To become a CMA-certified professional, you need to complete at least a bachelor's level of education or complete an equivalent professional certification in any relevant field.
However, you can take the CMA USA examination before completing your bachelor's degree. IMA (Institute of Management Accountants), the organization responsible for accrediting the CMA USA certificate, allows candidates to complete their bachelor's education within seven years of passing the CMA USA certification. So, you can start your CMA journey right after 12th grade, though most candidates prefer doing CMA after completing their bachelor's degree.
2. Become an IMA member
Only the active members of the IMA are allowed to take the CMA. However, you can easily become a member of IMA by paying a membership fee. For the first time, the students have to pay around 135$ for a three-year membership, while the working professional has to pay 260$ for the same.
3. Enter the USA CMA program
Once you become a member of the CMA, then you need to register yourself for the CMA program from the official website of the IMA. You will need to pay a non-refundable entrance fee in order to take the CMA exam.
Depending on your IMA membership, the CMA registration fee varies. The CMA registration will cost $280 for professionals, but for Student and Academic members, the fee is only $210
4. Enroll in a US CMA course in Meghalaya
US CMA exam is considered one of the toughest examinations in management accounting. These examinations are specially designed to test the intellectual limits of the students. Hence, proper guidance and dedication are required to go through these examinations.
So, to help candidates get through the CMA journey, many financial institutes have started offering a well-organized US CMA course in Meghalaya. Although taking any CMA course in Meghalaya is not mandatory, it is recommended. Choose CMA coaching with years of experience and expertise, providing the comprehensive US CMA course in Meghalaya. Many top coaching will assist you in getting the membership and with the exam fee discounts.
NorthStar Academy is an approved learning partner of IMA and Becker for providing the best US CMA course in Meghalaya.
5. Practice! Practice! Practice!
Practice is the key to success, and that's especially true for the CMA USA examination. CMA USA examinations are considered very difficult and require a lot of hard work and dedication from the candidates wanting to become CMA-certified accounting professionals.
It is recommended to start by planning your study schedule. Each candidate learns differently, and each person's schedule differs. No surprise! the time to prepare for the CMA exam varies from person to person. Hence, everyone needs a different study plan for their CMA examination and has to follow it.
Many CM USA experts say that 16 weeks or four months is more than enough time to prepare for each part of the CMA USA exam.
6. Register for a CMA Exam Part
Once you are gathered enough confidence in your exam preparation, register for the CMA exam. You can register for your CMA USA exams in any of these three three exam windows each year -
January/February
May/June
September/October
The exam registration closes after the 15th of February, June, and October. So, be quick. You can register yourself from the online store of IMA. After the completion of the registration, you will be able to schedule your testing appointment at the nearest Prometric Testing Center.
7. Take the CMA exam
Now that you have studied for many weeks and prepared to the best of your abilities, it is time to put everything you have acquired to the absolute test.
The CMA exam consists of two parts. Although you have the option to take both parts together in the same exam window, we strongly recommend against doing it. It will let you use your more effectively and focus on each part individually. Let's take a closer look at the CMA examination.

The CMA USA exam is a computer-based test; you must give it on a computer at the Prometric Testing center. Each part of the CMA exam includes 100 MCQ questions and 2 case study questions (essay questions). You will be given 4 hours to complete the whole examination, 3 hours for the MCQs, and 1 hour for the case study-related questions. However, if you can complete the MCQ portion in less than 3 hours, then the remaining time will be added to the 2 case study questions.
Here is the list of topics covered in each part of the CMA USA examination, with their weightage -