All About CMA Course: Eligibility, Fees and Registration.
The Cost and Management Accounting (CMA) course is a prestigious professional qualification offered by the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI). It is designed in a way to help students with in-depth knowledge of cost control, financial planning, cost and financial analysis, decision-making, and business strategy. To become a CMA, candidates must successfully complete three levels of the course—Foundation, Intermediate, and Final—along with mandatory practical training.
1. Levels of the CMA Course
1. CMA Foundation
1. CMA Foundation
The Foundation level is the entry point for students beginning their CMA journey. This stage focuses on fundamental concepts of Cost and Management Accounting, laying a strong base for future studies. The duration of the Foundation course is eight months, and students must secure a minimum of 40% marks to pass.
2. CMA Intermediate
2. CMA Intermediate
At the Intermediate level, students delve deeper into subjects such as financial accounting, cost accounting, taxation, and corporate laws. The syllabus comprises eight papers divided into two groups, each covering critical aspects of cost and management accounting. This level builds on the concepts learned in the Foundation stage and prepares students for advanced financial analysis and management practices.
3. CMA Final
3. CMA Final
The Final level is the most challenging stage of the CMA course, where students study corporate laws, advanced cost and financial management, auditing, and strategic business analysis in detail. This stage not only strengthens theoretical knowledge but also enhances analytical and decision-making skills essential for high-level corporate roles.
2. CMA Course Practical Training
Practical training is an important component of the CMA course, which is done to provide students with hands-on experience in real-world business environments. The training aims to:
Familiarize students with the working environment of various organizations.
Develop essential skills such as communication, time management, and handling pressure.
Bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and its application in corporate decision-making.
Instill professional discipline and ethical values required in the field of cost and management accounting.
Every student enrolled in the CMA course must undergo a 15 - Month of full-time practical training in an organization recognized under Appendix A and Appendix B of the training guidelines.
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3. CMA Course Duration
The total duration to become a CMA is typically three years, during which students complete all three levels and practical training. The time required for each stage is as follows:
CMA Foundation – 8 months
CMA Intermediate – 10 months
CMA Final – 18 months
4 . Eligibility Criteria of CMA Course
CMA Foundation Eligibility Criteria
CMA Foundation Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for the CMA Foundation course are:
Must have a high school or equivalent from a recognized board
Must have a 10+2 certificate from a recognized board.
Commerce Examination from Qualified National Diploma by AICTE or State Board of Technical Education.
Diploma in Rural Service Examination under National Council for Higher Education.
As per the ICMAI, there is no upper age limit to apply for the CMA course. However, the applicant must be 18 years or older.
CMA Intermediate Eligibility Criteria
CMA Intermediate Eligibility Criteria
Cleared the 10+2 exams.
Cleared the CMA Foundation exams.
Foundation or entry level of Common Admission Test (CAT) by Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICAI)
A student should have a Bachelor’s degree except in fine arts.
Cleared CA Foundation , Cleared CS Foundation or the Intermediate level of CA.
CMA Final Eligibility Criteria
CMA Final Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility to register for the CMA Final exams is:
Cleared CMA Intermediate Module 1 and 2.
Completed the training for CMA Final.
5. CMA Course Fees
| CMA Course Level | CMA Course Fees |
|---|---|
| CMA Foundation Fees | Rs. 6000 |
| CMA Intermediate Fees (Full) | Rs. 23,100 |
| CMA Inter Fees (Installment) | Rs. 12,000 + Rs. 11,100 |
| CMA Final Fees (Full) | Rs. 25,000 |
| CMA Final Fees (Installment) | Rs. 15,000 + Rs. 10,000 |
6. How to Register for the CMA Course?
Steps to Register for the CMA Foundation/Intermediate/Final Course
1. Visit the official website of ICMAI.
2. Click on the Students tab from the menu.
3. On the new page, tap on “Online Admission.” You’ll land on the Online Student Registration System Page.
4. Choose the one from CMA Foundation/Intermediate/Final.
5. For more details, click on the “Read More” button below each course and find the relevant eligibility, fees, and study material.
6. Fill out the required information after clicking the Apply button. Further, you will receive an OTP in your mail.
7.After validating the OTP, fill out the remaining details. Enter all your details carefully and check them twice. You also need to submit documents which you can find in the later section.
8. Lastly, pay the CMA fees and download the confirmation receipt. Keep it safe for later use.
7. Important Dates for the CMA Registration
| Exam Term | Last Date for Registration |
| June Exams | January 31 |
| December Exams | July 31 |
8. Documents Required for CMA Course Registration
The documents required for CMA Foundation registration are as follows:
| Document | Format | Size Limit |
| Passport Photo | JPG/JPEG | 200 KB |
| Specimen Signature | JPG/JPEG | 100 KB |
| Age Proof | 300 KB | |
| 10th Pass Marksheet | 300 KB | |
| 12th Pass Marksheet | 300 KB |
9. CMA Exam Form
After registering for the CMA course, applicants must fill out the CMA exam form or else they won’t be able to take up the exams of that attempt.
Procedure to Fill Out the CMA Application Form
For the CMA exam form fill-up for CMA Foundation/Intermediate/Final, follow these steps:
Visit the official website of ICMAI.
Click on the Students tab from the menu. A new tab will open.
Scroll down to the end of the page, and on your right, you can see the Online Exam Application Form option.
You will be taken to a new page; locate the “Online Application” link and click it.
From the drop-down, select your preferred course, and continue to enter your information on the exam form.
Upload the required documentation asked.
Select the payment option, proceed to pay, and keep the receipt after completing the payment.
The CMA exam form will only be accessible online. Hence, to submit the exam form, students need to visit the official website of ICMAI and complete the form.
10.CMA Application Fees Structure
| Course Level | Exam Form Fee in India | Exam Form Fee Overseas |
| Foundation course | INR 1,200 | USD 60 |
| Intermediate course (Group I or II) | INR 1,200 | USD 90 |
| Intermediate course (both groups) | INR 2,400 | – |
| Final course (Group I or II) | INR 1,400 | USD 100 |
| Final course (combination groups) | INR 2,800 | – |
11. Subjects of All Level of CMA
Read this blog as well : CMA Course Study Material New Syllabus 2022
12. CMA Exam Pattern for All Three Levels
12. CMA Exam Pattern for All Three Levels
Before appearing for any CMA exam, it is essential to understand the exam pattern of each level. The exam pattern provides insights into the type of questions, time duration, chapter-wise weightage, and marking scheme. The CMA exams are conducted twice a year.
CMA Foundation Exam Pattern & Passing Marks
As per the CMA Foundation exam structure, each paper carries 100 marks and has a duration of three hours. Additionally, students will receive an extra 15 minutes to review the question paper before starting the exam.
The question paper consists of both descriptive and objective questions. The objective section accounts for 60% of the paper, while the subjective section makes up the remaining 40%. Students must manage their time effectively to complete the exam within the given duration. Notably, there is no negative marking in the CMA Foundation exam.
To qualify, candidates must secure at least 40% in each subject and 50% in aggregate across all papers.
As per the CMA Foundation exam structure, each paper carries 100 marks and has a duration of three hours. Additionally, students will receive an extra 15 minutes to review the question paper before starting the exam.
The question paper consists of both descriptive and objective questions. The objective section accounts for 60% of the paper, while the subjective section makes up the remaining 40%. Students must manage their time effectively to complete the exam within the given duration. Notably, there is no negative marking in the CMA Foundation exam.
To qualify, candidates must secure at least 40% in each subject and 50% in aggregate across all papers.
CMA Intermediate Exam Pattern & Passing Marks
The CMA Intermediate level consists of eight subjects, which are divided into two groups of four papers each. Each paper carries 100 marks, and the duration for each exam is three hours.
The question paper comprises both objective and descriptive questions. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers. To clear the CMA Intermediate exam, students need to score a minimum of 40% in each subject and 50% in aggregate.
Key Tip: Before diving into the CMA Intermediate syllabus, review the chapter-wise weightage of each subject. Prioritizing topics with higher weightage can be beneficial for scoring well.
The CMA Intermediate level consists of eight subjects, which are divided into two groups of four papers each. Each paper carries 100 marks, and the duration for each exam is three hours.
The question paper comprises both objective and descriptive questions. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers. To clear the CMA Intermediate exam, students need to score a minimum of 40% in each subject and 50% in aggregate.
Key Tip: Before diving into the CMA Intermediate syllabus, review the chapter-wise weightage of each subject. Prioritizing topics with higher weightage can be beneficial for scoring well.
CMA Final Exam Pattern & Passing Criteria
The CMA Final exam follows a similar structure to the Intermediate level, comprising eight subjects divided into two groups of four papers each. Each paper carries 100 marks, with a total of 120 questions to be answered within three hours.
The exam includes both objective and descriptive questions. There is no negative marking, and the examination is conducted in an offline center-based mode.
To pass the CMA Final exam, candidates must obtain at least 40% in each paper and 50% in aggregate across all subjects.
The CMA Final exam follows a similar structure to the Intermediate level, comprising eight subjects divided into two groups of four papers each. Each paper carries 100 marks, with a total of 120 questions to be answered within three hours.
The exam includes both objective and descriptive questions. There is no negative marking, and the examination is conducted in an offline center-based mode.
To pass the CMA Final exam, candidates must obtain at least 40% in each paper and 50% in aggregate across all subjects.
13. CMA Exam Admit Card
The Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI) typically releases the CMA exam admit card one week before the exams. Candidates can download their admit cards online from the official ICMAI website.
Details Mentioned on the CMA Admit Card
The admit card contains important information required for verification on exam day, including:
- Candidate’s name, signature, photograph, and date of birth
- Candidate’s residential address
- Exam center name and code
- Date and time of the exam
- Roll number
- Exam guidelines
- Test center name and address
- Registration number
Once the admit card is available on the ICMAI website, candidates must carefully verify the details printed on it. If any discrepancies are found, they should immediately contact ICMAI authorities within the specified timeframe for corrections. Additionally, if candidates are unable to access their admit cards, they must reach out to ICMAI for assistance.
14. Challenges of Pursuing the CMA Course
While the CMA offers numerous advantages, there are certain challenges that aspiring candidates should consider:
Despite these challenges, the CMA certification remains a highly rewarding qualification, providing professionals with career stability, financial growth, and global opportunities.