CMA Study Guide 2026

Everything you need to pass the CMA exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.

📋 CMA Exam Format at a Glance

50
Questions
90 min
Time Limit
70.00%
Passing Score

📚 CMA Topics to Study (38)

✍️ Sample CMA Questions & Answers

1. A company runs a campaign where customers receive a coupon redeemable at point of purchase. This is an example of:
Sales promotion

Sales promotions include short-term incentives like coupons, discounts, and rebates designed to stimulate immediate purchase behavior.

2. What does the term 'crowding out' refer to in macroeconomics?
Government borrowing raising interest rates and reducing private investment

Crowding out occurs when government deficit spending increases demand for loanable funds, raising interest rates and displacing private sector investment.

3. Cost per thousand (CPM) is calculated as:
(Total cost / Total impressions) × 1,000

CPM = (Total cost ÷ Total impressions) × 1,000; it measures the cost to reach 1,000 audience members and is a standard media efficiency metric.

4. Which framework divides a market into four quadrants based on market growth rate and relative market share?
BCG Growth-Share Matrix

The BCG Growth-Share Matrix, developed by Boston Consulting Group, categorizes business units into Stars, Cash Cows, Question Marks, and Dogs based on growth rate and market share.

5. What does the term 'competitive moat' refer to in market analysis?
A sustainable competitive advantage that protects a company from rivals

A competitive moat, popularized by Warren Buffett, is a durable competitive advantage—such as brand, network effects, or cost advantages—that protects a company's market position.

6. Which of the following trends BEST describes the post-pandemic consumer shift toward local and independent businesses?
Localism and community commerce

Localism reflects consumers' renewed interest in supporting neighborhood businesses, driven by community identity and supply chain disruption awareness.

🎯 Free CMA Practice Tests

📖 CMA Guides & Articles

Your CMA Study Path
1. Learn with Flashcards → 2. Drill Practice Tests → 3. Take the Full Exam Simulation
Was this helpful?