Format of Objective Test exams

In this lesson

1. 0:00 Objective test exam format overview
2. 1:05 Flexibility and accessibility of CIMA exams
3. 2:14 Exam structure: 60 questions in 90 minutes
4. 3:07 Technical competence and syllabus coverage
5. 4:38 Question types in objective tests
6. 5:07 Single answer multiple choice questions
7. 5:48 Multiple response questions explained
8. 6:30 Gap fill and drag and drop questions
9. 7:47 Dropdown questions and exam results
10. 8:57 Understanding your results and syllabus proficiency

About this lesson

In this video, you'll learn the format and structure of CIMA's objective test exams, which are computer-based assessments covering E1, E2, E3, P1, P2, P3, F1, F2, and F3. Understanding the exam format is essential for planning your study strategy and managing your time effectively during the actual test. The objective test format features 60 questions that you'll answer in 90 minutes, giving you approximately 1.5 minutes per question. These exams test your technical competence across the entire syllabus—you can't question spot or focus on just a few topics. CIMA ensures every syllabus area is covered, so you need depth of understanding across all areas. You can sit objective tests whenever you want at over 5000 Pearson Vue centres worldwide, or from home, and you'll receive a provisional result immediately after submitting your answers. The questions come in several formats: single-answer multiple choice (the most common type), multiple response questions where you must identify four correct answers from six options with no partial marks, gap-fill questions where you calculate and enter your own answer, drag-and-drop questions where you match items to spaces, and dropdown questions similar to standard multiple choice. Each format requires different skills, with gap-fill and drag-and-drop being particularly challenging since there's no opportunity to guess. After your exam, you'll get a detailed breakdown showing your proficiency level across different syllabus topics. This feedback is invaluable if you need to resit—it highlights exactly which areas need more focus. Your final pass or fail confirmation arrives within 48 hours via email from CIMA.

Duration: 9m

• Objective test exam structure and timing
• Computer-based assessment accessibility and locations
• Question format types and difficulty levels
• Syllabus coverage and technical competence requirements
• Provisional results and detailed performance feedback
• Gap-fill and drag-and-drop question strategies