CIMA E3 Exam: Interview with a Top Tutor

With the November exams fast approaching, it’s natural for panic to set in, especially when you’re working in a full time job and therefore already have limited time to study.

This is particularly an issue if you’re taking the CIMA E3 exam as there are a lot of topics to cover and a lot of theories to learn.

So what’s the best way to overcome the CIMA E3 exam?

Read on to find out…

In today’s article I publish a recent interview I did with a top tutor of the E3 paper.

Chris Cain is an experienced CIMA tutor who teaches at the likes of Kaplan. Indeed Chris was also the Creator of the now famous ‘Question Based Revision’ courses and the concept of writing unseen material for CIMA students to practise questions under exam conditions.

Below Chris offers his invaluable insight and top tips for passing the CIMA E3 exam:

So Chris, what is your suggested approach to preparation for the E3 exam?

A Learning Outcomes approach is essential combined with appropriate question practice under exam conditions. The answers should then be marked by someone with experience.

Students must learn how to produce an effective structure plan before a contents plan when answering questions

So what is the difference between a contents plan versus structure plan?

It’s what I do in my 1-2-1 sessions. I also teach students how to generate in-depth contents.

Okay, what would you say are the most common reasons why students fail the E3 exam?

Students have difficulty in answering questions at this level and try to ‘memory dump’ when answering questions.

Retake students think they fail because of a lack of knowledge so they do more reading of texts and notes and fail again!

I have met students who have failed this Paper 10 times until I change their approach

What should those students retaking the exam do differently next time in order to pass?

Focus on the learning outcomes and DO more questions under exam conditions and get appropriate feedback.

Finally, what are your top three pieces of advice for someone sitting the E3 exam in November?

  1. Update CIMA’s analysis of past exam questions by Learning Outcomes available on CIMA website
  1. Identify key examinable areas and
  1. Practice on past exam questions

Students should also read the article on the CIMA website by Adrian Sims on the Building Blocks, Performance Pyramid and BSC models.

There is a chance that Transfer Pricing will be examined but you can guarantee a question on Change Management. I would recommend students consider the Johnson and Scholes change management strategies.

Another Johnson and Scholes model to consider for November is ‘Ethical Stances’.

And Finally

My thanks to Chris for his helpful advice. I hope you found it useful.

If you have any questions or comments of your own on the E3 paper, drop them in the comments box below and you’ll be sure to receive a prompt response.

You can also contact Chris personally at chris.cain581@gmail.com

Thanks

Matt

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