cima operational case study windows

Objective test resource

Operational exam blueprint 2021.

What is it? A comprehensive guide to the Operational Case Study for May, August, November 2021 and February 2022 exam windows. Why do I need it? To help you prepare for the OCS exam by understanding examinable topics, the assessment approach and exam weightings.

Operational level examination blueprint - 2024-2025

FREE ACCOUNT

This is the examination blueprint for the Operational level of the CGMA Professional Qualification. It will set out in detail what is examinable in the Case Study Examination and the Objective Tests for the period stated on the cover of this document. It also provides information about the format, structure and weightings of the assessments. It complements the syllabus document and provides details specifically related to the different type of assessments and is our most comprehensive statement to date on

Download the Operational Level Exam Blueprints 2024-2025

File name: Operational-Exam-Blueprints-2024-2025-final-for-web.pdf

Already a member?

Log in with your account, not a member.

This site is brought to you by the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, the global voice of the accounting and finance profession, founded by the American Institute of CPAs and The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.

CA Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

0800 048 7804   |   [email protected]

About Us Testimonials Exam Dates About CIMA Quick Purchase Basket Help Contact Us studyHUB Home

Get 20% off our CIMA OCS mock exams, debrief videos & questions pack – use code OCSTEST – ends 28/10/2024

CIMA Operational Case Study

No matter how well you know the theory and the pre-seen, unless you can use your knowledge in an exam situation, all of your revision is worthless!

To make sure you pass first time , you need to prepare yourself for even the most challenging of questions under exam conditions. That’s why we create 5 brand new mock exams for each case study, each tailored to the latest pre-seen and based on topics we think you are most likely to see in your exam.

Our CIMA operational case study mock exams will:

• Test your overall knowledge of the syllabus and the latest pre-seen
• Highlight your weaknesses to focus on in your remaining revision
• Improve your time management skills in an exam environment

FREE CASE STUDY MOCK EXAM

Start your free CIMA operational level membership to access our free OCS mini mock, which is just half the length of our full mocks and the final exam, and includes detailed solutions, plus the accompanying debrief video.

We know how important your privacy is. That’s why we do not share any details that you give us.

Get exam ready

Questions designed to challenge you, just like the real thing

Interactive timed experience to test you under exam conditions

7 new mocks for every pre-seen – all the practice you need

Learn from your mistakes

Comprehensive solutions for every question

See how high-scoring answers are structured and written

Expert marking available for even more learning

Our expert marking and feedback

Managing performance

You’ll learn the fundamentals of business subject and how new business and operating subjects can be developed to improve the performance of organisations.

Discover how different styles of leadership can be used to improve the performance of individuals to achieve organisational goals and how to use performance management concepts and techniques to implement strategies effectively and efficiently.

You’ll be able understand use of project management concepts and techniques useful in implementing strategies.

Syllabus at a glance 

A. Business subjects and value creation

B. Managing people performance

C. Managing projects

Advanced Management Accounting

You’ll learn how to use cost management, quality and process management and value management to provide organisations with cost advantage.

You’ll understand the criteria, process and techniques that are used to decide which projects to undertake, how to manage the performance of organisational units to ensure that they achieve their objectives.

Discover how to analyse risks and uncertainties that organisations face in the medium term, especially capital investment decision making, and how to manage those risks in the implementation of such decisions.

Syllabus at a glance

A. Managing the costs of creating value

B. Capital investment decision making

C. Managing and controlling the performance of organisational units

D. Risk and control

Advanced Financial Reporting

You’ll learn about sources and types of funds and how much they cost, as well as the key financial reporting standards on which financial statements will be based and the application of those standards to prepare group accounts.

You’ll also learn about the International Integrated Reporting Framework and its components and how to conduct analyses of financial statements and their limitations.

A. Financing capital projects

B. Financial reporting standards

C. Group accounts

D. Integrated reporting

E. Analysing financial statements

Management Level Case Study

The case study exam tests the knowledge, skills and techniques that you’ve learned throughout the Management level in a role simulation. You’ll be asked to respond to authentic work-based activities, mimicking a job role linked to the Management level e.g. a finance manager.

The Strategic Level 

The Strategic level focuses on long term strategic decision making. Once you’ve completed it, you’ll be able to support organisational leaders to craft strategy; evaluate and manage risks that might prevent organisations from successfully implementing strategy; value organisations; and source financial resources required to implement of strategy.

Strategic Management

You’ll learn about the foundation of strategic management and get an understanding of the dynamics of the organisational ecosystem and how it affects the strategy of the organisation.

Next, you’ll learn all about strategic choice and how options are generated, linking them to the purpose, values and vision of the organisation and how the options are evaluated, chosen and integrated to form the strategy of the organisation.

You’ll cover how strategy is implemented, how implementation objectives are achieved and how change is managed.

And you’ll learn about the different technologies that underpin digital transformation and various elements of digital strategy.

A. The Strategy process

B. Analysing the organisational ecosystem

C. Generating strategic options

D. Making strategic choices

E. Strategic control

F. Digital strategy

Risk Management

How to identify, evaluate and manage enterprise risks.

Where strategic risks emanate from, how to evaluate them and understand how oversight of these risks is critical to the governance of the organisation.

How internal controls can be used effectively in the risk management process and how to identify, analyse, remedy and report strategic risks including cyber risks.

A. Enterprise risk

B. Strategic risk

C. Internal controls

D. Cyber risk

Financial Strategy

You’ll learn about the different strategic financial objectives and policy options that are open to organisations.

Next, you’ll cover the types of funds available to organisations to finance the implementation of their strategies, including where and how they access these funds at the right time, in the right quantities and at the right cost.

Then you’ll move onto the sources of financial risk, how to evaluate and manage financial risk appropriately, and techniques in business valuation to assess whether a company has created and preserved value within the organisation.

Finally, you’ll learn the valuation techniques to calculate the value of organisations and the conditions applicable for such calculations, especially intangibles in the digital world. You’ll learn how to report intangible value and their drivers in integrated reporting.

A. Financial policy decisions

B. Sources of long term funds

C. Financial risks

D. Business valuation

Strategic Level Case Study

The case study exam tests the knowledge, skills and techniques that you’ve learned throughout the Strategic level in a role simulation. You’ll be asked to respond to authentic work-based activities, mimicking a job role linked to the Strategic level e.g. a senior finance manager.

Assessment of Practical Experience Requirements (PER)

Once you complete the Strategic level, your last step before earning the CGMA designation and becoming a CIMA member is to demonstrate that you have a minimum of three years’ relevant work experience (this can be accumulated before, during and after your studies). Your experience is assessed through the Practical Experience Requirements (PER) application.

Award: 

The Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designation and membership of The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (ACMA or FCMA).

What study methods can you use?

Your learning is supported with over 60 hours of on-demand video., tuition provider courses.

If you like to learn with others, appreciate the support of having a tutor on -hand and benefit from the structure of the formal study, look at signing up with a tuition provider. You’ll find online-only courses, classroom, and a mixture of both. Costs will vary between providers, so check with them directly for information on fees.

Distance learning

Want to study in your time, on your terms? Choose when and where you study with CIMAstudy.com — the only online learning resource reviewed and approved by CIMA, delivered in partnership with Kaplan. Costs vary depending on the level of the course you’re taking: check the breakdown of fees on CIMAstudy.com.

Online and distance learning with CIMAstudy.com

CIMAStudy.com is the only online learning resource reviewed and approved by CIMA, delivered in partnership with Kaplan. It’s ideal if you live somewhere with little or no tuition provision, or if you prefer to self-study at your own pace.

Can’t decide?

Whatever your learning style, the CGMA Study Hub is your go-to resource. With articles, webcasts, videos, and access to all CIMA- approved study products, you’ll find a study aid that works for you. There’s even a well-being section to help you through your studies, with resources on everything from exam nerves to getting motivated.

Which learning and assessment route should I take?

Shape your studies how you want, using a tuition provider or opting to self-study, or enrol on the CGMA Finance Leadership Programme for a fully guided study experience.

Am I eligible for exemptions? 

If you have a degree or a qualification, you might be exempt from certain Certificate in Business Accounting or CGMA Professional Qualification exams. That means you could qualify sooner than you think.

Start your registration

Before you choose your registration route, make sure you have the following to hand:

• Your contact details, including address, phone and email
• Your current employment details (if you are working)
• Details of your tuition provider (if you are studying)

Register for Self-Tailored Learning and Assessment Route