Once the CIMA Certification Application is processed by IMCA, candidates may sit for the online Qualification Examination offered at more than 170 Applied Measurement Professionals, Inc., testing centers throughout the United States (examinations to be delivered in other countries are handled on a case-by-case basis, and you may download a list of international testing centers by clicking here). Candidates receive one attempt at the Qualification Examination as part of the initial application fee. For instructions on scheduling into the Qualification Examination, refer to page four of the Candidate Handbook.

To best prepare for the Qualification Examination, candidates should focus on the detailed content outline on pages 7–8 of the Candidate Handbook. This handbook is designed to provide you with more information and answers to your questions regarding the CIMA certification process. Please download the Candidate Handbook and read it in its entirety.

Certification Resources:
• Certification Candidate Study Guide (PDF)
• Formula Sheet –The formula sheet used in the examination is not labeled; therefore candidates should know how to identify and apply the formulas.
• IMCA Code of Professional Responsibility— In addition to the resources mentioned above, candidates need to be familiar with IMCA’s Code of Professional Responsibility and Standards of Practice.
• Calculator Resources--Candidates should also familiarize themselves with the of an acceptable financial calculator. Guidance for using non-programmable calculators can be found on the independent Web sites: eLearnAbout or Calculator Tutorial Index.

Education and Review Resources
IMCA-Sponsored Offerings
IMCA provides the following resources for candidates, please click on the links to find out more information. (note: As a candidate, you may be contacted with information about these services. These IMCA-sponsored offerings are NOT REQUIRED for certification. Other review providers are available (see below), and consultants and contractors assembling the resources available through IMCA have no knowledge of the examination items included on the qualification or certification exams.)

Print offerings:
• Introduction to the CIMA® Certification Program: Self-Study Texts

Online offerings:
• Qualification Examination Review Course
• Essentials of Investment Consulting Certificate Program (this is an online educational program, NOT a review course)

Independent Review and Overview Offerings
The following independent providers offer CIMA examination review, tutoring, and/or overview services to candidates and interested individuals. (Note: As a candidate, your contact information may be shared with these providers, and you may be contacted with information about their services. IMCA makes no assertion regarding the quality or knowledge of these providers.  The providers offering these resources have no knowledge of the examination items included on the qualification or certification exams.)

Pierre Lemaire, ABD, CAIA®
Beta Educational Services, LLC
856.866.1555
Visit the Web site.

John Nersesian, CIMA®, CIS, CPWA®, CFP®
Visit the Web site.

Independent Self-Study Texts
The books listed on this page may be helpful for candidates. They are listed only as a representative sample of texts available and are not to be considered as recommendations.

In addition, the books included on this list have been used to reference exam item answers and may be helpful tools for candidates to familiarize themselves with the detailed content outline topics found on pages 7–8 of the Candidate Handbook. These books are not intended to provide exhaustive or comprehensive coverage of all topics found on the Qualification and Certification Examinations. These simply serve as suggested titles to consider for enhancing candidates' knowledge in the key areas taught in the CIMA certification program.