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CMA Foundation · Entrance Exam

Cost & Management Accountancy Foundation Course Examination

Conducting body
Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI)
Level
UG
Mode
Offline (pen-paper, objective MCQ)
Scope
National
Total marks
400

Overview

About CMA Foundation

The CMA Foundation is the entry-level stage of the Cost and Management Accountant qualification in India. It is conducted by the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI), a statutory professional body set up under the Cost and Works Accountants Act, 1959, and working under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

Passing the Foundation is the route into the CMA Intermediate course. It sits at the base of ICMAI's three-tier structure of Foundation, Intermediate and Final, so it is a gateway within that qualification rather than an admission test for outside colleges or universities. Registration requires a pass in Class 10 or an equivalent examination, while completion of the Foundation requires a pass in the Senior Secondary (10+2) examination or its equivalent. ICMAI conducts it twice a year, in June and December.

Sources: ICMAI – Overview of CMA Course, Course Eligibility · Institute of Cost Accountants of India – Wikipedia

At a glance

CMA Foundation highlights

Every figure traces to an official source.

Full nameCost & Management Accountancy Foundation Course Examination
Conducting bodyInstitute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI)
LevelUG
Mode of examOffline (pen-paper, objective MCQ)
Frequency2 (June and December) per year
ScopeNational
Sections4 papers: (1) Fundamentals of Business Laws and Business Communication, (2) Fundamentals of Financial and Cost Accounting, (3) Fundamentals of Business Mathematics and Statistics, (4) Fundamentals of Business Economics and Management
Marking schemeObjective MCQ; each paper 100 marks (50 questions x 2 marks); no negative marking. Pass = 40% per paper and 50% aggregate.

Deep dives

Everything you need to know

Eligibility

  • ·Candidate must have passed the Senior Secondary (10+2) examination or equivalent and registered for the CMA Foundation course. There is no age limit.

Exam pattern

  • ·Sections: 4 papers: (1) Fundamentals of Business Laws and Business Communication, (2) Fundamentals of Financial and Cost Accounting, (3) Fundamentals of Business Mathematics and Statistics, (4) Fundamentals of Business Economics and Management
  • ·200 questions
  • ·400 total marks
  • ·Marking: Objective MCQ; each paper 100 marks (50 questions x 2 marks); no negative marking. Pass = 40% per paper and 50% aggregate.

Syllabus

  • ·Business laws and communication; financial and cost accounting fundamentals; business mathematics and statistics; business economics and management.

Help

CMA Foundation FAQs

Written by

Expertie Editorial Team

Expertie editorial desk

Published 24 Jun 2026 Last updated 24 Jun 2026verified data

Sources & References

  1. 1.CMA Foundation — official website conducting-body· accessed 2026-06-24