
16th July, 2025
CMA- Cost Management Accounting
CMA Final Paper 16 – Strategic Cost Management June 2025 Exam Analysis
Table of Contents
The CMA Final Strategic Cost Management paper (June 2025) wasn’t just another theory-heavy exam—it was a challenge to think, apply, and strategize like a management expert. This attempt of Paper 16 pushed students beyond textbook knowledge, demanding clarity in concepts, business acumen, and sharp decision-making.
From detailed case scenarios to performance evaluation techniques, make-or-buy decisions, and real-time costing dilemmas, ICMAI made it clear: the focus has shifted from repetition to real-world application. Time management played a crucial role, as many questions required thoughtful analysis and structured answers.
Let’s dive into a detailed analysis of the CMA Final SCM paper to help December 2025 aspirants understand the latest trends, topic weightage, and how to align their preparation strategy.
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CMA Final Strategic Cost Management June 2025 Paper Pattern and Structure
Section |
Question Type |
No. of Questions |
Marks |
Section A |
MCQs |
15 |
30 (15 x 2) |
Section B |
Descriptive |
5 out of 7 |
70 (14 x 5) |
Total |
100 |
CMA Final Paper 16 June 2025: Overall Difficulty level
Section |
Difficulty level |
Section A (MCQs) |
Moderate |
Section B (Descriptive) |
Tough |
Overall |
Moderate to tough |
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Section A – MCQ Analysis (30 Marks)
Topic |
Concept Covered |
Level |
Value Chain Analysis |
Cost control and competitive advantage |
Moderate |
Python in Costing |
Application in cost analytics |
Conceptual |
Game Theory |
Strategic pricing and competition |
Analytical |
CVP Analysis |
Break-even, margin of safety |
Easy |
Learning Curve |
Efficiency gain with volume |
Moderate |
Supply Chain |
Bottleneck identification |
Practical |
Quality Metrics |
Control and cost of poor quality |
Moderate |
Opportunity Cost |
Decision-making application |
Conceptual |
Section B – Descriptive Questions (70 Marks)
Question |
Topic |
Concepts Covered |
Challenge Level |
Q1 |
Transfer Pricing |
ROI, Residual Income, Divisional Performance |
Tough |
Q2 |
Pricing Decisions |
Stop-over analysis, Cost-benefit |
Moderate |
Q3 |
Target Costing |
Target Cost, ROI, Strategic Suggestion |
Moderate |
Q4 |
ABC |
Cost driver rates, Overhead allocation |
High |
Q5 |
Variance Analysis |
Material & Labour Variances |
Tough |
Q6 |
Transportation |
VAM, Cost-effective Distribution |
Moderate |
Q7 |
PERT/CPM |
Network Diagram, Critical Path, Probability |
High |
Q8 |
Simulation/Game Theory |
Scenario Building, Optimal Decision |
Analytical |
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Key Observations of CMA Final SCM June 2025
Paper was Moderate to Difficult in overall level
Section B was lengthy and required strong time management
MCQs were conceptual and application-based
Heavy focus on numericals like Transfer Pricing, ABC, and PERT
Theory questions (e.g. Game Theory, Simulation) were included
Paper Covered both core and less expected topics
Case-based questions tested practical decision-making
Structured, well-presented answer were necessary
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What students say: Others vs Bhagya Achievers
Aspect |
Other Students Say |
Bhagya Achievers Students Say |
Overall Paper Level |
“Unexpectedly tough” |
“Challenging but manageable” |
MCQs (Section A) |
“Some were out of syllabus” |
“Similar to test series” |
Time Management |
“Ran out of time” |
“We had already practiced full-length mocks” |
Numerical Questions |
“Lengthy and tricky” |
“Expected this pattern” |
Theory Questions |
“Neglected theory, so struggled” |
“We had notes and mind-maps for theory” |
Effective Strategy for CMA Final SCM – December 2025
Focus on Core Topics First
Transfer Pricing, ABC, CVP Analysis, Variance Analysis, PERT/CPM
Strengthen Conceptual Understanding (July–August)
Build clarity, revise theory, and practice 8–10 sums per chapter
Revise Theory Chapters (September)
Don’t ignore Simulation, Game Theory, Strategic Tools
Weekly MCQ Practice
Solve 40–50 MCQs every week from past RTPs and MTPs
Mock Test Practice (October–November)
Attempt 2–3 full-length tests under exam conditions
Focus on time management and presentation
Use Structured Answer Format
Introduction → Working → Analysis → Conclusion
Keep Revision Tools Ready
Formula sheet, concept maps, summary notes
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- Ask Doubts 24/7
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- Learn from other’s experiences and answers
- Discussions on expected questions
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FAQ
Q.1 Was the CMA Final SCM June 2025 paper more difficult than previous attempts?
Ans. Yes, many students found it moderate to tough, especially the descriptive section as compare to previous attempts.
Q.2 What were the most difficult topics in the June 2025 SCM Paper?
Ans. Transfer pricing, ABC costing, variance Analysis, and PERT/CPM were considered the most difficult topics in the June 2025 SCM paper due to their numerical complexity.
Q.3 Were the MCQs easy in CMA Final paper 16?
Ans. No, because most MCQs were conceptual and application based which require deep understanding over rote learning.
Q.4 How do I prepare for SCM December 2025?
Ans. Focus on more high weightage topics, do not skip any topic, build strong concepts, use Bhagya Achievers free notes, and attempt Bhagya Achievers mock test along with past year question papers.
Q.5 Is theory important for CMA Final SCM?
Ans. Yes, theory based questions like simulation, Game theory, Strategic tools, and Value Chain are essential and contain more weightage. Use short notes and revision notes for better understanding.
Also Check:
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