What is the minimum score to pass the CMA exam?

The minimum passing score for the CMA exam (Certified Management Accountant) is 360 out of 500 scaled points for each of the two parts, meaning you need to pass both Part 1 and Part 2 with at least 360 points each, with multiple-choice questions (MCQs) making up 75% of the score and essays 25%, and you must get at least 50% on the MCQs to even qualify to take the essays.

What is the passing score in CMA?

The CMA score range is 0-500, and the minimum passing score is 360 for both parts of the exam.

What percent do you need to pass the CMA exam?

Of course, you don't need to get a perfect score or be a top performer to pass the CMA exam. For you to pass Part One and Part Two, you must earn at least 360 out of 500 for each part, or 72% overall.

What are the qualifying marks for the CMA exam?

CMA Passing Score & Minimum Qualifying Marks for 2025

To pass the CMA exam, candidates must score a minimum of 40% in each subject and achieve an aggregate of 50% across all papers in a group. Both CMA Intermediate and Final levels maintain this benchmark.

Is a 75% on the CPA exam passing?

Yes, a score of 75 or above on a CPA exam section is a passing score, but it's crucial to understand it's not a literal 75% of questions answered correctly; the score is on a 0-99 scale, reflecting sufficient knowledge to protect the public interest, based on weighted question difficulty and performance.
 

CMA Exam Scaled Scores and Percentages

What happens if you get a 74 on the CPA Exam?

Getting a 74 on the CPA Exam means you failed (you need a 75 to pass), but it's often considered a painful score because you were very close, leading many to mistakenly think they only need a minor review; however, it generally indicates significant gaps, and you'll need to prepare thoroughly to retake the section, focusing on weak areas identified in your performance report, as appeals rarely change the score. 

Is CPA harder than bar?

There's no definitive answer, as it's subjective, but many who've taken both find the CPA Exam harder due to its four distinct sections, breadth of technical accounting knowledge, and the need to pass all within 18 months (a marathon), while the Bar Exam is often seen as a more intense, physically demanding sprint over two days testing broad legal concepts. The CPA's difficulty often comes from its multifaceted nature and the challenge of mastering different accounting/tax areas, whereas the Bar's challenge lies in the sheer volume of legal information and mental stamina required over consecutive days. 

Is CMA harder than CPA?

CPA vs CMA Exam Difficulty

Even so, the CMA exam has a slightly lower pass rate, at roughly 45% passing the two parts, collectively, while half (~50%) or better pass each section of the CPA exam. All CMA candidates have three years to pass both parts of the exam.

What is a good CMA score?

Earning above a 360 on the 0-500 scale is the minimum passing rate. However, since it is a scaled score, this means a 360 does not equate to 72%. It is solely a score, not a percentage. The scaled score allows CMA candidates to know how they performed in relation to the passing standard of 360.

Why is the CMA pass rate so low?

The CMA exam has lower pass rates because it tests for in-depth understanding and the ability to apply concepts in various scenarios. This means that to get a CMA passing score, candidates must not only memorize formulas and definitions but also understand how to use them in real-world situations.

Is the CMA hard to pass?

How Hard is the CMA Exam? The CMA exam is very difficult and it will test your intellectual limits. The industry average CMA pass rate for both sections is only 45%, meaning less than half of the people taking the test will pass.

What happens if I fail the CMA exam?

So, what happens if a candidate does not pass the exam on the first try? Candidates are allowed to retake either part of the two-part CMA exam but will have to pay the exam registration fee again.

How long is CMA certification valid?

To better ensure continuing competency and knowledge and thus better protect patients, CMAs (AAMA) are required to recertify every 60 months. Current status is required to use the CMA (AAMA) credential.

How many questions can you get wrong on the CMA exam?

If you answer at least 50% of the MCQs correctly, you can move on to the essays. On the other hand, if you incorrectly answer 49% or fewer MCQs, you cannot attempt the essays and will automatically receive a failing CMA score. Additionally, you are allowed 3 hours for the MCQs and 1 hour for the essay question.

How is the CMA graded?

The CPA Exam is scored on a scale from 0 to 99, and a CPA passing score for each section is a minimum of 75. However, the score is not based on a percentage of correct answers. Your score calculation is based not only on whether you answered questions correctly, but also on the relative difficulty of each question.

How many people pass the CMA exam first try?

CMA Exam Pass Rate

To pass the CMA Exam, you need to earn at least 360 out of 500 points on each exam part. The national first-time CMA pass rate is only 45 percent.

What's the average CMA exam pass rate?

The global average pass rate for the CMA exam is between 45-50%.

Can you put CMA after your name?

If you see the CMA designation after your name, your CMA certificate number has been issued.

What jobs can you get with a CMA?

A CMA (Certified Management Accountant) course opens doors to diverse, high-paying roles like Financial Analyst, Cost Accountant, Corporate Controller, and CFO, with opportunities in corporate finance, data analysis, and risk management across sectors like manufacturing, IT, and banking. CMAs are valued for strategic decision-making, financial planning, and performance management, progressing from entry-level analyst roles to senior leadership positions in various industries.
 

Who gets paid more, CMA or CPA?

Both CPA (Certified Public Accountant) and CMA (Certified Management Accountant) offer high earning potential, but CPAs often edge out CMAs in overall average salary, especially in public accounting and senior controller roles, while CMAs excel in corporate finance, FP&A, and strategic finance, with high demand in management roles, and dual certification bringing significant boosts to both. CPAs typically see salaries ranging from $75k-$125k+ with experience, while CMAs often earn $80k-$160k+, with both leading to six figures and potentially $100k+ for CFO/Director roles, notes Charlotte Observer and Controller Academy. 

Is CMA easy than ACCA?

Pass percentages: To know which is tougher, you should consider the pass percentage and as you will see the CMA is much tougher than passing ACCA the pass percentages for CMA are near to 20% whereas pass percentages for ACCA are on an average of 40-50%.

Is being a CMA easy?

The CMA exam is not easy—according to IMA, the CMA exam pass rate averages 50% for Parts 1 and 2. The exam has been used by ICMA (the Institute of Certified Management Accountants) to ensure candidates have the requisite knowledge and skill to perform at the CMA level for more than 50 years.

Do tax lawyers make more than CPAs?

Yes, tax attorneys generally make more than CPAs because of their specialized legal expertise and higher earning potential in complex legal matters, with lawyers' median pay around $151k versus accountants' $81k according to 2024 data, though top-tier CPAs in corporate roles can earn significantly, sometimes exceeding basic attorney pay. Both roles offer high earning potential in specialized areas, with tax attorneys focusing on legal strategy and court representation, while CPAs excel in accounting, compliance, and financial planning. 

What's the hardest professional exam to pass?

Top 10 Toughest Exams in the United States

• USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) ...
• Uniform Bar Examination/ California Bar. ...
• CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) Exam. ...
• CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Exam. ...
• NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) ...
• GRE (Graduate Record Examination)

How many times can you fail a CPA Exam?

There is no limit as to the number of times you may repeat a failed section. You may take any unpassed section of the CPA Exam year-round. Your only restriction is waiting to receive your score from a previous attempt of the same section.