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CIMA Strategic Case Study

No matter how well you know the theory and the pre-seen, unless you can use your knowledge in an exam situation, all of your revision is worthless!

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CIMA Student Series: Strategic Case Study (SCS)

The Strategic Case Study represents the final hurdle for CIMA students. In this article, Angelo Koukios demonstrates the importance of the right attitude. His never-say-die attitude and ability to identify and improve his weaknesses saw him improve his score by 25 marks between his first and second attempts.

Angelo Koukios currently works as a financial advisor at Grant Thornton (see LinkedIn profile here ). Angelo enjoys a versatile working experience in two different countries (England & Greece) within a variety of industries and roles. His main areas of interest are predominantly financial planning and analysis in the context of financial modelling, along with the application of advanced data analytics and Business Intelligence (BI) techniques. During his free time, Angelo loves to hang out with friends, exploring the beauty of Greece as well as watching and playing sports. ‍

The Strategic Case Study represents the final hurdle for CIMA students. In this article, Angelo demonstrates the importance of the right attitude. His never-say-die attitude and ability to identify and improve his weaknesses saw him improve his score by 25 marks between his first and second attempts. ‍

When did you take the SCS exam and how did you get on? Was it your first attempt?

I successfully passed the SCS exam in May 2019 and that was my second attempt. As the saying goes, “you are allowed to fall, but you must get back up”. I failed with my first attempt with a scaled score of 78 (just 2 marks below the passing grade), and I am sure that you can imagine how devastated I was. I had to go down the same road over again, in the context of a new case study scenario, only because I got a result slightly lower than the pass mark. By being persistent, paying more attention to those small things that make the difference and having the unlimited support of VIVA, I eventually got the desired pass mark, this time 103.      

How long did you spend preparing for the SCS paper?

My preparation for the SCS paper lasted approximately 6 weeks. Believe me, time flies! On average, I was studying approximately 4 hours per working day and approximately 10 hours on Saturdays and Sundays.  

Did you take a course or did you opt for self-study?

As you can imagine, self-study and commitment are the most important parts in this journey. However, VIVA’s SCS Genius Study Pack paved the way for succeeding in the exam. The case study preparation videos, professional marking of my mock exams with detailed comments and the one-to-one session helped me to familiarise myself with exam requirements and conditions. In the SCS exam it is not just a test of what you know, but also a test of how you manage to express that knowledge in a specific scenario. This is exactly where VIVA’s terrific contribution makes the difference and equips you with confidence during the actual exam.

What (if anything), did you find especially difficult with the SCS in relation to your preparation?

Definitely, balancing work, personal and study life is the toughest part of this process. As time is probably the most valuable asset that we have as individuals, the CIMA qualification requires substantial amounts of it, if you want to reap the benefits of this accreditation. Getting inspiration from the virtue of learning more and envisioning a better future are key incentives to push yourself forward and never give up.

What (if anything), did you find especially difficult with the SCS in relation to the exam day?

I believe that time management is key on the exam day. However, more often than not, good time management is highly correlated with good preparation. The more you know, the more efficient you become when you express that knowhow either verbally or on paper.

Was there an area of the Strategic syllabus that you liked more than others?

Most students struggle with hedge accounting or currency and interest hedges. I was one of those to be honest. However, this gradually became one of my favourites along with valuations, Big Data and the Balance Scorecard.

Was there an area of the Strategic syllabus that you liked less than others?

Probably the areas of Integrated Reporting and GRI were not “my cup of tea”. However, I grasp the main attributes of those two areas and I was prepared to implement them in the case scenario.

Do you have any tips for other students about to sit the SCS?

Stay focused, be confident, aim for the best but also be prepared for the worst. Life is a marathon, not a sprint. SCS is a “once in a lifetime” experience and as such, presents particular challenges that are unique to it.

Were there any study techniques you used that were particularly helpful?

Reviewing weak areas again and again with a fresh view and continuous familiarisation with the industry and the scenario itself are critical success factors for exam success.  

Do you have any final comments/recommendations/feelings/thoughts about your SCS experience?

Have fun! The learning process and exams are tough. However, the whole experience makes you stronger and better. As the song says: “At the end of a storm, there's a golden sky”!

‍ You might want to explore and learn more about our CIMA Strategic Case Study Course . You can also check our webinar for Introduction to the SCS, register here .

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Category: CIMA Case Study

Cima mock exams: practice makes perfect.

This featured blog post is written by Practice Tests Academy and they explore the CIMA case study exam and the importance of getting tutor feedback and marking on your mock exam. *this article contains affiliate links, I only promote CIMA tuition providers I used myself when passing my CIMA exams. Affiliate commission helps cover the…

CIMA Case Study: May 2023

For those students whose first taste of a case study will be in May 2023, what can you expect and how should you prepare? The pre-seen materials release date is an obvious starting point for preparations, but from personal experience I found that using the weeks BEFORE the pre-seen materials are released as the perfect…

The Final Step: Passing the CIMA SCS!

Well, that’s it! I passed the CIMA SCS exam with a score of 108 and I’m absolutely relived, delighted and exhausted at the same time. The mental stress over the last few weeks waiting for the result was almost as draining as the exam itself. I got the result last week but wanted a few…

The CIMA Case Study: Last Minute Advice

Studying for the CIMA Case Studies require a completely different approach from the objective tests. I also find there is also added weight of pressure and expectation that comes with a case study exam. It’s a milestone. It’s three hours long and you will have write somewhere between 3000-4500 words. No select all that apply…

CIMA SCS Aug 2019: Zoom

The CIMA August 2019 strategic case study is based around a company called Uber, sorry I mean Zoom! Having read the pre-seen materials as I am sitting the exam myself, it’s clear the company is based around the real life company Uber. Which makes it very interesting and relevant as I am sure we have all…

CIMA MCS Aug 2019: CruiseCalm

The August CIMA MCS Exam will hopefully be smooth sailing as it’s based on a scenario called CruiseCalm (ok, no more puns). CIMA MCS August 2019: Cruise Calm Astranti Course The August 2019 MCS Course from Astranti comes with a PASS GUARANTEE. I used Astranti to pass my MCS exam first time last year, you…

CIMA OCS Aug 2019: AKL Sparkle

The CIMA OCS August 2019 exam is based around a case study scenario called AKL Sparkle. The first thing that caught my eye was the absence of a logo or motif on the pre-seen materials! I hope, for those who are taking the exam, there has been more effort put into the content of the…

CIMA Case Studies: August 2019

It’s that time of the CIMA case study cycle when the pre-seen materials will soon be issued and students facing the prospect of an August exam will be brushing up on their E/P/F syllabus knowledge.   Personally, I will be taking the SCS exam this August so I will try and share as much as…

CIMA SCS May 2019: Denby Healthcare

The CIMA SCS pre-seen materials were released last week for the May SCS exam, it’s based around a healthcare company called “Denby Healthcare” – you can find the official pre-seen materials from CIMA here. SCS Astranti May 2019 Course The full SCS course from Astranti is really packed full of resources. Complete pre-seen pack (pre-seen,…

CIMA Case Study: Pre-Seen Analysis

The pre-seen analysis is the starting point of your exam preparation for the February case studies, you’ve had a month or so since they were released by CIMA but I’m sure the Christmas and New Year put your studies on hold somewhat. Here are my tips on how to approach the pre-seen materials; Read Through…

CIMA SCS Feb 2019: Vita

Picking up the Easy Marks Sitting a strategic case study exam must be a daunting prospect as it’s the final exam inn your CIMA journey. And I’d imagine there is a tendency to focus on the technical knowledge and pre-seen materials with all your efforts. Nevertheless, you mustn’t neglect the basics in the SCS exam…

CIMA MCS Feb 2019: Crowncare

The February 2019 case study marks one year since I took and passed the MCS exam, so I can vouch it’s a great time of year to take the MCS – what’s more you get 60 days of study and revision in between the pre-seen materials and the exam date itself. Industry Analysis From previous…

CIMA OCS Feb 2019: Trigg Adventure

The February 2019 CIMA OCS exam is a great time to take a case study exam. As you’ll have 60 days in between the pre-seen materials being released and the exam day itself – usually you’ll have around 45 days if taking a case study in May/Aug/Nov – so take advantage of this extra time!!…

CIMA Case Study Answer Planning

The first of a new series of articles; The CIMA Student: INSIGHT takes a hands on approach to subjects and topics that will help you pass your next CIMA exam. CIMA Case Study Answer Planning When faced with a CIMA case study exam you might be tempted to dive straight in and start writing your…

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  CIMA November 2018 Case Studies The November 2018 CIMA case studies will begin in around four weeks with the OCS scenario of GymFit. With the November case study session finishing just over two weeks later with the SCS scenario of Novak Pharmaceuticals. Students taking the exams next month should be well in their exam preparation and have…

CIMA SCS Nov 18: Novak Pharmaceuticals

SCS November Important Dates The relevant CIMA SCS milestones for the November 2018 exams are listed above. As you can see (at the time of writing this blog post) there are still a few weeks until the pre-seen materials are released for the exam, so it’s a great time to start planning how you will…

CIMA MCS Nov 18: Grapple

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CIMA OCS Nov 2018: Gymfit

The November 2018 OCS exam will be the first case study exam you will be taking on your CIMA journey, so it will be new in many ways. But it shouldn’t hold any fear for those students that are worried with the prospect of their first case study coming up. It seems a world ago since…

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The CIMA SCS August 2018 case study is around a very interesting multimedia and news company called Finch News Group and the pre-seen materials were released last week. It sounds like a great case study to get stuck into as I’m sure we are all aware of the media. Whether it’s digital, newspaper or social.…

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The CIMA August 2018 sitting of the case study exam is only six weeks away. This means the pre-seen materials have been released and students should be analysing them from cover to cover by now! You can find the official pre-seen materials for August MCS from CIMA here. CIMA Case Studies: The Four Stages of…

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CIMA Strategic Management (E3) Essentials Pack

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Strategic level examination blueprint - 2024-2025

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This is the examination blueprint for the Strategic level of the CGMA Professional Qualification. It will set out in detail what is examinable in the Case Study Examination and the Objective Tests for the period stated on the cover of this document. It also provides information about the format, structure and weightings of the assessments. It complements the syllabus document and provides details specifically related to the different type of assessments and is our most comprehensive statement to date on

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What is it? A comprehensive guide to the Strategic Case Study for May, August, November 2021 and February 2022 exam windows. Why do I need it? To help you prepare for the SCS exam by understanding examinable topics, the assessment approach and exam weightings.

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CIMA strategic case study

Forums › Ask CIMA Tutor Forums › Ask CIMA P3 Tutor Forums › CIMA strategic case study

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I would like to know more details about the CIMA Strategic Case Study. Kindly provide any study material on the same if available.

• Replies: 10436

We don’t provide study material as yet for the case study. The CIMA site has some that you might find of use.

I am pleased to say that we now have case study material available:

https://opentuition.com/cima/

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