How CMA Exam Score is Determined?

Certified Management Accountant 2026 ( CMA )

shadow

CMA June 2026 Inter & Final Exam

11 Jun '26 - 18 Jun '26

Abhishek
Abhishek Dhawan
Assistant Manager – Editorial Content
Updated on Feb 7, 2026 00:00 IST
The determination of a candidate's score and passing status in the Cost and Management Accountant (CMA) examination is governed by specific rules set by the Institute of Cost Accountants of India. The scoring process involves a combination of marking schemes, aggregate requirements, and a detailed exemption policy.

CMA exam has three course levels, including Foundation, Intermediate, and Final. Each subject paper has 100 marks. The scoring criteria in CMA exam varies across course levels. Check details on ICMAI CMA scoring criteria below.

How is CMA Score Determined

How is CMA Score Determined?

CMA Score Determination Process: The Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI) conducts CMA exam at three course levels. CMA scoring criteria varies across all three course levels considering a different exam pattern. The determination of a candidate's score and passing status in the CMA exam is administered by rules set by ICMAI. CMA exam scoring process involves a combination of marking schemes, aggregate requirements, and a detailed exemption policy that dictates how scores are carried forward in subsequent attempts. Scroll down to know how CMA exam score is determined, including the marking scheme, exemption rules, and CMA passing criteria.

Table of contents
  • Course-wise CMA Marking Scheme
  • ICMAI CMA Passing Criteria
  • ICMAI CMA Exemption Rule
  • CMA Score Calculation: Subject Weightage

Course-wise CMA Marking Scheme

The CMA course is divided into three levels: Foundation, Intermediate, and Final. Each level has a specific number of subjects, and the marking scheme differs slightly between the levels.

CMA Foundation: The course level has four subjects with 100 marks each. Each of these four subject papers have 50 MCQ type questions awarding 2 marks.

Component Details
Total Subjects 4
Marks per Subject 100
Question Type MCQs
No. of Questions 50
Marks per Question 2
Total MCQ Marks 100

CMA Intermediate and Final: These course levels are divided into two groups each, with four subjects per group. Each paper is has 100 marks and is split into two sections.

Section Question Type No. of Questions Marks Allocation
Section A MCQs 15 2 marks each (30 marks total)
Section B Descriptive 7 (5 compulsory) 14 marks each (70 marks total)
Total - - 100 marks
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is the mode for release of CMA results?
A: 

CMA results are declared for all the CMA students who appear for the exam as per the stipulated dates. The results for all three levels of CMA exam are issued online on the official exam website. Candidates need to provide login credentials, including their registration number to check the CMA results for Foundation, Intermediate or Final course level. ICMAI releases the CMA results separately for Foundation course. While the results for both Intermediate and Final exams are released on the same day.

ICMAI does not entertain any requests for offline showcase of the CMA results. Therefore, candidates can check the results from the official website only.

Q:   What is the step-wise process to check CMA results?
A: 

Candidates need to visit the ICMAI website to check CMA results. Students need to provide the identification number to access the CMA result login.

Q:   What is the process to apply for verification of answer papers after CMA results?
A: 

A Candidate can apply for verification of answer papers to the Director of Examination, ICMAI, within 30 days from the date of release of the CMA results. To apply for the facility, candidates need to pay INR 250 for each subject paper. During the verification of answer papers, ICMAI will only evaluate the exam papers for any totalling error, or any omission occured while examining any answers.

Candidates need to enter the term name, current registration number, roll number, full name, course name, and the subject for which they wish to apply for verification of answer sheets.    

Q:   How to check CMA verification results?
A: 

CMA verification results are available on the official student website. Candidates need to check the CMA verification results using the login dashboard on the website.

ICMAI CMA Passing Criteria

To qualify in the CMA exam, a candidate must satisfy two criteria simultaneously:

  1. CMA Passing Marks in Individual Subject: A candidate must obtain at least 40 marks in every individual subject paper.
  2. CMA Aggregate Passing Marks: A candidate must achieve a total of 50% in aggregate for the group or level they are appearing for. For a single group of 400 total marks, a candidate needs an aggregate of at least 200 marks.

CMA Passing Criteria in Different Conditions

  • Failing the Individual Criteria: If a candidate scores 38, 60, 60, and 60 (Total: 218), they fail because one subject is below 40.
  • Failing the Aggregate Criteria: If a candidate scores 42, 45, 46, and 52 (Total: 185), they fail because the total is below the 200-mark aggregate requirement, even though all individual papers are above 40.
  • Giving Both Groups Together: If a student appears for both groups of a level simultaneously, the individual 40-mark rule applies to all eight subjects, and the 50% aggregate is calculated on the combined total of both groups.
Staying updated about the latest educational events is just a click away
Enter Mobile Number

ICMAI CMA Exemption Rule

If a candidate fails the group but secures 60 marks or above in a specific subject, he/she can claim exemption in that particular subject.

An exemption occurs when a candidate fails a group but scores 60 marks or more in a specific subject. This status allows the candidate to avoid retaking that specific paper for the next three subsequent (consecutive) attempts.

Calculating Aggregate Marks in Subsequent Attempts: Candidates always worry about how CMA score is determined in terms of exemptions, and how CMA score is for exempted subject is treated in the next attempt. There are two rules based on the candidate's performance in the failed attempt:

  • Rule A (The 50-Mark Rule): If a candidate fails the group and had scored less than 40 marks in any of the remaining subjects, the exempted paper's marks are reckoned as exactly 50 marks for the purpose of calculating the aggregate in the next attempt.
  • Rule B (The Actual Marks Rule): If a candidate fails the group but had secured at least 40 marks in every other paper of that group, the actual marks (e.g., 67 or 70) are carried forward for the aggregate calculation in subsequent attempts.

Claiming and Withdrawing Exemptions: No formal application is required to claim an exemption; it is automatically recorded. To claim it, the student remains absent from the exempted paper during the next examination. However, if a student decides to appear for the exempted paper again, the exemption is permanently withdrawn, and the new score is used.

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   When will ICMAI release CMA Foundation June results?
A: 

CMA Foundation results release within a month of the exam date. Candidates can check the CMA Foundation results on the official student website of ICMAI. The prediction of release of CMA Foundation results within month has been based on the previous year trends.

However, in some of the past session, CMA Foundation exam was conducted as an online proctored test where the results were out within 15 days of the exam date. In the current session, the CMA Foundation exam is being conducted as an OMR based offline test. Therefore, evaluating the CMA Foundation answer sheets may become a bit tough. For the latest updates on CMA Foundation dates, refer to shiksha's CMA dates article (https://www.shiksha.com/accounting-commerce/accounting/cma-exam-dates)

Q:   When will ICMAI release CMA results?
A: 

Ths institute of Cost Accountants of India, commonly known as ICMAI, releases the CMA results in two to three months of the exam dates for Intermediare and Final courses. CMA Foundation results are released comparatively early. Owing to a MCQ based question pattern in CMA Foundation exam, the results for CMA foundation are typically released within a month of the exam date.

CMA Intermediate results and CMA Final results are released on a  same date. However, the link to check the CMA Intermediate results and CMA Final results are hosted on the separate windows.

Q:   What is the release date for CMA Foundation June 2026 result?
A: 

According to official notice released by ICMAI, the CMA Foundation result for June 2026 exam will be released the latest by July 09, 2026.

Q:   What is the release date for CMA Intermediate June 2026 result?
A: 

Release date for CMA Inter result for June 2026 exam is August 05, 2026. Candidates who will appear for CMA Inter exam between June 11 and June 18, will be able to check their scores.

Explore popular CA colleges for you

Based on ,CA
Change

Delhi
NA
Ahmedabad
NA
Pune
NA
Bangalore
NA

Want better recommendations?

There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.
Your preferences-CAEdit
Delhi
₹15.00 K
Hyderabad
₹20.00 K
Mumbai
₹1.30 L
Delhi
₹2.90 L
Bangalore
₹2.40 L
Secunderabad
₹33.00 K
Confused about which college or exam to opt for?assitentRcpRhsImage
  • Chat with our counselor
  • Get your personalised list of colleges & exams matching your preferences
View allCollections

Explore more Accounting & Commerce exams with upcoming dates

ICSI CS Executive Dec 2026 Reg...

1 Feb '26 - 31 May '26

ICSI CS Professional Dec 2026 ...

1 Feb '26 - 31 May '26

CSEET 2026 Registration- Octob...

1 Mar '26 - 31 May '26

SAT India exam (June attempt)

6 Jun '26

CA Final May 2026 Result

5 Jul '26

CA inter May 2026 Result

7 Jul '26

KALSEE 2026 Exam Dates

12 Jul '26

CA Foundation Sep 2026 registration

6 Jul '26 - 19 Jul '26

CMA Score Calculation: Subject Weightage

The subjects and their internal weights influence the final score determined for each paper.

CMA Foundation Subject Wise Weightage

Subject name

Topic from the subject

Weightage

FUNDAMENTALS OF BUSINESS LAWS AND BUSINESS COMMUNICATION (FBLC)

Introduction

10%

Indian Contracts Act, 1872

30%

Sale of Goods Act, 1930

20%

Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881

20%

Business Communication

20%

FUNDAMENTALS OF FINANCIAL AND COST ACCOUNTING (FFCA)

Accounting Fundamentals

30%

Accounting for Special Transactions

15%

Preparation of Final Accounts

25%

Fundamentals of Cost Accounting

30%

FUNDAMENTALS OF BUSINESS MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS (FBMS)

Arithmetic

15%

Algebra

20%

Calculus - Application in Business

5%

Statistical Representation of Data

5%

Measures of Central Tendency and Dispersion

15%

Correlation and Regression

15%

Probability

15%

Index Numbers and Time Series

10%

FUNDAMENTALS OF BUSINESS ECONOMICS AND MANAGEMENT (FBEM)

Basic Concepts

15%

Forms of Market

20%

Money and Banking

20%

Economic and Business Environment

15%

Fundamentals of Management

30%

CMA Intermediate Subject Wise Weightage

Subject name

Topic from the subject

Weightage

Business Laws and Ethics (BLE)

Commercial Laws

30%

Industrial Laws

15%

Corporate Laws

40%

Business Ethics

15%

Financial Accounting (FA)

Accounting Fundamentals

15%

Accounting for Special Transactions

10%

Preparation of Financial Statements

20%

Partnership Accounts

20%

Lease, Branch and Departmental Accounts etc.

15%

Accounting Standards

20%

Direct and Indirect Taxation (DITX)

Direct Taxation

50%

Indirect Taxation

50%

Cost Accounting (CA)

Introduction to Cost Accounting

40%

Methods of Costing

30%

Cost Accounting Techniques

30%

Operations Management and Strategic Management (OMSM)

Operations Management

60%

Strategic Management

40%

Corporate Accounting and Auditing (CAA)

 

Corporate Accounting

50%

Auditing

50%

Financial Management and Business Data Analytics (FMDA)

Financial Management

80%

Business Data Analytics

20%

Management Accounting (MA)

Introduction to Management Accounting

5%

Activity Based Costing

10%

Decision Making Tools

30%

Standard Costing and Variance Analysis

15%

Forecasting, Budgeting and Budgetary Control

15%

Divisional Performance Measurement

10%

Responsibility Accounting

5%

Decision Theory

10%

CMA Final Subject Wise Weightage

The Final level includes advanced modules and elective choices that determine the final group scores.

Subject name

Topic from the subject

Weightage

Corporate and Economic Laws

Companies Act

40%

SEBI

10%

Other economic regulations

 

Strategic Financial Management

Investment Decisions

25%

Security Analysis

35%

Derivatives

20%

Direct Tax and International Taxation

Direct Tax

60%

International Taxation

40%

Strategic Cost Management

SCM for decision making

60%

Quantitative Techniques

40%

Cost and Management Audit

Cost Audit

50%

Management Audit

25%

Corporate Financial Reporting

Ind AS

25%

Business Combinations

20%

Consolidations

20%

Indirect Tax Laws and Practice

GST

70%

Customs

30%

NOTE: Paper 20 (Electives): Candidates choose one from Strategic Performance Management (20A), Risk Management in Banking and Insurance (20B), or Entrepreneurship and Startup (20C).

ICMAI determines the CMA score based on the marking scheme, individual subject requirements, exemptions, and rules related to aggregate score. 

About the Author
author-image
Abhishek Dhawan
Assistant Manager – Editorial Content

Abhishek is a content writer and editor with 7+ years of experience in education journalism. He completed his graduation from University of Delhi with a BA Degree. At Shiksha.com, he handles content for MBA, BBA, an

Read Full Bio
Download Important Dates for Accounting & Commerce Exams

News & Updates

Latest NewsPopular News

Explore Other Exams

6 Jul '26 -

19 Jul '26

CA Foundation Sep 2026 registr...

20 Jul '26 -

22 Jul '26

CA Foundation Sep 2026 registr...

1 Aug '26

SHIATS 2026 Commencement of cl...

3 Feb '26

SHIATS Entrance Exam 2026 for ...

The list of exams are recommended based on what other exams do the students in your area show interest in
qna

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered a month ago

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has announced 301 exam centres across India for the 2026 cycle. In Kerala, centres include:

  • Malappuram (Kottakkal)

  • Kozhikode

  • Thrissur

  • Ernakulam

  • Thiruvananthapuram

  • Kannur

  • Palakkad

  • Kottayam

S

Sidhartha Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

CA is usually considered tougher than CMA if we consider the volume of syllabus and study. Also, the pass rate for CA exam is lower than that for CMA exam.

Y

Yatendra Choudhury

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month ago

Students must give at least 8-10 hours daily for each group of CMA exam for about 3 months to prepare well of the exam.

Y

Yatendra Singh

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month ago

To clear CMA Foundation, Inter or Final exam in first attempt, candidates must strengthen their basics, cover syllabus, practice as much as possible, stay away from distraction, attempt full-length mock tests, use smart revision techniques and evaluate their progess weekly or monthly.

S

Shailja Singh

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month ago

CMA exam is usually considered difficult to crack in one attempt. However, if a candidate is diligent with his/her preparation and practices mock exams, past papers and sample papers thoroughly before exam, their chances of passing the exam increases.

N

Nupur Jain

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month ago

Candidates have to pay INR 25,000 as CMA Final course registration fee. ICMAI allows candidates to pay this amount in two installments as follows:

  • 1st Installement: INR 15,000 (at the time of registration)
  • 2nd Installment: INR 10,000 (before January 31 and July 31 for June and December term exams)

R

Rachit Katariya

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month ago

The CMA Intermediate course registration fee is INR 23,100. Candidates can pay this amoung in two installments - INR 12,000 at the time of registration, and INR 11,100 before January 31 and July 31 for June and December term exams.

V

Vikrant Kaur

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month ago

The registration fee for ICMAI CMA foundation course is INR 6,000.

N

Nishtha Singh

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month ago

CMA June admit card will be releases around 10 days before the exam dates. ICAMI does not release the schedule for download of admit card. Therefore, candidates can stay tuned to Shiksha's CMA admit card page to get all updates.

N

Nishtha Rai

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 2 months ago

Release date for CMA Inter result for June 2026 exam is August 05, 2026. Candidates who will appear for CMA Inter exam between June 11 and June 18, will be able to check their scores.

R

Rachit Katariya

Contributor-Level 6