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CSCA Study Help

  • 1.  CSCA Study Help

    Posted 08-06-2019 08:35 PM
    Hi All,

    I'm interested in studying for the CSCA - however it seems that IMA is a bit cryptic on the best way to prepare for the exam.  

    Does the Competitive Analysis Learning Series prepare you enough to pass the exam?  If not, would someone kindly share their thoughts on how to best prep to pass it?  

    Thanks in advance!

    ------------------------------
    Kevin Razawich CMA
    Camillus NY
    United States
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: CSCA Study Help

    Posted 08-07-2019 02:38 AM
    Hi Kevin 
    even i had  the same issue, communicated with one of the passed CSCA candidate and he recommended the learning series was enough for him to prepare and pass the exam. 
    Still you can go through STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT An integrated approach book ... I am going through this book for further referencing. 
    Although there are no specific tips for passing the exam

    ------------------------------
    Ajay Takiar, CMA
    PROFESSOR
    University of finance and economics
    Ulaanbataar
    Mongolia
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: CSCA Study Help

    Posted 08-08-2019 09:05 AM
    Hi Kevin,

    I work on IMA staff and I sat for the CSCA in the fall of 2017 (and passed)T.  I studied using the Learning Series provided by IMA. I found it to be very helpful​ and very thorough.  I created a lot of my own study notes from the content provided in the Learning Series.  I also purchased a used textbook called "Strategic Management" by Hill, Jones and Schilling as a reference. I liked being able to refer to the text to see how something was explained in different words.  I bought an old edition of the text and it only cost about $20.  While I had a copy of the recommended Harvard book called "On Strategy," I did not use it and I don't feel that I needed it.

    The CSCA does not require as much study time as the CMA.  I would say that about 40-50 hours would be sufficient. 

    Best of luck to you!
    Lisa

    ------------------------------
    Lisa Beaudoin CMA,CSCA,CAE
    Director/Manager
    IMA
    Northville MI
    United States
    ------------------------------



  • 4.  RE: CSCA Study Help

    Posted 08-09-2019 01:31 PM
    I have not taken the exam though I am thinking about it.   I would recommend reading any/all articles  by Michael Porter and am now going to buy "On Strategy".    I have dog-eared copies of various articles from the HBR that I refer to on a regular basis.

    ------------------------------
    Cindy Thimmesch CMA
    Phoenix AZ
    United States
    ------------------------------



  • 5.  RE: CSCA Study Help

    Posted 08-30-2019 07:16 AM
    Hi Lisa,

    I'm now preparing for the CSCA exam, and I was wondering if the questions that appeared in the Practice Question Bank of the Learning Series are similar to those that we will find in the exam.

    I am using the Learning Series and the book  " On Strategy " to prepare the exam. I hope it will be enough to pass.

    Thank you very much and good luck to everyone!

    ------------------------------
    Javier Erro CMA
    Director/Manager
    Logrono
    Spain
    ------------------------------



  • 6.  RE: CSCA Study Help

    Posted 08-30-2019 10:11 AM

    Hi Javier,

     

    I found the question bank that accompanies the Strategy & Competitive Analysis Learning Series to be sufficient for me to prepare for the CSCA exam. I think that the questions were of the same difficulty level as the actual exam.  I also felt that the Learning Series itself really helped to prepare me for the exam.  Personally, I did not read the HBS "On Strategy" book and I don't feel that I needed it.  I did purchase a used textbook called "Strategic Management" (Hill, Jones, Schilling), which I used as a reference, and I found that to be very helpful.  That book can be found online and an old version of the text is fine (it doesn't have to be the current edition).

     

    Best of luck to you!

    Lisa

     

    Lisa M. Beaudoin, CMA, CSCA, CAE
    Director of Business Development
    IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants)

    CMA®|  You've got to earn it.  

    10 Paragon Drive, Suite 1 
    Montvale, NJ 07645
    1-800-638-4427  ext 1706
    +1 (201) 474-1706
    lbeaudoin@...

     






  • 7.  RE: CSCA Study Help

    Posted 08-30-2019 12:19 PM
    Please like and share if you like.



    Thanks,
    Venkat






  • 8.  RE: CSCA Study Help

    Posted 09-02-2019 11:34 PM
    Hi Javier,

    I believe the Practice Question Bank was reasonably similar enough to the exam to be helpful.   Two observations regarding the prep materials: 1) When I took the course (Nov 2018 - about Feb/Mar 2019) there were only 150 sample questions which I thought was a bit light, although I very recently was told (when I expressed this concern) that there are now more sample questions and more will continue to be added, and 2) there was one type of question (just a few, 4-6?) that I thought were a bit odd and not reflected in the prep materials, but ultimately it appears not to have negatively impacted my my score.  Whether that was a reflection of the study materials, the test itself, or a gap in my preparation is not determinable... so the gist is the materials supplemented with other websites and reading (see below) is adequate.

    I read "On Strategy" thoroughly, and most sections twice.  Several sections were very good, a few not as critical.   Although it may have been overkill from a test prep standpoint, I read parts of both Competitive Advantage and Competitive Strategy by Michael E Porter.   Cheap used copies are available online.

    I also recommend, which you may already be doing, additional web searches on topics you're less familiar with and/or which still seem less then clear (or deep) post study.   As a former educator I repeatedly read through the testing standards and thus looked up additional websites which I felt potentially underprepared for (ex. balancedscorecard.org).

    ------------------------------
    John Wright CMA
    Controller
    Seattle
    WA
    US
    ------------------------------



  • 9.  RE: CSCA Study Help

    Posted 09-04-2019 01:28 PM
    Thank you very much John! Your comments will be very helpful for the preparation

    ------------------------------
    Javier Erro CMA
    Director/Manager
    Logrono
    Spain
    ------------------------------



  • 10.  RE: CSCA Study Help

    Posted 11-13-2019 07:39 AM
    Hi All!

    I would like to thank you for your comments and recommendations. Yesterday, exam score was released and I have passed.

    I have to say that actual exam questions are similar to those that appear in the Learning Series, i also would recommend to prepare the essay section with the cases of the learning series as they are very useful. Learning Series and " On Strategy" have been sufficient to pass.

    Thank you and best wishes for everyone

    ------------------------------
    Javier Erro CMA, CSCA
    Director/Manager
    Logrono
    Spain
    ------------------------------



  • 11.  RE: CSCA Study Help

    Posted 11-13-2019 07:48 AM
    Congratulations 

    Sent from my iPhone





  • 12.  RE: CSCA Study Help

    Posted 11-13-2019 08:23 AM

    For anyone interested in learning more about the CSCA certification, I'll be presenting a webinar next week on Tuesday, November 19th at 10am US Eastern Time.  We'll have three CSCA panelists who will share their stories and be available for answering questions.

    Be Strategic! Enhance Your Decision-Making Skills with the CSCA!

     

    Click here to register.

     

    You can also register by going to the IMA website à Education Center à Webinars

     

    Please join us!

     

    Lisa

    Lisa M. Beaudoin, CMA, CSCA, CAE
    Director of Business Development
    IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants)

     






  • 13.  RE: CSCA Study Help

    Posted 11-14-2019 02:44 AM
    Dear All, 

    Congrats to all who have passed! Sorry what is the Learning Series and On Strategy you are referring to?

    ------------------------------
    Uriah Tryon
    Accountant
    Saudi Arabia
    ------------------------------



  • 14.  RE: CSCA Study Help

    Posted 11-14-2019 12:50 PM
    Hi Uriah,

    The Learning Series are some of the materials that can be used to study for the CSCA exam. Please check this link:

    https://www.imanet.org/csca-credential/preparing-for-the-exam

    ------------------------------
    Javier Erro CMA, CSCA
    Director/Manager
    Logrono
    Spain
    ------------------------------



  • 15.  RE: CSCA Study Help

    Posted 11-13-2019 07:55 AM

    Hello everyone 
    I too agree with Javier , learning series questions were quite similar in terms of difficulty level and language ... if some sincerely follows learning series with solid preparation of six cases given in the learning series he will not fail for sure. 


    congratulations and happy for the success 



    ------------------------------
    Ajay Takiar, CMA
    PROFESSOR
    University of finance and economics
    Ulaanbataar
    Mongolia
    ------------------------------