As someone who has helped thousands of accountants pass the CMA exam, I know firsthand how stressful and difficult rescheduling your test date can be.
Life inevitably gets in the way of our plans, and deciding to postpone taking the CMA is never an easy choice – it’s important to know when it’s the right call to reschedule your exam date and how to properly go through the process with the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA).
I’ll cover the top reasons you may need to reschedule your CMA exam, the best time to reschedule, step-by-step instructions for rescheduling through Prometric, frequently asked questions about the process, and my best tips for avoiding postponing your test date.
Whether you’ve already decided to push back your exam or just want to understand the policies around CMA exam date changes, this guide has you covered.
- Reasons to Reschedule Your CMA Exam
- What Is the Best Time to Reschedule Your CMA Exam?
- What Is the CMA Exam Rescheduling Procedure?
- CMA Exam Rescheduling FAQs
- Strategies to Avoid Rescheduling
Reasons to Reschedule Your CMA Exam
You may need to reschedule your CMA exam date for many valid reasons. Unexpected issues happen to all of us. Are you dealing with any of the following?
- Feeling unprepared or needing more time to study
- Being ill or having a medical emergency come up
- Work or family commitments suddenly arising
- Experiencing a personal emergency or crisis
- Recent changes in your life impacting your ability to focus
- Realizing your scheduled date is a hectic time at work
- Preferring to take your exam after the busy season
Rescheduling under these circumstances is understandable and sometimes necessary. The key is being honest with yourself about your level of preparation and acting early enough to reschedule properly.
What Is the Best Time to Reschedule Your CMA Exam?
If you’ve decided rescheduling is your best option, aim to do so at least one month before your scheduled exam date. If you reschedule within 30 days, you’ll need to pay a rescheduling fee to Prometric.
Additionally, you can’t simply reschedule to the next available window – rescheduling must be completed by the registration deadline for the new window you want to test in. There is a 75$ fee to do this.
For example, if your exam is on June 15th, you’ll want to reschedule no later than May 15th. This gives you enough time to go through the proper channels and secure a new date.
Check the IMA’s exam testing windows calendar to identify the deadlines for the window you want to move to. Scheduling as far out as possible also gives you more date options.
The representatives at Prometric can help you with the rescheduling process – contact them at (800) 479-6370 or on the Prometric website.
What Is the CMA Exam Rescheduling Procedure?
Here’s a step-by-step guide to rescheduling your CMA exam date:
- Contact Prometric directly by phone at 800-479-1293.
- Provide the Prometric representative with your IMA identification number and exam booking confirmation number, then request to reschedule your exam.
- Choose a new exam date within the current testing window or in a different exam window for a fee. Dates are subject to availability.
- If you’re rescheduling within 30 days of your exam appointment, you’ll pay a $50 fee to Prometric for rescheduling your CMA exam appointment.
- Receive a new authorization number. You won’t be able to take the exam without the new number.
Follow up with an email to the IMA at [email protected] informing them you’ve rescheduled.
To avoid the rescheduling fee, complete the steps for rescheduling directly through Prometric more than 31 days before your current exam date.
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CMA Exam Rescheduling FAQs
Based on feedback from former students, I’ve put together a list of frequently asked questions about rescheduling the CMA exam.
Are there any fees or penalties associated with rescheduling the CMA exam?
Yes, there’s a $50 fee if you reschedule your CMA exam date within 30 days of your appointment.
What are the limitations of rescheduling the CMA exam?
If you’re rescheduling within 30 days, you’ll owe a fee. The CMA exam cannot be rescheduled within 72 hours of your appointment.
If you cancel your appointment with Prometric within 72 hours of your scheduled time, you’ll forfeit your exam fees with ICMA and need to purchase a new registration.
If I cancel my exam, will I get a refund?
The CMA entrance fee is nonrefundable. If you wish to cancel before you’ve set an appointment, your exam fee is refundable with a 25$ processing fee deducted, though only for the 30-day period after you paid for the exam.
Can I reschedule my exam to a different window due to personal/health reasons?
If you want to transfer your exam appointment to the next testing window, the ICMA will charge you a fee. You must submit the request to [email protected] within five days before the scheduled appointment. This fee cannot be waived.
If you have an exam appointment, the exam appointment must be canceled before the transfer request can be processed. If your appointment isn’t canceled in time, you cannot switch your registration.
Can I transfer my exam fees from one part of the CMA exam to another?
No. You cannot transfer fees paid from one CMA exam part to another. Fees are only applicable to the exam part they were originally paid for.
Strategies to Avoid Rescheduling
The best way to avoid having to reschedule your CMA exam is to plan thoroughly and give yourself plenty of time to prepare.
Here are my top tips after helping thousands of candidates through this process:
- Use a structured CMA exam prep course to stay on track with your studies.
- Schedule your exam 4+ months out to give yourself a buffer.
- Take time off work around your exam date to focus 100% on your final review.
- Inform family and friends of your exam date so they can support you.
- Create a dedicated study space to enable concentration.
- Stick to a consistent study schedule to ingrain knowledge.
Planning and preparing properly will give you the confidence and readiness to take the CMA exam on your scheduled date without disruptions. Invest in your success upfront to avoid the hassle of rescheduling down the road.
CMA Exam Academy’s 16-week Accelerator Course is a guaranteed investment for success.
During these 16 weeks, we outline what you should study each week and provide accountability and unlimited coaching support. We guarantee you’ll feel 100% certain you’ll pass going into test day.
Have more questions for me about rescheduling your CMA exam? Leave them in the comments below, and I’ll answer.
Hi, I’m Nathan Liao (aka the CMA Coach)! For the last 10 years, over 82,000 accounting and finance pros came knocking at my door seeking guidance and help. If you’re also aiming to conquer the CMA exam on your very first try—without wasting away time or money—you’ve found your ultimate guide. Dive in deeper to discover more about me and the dedicated team that powers CMA Exam Academy. Click here and let’s embark on this journey together!
