MyCIMA

Home Study for Strategic level?

Posted: Wednesday 04 January 2012 by JamesK
Replies : 11
Keywords: advice, E3, F3, help, home study, mia publishing, P3, Strategic level, studying, tips

Hi

Has anyone any advice on best approach for strategic level papers? I have done all home study for opreational and managerial so far relying on CIMA study text - is it still possible to continue this for strategic level? I have only done max two papers at anyone sitting so far so would three be a huge step up relying solely on home study?

Any tips, advice etc would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

James

CIMA Strategic - Home study

Posted by MBotha on Wednesday 04 January 2012 14:12

Hi James,

I'm also waiting for my management level results - so that to commence my Strats for May 2012. I think, if doing self-study, you should also take advantages of free online resources available in internet. So that, you can clear most of the concenpts. I've heard people say, CIMA Strategic and T4 are different exams. So, best thing, before you proceed, is to buy (or borrow text books) and go through them for few days. So your brain will tell you weather you can do it alone or need assitance of a tutor. However, Hope I pass exams this time and I'd again take tuition from INSAF Business school anyways, as I found them really helpful last time. I'd be so much interested to know your progress towards preparation for Strats time to time. Hope all is well.

Best regards,

Mark Botha 

Strats

Posted by JW on Wednesday 04 January 2012 16:34

I did not do the strategics on home study and in some way I am glad, if you really cannot afford to do the taught courses I would reccomend that you see if you can study online, either with Bpp online class room (who I did managerial with) or First Tuition looks good.  But I would reccommend that you do a revision course, I have always done them along side home study.

You will find that they differ considerably from what you have done in the past and i found that the recordings of the modules where very helpful.

It is tough doing the three together you will have no life, but it is possible.  I would also look at Exam Study Star they have forums for the Strats and T4 which i also found useful.

Good luck

Taking chances

Posted by Benoni Molete on Thursday 05 January 2012 09:16

I'm just gonna take my chances and do home study all the way without any tutor help.

 

My approach...

1. Read through the theory in the first 3 months of the year (all three papers)

2. Do as many past papers and revision questions as possible in April/May

3. Get acquainted with the case study and exam format in the two weeks building up to the exam

 

All I need is 50% for each of the three papers and I feel this approach will work for me

Takin chances

Posted by Jeffrey Mwale on Thursday 05 January 2012 14:01

You are right molete. As iam sure i have cleared my P2(only arrear at mgmnt level) iam already  half way with my F3, i will take the approach as you have suggested. It is okey not to have life for the next five months as JW put it ,but pass your exams.

With dedication,its doable on self study with the right materials and approach.

Good luck

Posted by Benoni Molete on Friday 06 January 2012 08:56

Good luck, Jeffrey

  It's comforting to know that there's someone out there following the same approach (though, I must say, I have always been comfortable with mine)

 Hoping to clear Strategic exams in May (even if it's with just 50s for P3 and E3 - aiming for something in the 60s/70s for F3, though), then immediately write T4 in November.

 Good luck to everyone - whichever approach you follow

Homestudy

Posted by Balvinder Bolla on Sunday 15 January 2012 11:16

I will be studying at home also for this stage whihc i also did for management stage.

However, i will be attending a revision course to ensure i'm on th right track.

 It will be tough and as said above you will have no social life, but it's only for the short term.

Benoni approach is the approach i have taken so far so will do this in the same way.

Home study

Posted by Simbarashe Gwata on Tuesday 17 January 2012 11:40

As for me, all the professional courses I have done up to today including CIMA, I used Home study approach. To mention few areas altho mentioned already but for the sake of importance I say:

Home study is smart, but need a lot of discipline

Having a timetable & follow it by heart, it will tell you when to do what, if yu miss try to make it. its self discipline.

I have a strong feeling that this level no longer dwels much attention on the knowledge but application and ability to relate issues, so I propose to have more revision time more than I used to do be4. for me i will have more than a month of revision. I started reading in January 2012 after results.

Hope it will be of assistance.

Home study

Posted by Nanasue on Monday 23 January 2012 05:36

I am doing home study as well, relying on the BPP study materials. 

So far have gone through all the text for F3, P3 and half way through E3 -- lots of discipline required, specially after work full day...

The approach I am taking is:

1. to go through the text first

2. lots of practice -- past years' exam papers-- to understand the exam structures/ key points that examers are looking for/ constructive approach of analysing and answering the questions

3. go through revision cards -- create charts of links among these three papers

 

I am very glad to see lots of people are doing home study as well.  

Now I feel more comfortable

Posted by Benoni Molete on Monday 23 January 2012 09:50
I agree with everyone that's saying it's more comforting to know that there's actually a lot of us taking the self-study (yet disciplined) approach

Taking chances

Posted by Jeffrey Mwale on Monday 23 January 2012 14:14
As i hinted in my mail of 5 january to molete that after passing P2, i will go flat out for the may 2012 strats exams and have little if any leisure time.Looking at the strats papers i think in my opinion the management level is harder.Srats requires application of knowledge gained in a given situation.You need to have a helicopter view of issues.It is best to appreciate the texts as quickly as possible and relate them,then practice past papers and revision kits.Good luck to all home study club members.

Done it so far...

Posted by Elmira on Wednesday 25 January 2012 20:09

 

I have tried with courses on my Certificate level, didn't really work for me...too tired and hungry after work to be going to college and trying to understand the subject.

All my professional exams so far I have passed in first sitting, so there is a proven track record of self study for me. Yes, self discipline is important, but there is also knowledge that there will be nobody to blame if I have failed the exam :) - thought of it helps me to go through the days when I am not particularly inspired to study

Now I am building up for exams in May, starting from making myself to sit at my desk every evening, even if it's only for browsing internet...

 

Good luck everybody!