December 2021
Clancy Peiris had a chat with a Case Study examiner, asking her the questions that you’d like to ask.
When we organise events, CIMA students often ask us exam-related questions. But what if you had the chance to meet your Case Study examiner? What questions would you ask? We decided to sit down with a CIMA Case Study examiner to ask them some of your most burning questions – we hope you will find their guidance as useful as we did.
Q: How vital are the pre-seen materials and how should you use them?
A: The pre-seen materials give context to the exam variants and you can find evidence to support your answers in the pre-seen. Therefore, when you analyse the pre-seen materials, you should really immerse yourself into the pre-seen, familiarise yourself with the company and the business environment it operates in. You should also remember to think about the industry and make sure you truly understand it.
Q: What can I do to demonstrate my application skills?
A: The Case Study exams are designed to test what you can in fact ‘do’ as a management accountant. More specifically, you are expected to accomplish tasks through a simulated job scenario for your exam level. So, while technical knowledge is important, Case Study exams are more about putting this knowledge into practice.
Therefore, to demonstrate your application skills, it is important to be familiar with the pre-seen materials, including your persona and role. You should spend enough time thinking and planning before writing your answer to ensure you can support your argument and answer accurately.
Q: How can I ensure that I answer the question examiner has set?
A: Read the question and exhibits carefully, then think about how it relates to information in the pre-seen, make sure that you answer what is asked, not what you wish had been asked. Remember, it is about applying your knowledge to the question in front of you.
Also, let me remind you that the length of your answer is not as important as the quality of the answer.
Q: What is your advice on answer planning?
A: Planning your answer is important but do not spend too much time on it. It is good to write a short list of key points (but not an elaborate plan of everything you want to say). You may then develop each point into a comprehensive paragraph with appropriate discussion. Make sure that you take the time to carefully consider what is being asked so that you can provide the best possible answer. Have a look at the examiner’s answer, published after the exam, to get an idea of what a very good answer that could be written in the time given in the exam looks like.
Q: Do you see any value in past exam resources?
A: Past exam resources are vital to develop your exam skills so I would not advise that you turn up to sit a Case Study exam without having practiced writing answers for at least two previous Case Study exams. Don’t just read the variant and think about the answers, you need to write them down in the time allowed. It is a good practice and will give you confidence that you are ready to sit your exam. Do not worry if your answer is very different from ours, there are many, many ways to answer the questions. All good answers get good marks.
Q: How important are the answer format and structure?
A: We help you by starting off with the format for an email if that is what is required. Do not worry too much about format, just concentrate on answering the question as best as you can. Have a structure with headings and paragraphs – that makes it much easier for us to see what you are doing, and it makes the answer clearer to read. Well-developed answers will achieve more marks. Once again, it is less about quantity but more about quality, so where possible expand on any bullet points to ensure you provide a complete answer to the question.
Q: Will marks be awarded for valid points, even if they are not in the marking scheme?
A: We mark the whole answer not each sentence and that’s why you should provide depth and fully explain your answer. The marking guide is designed to allow for a range of suitable responses rather than a specific set of words.
All answers are marked on their merits and do not have to be exactly like ours. There are many different approaches you can take, all will be awarded marks if they answer the question.
So, write what you think is right – that is what your company or line manager should do or should not do but make sure you support your claim, advice or recommendation with evidence included in the scenario.
Q: Will we lose marks for poor spelling and grammar?
A: The Case Study exam is not an English test, so as long as we can understand what you wrote, your answer will be marked on its merits.
Marks will not be deducted for poor spelling and grammar, but it’s good practice to proofread your answer. Do your best to write as best as you can, giving answers that are as clear and as full as possible.
Q: What should students avoid doing before and during the exam?
A: You will not pass if (a) you are ill prepared and do not understand the business, so read the pre-seen carefully; (b) you only memorise parts of the textbook with no understanding; (c) you answer a question you thought might come up in the exam instead of what has been asked; and (d) you have missed out large parts of the syllabus when you are studying.
So, the top key takeaways are (a) answer what is asked by the examiner; (b) make sure your syllabus knowledge is complete and up to date; (c) analyse the pre-seen materials comprehensively and be familiar with the organisation and its environment: and (d) think thoroughly and plan your answer before writing it down.
Watch the full interview here on the CIMA Planner.
• Clancy Peiris, Senior Learning Development Manager, Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, representing AICPA and CIMA
