MyCIMA

Studying Operational Level

Posted: Tuesday 10 January 2012 by Michelle Rohrer
Replies : 3
Keywords: operational level, studying

 

Help!

I’m looking at studying E1, P1 & F1 to take exams in May 2012, is it advisable to take all three at one time? If not, which papers are best to take first?

Also I have been looking at Kaplan and BPP for study material which is preferred and are their online classroom course any good for the price?

Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks 

 

Operation Level

Posted by Sam Li on Wednesday 11 January 2012 05:02

Hi Michelle,

It is possible to sit all 3 exams at the same time.  However it depends on how busy you are at work and whether is it possible for you to allocate time for studying.  It may be more realistic if you start with 2 exams per sitting to start off with. 

As for the combination, it also depends on your working/ education background.  For example I am not from an Accounting/ Finance background, the Financial pillar subjects are always the hardest for me.  So when I studied, I did E1 and P1 together for the first sitting, F1 and P2, then E2 and F2.  You can take these 6 exams in any order but I recommend you start with something you are most comfortable with to build up your confidence.  A good start is very important

Martin Taylor's, Chief Executive of BPP, article here may give you some extra help on this matter.

Good luck and Best regards,

Sam

CIMAsphere Moderator 

 

3 exams in 1 sitting

Posted by Jen.R on Thursday 12 January 2012 17:07

Hi Michelle,

I sat the 3 operational exams in November and found out this morning I managed to pass all 3 (just!). However, to be honest I found it really hard doing all 3 and it's very hard to balance - when I was doing well in one I found the studying wasn't going great for another, etc!

I think 2 in one sitting is the perfect amount. P1 is the largest syllabus (and also the one which has the lowest pass mark and I struggled with most). I would suggest doing either p1 and e1 or e1 and f1 as e seems to be the one with the highest pass mark and is theory based so not as difficult (in my opinion).

It is possible to pass all 3 but it really is loads of work if you're working full-time.

I studied with Kaplan and found their books easy to follow and they are the exact same as the CIMA official texts. I haven't sat the online clases but one of the girls I studied with sat the evening p1 online class and managed to get a good pass so i can't be so bad!

Hope this helps, Jen

When you say loads of work........

Posted by Janine Gray on Saturday 11 February 2012 22:30

Hi Jen,

 I am about to start classes for F1 & E1,  but I really would like to try all 3,  so have signed up for a homestudy course with online lectures for P1.   I thought I would see how it goes.  

 So when you say hard work...... what are we talking here.... 12 hours a week?  20 hours a week?

 How did you do it?

Janine