CIMAE2 Area A Self-Study Guide Session Component Learning Outcomes (duration)

1 (Wk 1, 2 hrs) Introduction to E2

Study Guidance/Tips
Familiarising yourself with the syllabus and what the exam is all about. Review the certificate level syllabus and E1syllabus if exemptions were received to ensure there are no knowledge gaps.

CIMA Technical Articles

E2-Syllabus detail

Notes

The session below is developed based on the CIMA Official Study Text, 2012-13 edition. You can use other text book or online study material according to your preference.

During each session, start with reading the text and underlining key words and phases. You may want to write your own set of flash card and study notes while reading. These can be carried around for regular revision At the end of each week, review what you have learnt. Read through the notes you have made and ensure you have understood. Mind map is a useful tool to use for E2 as it helps you to summarise and link different ideas and theories together.

Notes

Post session review and Mind map

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CIMAE2 Area A Self-Study Guide Session Component Learning Outcomes Study Guidance/Tips CIMA Technical (duration) Articles SECTION A: STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT AND ASSESSING THE COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT (30%) Recommended study time - 50 hours over 5 weeks
2-3 (Wk 1, 8 hours) 2(b) compare and contrast approaches to strategy formulation; 2(c) explain the relationships between different levels of strategy in organisations. 2. *CIMA Official Study Text Chapter 2 1. Strategy can be quite a difficult idea to grasp. You need to understand the definitions and how strategic decisions differ from others. Key models & theories: Mintzbergs 5Ps of strategy, SMART in objective setting, Critical Success Factor (CSF) and Key Performance Indicator (KPI) Some topics such as Critical Success Factor will be further covered in E3 BPPs video on approach to strategy

3.

2(b) Exam questions: Nov-10-Q4, Nov-11-Q6a, Mar-12-Q7, May-12-Q3, Sept-12-Q3, Nov-12-Q7a, Mar-13-Q7b 2(c) Exam questions: May-10-Q5, Mar-11-Q2, May-12-Q5, Sept-12-Q2

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CIMAE2 Area A Self-Study Guide Session Component Learning Outcomes (duration)

4-5 (Wk 2, 10 hours) 1(a) discuss the nature of competitive environments; 2(b) compare and contrast approaches to strategy formulation; *CIMA Official Study Text Chapter 3 1(a) Exam questions: May-10-Q1, Nov-10-Q6b, Mar-11-Q5, May-11-Q1, Sept-11- Q4, Sept-12-Q1, Nov-12-Q7b

Study Guidance/Tips
1. Key models & theories: Medelow matrix for stakeholders analysis, SWOT for coporate appraisal, Porters Value Chain for internal analysis and PEST(EL) and Porters 5 forces for external analysis

CIMA Technical Articles

Session Component Learning Outcomes (duration)

6-7 (Wk 3, 10 hours) 1(b) distinguish between different types of competitive environments. 2(b) compare and contrast approaches to strategy formulation; *CIMA Official Study Text Chapter 4 - 5

Study Guidance/Tips
1. Key model & theory: Boston Consulting Group (BCG) models on market share & market growth Emergent strategies are those which develop out of patterns of behavior, which is not consciously thought out, but which eventually has a long-term, strategic effect.

CIMA Technical Articles

Strategic planning or the emergent resource based view

2.

1(b) Exam questions: Nov-10-Q6a, May-11-Q5, Sept-11- Q2, Nov-11-Q6b, May-12-Q1, Mar-13-Q4

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CIMAE2 Area A Self-Study Guide Session Component Learning Outcomes (duration)

8-9 (Wk 4, 10 hours) 1(b) distinguish between different types of competitive environments. 2(a) discuss concepts in established and emergent thinking in strategic management; *CIMA Official Study Text Chapter 6

Study Guidance/Tips
1. Key model & theory: Porters Diamond on national competitive advantage. Emergent strategies are those which develop out of patterns of behavior, which is not consciously thought out, but which eventually has a long-term, strategic effect.

CIMA Technical Articles

Porter's competitive advantage of nations theory with Q&A BPPs video on Porters Diamond

2.

2(a) Exam questions: Mar-11-Q1, May-11-Q4, Sept-11- Q5, Nov-11-Q3, Mar-12-Q1, Q7a, Nov-12-Q1, Mar-13-Q7a

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CIMAE2 Area A Self-Study Guide Session Component Learning Outcomes (duration)

10 - 11 (Wk 5, 10 hours) Practice as many past exam questions as possible

Study Guidance/Tips
When practicing past exam papers you should try and time yourself to exam conditions, as a guide use 1.8 minutes per mark. Review the post exam guides and suggested answers to check if you are answering question requirements correctly.

CIMA Technical Articles

Walkthrough answer for an E2 question Answering an E2 scenario question using the ASAP approach

OTHER STUDY RESOURCES:

Find all examiners suggested answers here Post exam guides Kaplan - official publisher of CIMA study materials Velocity-Student e-magazine Financial Management magazine Chat to other students on CIMAsphere-discussion boards for operational level Please note that the session duration time given for each area is a rough guide based on % of E2 syllabus weightings. Research has shown that students who study at minimum of 11 hours per week are more likely to pass. These timings must be taken into account with other personal commitments such as work, family time, recreation etc. Obviously the more hours students can dedicate to studying the higher their chance of success. Please use this as guidance rather than as an exact science of how to study, and please feel free to change it to suit your requirements.

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