Kevin is joined by Nasheen Wuisman from the CIMA Study Support & Progression Team to discuss the challenges of exam resits and the wealth of support resources available for students, especially those preparing for the upcoming February exam window.
Nasheen explains the emotional and practical difficulties students face when re‑sitting a Case Study exam, and highlights key support tools such as the Revitalise Resit Guide, the Resit Program, the Proficiency Guide, coaching services, and community learning spaces. She also describes how these resources help candidates understand examiner expectations, improve answer proficiency, and rebuild confidence for the next exam attempt.
TOPICS COVERED
- Understanding the Emotional Side of Exam Resits. Students often struggle with motivation, confidence, focus, and disappointment after narrowly failing. The support team acknowledges the emotional impact and provides structured and empathetic resources.
- Overview of CIMA Support Resources
1. Revitalise — The Resit Guide. A self‑study resource designed to help students reassess, re‑focus, and re‑plan for their next exam attempt.
2. The Resit Program. A structured, flexible program run between results release and the next sitting. Hosted on the CIMA community platform to help students learn, network, and feel less isolated. Includes guidance, weekly resources, and informal live sessions for open discussion and emotional support.
3. The Proficiency Guide. Built using real candidate scripts from an actual exam sitting.
Shows examiner annotations on how responses were marked and how to turn "red arrows" into "green arrows." Includes scripts from a fail, marginal pass, and pass for comparison.
Particularly powerful for resit candidates who need clarity on how to improve performance.
4. One‑to‑One Coaching Support. FLP 1‑to‑1 coaching sessions for tailored advice, confidence‑building, and personalised study strategy.
5. CGMA Case Study Structured Success Program. A free 8‑week program for first‑time Case Study takers, run twice yearly. Supplements the FLP platform with added skills support (time management, motivation, exam skills).
6. Communities — Engage 365. Includes dedicated spaces for Case Study students, Resit students, and (soon) level learners. Allows global peer‑to‑peer learning, networking, and sharing.
TAKEAWAYS
- Students should fully utilise the variety of free, high‑quality resources available through CIMA and FLP.
- Understanding examiner expectations is essential, and real scripts in the Proficiency Guide make this far more accessible.
- Resit success often depends on emotional readiness as much as technical readiness.
Community support helps reduce isolation and allows students to learn from peers. - Structured programs, coaching, and targeted guides can significantly improve exam performance.
USEFUL LINKS
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ABOUT US.
The CGMA Finance Leadership Programme (FLP) is the online pathway to the prestigious Chartered Institute of Management Accountants' Professional Qualification.
Get in touch with show host Kevin Gormley via LinkedIn.
Contact the podcast team at podcast@aicpa-cima.com
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