How i passed the CIMA Strategic Level in 4.5 Months! | Approach to Exams

[@paulissifu8439]

Thank you @CRAIGO. I really needed this. I've been thinking of how I could finish up my management and Strategic papers within 1 year. and I think this what I needed. Thanks again.

[@CRAIGO10]

That's a really really tough deadline to set yourself, but I wish you the best. My honest opinion of doing 8 exams at that pace would be horrible. Do make sure you prepare fully, do not deprioritise the importance of knowing the full syllabus rather than finding the 'quickest route' as i strongly believe there are no shortcuts.

[@chrisbourne-retirementplanner]

Nice one Craigo - really instructive video for anyone working/studying in this field.

[@CRAIGO10]

Thanks mate, appreciate it 👌🏻

[@tarelakentebe465]

Using this energy for CIMA FLP. Got years of experience, just need to get these exams out the way

[@CRAIGO10]

If you’ve got the energy it’s a matter of when not if! 👏🏻

[@joeslifeofbryan]

I have passed E3, P3 and F3 within the last 10 days. Started studying for them at the end of November.

[@CRAIGO10]

Congrats mate that’s incredible! Time to smash the SCS!!

[@dynamics9000]

Great content and thanks for the tips...

[@CRAIGO10]

Thanks!

[@MathipaChepape]

I always find your videos informative. Keep up the good job.

[@CRAIGO10]

I appreciate that! Thank you! 😃

[@CROSSNSHOOT]

This is very useful because I’m about to start F3. This module seems to traumatise everybody in the social media groups so I’m actually quite worried🙈

[@CRAIGO10]

I don't want to scare you but in my opinion this is the hardest exam out of them all. If I remember rightly i left 6 questions unanswered and still passed. Perhaps the scaled marks work in our favour, but good luck. You've got this! I heard horror stories of people taking 5 attempts!

[@BiancaWinterbach]

Awesome! 😎 writing SCS in Nov! This really helps, Ive done a full tuition course and a few mocks but I think for the next 5 weeks I am just going to smash as much mocks as possible, is that the right mindset? I am also so keen to just get this over and done with 🤓

[@CRAIGO10]

Good luck!! Absolutely the right mindset, practice, practice practice! Really focus on planning your answers and converting this into well structured answers & honestly you’ll smash it! 😄 GOOD LUCK!

[@BiancaWinterbach]

@@CRAIGO10 great stuff!!😎 thanks for the advise!😁🤞

[@CRAIGO10]

@@BiancaWinterbach you’ve got this 🙏🏻

[@PopaDom212]

Hi @CRAIGO, fantastic video. I was just wondering, is there a significant benefit of passing each exam first time? Im conscious of a trade off at the moment where I think I can get through these last exams quickly but I also haven't failed one yet and don't want to ruin that record. Thanks

[@CRAIGO10]

Thanks mate! Appreciate it. First time passes are great for motivation & momentum. Also I never wanted to have to go back to work and tell them I failed. It doesn’t matter how many attempts you take, the full cgma designation has the same value, first time passes or not! It’s nothing more than personal pride 😄

[@aliciab7628]

Awesome video

[@CRAIGO10]

I hope you’re smashing your CIMA journey 😄

[@dievissermangetuienis6582]

Thanks for the video man. Would you be so kind to guide me into some links as I am wanting to attempt the SCS in November 22. Thanks

[@CRAIGO10]

Astranti are offering 25% off full courses for September case study! Just sign up here and use EARLY25NOV22 at Checkout! 😄 astranti.com/amember/aff/go/craigo

[@rodneycampher7598]

Hi Craigo Useful tips indeed. Any particular sequence you would propose eg E3 first, F3 last ? I'm toying with thr tough cookie F3 first. thoughts valued

[@CRAIGO10]

Thanks man - I wouldn't overthink it. Just do it the order that you want too! :)

[@jhag2306]

Hi Craig when you say you did the strategic exams in 3 months. Does that mean you booked all three exams in one of the four exams dates for eg all 3 in May?

[@CRAIGO10]

Nope, I did say one at end of Jan(starting in Jan), one for end of Feb & one for end of March :)

[@jhag2306]

@ reason I ask is because you can only book Feb, May, Aug and Nov hence the confusion

[@CRAIGO10]

@ all takes careful planning 😄

[@jhag2306]

@@CRAIGO10 sorry for the confusion but I meant you can’t physically book the exam for January or March when it can only be February, May, August or November. So how were you able to take the exam in Jan or March?

[@CRAIGO10]

@ all months were used to be illustrative.

[@aljarreauthabe]

Hey Craigo, tell me about the saturation and the likelihood of being a financial analyst purely using CIMA as a vehicle for entry and more especially in the early stages of the journey, say for instance in the CIMA Diploma or the Advanced Diploma stages - I'm curious about this and yes, I'm committed to go all the way for sure but my only concern is trying to get an idea of the saturation that comes as a result of some of these levels to tap into the financial analyst role and also seeing some of the barriers to entry in some of the CIMA Levels. I hope you understand where I am going with this and great content by the way, keep up the good work!

[@CRAIGO10]

I don't understand what you mean by the 'saturation of being a finance analyst' Let me be clear about this; Businesses employee students to put them through a training program, ie with zero experience. If you have started CIMA then it can only better your chances. Just remember though in order to be a CGMA you need 3 years of relevant work experience. If you start CIMA before having a relevant role then you will not be meeting this requirement. You only have 2 years after finishing exams to submit your PER. The earlier you get the work experience, the better.

[@aljarreauthabe]

@@CRAIGO10 So does that mean I can work as a full-time Financial Analyst earning a full analyst salary even before I can become a fully qualified CGMA? I'm just trying to get my head around this

[@sunraysia1]

@@CRAIGO10 what do you mean "You only have 2 years after finishing exams to submit your PER" ? a student not allow to submit PER after 2 years from completed all exams? right, i am confused.

[@CRAIGO10]

Absolutely!

[@CRAIGO10]

@sunrysia - Forgive me! It's 4 years - go to this link and then hit 'download now' in the purple box. It's on the first slide. www.cimaglobal.com/Studying/Becoming-a-cgma/Practical-experience-requirements/Existing-requirements/

[@abhishekstocksanalysis]

I prepared for ocs for like 3-4 months I gave more focus on p1 and f1. I practiced old ocs papers also. I also practiced my writing skills and typing speed. So I gave the ocs exam in may and I was confident about the result but I scored 62 after all the hard work dont know what to do plz help I am thinking to take viva tution provider what u suggest?

[@CRAIGO10]

Honestly there isn't a magic formula, keep putting the work in, try as many mock exams/questions as you can & get as much feedback from tutors as possible :) Good luck. Regarding VIVA Tuition, I am not sure. But Astranti offer great courses for the Case study exams. I would not want to recommend a course that I have no experience with astranti.com/amember/aff/go/craigo?i=59

[@mayurmohanpurkar6335]

Hi I am struggling with F2. Can you make a video for it.

[@CRAIGO10]

I don't make videos specific to Exams i'm afraid.

[@CRAIGO10]

📖 Astranti - Study & Revision Material - astranti.com/amember/aff/go/craigo 👥 Facebook Group - facebook.com/groups/645568276880608 🎵 Epidemic Sound - 30 Day Free Trial - Sound Library - share.epidemicsound.com/222xp0 🛍️ Amazon Store Front - www.amazon.co.uk/shop/craigo 🚁 DJI Mini 2 Drone - click.dji.com/AJIoW4RN_RizXc1bEFIcag?pm=link ☕ Buy me a Coffee - www.buymeacoffee.com/CRAIGO 💰CRYPTO.COM $25 FREE CRYPTO! platinum.crypto.com/r/nsy8qjka8p

[@sweetsourwithsundas7985]

Please post a video on F3 exam

[@CRAIGO10]

I remember very little from the stress of the F3 exam except running out of time with 6 questions 😂unanswered, feeling like i'd fail it & thinking 'what on earth was that about, i didn't learn any of it'. All a vague memory. Some how I passed 😂

[@sweetsourwithsundas7985]

@@CRAIGO10 you’re right! I failed F3 twice due to time management.

[@CRAIGO10]

It's a horrendous exam! Read horror stories before taking mine about people failing it 5 times!

[@sweetsourwithsundas7985]

@@CRAIGO10 yes! Soon I will post here that I passed my exam 😎😎

[@CRAIGO10]

Good luck!! You’ve got this!

[@unknownman4813]

How long does it actually take to complete all the exams?

[@CRAIGO10]

That depends on a number of things; how many exemptions do you have, how much free time do you have outside of work to study, at what pace do you want to study. The average person takes 3-4 years. I passed all mine first time in 2 years 4 months.

[@soupz]

@@CRAIGO10sorry for the late question. Does this include the certificate level or were you exempt and started with operational?

[@CRAIGO10]

@@soupz I had 2 certificate level exams 😄

[@soupz]

@@CRAIGO10 good to hear- i just passed my second so i'm exactly where you started lol. qualifying 2 years 4 months from now would be a dream

[@CRAIGO10]

@@soupz Good man - if I can do it, so can you!

[@pm6386]

Does anyone have past papersof strategic level OTexams

[@CRAIGO10]

These are all available in Cimas Exam archives, free of charge. Formed an imperative part of my learning!