I posted an article earlier this month on CIMA Case Study Advice: February 2017 that will give you some more pointers and advice on how to approach the case study and the different resources available to you – ranging from post exam kits to study advice.
The company in the OCS exam, Mavis Venderby, produces (manufactures and retails) wooden beehives. Here are a few key pointers and background information taken from the pre-seen materials.
Family run business that’s been in operation for 70 years.
Mavis Vendery sells all products direct to customers.
There is a shop on site in the factory but the bulk of sales are made online or via telephone.
The company recently moved premises with plenty of scope for expansion.
The company is equally owned by the managing direction Thomas Venderby (Mavis’ son) and Jacinta Cory (Mavis’ great grandchild).
Mavis Venderby: Pre-Seen Video Analysis
The below video is a preview of the Astranti pre-seen analysis on Mavis Venderby, I would suggest to go through the pre-seen materials once by your self and make notes then watch the full video from Astanti and line up your comments against the tutors.
It’s a crucial part of understanding the pre-seen as it lays down the foundation you need to pass the OCS first time.
The strategic analysis of the company should be done next. Again, I would suggest drawing up a list of Mavis Venderbys strengths and weaknesses with a SWOT analysis. Then watch the Astranti video to see if you’re on the right track, it will also give you a fuller picture of the company.
The top 10 issues is a great way to give you some focus for your studies. The tutor identifies, in their opinion, what the most likely topics and questions will crop up on exam day based on what’s available in the pre-seen materials.
Passing the CIMA case studies are the toughest milestones in the CIMA qualification as it combines all of the theory you have learnt in the previous three papers into one BIG exam.
They can be especially tough if you have spread your studies out over a longer period of time! Nevertheless, there are countless amounts of resources, information and help out there for all students get a pass mark at the first attempt.
Astranti Case Study Courses
Astranti, in my opinion, are head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to CIMA case study materials.
But to take full advantage and guarantee yourself a pass mark (see the Astranti Pass Guarantee), their full OCS, MCS and SCS courses cover everything you need to pass the CIMA case study.
Study Text 1: gives you the vital information on how to approach the case study.
Study Text 2: summarises the syllabus content from previous papers.
Pre-Seen Analysis: CIMA qualified tutor video analysis of pre-seen material.
Strategic Analysis: more video analysis on the case study scenario you will be facing.
Top 10 Issues: perfect for giving your case study preparation a clear focus.
Industry Analysis: a look into the industry surrounding the case study.
Masterclass 1: live session with CIMA tutor on how to pass the case study.
Masterclass 2: another live session focusing on CIMA syllabus revision.
3 Mock Exams: based on the actual case study (with marking and feedback).
Personal Advice and Guidance – via private forums and progress reviews.
Ethics Pack – a favourite CIMA topic that should never be under estimated!!
You can find full details of their courses for all levels below and dates when the pre-seen material is released for the November 2016 exams:
The pre-seen materials will be released any day now so preparing yourself and enrolling on a complete course will stand in your stead for passing the CIMA case studies.
CIMA Case Study Post-Exam Kits
Learning from other students mistakes is a great to boost your own chances of exam success when taking the case study exam. And CIMA offer you the perfect tools to do this with the post-exam kits for the previous case study sittings.
The Examiners Report
The best way to work the post-exam kits is to start by looking at the examiners report. Here you will find a summary of how most students fared in the exam, what they did well and what they didn’t do so well.
Below is an extract from the August 2016 OCS CIMA examiners report and it starts with the general comments that students struggled to refer to the F1 syllabus and technical aspects of P1 – so straight away, you should take that fact on board and make sure you do not make the same mistakes!
After the reading through the examiners report I would recommend looking at the exam questions and suggested answers to get a feel on how to approach the exam in terms of structuring your answers and what level of detail to go into.
However, I also believe it’s important to understand that the suggested answers will be more comprehensive than what’s expected from students on exam day. So don’t be too worried when the suggested answers are almost perfect and very detailed!
You can see the links below for the August 2016 case study post-exam kits and they include all of the documents, whereas the more recent exam kits for November 2016 do not yet have the examiners report ready.
Here is a preview video from Astranti on the keys of passing the case study exams from CIMA – a good insight on what the examiners are looking for and what to expect.
Students who enrol on the full Astranti case study courses will get a more complete version plus the chance to ask the tutor direct questions.
Study Support: Whats-app Groups
I joined a Whatsspp group for the November 2016 OCS exam I passed and it was great to hear other students questions, answers and thoughts on the Flores Rosa case study.
Usually, students (or sometimes CIMA tutors) will organise a Whatsapp group for those students who are interested. As you can see from the image above, there is already a group started for the February OCS exam.
To find out more information, you can visit the links below that will take you directly to the discussion on the CIMA connect site.
MCS Whatsapp group – February 2017 exam (no link yet).
SCS Whatsapp group – February 2017 exam (no link yet).
Ask a CIMA Expert Session
Another important date for your diary should be the “Ask an expert” sessions that are held by CIMA – it’s a two hour sessions where you can ask a CIMA qualified tutor specific questions via the CIMA connect website about the case study exam you’re facing.
the cima student 