<p>I just took a management accounting class(Cost Accounting) over the summer. I looked over the CMA website and the 20 sample multiple choice questions I looked at were pretty easy. I have a pretty easy schedule in the fall(Intermediate II is my only course that will be remotely hard). I was thinking it would be a good idea to study for the CMA, start taking the CMA exam over the next year and have that credential in my pocket for later. I think I'll have the easiest time passing it if I do it now rather than 4 or 5 years down the road when I am hopefully getting out of public accounting and can't remember anything about management accounting. </p>
<p>I am a CMA, and it will likely be beneficial for you to take it now rather than later. Although having your CPA allows you to skip one part, you can take it at a discounted rate if you’re a student. However, you must take all four parts within a year of joining the IMA and paying your fee to sit for the CMA exams to get the discounted rate. Good luck!</p>
<p>tbradford: Do you have a CPA? If so, do you feel that the CPA has helped you more than the CMA in terms of jobs/exit opportunities? If not, how much an impact has the CMA had in progressing your career despite not having a CPA?</p>
<p>Okay cool. You are right that the discount for being a student is substantial. Also although they waive part of the test for CPA’s, they still make them pay some kind of fee for the waiver!</p>