US CMA Exam Pass Percentage and Study Tips 2025

The finance and accounting field is rapidly advancing, resulting in the increasing need for certified professionals with expert knowledge. This is why globally recognised courses like ACCA courses or CPA US courses are suitable for building a career in this field. Similarly, you must pursue US CMA courses to become a management accountant. Read this blog to learn more about this certification course and the US CMA exam pass percentage to pass the exam. 

Understanding the US CMA Exam and Pass Percentage

The Certified Management Accountant certification course is administered by the Institute of Management Accountants, headquartered in the USA. It helps you acquire expert skills and knowledge in financial management and strategic decision-making. 

Unlike the traditional courses, the CMA US course does not require you to attend physical classes in a college or university. You need only pass its two-part examination to acquire your certification. However, the CMA exam is considered more difficult than traditional programmes. That is why the US CMA exam pass percentage is not high. The US CMA exam pass rate indicates how many candidates pass the examination out of the total candidates who appeared for it.

US CMA Exam Structure & Passing Score Criteria 

When preparing for a competitive certification course, you must familiarise yourself with each of its aspect. The US CMA exam structure and passing score criteria are two such important factors. 

Key Aspects of the US CMA Exam Structure

The US CMA examination is divided into two parts. Each part is again divided into two sections, each consisting of 100 multiple-choice questions and two essays.

The essay section includes 10-12 written or calculation questions based on two business scenarios. Each part lasts four hours, with three hours for the MCQs and thirty minutes for each essay.

The IMA allows full flexibility in exam order to take Part 2 before Part 1. However, CMA candidates must correctly answer at least 50% of the MCQs in the first section to move to the second. 

 

Required Passing Score for US CMA

Each part is scored out of 500; 75% of your score comes from the MCQs, while 25% is from the essays. You must score at least 360 out of 500 to qualify for the examination. However, this does not mean you only need to answer exactly 72% of the questions correctly. 

The IMA does not disclose the marks for each question during the examination. Therefore, you must answer the maximum number of questions. You will get your score within 6 weeks from your testing window. 

US CMA Exam Pass Rate & Performance Trends

The US CMA exam pass rate provides detailed insight into the difficulty level of the examination and how many candidates successfully passed both parts of the exam. This rate is different for both parts every year. The US CMA exam typically has a global pass rate of around 45% for Part 1 and up to 50% for Part 2.

The exam's difficulty keeps pass rates low. However, over the past few years, the US CMA exam pass percentage has gradually improved. This is mainly due to the increasing awareness of the course and the easy availability of coaching and preparation courses. 

Factors Affecting the US CMA Pass Rate

The US CMA exam pass percentage changes every year. Several factors can affect this percentage, such as:

 

Exam Difficulty and Content Structure

Exam difficulty is the most significant factor affecting pass rates, which is highly affected by the syllabus of the particular part. For example, a student with a weak accounting background might find Part 1 difficult, and scoring pass marks might be challenging. 

 

Preparation Strategies and Their Impact

The way you prepare for the US CMA exam also decides whether you will succeed. This is because its advanced syllabus requires the guidance of experts. You must not solely rely on self-study. 

 

Common Challenges Affecting Pass Rates

Common obstacles like time constraints, insufficient preparation, test anxiety, and even weak communication skills may impact pass rates. Consider enrolling in a trusted CMA USA exam preparation course to ensure you get the best guidance and training to overcome such obstacles and become a CMA. 

US CMA Exam Syllabus & Part-Wise Breakdown

The US CMA exam syllabus includes every concept required to excel in this field. Here’s a quick look:  

CMA Part 1- Financial Planning, Performance, and Analytics

Topic	Weightage
External Financial Reporting Decisions	15%
Planning, Budgeting, and Forecasting	20%
Performance Management	20%
Cost Management	15%
Internal Controls	15%
Technology and Analytics	15%

CMA Part 2- Strategic Financial Management

Topic	Weightage
Financial Statement Analysis	20%
Corporate Finance	20%
Decision Analysis	25%
Risk Management	10%
Investment Decisions	10%
Professional Ethics	15%

Tips to Improve Your US CMA Exam Pass Percentage

Below are some tips to help you prepare for the exam and enhance your chances of success. 

• Use effective study plans to prepare for each part. Keep adequate time for learning and revising the entire CMA exam curriculum. Separate the topics into manageable sections for easy understanding and retention.

• Opt for reliable and updated study materials instead of using any resource available online. The books and material you use to study must explain every concept as per the latest syllabus for easily understanding the CMA course. It must have practice questions to help test your learning. 

• Regularly attempt mock tests during your preparation journey. This will help you get familiar with the exam environment. It will help you understand your strengths and weaknesses and work on them accordingly. 

• Time management is the key to success in this examination. While preparing for and attempting your examination, you must efficiently manage your time. 

Conclusion

The US CMA exam pass percentage is a direct reflection of the difficulty of this course. However, you shouldn’t let that deter you. NorthStar Academy has helped thousands of students acquire their dream certification in the field of accounting and financial management. It offers the best US CMA certification preparation course mentored by M Irfat Sir. Visit the official website to learn more about its preparation courses for US CMA, CPA, ACCA, and Enrolled Agent courses.