published share17-25%
F. Working capital
Published share12-18%
Each bar is CIMA's published range for that activity, so the bars show a range, not a fixed split. All bars use the same 0 to 30% scale. Source: CIMA Operational level examination blueprint 2026-27 (pp 16-21), read 20 Oct 2026.
Coming soonPlanned first, your answers can change thisNothing to buy yet. No prices.
Worked case walkthroughsStep-by-step answers to our own practice scenarios, with a box showing what earns marks.Coming soon
Pre-seen analysis toolsFill-in templates for industry, ratios, risks, stakeholders and ethics, so your analysis is ready before exam day.Coming soon
Timed practice papersSection-locked mocks in the same style as the real exam, with a marking guide.Coming soon
Feedback by core activitySee which activity is weak, as CIMA's own result report does.Coming soon
Phone-friendly notesShort notes and flowcharts you can read on a phone.Coming soon
Link back to your objective testsRevise the objective test areas that each activity draws on.Coming soon
These are plans, not products. Online Study Course, Online Revision Kit and Online CBE practice exams will follow the same pattern as our other CIMA papers.
What is the Operational Case Study?
A role-simulation exam at the end of the Operational level. You study a fictional organisation in advance (the pre-seen) and answer new tasks on the day, acting as an entry-level finance professional.
Can I go back to an earlier section?
No. In the Operational Case Study you can finish a section early and move on, but you cannot return. When the 45 minutes end, you are moved on automatically.
What is the pass score?
CIMA reports a scaled score from 0 to 150, where 80 and above is a pass. There is no minimum for each core activity, and your feedback is given by core activity.
MCS
Management Case Study
Management level · after E2, P2, F2
Coming soon
You act asFinance managerConfirmed
Comes afterE2, P2 and F2Confirmed
Award linkThe award is the CIMA Advanced Diploma in Management AccountingConfirmed
Our supportComing soon. Nothing to buy yet.Planned
Closes the Management level. You work as a Finance Manager.
Level name and award: CIMA pathway diagram. Role: CIMA Management level blueprint 2026-27, checked 23 Oct 2026. The qualification is branded the CGMA Professional Qualification in CIMA's blueprints.
Exam timeline 2026-27 and 2027-28 blueprints
15 min tutorial first3 hours in total
Section 145 min
Section 245 min
Section 345 min
Section 445 min
Pre-seen copy on screen throughout
Equal-weight section, cannot go backPre-seen on screen
Marks scale Confirmed
Pass at 80
0150
A scaled score from 0 to 150. 80 and above is a pass. No minimum for each core activity.
Four windows a year Confirmed
JFMAMJJASOND
February, May, August and November. Dates, deadlines and fees are on the CIMA timetable.
New pre-seen released at least 6 weeks before the first exam date. Results come 6 to 8 weeks after, on your candidate dashboard.
Written answers in business formats: email, memo, report, briefing note
No specific calculations required
Marked by people
Built-in calculator, whiteboard and scratch pad
Source: CIMA Management level examination blueprint 2026-27 (p 12) and 2027-28 (pp 22-23), checked 23 Oct 2026, and the CIMA exam timetable.
Five core activities 2026-27 blueprint
A. Add value
Published share15-25%
B. Implement decisions
Published share15-25%
C. Manage performance and costs
Published share15-25%
D. Measure performance
Published share15-25%
E. Manage stakeholders
Published share15-25%
Each bar is CIMA’s published range for that activity, so the bars show a range, not a fixed split. All bars use the same 0 to 30% scale. Source: CIMA Management level examination blueprint 2026-27 (pp 17-20), checked 23 Oct 2026.
Coming soonPlanned second, your answers can change thisNothing to buy yet. No prices.
Worked case walkthroughsStep-by-step answers to our own practice scenarios, with a box showing what earns marks.Coming soon
Pre-seen analysis toolsFill-in templates for industry, ratios, risks, stakeholders and ethics, so your analysis is ready before exam day.Coming soon
Timed practice papersSection-locked mocks in the same style as the real exam, with a marking guide.Coming soon
Feedback by core activitySee which activity is weak, as CIMA's own result report does.Coming soon
Phone-friendly notesShort notes and flowcharts you can read on a phone.Coming soon
Link back to your objective testsRevise the objective test areas that each activity draws on.Coming soon
These are plans, not products. Online Study Course, Online Revision Kit and Online CBE practice exams will follow the same pattern as our other CIMA papers.
What is the Management Case Study?
The exam that closes the Management level, after E2, P2 and F2. It leads to the CIMA Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting. You act as a Finance Manager, and it has five core activities.
How long is the Management Case Study?
Four sections of 45 minutes, three hours in total, with a built-in calculator, whiteboard and scratch pad. We checked this against the CIMA Management blueprints on 23 Oct 2026.
Which objective tests come first?
E2, P2 and F2. According to CIMA's Operational blueprint, the case study of a level is attempted after the objective tests of that level are completed, or learning completed, or exemptions given. Check your own position with CIMA.
SCS
Strategic Case Study
Strategic level · after E3, P3, F3
Coming soon
You act asSenior finance managerConfirmed
Comes afterE3, P3 and F3Confirmed
Award linkAfter it come CIMA's practical experience assessment, then the CGMA designation and membershipConfirmed
Our supportComing soon. Nothing to buy yet.Planned
Closes the Strategic level. You work as a senior finance manager. CIMA's practical experience assessment follows.
Role and what follows: CIMA Strategic level examination blueprint 2026-27 and 2027-28, checked 23 Oct 2026. The qualification is branded the CGMA Professional Qualification in CIMA's blueprints.
Exam timeline 2026-27 and 2027-28 blueprints
15 min tutorial first3 hours in total
Section 160 min
Section 260 min
Section 360 min
Pre-seen copy on screen throughout
Equal-weight section, cannot go backPre-seen on screen
Marks scale Confirmed
Pass at 80
0150
A scaled score from 0 to 150. 80 and above is a pass. No minimum for each core activity.
Four windows a year Confirmed
JFMAMJJASOND
February, May, August and November. Dates, deadlines and fees are on the CIMA timetable.
New pre-seen released at least 6 weeks before the first exam date. Results come 6 to 8 weeks after, on your candidate dashboard.
Written answers in business formats: email, memo, report, briefing note
No specific calculations required
Marked by people
Built-in calculator, whiteboard and scratch pad
Source: CIMA Strategic level examination blueprint 2026-27 (pp 11-12) and 2027-28 (pp 21-22), checked 23 Oct 2026, and the CIMA exam timetable.
Five core activities 2026-27 blueprint
A. Business strategy
Published share15-25%
B. Ecosystem and environment
Published share15-25%
C. Financing strategies
Published share15-25%
D. Evaluate and mitigate risk
Published share15-25%
E. Control environment
Published share15-25%
Each bar is CIMA’s published range for that activity, so the bars show a range, not a fixed split. All bars use the same 0 to 30% scale. Source: CIMA Strategic level examination blueprint 2026-27 (pp 17-20), checked 23 Oct 2026.
Coming soonPlanned third, your answers can change thisNothing to buy yet. No prices.
Worked case walkthroughsStep-by-step answers to our own practice scenarios, with a box showing what earns marks.Coming soon
Pre-seen analysis toolsFill-in templates for industry, ratios, risks, stakeholders and ethics, so your analysis is ready before exam day.Coming soon
Timed practice papersSection-locked mocks in the same style as the real exam, with a marking guide.Coming soon
Feedback by core activitySee which activity is weak, as CIMA's own result report does.Coming soon
Phone-friendly notesShort notes and flowcharts you can read on a phone.Coming soon
Link back to your objective testsRevise the objective test areas that each activity draws on.Coming soon
These are plans, not products. Online Study Course, Online Revision Kit and Online CBE practice exams will follow the same pattern as our other CIMA papers.
What is the Strategic Case Study?
The exam that closes the Strategic level, after E3, P3 and F3. You act as a senior finance manager. After it come CIMA's practical experience assessment, then the CGMA designation and membership.
Does the Strategic Case Study include calculations?
CIMA's Strategic blueprints (2026-27 and 2027-28) say no specific calculations are required. Present value tables are listed for the exam.
How long is the Strategic Case Study?
CIMA's Strategic blueprints (2026-27 and 2027-28) describe three hours in three equal sections of 60 minutes.
The three side by side
Only what CIMA has published and we have read. Gaps stay gaps until we have checked them.
Compare
OCS
MCS
SCS
Level
Operational
Management
Strategic
Role simulated
Entry-level finance professional
Finance manager
Senior finance manager
Comes after
E1, P1, F1
E2, P2, F2
E3, P3, F3
Exam length
3 hours
3 hours
3 hours
Sections
4 x 45 minutes
4 x 45 minutes
3 x 60 minutes
Calculations
Not required; show how you used the data
Not required
Not set
Pass score
80+ on a 0-150 scale
80+ on a 0-150 scale
80+ on a 0-150 scale
Core activities
6
5
5
OCS · Operational Case Study
Level
Operational
Role simulated
Entry-level finance professional
Comes after
E1, P1, F1
Exam length
3 hours
Sections
4 x 45 minutes
Calculations
Not required; show how you used the data
Pass score
80+ on a 0-150 scale
Core activities
6
MCS · Management Case Study
Level
Management
Role simulated
Finance manager
Comes after
E2, P2, F2
Exam length
3 hours
Sections
4 x 45 minutes
Calculations
Not required
Pass score
80+ on a 0-150 scale
Core activities
5
SCS · Strategic Case Study
Level
Strategic
Role simulated
Senior finance manager
Comes after
E3, P3, F3
Exam length
3 hours
Sections
3 x 60 minutes
Calculations
Not set
Pass score
80+ on a 0-150 scale
Core activities
5
Sources: CIMA Operational, Management and Strategic level examination blueprints 2026-27 and 2027-28, CIMA exam timetable. Checked 23 Oct 2026.
Free readiness check
5 questions on the exam rules. About 2 minutes.
Based on CIMA's Operational blueprint 2026-27. A knowledge check, not a prediction of your result.
Before you start
Are the CIMA case study programmes available now?
No. This is an early introduction. We are asking what you need before we build, so the courses are marked Coming soon and nothing here can be bought yet.
Is CoreKnowledge approved by or partnered with CIMA?
No. We are an independent training provider. This page is an independent guide built from CIMA's public documents. The exams, dates, fees and results are always with CIMA.
When are the exams?
CIMA runs four case study windows a year: February, May, August and November. For exact dates, booking deadlines and fees, use the CIMA exam timetable. We have not copied dates here because they change.
What will it cost?
We have not set prices. Joining the list does not commit you to buy. We will tell the people on the list first.
Can my employer or training team get a group quote?
Yes, ask for a group quote on this page. Tell us the case study, the exam window and the team size.
Do I need to pass the objective tests first?
According to CIMA's Operational blueprint, you can attempt the case study only after the objective tests for the level are completed, or learning is completed or exemptions are given. Always confirm your own position with CIMA.
Independent guide to CIMA case study exams, built from public sources. For official updates, see CIMA (aicpa-cima.com). CoreKnowledge is not affiliated with or endorsed by CIMA. CIMA and CGMA are trademarks of their owners. Find the official exam timetable and blueprints on the CIMA website (aicpa-cima.com, Exam timetable page).
