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CIMA Management   Case Study

Management Case Study (MCS)

• Register now to get access to free resources and discounts • Get the first 7 days for free, and get started straight away • Download the free MCS Study Plan to get you started • Subscribe to the CIMA library and get access to this course, along with full access to the complete CIMA syllabus

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Course Overview

The case study section of the Management level is designed to test the knowledge you have learned in the three objective tests (E2, P2 and F2), and apply it to a real world situation. 

This will get you ready for what you could expect to experience as a management account.

With Learnsignal’s support, you can learn how to:

• Prepare and get ready for your case study exam
• How to use the pre-seen material
• How to understand exam technique, and apply the content in the Operational syllabus

The Learnsignal guide to passing the Management Case Study:

• Study with an a Registered Tuition Provider to get expert content
• Make sure you have completed and understood the OT courses
• Work on your exam technique, not just the course content
• Follow a study plan to make sure you are studying in a structured way
• Use mock exams and practice questions to get ready for your exams
• Reach out to tutors when you need support

What is included in the CIMA Subscription

Payment plans to suit your budget, with access to everything you need to pass your exams!

What you get

• Access to full syllabus across all CIMA courses
• Student support webinars
• Over 5000 OT Practice Questions
• Case Study Exam Techniques
• Subject Cheat Sheets
• 24/7 Expert Tutor Support
• Everything you need to pass your exams!

CIMA Student Series: Management Case Study (MCS)

Here Louise McAndrew discusses the challenges she faced in passing her CIMA MCS exam, as well as offering some great advice to students yet to take the exam.

Louise McAndrew is a Strategic level CIMA student with just P3, F3 and the SCS left to study before becoming fully-qualified. Louise has mainly worked in not for profit organisations and is currently a Finance Officer for a charity in the social care sector (see her Linkedin profile here ). She is AAT-qualified but took a break from studying to have a family. Louise has two children, one of secondary school age and one of primary school age.

The Management Case Study had higher pass rates than the OCS and SCS in 2018. That doesn't mean it's an easy exam though. Here Louise McAndrew discusses the challenges she faced in passing her MCS exam, as well as offering some great advice to students yet to take the exam.

When did you take the MCS exam and how did you get on? Was it your first attempt?

I took the MCS in August 2018 and passed with a pass mark of 95. It was a huge relief as it was my third attempt having failed the first two times by just a couple of marks. The results came out on my birthday too so it was a great way to start the day!

I made my first attempt at the exam in November 2017 but due to a heavy workload in my office (new financial year budgeting), I couldn’t resit until May 2018 and then I passed the August 2018 case study.

How long did you spend preparing for the MCS paper (how many weeks/months and how many hours on average per week)?

As soon as the pre-seen material came out I started working through it. Prior to that I had started looking through past papers to get an idea of the kind of answers CIMA were looking for in the MCS. I hadn’t done this before for the previous two attempts and can honestly say that was probably what contributed to me failing.

I work full-time and have a family so I was squeezing revision in wherever possible. I was probably fitting in around 10-12 hours per week. I was actually on a family holiday the week before the exam so I brought my books with me to study on the beach!

Did you take a course or did you opt for self-study?

I self-studied as I find it difficult to commit to a course with work and family commitments. But I did purchase case study materials from Astranti and VIVA to help me with the revision.

Is it your intention to continue with self-study for the remainder of your studies? Would you recommend this approach to others?

I only have 3 exams left so I’ll carry on with self-study. I don’t really have an opinion in terms of recommending self-study. For me it’s the only viable option but for others they may prefer a classroom environment. I’m on a Facebook group called the CIMA UK Student Group which has a whole CIMA community in there so I’d recommend anyone studying to join as there’s lots of help and encouragement on there.

What (if anything), did you find especially difficult with the MCS in relation to your preparation? e.g. balancing personal life with study, balancing work with study, the material was dull etc?

This particular case study was pretty dull. It was about a camera company and there was quite a lot of unnecessary information about camera components. I needed to decipher what information was actually relevant to what might be asked.

What (if anything), did you find especially difficult with the MCS in relation to the exam day? e.g. time management, nerves etc?

I was incredibly nervous on the day as I didn’t want to fail again. Once the exam got going though, my nerves calmed and I was able to focus on answering the questions. I didn’t run out of time on any of the questions as I felt more prepared this time.

Was there an area of the Management syllabus that you liked more than others?

I preferred the E2 unit and found it was my strongest area. At operational level I preferred F1 but I studied operational level on the old written syllabus. Since it’s moved to computer based assessments I have preferred the Enterprise subjects as they’ve been easier to grasp.

Was there an area of the Management syllabus that you liked less than others?

I found the F2 and P2 units quite tough and when studying for the MCS those were the units I particularly needed to concentrate on. Whilst I was able to confidently calculate ratios, I needed to be able to explain how the ratios would be affected by changes in equity and debt etc.

Was there a particular area of either P2 or F2 you found tougher?

I couldn’t get my head around WACC calculations so it was my weakest area. Even when studying the case study I really needed to revise its meaning as I knew it was likely to be tested. It was a question on one of the case studies I failed and I don’t think I answered it very well.

Do you have any tips for other students about to sit the MCS?

I would definitely say look back on past papers. It gives you a really good idea of what CIMA are looking for in their answers. Also, if you’re not able to commit to a course then it’s definitely worth buying case study materials such as pre-seen analysis, strategic analysis, Key Issues and case study mock exams as they are always catered specifically for the case study being tested.

Have you used VIVA’s case study materials? If so, how did you find the materials?

I had been using Astranti but I found their mock exams to be too long-winded to follow. Other people recommended VIVA so I bought their Case Study materials and found them really helpful.

Do you have any final comments/recommendations/feelings/thoughts about your MCS experience?

The case studies are just as tough as the objective tests so I would say if you don’t pass first time then keep going. It will be worth it when you pass.

‍ You might want to explore and learn more about our CIMA MCS Course . You can also check out our free webinars for the MCS.

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Case Studies - How well do you need to know your theory?

I am preparing to sit the May 2023 Management Level Case Study exam. I failed the OCS twice so am quite nervous about sitting this exam.

Watching tuition videos, I hear a lot that "this is not a theory exam"

However from my understanding of the case studies you do still need to know all 3 objective test topics extremely well and to an extent be able to regurgitate this theory into the case study exam.

I am aware that you score well from being able to apply the knowledge to the case scenario but it does seem like a very large amount of material you need to be ready to use, especially considering it is a closed book exam.

I am doing the traditional route (not FLP) so have done my time and have been on the Management Level for about a year but I am still daunted by the amount of material there is to revise and refresh on, as it seems they could ask you about anything.

So to anyone who has sat Case Study exams, how important do you think learning the theory is for these exams and how much of your prep time should be spent recapping E,P & F topics?

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Study: Tirzepatide (Zepbound) Cuts Prediabetes Progression to Type 2 by up to 94%

Key takeaways: 

• Lilly announced topline results from its three-year SURMOUNT-1 trial, which tested tirzepatide (Zepbound and Mounjaro) in people with prediabetes and overweight or obesity.
• Research indicates that tirzepatide reduces progression from prediabetes to type 2 diabetes by about 90% in people with overweight or obesity.
• Full study results will be presented at a medical meeting and published in a peer-reviewed journal in November 2024.

Lilly has announced  initial findings from the final phase of SURMOUNT-1, a clinical trial that studied the use of tirzepatide in patients with overweight or obesity, including those with and without prediabetes.

Topline results suggest that tirzepatide dramatically reduced the risk of progression of prediabetes to diabetes by 88% to 94% in people with prediabetes who are carrying excess weight. A more detailed assessment of the study’s full results will be presented at a medical meeting and published in a peer-reviewed publication in November.

These study results further underscore the long-term benefits of taking tirzepatide, which extend beyond the current FDA approved uses of treatment of type 2 diabetes (Mounjaro) and weight loss (Zepbound).

SURMOUNT-1: A clinical trial studying tirzepatide

Study design.

The three-year SURMOUNT-1 study examined the impact three doses of tirzepatide (5, 10, and 15 mg) had on body weight when combined with a low-calorie diet and increased exercise in people with obesity or overweight.

Key findings

In June 2022, the clinical trial’s researchers  published results from the first 72 weeks of the 193-week study. This analysis, which followed roughly 2,400 participants living with overweight or obesity, reported that participants lost an average of 52 pounds (21% of their weight) on the highest dose of tirzepatide. The same analysis also reported that 95% of people with prediabetes who took tirzepatide reverted to normal glucose levels compared to 62% who were given a placebo. Participants also experienced improvements in their fasting glucose, A1C, blood pressure, waist circumference, and insulin levels.

Results of the complete study, including phase two, indicate that tirzepatide reduces the risk of progression from prediabetes to diabetes by about 90% in people with obesity or overweight. In addition, weight reduction ranged from 12% to 23%, depending on the dose of tirzepatide.

What this means for prediabetes

The full results of the SURMOUNT-1 study further reinforce the benefits of tirzepatide, and open the door for Lilly to seek FDA approval for use of the drug to prevent progression of prediabetes to type 2 diabetes. 

Tirzepatide belongs to a class of medications known as  incretins , some of which have been approved for treatment of a growing number of conditions from type 2 diabetes (Mounjaro) to weight loss (Zepbound). This has led to unprecedented consumer demand as well as  global drug shortages .

A growing case for use of certain incretins in prediabetes

The SURMOUNT-1 results also add to a growing body of evidence that suggest tirzepatide and certain other medications in the incretin drug class have benefits beyond treatment of type 2 diabetes, including preventing the onset of type 2 diabetes in people with both excess body weight and prediabetes. 

Earlier this summer, results of Novo Nordisk’s  STEP-10 trial also showed a reduction in prediabetes progression to type 2 diabetes. STEP-10 study found that a 2.4 mg injection of , semaglutide (sold as Wegovy for weight loss) led to significant weight loss and a return to  A1C levels of less than 5.7% when compared to a placebo. Following the success of STEP-10, Novo Nordisk  FDA approval for semaglutide to prevent progression from prediabetes to type 2 diabetes.

Further reading about the benefits of tirzepatide :

• New Trial Studying Tirzepatide for Chronic Kidney Disease
• Zepbound (Tirzepatide) FDA-Approved for Chronic Weight Management
• Mounjaro Superior to Ozempic for Blood Glucose Control and Weight Loss
• Eli Lilly Launches Digital Pharmacy With Home Delivery Service

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Aicpa & cima’s cgma leadership academy shapes future accounting, finance, and business leaders.

The world’s premier finance and accounting body, AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, will host the fourth edition of their flagship leadership programme, the CGMA Leadership Academy, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 7 to 10 October 2024 under the theme “Transformative Leadership for a Sustainable Future”.

Over four days, Chartered Global Management Accountants (CGMA designation holders) will have access to curated content, high-profile speakers, live case study discussions, and knowledge-sharing roundtables on topics such as ESG and business sustainability, digital transformation and AI, effective communication and interpersonal skills, leadership and fostering resilience. This intensive programme will enable attendees to gain new insights and develop the necessary skills to drive innovation, sustainable business performance, and growth within their organisations.

Commenting on this, AIPCA & CIMA vice president of Asia Pacific, Venkkat Ramanan, said: "In today’s uncertain and complex business world, organisations need leaders with skills and capabilities different from those that enabled them to succeed in the past. This rapidly changing landscape demands that we foster leaders with innovative thinking, resilience, and forward-looking approach to business strategy.

"At AICPA & CIMA, we are committed to supporting future accounting, finance, and business leaders to develop the mindset, knowledge, and skills they need to stand out and propel their organisations forward. We have designed the programme of this year’s CGMA Leadership Academy with this in mind, ensuring that attendees walk away with actionable insights and elite leadership skills to accelerate and lead in an ever-evolving business world."

"AICPA & CIMA’s CGMA Leadership Academy shapes future accounting, finance, and business leaders" was originally created and published by The Accountant , a GlobalData owned brand.

The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.

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CIMA Management Case Study Courses

Dedicated to helping you pass your case study exam

Ever since our first CIMA case study course over 14 years ago, Astranti has gained a reputation for offering the most comprehensive case study courses in the market. Our courses are dedicated to providing you with the best advice and support to help you pass your exams on the first attempt.

What’s more, our courses offer great value for money.

When compared to the Official CIMA Provider’s course, we provide a more in-depth analysis of the pre-seen, a wider range of exam guidance and study materials, and all at a lower cost.

In addition, our team of dedicated case study tutors, personal mentors, and renowned materials known for their clarity and simplicity, make our courses a favourite among students. With an average Trustpilot rating of around 4.8 from over 600 reviews, you can trust that our courses deliver exceptional quality.

And to give you peace of mind, we offer a double guarantee. You can try out our course and determine if it’s right for you without any obligation to continue. Plus, with our one-time payment, you’ll never have to worry about any additional costs.

Read on to discover more…

“I have used Astranti for all three case studies which in my view is integral to passing, with the most recent pass coming on the SCS exam. Astranti help you develop the correct exam writing style required to pass and gain the additional marks that could be the difference in passing or not. I can certainly say that by using Astranti I have gone into each exam confidently assured that I have given myself the best possible chance to pass.”

CIMA Case Study Student , October 2022

Focused on what it takes to pass

Our course is designed with one thing in mind…

Getting you through the exam

Plus a pass guarantee for peace of mind

Unrivalled support

Dedicated course mentor supporting you from start to finish

Assigned marker focused on giving you personal advice

Case study tutors are on hand to answer all your questions

Great value for money

The most comprehensive case study course

All for a great price!

With instalment options to help spread the payments

Course content

Our goal is to make the Astranti Premium Course the most comprehensive on the market.

Over more than 15 years of teaching CIMA case study we’ve considered exactly what students need to support you in order to give you everything you need to pass.

So what exactly do you get?

“Brilliant study material. I used Astranti throughout, sucked in by their free products at certificate level and I’m glad I was! The material provided is brilliant and the course tutors know exactly what it takes to get the pass at the case studies, if you use them and put the hours in you will pass! Couldn’t recommend enough, and achieved first time passes in all professional exams.”

CIMA Case Study Student , July 2022

Pre-seen pack

• Full analysis of the pre-seen , picking out the most important snippets of information so that you don’t miss a thing
• Strategic analysis that links the pre-seen to the key theories and models from the syllabus
• An analysis of the top 10 most likely issues to appear in the final exam according to our case study experts
• Our industry analysis provides an overview of the real-world industry that the pre-seen company belongs to, so you can apply this in the exam to score extra marks
• 30 pre-seen knowledge questions designed to cement your knowledge learned

7x Mock exams with debrief videos

• 7 fully timed computer-based mock exams , with challenging questions designed to replicate the real exam
• Detailed solutions so you understand where you went wrong quickly and easily and to enable you to learn how to approach a similar question in the real exam
• Debrief videos where our tutors walk you through the best approach to each mock
• 5x mock exams as standard
• 2x bonus mocks for the February and August exam sittings

3x Marking and feedback

• Comprehensive marking and feedback for 3 mock exams from your assigned expert tutor
• Commentary on each script on a section by section basis, tellilng you what’s great and what needs to be improved
• A 7 page summary analysis of each script, guiding you on what you need to do to improve

'How to pass the case study' course

• Get to grips with the case study exam and find out exactly what it takes to pass
• Perfect your exam planning and writing technique
• Find out how to maximise the marks that you score in your final exam
• Learn how to provide the best answers written down in the right way, within the time given in the exam
• Hear exactly what the examiners say about how to pass the case study exam and the mistakes that past students made

Theory revision series

• Designed to refresh all of your syllabus knowledge relevant to the case study exams. We take the most commonly examined theory from E2, F2 and P2 and summarise that for you so you can review theory quickly and easily
• Take the study text with you wherever you are, with both the online and printable versions
• Watch the tuition videos for an even more detailed analysis of the key theory , including worked examples throughout to help with your understanding

Ethics and Questions packs

• Ethics is   the most commonly examined topic at management case study . As such it’s the most important topic for you to revise
• Our   ethics video   shows you how to pass ethics questions in the exam
• Our   20 practice ethics questions   enable you to master a range of ethical questions and practice the specific method that is proven to enable you to pass these questions
• Our   questions pack  contains 60 case study exam-style questions , helping you to  prepare for your exam.

3x Live online masterclasses

• Attend 3  LIVE  online masterclass days and get instant answers to your questions from our experienced MCS tutor using our interactive chat box throughout each session

Tutor expertise and Discussion hub

• Ask our tutors further questions and join the student/tutor conversation on our discussion hub
• Tailored support from your personally assigned exam marker , with all of the experience you could need to give you the best advice needed to ensure you pass the exam

Personal course mentor

• Support from your assigned mentor from the first day of the course to the last
• They’ll help you work your way through the course at a good pace, keeping up with your desired schedule and hitting the course deadlines as you go with regular catch up emails, video calls, or a combination of the two – whatever works for you!
• On hand to answer your questions or guide you in the direction you need

Exclusive to the course

Tutor & Mentor support

There are so many benefits to studying online, like flexibility, cost savings and the ability to study at your own pace.

However, there are often some challenges too, such as a lack of study structure, lots of distractions, limited accountability and a general feeling of isolation, which can all lead to reduced motivation and momentum!

For this reason, our premium courses give you exclusive access to our tutors and course mentors .

Use our course discussion hubs to contact our expert CIMA tutors whenever you need help with a tricky piece of theory.

And, have regular check-ins with your own personal course mentor via email, video call or a combination of the two, to get help staying focused, hitting your deadlines and ensuring you have everything you need to pass your exam.

How our premium course compares

Giving students value for money is important to us . Why not check out the table below to see how our premium course compares to that of the official CIMA publisher?

You must complete both practice exams and one of the mock exams and send them to your allocated marker by the deadlines set out in the course schedule.

 

You must not copy the mock exam solutions. If you do so this will invalidate your pass guarantee.

 

You must achieve an average mark of at least 30% in your submitted practice and mock exams. This is to ensure you are putting in enough effort.

 

You must attend or watch the recorded versions of the masterclasses and make notes on the pass guarantee form.

 

Use the pass guarantee form to document your key learning points throughout your studies, submit within 1 week of the final exam.

You must confirm that you have read and understood the pass guarantee terms.

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You must complete mock exams 1 to 3 and send them to your allocated marker by the deadlines set out in the course schedule.	You must not copy the mock exam solutions. If you do so this will invalidate your pass guarantee.
You must achieve an average mark of at least 40% in your full mock exams. This is to ensure you are putting in enough effort.	You must attend or watch the recorded versions of masterclasses 1 & 2 and make notes on the pass guarantee form.
Use the pass guarantee form to document your key learning points throughout your studies, submit within 1 week of the final exam.	You must confirm that you have read and understood the pass guarantee terms.

Exam Resource

Study guide case study examination - strategic level.

What is this? A calendar of articles and recorded learning support resources that will assist your Strategic Case Study exam preparation.

Why do I need it? The resources in the guide cover a range of themes and can be broadly split into two main categories: Study support — Motivation, confidence, time, strategic and memory recall. Exam support — Question-answering techniques and exam day planning.

Causes Of Default In Microfinance Programs: a case study of DECSI, Mekelle Town

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