When we read the June 2026 comments subject by subject, the issues are not limited to one paper. For CMA Intermediate, examiners talk about the need for better conceptual understanding, intensive practical question practice, point-wise and precise theoretical answers, improved presentation, time management, mock tests and solving past examination papers under exam conditions.

A similar pattern appears in CMA Final. The comments highlight depth of knowledge, time-bound practice, understanding exactly what the question demands, presentation of answers, sufficient working notes, practising past papers and mock tests, and avoiding selective preparation.

This gives CMA students an important lesson: Exam preparation is not only about how much you have studied. It is also about how well you can apply, write and present what you have studied within the examination time.

Conceptual clarity is one of the recurring themes in the examiner comments. For Intermediate Financial Accounting, the report asks for a better understanding of key concepts and points out inadequate preparation and a lack of subject knowledge among many students. FMDA comments similarly mention that although examinees had a general understanding, conceptual clarity and analytical skills were lacking.

At Final level, SFM comments state that the required depth of knowledge was found inadequate and that candidates often approached problems without properly understanding what the question expected. CFR comments also identify specific areas where conceptual and analytical understanding needs strengthening.

You may know the answer in your mind, but the examiner can award marks only for what reaches your answer sheet.

This is especially visible in the June 2026 comments.

For Intermediate Taxation, students are advised to improve the presentation of their answers. Cost Accounting asks students to write theoretical answers to the point, while Corporate Accounting and Auditing recommend point-wise theoretical answers with reference to the appropriate section of the Act.

At Final level, Direct Tax comments specifically note that some students may know the provisions but are unable to put them properly in their answers and therefore lose marks. SCM stresses orderly presentation of practical solutions in a suitable format with sufficient working notes, while CMAD also asks students to improve presentation in a neat and well-arranged manner.

This is why reading a suggested answer and writing an answer yourself are not the same exercise. Until you actually write, you may not notice where your presentation needs improvement.

Another important takeaway is that examiners want students to answer what has actually been asked. 

In Intermediate Business Laws and Ethics, the report says there is no general answer and recommends point-wise answers with specific provisions. Cost Accounting also advises students to avoid random general answers. In CAA, students are again told to avoid general answers and answer theory point-wise with appropriate references.

The Final report carries the same message. SCM asks students to avoid unnecessary and irrelevant details, while SPMBV advises against vague answers and selective study. Final Law goes further by explaining that a 7-mark answer should contain the relevant provision, analysis of the given problem and a conclusion.

For CMA Inter students, the June 2026 report shows that different subjects require different answer-writing approaches.

In Law, provisions and point-wise answers matter. In FA, conceptual understanding, problem-solving and mock practice are important. Taxation requires practical practice as well as presentation. Cost Accounting requires both practical and theory preparation, along with mock tests and proper examination technique.

OMSM needs conceptual revision, numerical practice and application, while CAA requires careful reading of practical requirements and point-wise theoretical answers. 

FMDA needs stronger conceptual and analytical understanding, and Management Accounting emphasises steps, time management, decision-making ability and comprehensive preparation.

This means your preparation method cannot simply be: Study → Revise → Exam

It needs another important stage: Study → Revise → Write → Evaluate → Improve → Exam

At CMA Final, expectations naturally become more application-oriented.

The June 2026 comments for Law emphasise concise answers, time management and application of provisions. SFM requires broader conceptual knowledge and time-bound practice. Direct Tax requires better presentation, MCQ practice, complete answers and time management.

SCM highlights proper formats and sufficient working notes. CMAD recommends intensive study, practical problem-solving and neat presentation. CFR identifies several areas where stronger conceptual and analytical understanding is required, while IDT warns against selective study and asks students to practise more practical problems and Section A tests.

For a Final student, therefore, simply saying “Concept samajh aa gaya” is not enough.

You should also know whether you can apply it, calculate it, present it and complete it within examination time.

This is perhaps one of the most important points for students preparing for the next attempt.

In Intermediate Cost Accounting, the examiner comments specifically advise students to appear for a number of mock tests within the stipulated time frame and evaluate their performance before the examination. The report says this can help students identify weaknesses and develop confidence. OMSM similarly recommends solving mock tests and past examination papers under exam conditions and reviewing mistakes. Financial Accounting also recommends working with mock tests/MQPs.

For CMA Final, Direct Tax recommends practising old question papers and giving mock tests. IDT asks students to give importance to Section A MCQs and specifically prepare through various tests. Other Final subjects repeatedly stress time-bound question practice and past-paper practice.

So mock tests should not be seen as something you attempt only when you feel 100% prepared. A test can itself be part of the preparation process.

Reading the ICMAI Examiner Comments tells you what students need to improve.

But there is another question: How will you know what YOU need to improve?

You may feel that your answer writing is good. You may believe your speed is enough. You may think your presentation is clear.

But until you sit down and actually write a paper, it is difficult to know.

This is the idea behind SJC Mock Test Sangram (MTS) — to make testing a part of your preparation instead of leaving it for the last moment.

👉 Explore SJC Mock Test Sangram (MTS): Click Here

Instead of directly jumping into a complete 100-mark paper, MTS follows a progressive testing approach.

You begin with Rapid Tests to check smaller portions of your preparation. As your coverage improves, you move towards Part Tests, and eventually you attempt a Full 

Test to experience a more complete examination-style paper. The answer sheet is then evaluated, and students also receive the suggested answer. This helps you compare not only whether your final answer was right or wrong, but also how your approach, presentation and working could be improved.

So the purpose is not simply: Write Test → Get Marks

The more useful cycle is: Write → Evaluate → Identify Mistakes → Correct Them → Write Again

Frequently Asked Questions

Is mock test practice actually recommended in the ICMAI June 2026 Examiner Comments?

Yes. The Intermediate report explicitly recommends mock tests/MQPs in Financial Accounting, mock tests within a stipulated time in Cost Accounting, and mock tests and past papers under exam conditions in OMSM. The Final report also recommends mock tests in Direct Tax and testing for Section A preparation in IDT, alongside repeated recommendations for timed question and past-paper practice.  

Should I attempt mock tests even if my preparation isn't complete?

The reports don't prescribe one universal point in preparation at which every student must begin mock tests. However, because they repeatedly emphasise practice, timed conditions, identifying weaknesses and reviewing mistakes, testing before the actual examination can help reveal areas that still need work.  

Is only solving past questions enough?

Past examination questions are strongly recommended in several examiner comments, but the reports also emphasise conceptual clarity, practical problem-solving, presentation, complete syllabus coverage and timed/mock-test practice. So past questions should form part of a broader preparation strategy.  

Why should I get my answer sheet evaluated?

Evaluation can help you understand problems that are difficult to identify simply by reading a suggested answer—such as presentation, answer structure or whether you have addressed the question properly. The June 2026 Intermediate comments themselves encourage reviewing feedback/mistakes and identifying weaknesses through practice. 

About SJC Institute

SJC Institute has been supporting CMA aspirants through classes, revision, question practice, mentorship and examination preparation.

Through initiatives such as Mock Test Sangram (MTS), the focus is not only on giving students another question paper to solve, but on encouraging a structured cycle of writing, evaluation, identifying mistakes and improving before the actual examination.

Because ultimately, completing your syllabus is important — but you also need to be ready to convert your preparation into marks on the answer sheet.

SJC Institute | Nurturing CMA Aspirants

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