CMA pass rates: what IMA actually publishes
The usual answer is about 45%. But that figure dates from 2020, the last time IMA released global pass rates. Most of the precise percentages quoted online are estimates or providers’ own claims.
The numbers, and how far to trust them
| Figure you will see | Where it comes from | How far to trust it |
|---|---|---|
| About 45% across both parts | IMA, last published in 2020 | Official, but six years old |
| 35 to 50% per part | Review providers and coaching centers | Estimates; sources disagree on which part is harder |
| 80 to 90% for “our students” | Course providers’ marketing | Self-reported and not audited |
IMA no longer publishes pass rates by window or by country. When it releases new figures, this page will be updated.
Will case-based questions change the numbers?
Nobody knows yet. September/October 2026 is the first window with only case-based questions, and its results arrive from mid-November. Anyone quoting a post-change pass rate before then is guessing.
What candidates who pass do differently
IMA recommends 150 to 170 hours per part. Candidates who cut that short are the ones who end up retaking.
Multiple choice is 75% of the score and the gate to the written section. Questions, not lectures, should take most of your study time.
Case-based questions reward speed with exhibits and numbers. Timed practice sets matter more than reading about the format.
Common questions
Is Part 1 or Part 2 harder?
Sources disagree, and IMA has not published a current split. Part 2’s decision analysis and corporate finance sections are often cited as the hardest areas; others find Part 1’s cost management and technology sections harder. Your background matters more than the averages.
Will IMA publish new pass rates?
IMA has not said. We will update this page if it does.