CMA Part 1 preparation in Dubai by LIFS: 3 months, live classes twice weekly at the JLT campus or online, full mock exams, and the Pass-Assure™ guarantee.
Exam: 4 hours | 100 MCQs + 2 essays | Passing score 360/500 | Prometric centres in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah.
CMA Part 1 covers Financial Planning, Performance and Analytics across 6 sections: External Financial Reporting (15%), Planning, Budgeting & Forecasting (20%), Performance Management (20%), Cost Management (15%), Internal Controls (15%), and Technology & Analytics (15%). The exam is 4 hours with 100 MCQs and 2 essay questions.
At LIFS Dubai, CMA Part 1 preparation takes 3 months with classes twice a week. IMA recommends 150–170 hours of total study.
LIFS students achieve a 93.9% overall CMA pass rate — more than double the global average of approximately 45% — across both Part 1 and Part 2.
At Prometric testing centres in Dubai during three windows: January–February, May–June, and September–October.
Either order is allowed. Most candidates start with Part 1 (foundational management accounting); candidates with strong financial-analysis backgrounds sometimes start with Part 2. LIFS advisors recommend the best sequence for your background.
A 4-hour computer-based exam at a Prometric centre: 100 multiple-choice questions (75% of the score) and 2 essay questions (25%). Passing score: 360 out of 500.