I finally qualified two years ago at the age of 45. I stopped and started several times. I actually found it easier when I was older as I could get motivated and took it more seriously. When I was younger I was more interested in going out than studying. I could also relate more to the work because or my experience. I did stuggle with home study though. Having kids around is not the best way to study. I did the final stages by going on a course with Kaplan and found it much easier. Good Luck.

While I'm not yet in my forties, I'd also class myself as a mature student (38 and doing strats this November). I've found that often the perspective I have from a longer career to date helps when you're sat in the exam hall looking for inspiration, especially for the more discursive subjects.

 Of course you do have the added complications of fitting the study around your existing work/family commitments as Barry says, but then we're also meant to be good at time management by this point (allegedly).

For me it's effectively impossible to study while my 3 yr old is in the house and awake, so the balance is achieved through weekend classroom study, getting the books out about 9pm (after bedtime and my wife has got home from her evening job) and then taking advantage of my employer's decent study leave policy to have a solid block of leave for the 2-3 weeks leading up to the exam, which I use to go to the library as if I was going to work. Hard work, but doable if you see the end goal as important enough

My advice? Go for it....

I think as the world changes, people are gojng to keep working beyond retiremnt age.There are many psycological benefits to doing so and with no great return on our pensions, there's even reason to keep learning & working.

One story that really motivates me is that i heard of a lady who (about 20 years ago), decided to start studying music (from scatch) in her late 50's.She enjoyed it so much she decided to study for a degree in music and in her early 60's she got the job as head of music studies at the University of London.

I think also that if we try to enjoy the physical act of studying then it takes the pressure away.If we can adopt tis attitude, ''studying is for life'' IE that regardless of how long it takes us to finish any one qualification, its doesnt matter as you are going to carry on studying at the end of this course anyway.

Some if you might not agree but it's just my take on things.

Have a great weekend every.Its gonna be cold so a great time to hit the books!!

Rob 

 

 

Hi

I've just sat P2 E2 andF2 at the age of 47! I don't think I was the oldest in the exam hall but that might be an illusion.

Like you I find it incredibly draining, but also very stimulating and I hope to take the three strategic exams in November -  If all goes to plan, I will qualify at 48 and I don't think its too old, it certainly helps with career development (I have just been promoted)

 I would be interested to hear from anyone else in their forties or older!

 Best wishes, Penny 

Like the original post, I did AAT back in 1986 and stopped and started and got it under my belt in 2003. I started CIMA in 2006 and I hope (fingers crossed) that with my T4 results tomorrow, that I am finished. It has been a slog at times, between children, work, holidays (the lack of them) but I really have struggled and did not really know how to study and pass exams till I went to the Reed Business School where I met fantastic, interesting people and had no distractions. It has been a very expensive and draining hobby, but I must admit, probably the best suprise of my life was passing all 3 strat papers in one sitting. I am not used to success and I can still rememebr feeling so proud of myself and it has all been worth it. I got a great kick at being able to take part in classes and know my stuff. I have helped older and younger students and I have had students help me when I have had mental blocks. Over the years, I have never been the eldest in class. I am 45 now and although the majority are in mid twenties, there are still plenty of fossils out there who can bring experience and common sense to various issues, rather than learning facts verbatim.

Anyway, to all you "mature students" out there, stick with it, it is worth it... I may quantify that statement tomorrow.

How did every do?

i got 56% in E2 but failed P2.

 

Let me know

Dear All

I am new to the discussion but was very touch by the original post and all of you who support each other under this mature student.

I am not in my fortie yet but nearly there (slowly but surely) I found CIMA difficult as for the subject itself as well as English is not my first language.

My first exam was in November 2006, I failed P1 & P2 (old syllabus) 3 times, I pass P4&P7 first time.  I was nearly give up but decided to fight through, sometimes it get to the point that I think I cann't go on any longer the pressure was too much.

I am now have only 1 paper to do at strategic level.  I am pround to study CIMA and will soon be qualified but it has cost me a lot (time, money, energy and confidence).

I was ashame that I did not pass every papers first time but now realised pass it all first time doesn't mean you will be successful in life or career, the aim is to qualify.

for those mature students cheer up and fight your way through, I am sure the end result will do you pround and great success.

Good luck every one

NW

Hi Kate

Many thanks for your post. It’s Rob here (the originator of this post).Well done you for getting on with CIMA and I understand your frustration about finding part time work. My wife is finding the same problem and I can’t believe that companies are not more flexible. There are thousand of mums who would love to (and need to work to work) if only employers would understand the demands of family life.

I think in general anyone can’t fail in enhancing the credibility by studying at any stage in life. It’s not exactly what you were looking for but I’ll tell you about two stories that really motivate me and give me hope for the future.

I don’t know her name but I heard about a lady who started studying music in her later 50’s.IE GCSE then a-level then in her early 60’s she did a degree in music. Then at something like 67 years of age she became head of music studies at the University of London. About 15years ago I had to learn a bit of Russian for my job and I started having 1 -2 -1 tuition from a lady who lived local to me. Again she had started studying Russian from scratch at age 58 and ten years later she had the master degree in it and was acting as a blue badge guide for Russian visitors and was organising educational trips for Russians and was totally immersed in using the language for good causes and for a living. So I think the moral is that we should never stop learning and studying. There will always be a positive reason to do so including keeping our brains working which is good for our general wellbeing!! Take care.Rob

Thank you Rob for the encouraging words.  I also have a friend who is a dentist and is now 44.  As she studied abroad she had to re-do quite a few qualifications before she could practice here.  She has studied hard and got really high marks and continues to study in her speciality, getting the highest marks and beating all the 20 somethings.  She is now in demand and doing very well for herself.  She encourages me to keep on studying!  All this is done after the age of 40 with 2 young kids, she's bionic (and speaks at least 4 languages fluently)!

Where are you up to now in your studies?

Best of luck for them.  And good luck to the previous poster too.

Kate 

 

Hi Kate and everyone

Hope my story was inspirational.

I passed the operational level in May last year and am now on the managerial level.I'm exempt from E2, but failed F2 in November.I plan to re-take in May, i've just started working on P2 as well (I'm teaching myself) but i'm finding it hard going so i might defer that until after i've passed F2.

Best wishes and good luck to all

Rob

I am 36, and have just passed my T4 (b) in March (5th attempt). It was the most time-pressuring CIMA exam.  I felt I was not quick enough when comparing with other under-30 students.  I don't think I could pass it if I was 40.  I knew I could not get high marks because I did not work fast enough to produce over 3,000 words report within 3 hours (my report had 2,400 words but passed).

I'm not trying to scare other mature students, but T4 is really tough.