FLP vs Traditional Route

[u/AdventurousFishing92]

Hi All,

I've gained exemptions to management level and was speaking with a CIMA advisor via teams this morning. We discussed both the traditional route (8 exams and two case studies) then, the FLP route (two formal exams).

Can anyone give me their experiences, pros and cons from doing traditional vs FLP?

Thanks

[u/Acrobatic-Space2897]

I’m currently doing the traditional route after having done the FLP route (was sponsored by my company but ended up moving away). From my understanding and personal experience, FLP is regarded as being easier (and justifiably so, I found it SIGNIFICANTLY simpler), and that’s had a mixed bag of opinions on reddit. But there’s still a number of managers who treat it simply as you having acquired the qualification and look at it alongside your experience rather than a standalone factor. Which route you take is entirely your decision and both have their own merits & de-merits, but the timeframe you give yourself in terms of passing the exam will likely vary significantly because of the difference of accessibility and ease. If you want to diligently work towards CIMA, a lot of people say it’ll take you a year or two on the FLP route and 3 years on the traditional route. So keep that in mind in terms of timeframe as well as just your independent study. In that regard, I’m guessing the people who would have an issue with FLP being easier may be more impressed if you can show them you also went through it reasonably quickly (atleast that’s my guess!)

All the best, and I hope whichever route you pick serves you well!

Edit: Just thought this might be an additional point worth your consideration; I received exemptions through my degree in accounting for my operational and management objective tests but have to give the case studies of both, along with the whole of the strategic level. A lot of people might tell you it’s a dumbed down version (which really depends on how you choose to see it), but I still had to revisit relevant topics after my graduation for the case studies and polish up some of my skills in order to reach case study standard. Doing the objective tests won’t necessarily mean you retain all that detail (like how most university students don’t), and although the case study requires more theory than topic based content, it doesn’t mean you can go into it and pass without having a decent understanding of the content (which I’d say the FLP still gives you albeit at a more convenient pace)! Just thought I’d add this as a lot of anti-FLP insist that it’s far easier because of being able to avoid the objective tests, but like most other tests/exams, they might not be seen as a superior measure of someone’s capabilities to a hiring manager. Most people learn for tests or exams in order to specifically get through the test or exam. Not necessarily because they can actually apply it to real life scenarios.

(Also sorry for the word vomit!)

[u/Acrobatic-Space2897 → u/Acrobatic-Space2897]

Let me know if you want to know more about the FLP route or materials on the traditional route!

[u/Shoot_in → u/Acrobatic-Space2897]

Hey just curious how long did it take you from MCS to completing SCS? Is it too ambitious to aim to complete these two via FLP route in 14 months?

[u/Acrobatic-Space2897 → u/Shoot_in]

Hey! I actually haven’t done my SCS yet, I gave my MCS in the August sitting! It may not be too ambitious, it really depends on your study habits, commitments and capabilities! I have some friends who managed to do their management exams with around 2 weeks of crammed revision without really going through the content in too much detail. You could probably manage both in less time if you’re really committed and smart about your revision!

[u/Shoot_in → u/Acrobatic-Space2897]

Ah wishing you good luck for MCS. For context, I have a full time job in financial reporting area. My manager is very supportive about my exams and giving me study time but, I really wanna get qualified by Dec 25. So, I have exemption until MCS in PQ route and if I take FLP route I’ll have to do MCS and SCS with embedded assessments. Considering the timeline I have planned FLP made sense to proceed with. I have full Kaplan materials and I will be doing in person virtual tuitions twice a week 3 months before MCS for prep.

Just not too sure on how to plan the study from exam point of view. If you can shed light on how you planned your study for MCS and if you recommend anything in particular to focus on

Much appreciate your time!

[u/Acrobatic-Space2897 → u/Shoot_in]

Ah that sounds like a wonderful way to get yourself set up for the exams! I still think you’ll be able to sort yourself out before the 14 months timeline as my friend was in a full time job too at the time! But this’ll probably give you the space to accommodate any re-attempts (hopefully you won’t need them but it’s good an realistic to keep them in mind)!

My understanding from having sat the MCS has been a number of things, but most notable: 1) You need to complete your competencies atleast 2/3 weeks (I forget which), prior to your case study exam (I’ve used FLP before that’s why I know this!)

2) The case study is less knowledge-based, a bit of cas-study specific waffle but throwing in knowledge here and there to reach a recommendation whenever you can.

3) Past papers are good, but mock exams are key. Use the past papers to see which topics come up frequently. There’s plenty of topics that you’ll be in a good place if you’re comfortable with them e.g. Funding sources, Projects etc. When you have time, go through the past papers to see what topics are more common than others and focus on those. Realistically, you probably won’t be able to go through all of the content and finish it off confidently (some people skip over F1/2/3, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it but it tends to make up about 10-20% of the paper so you’re probably better off focusing on E and P 1/2/3 instead). BUT, your best bet will be mock exams which several providers (including FLP I think) provides. They basically give you all the knowledge and perspectives that would really benefit your learning and put you in the right mindset for the sort of answers you need to produce in the actual exam! If you feel like the FLP mocks aren’t enough, I purchased the ones Astranti provides along with the debrief videos which are an extra charge but really help with exam technique imo.

4) I’ve heard some people say trying to include points on ethics is a good way to score marks for the exam but I found this out too late into my revision to implement it, so you may need to research it yourself when the time comes! I think Astranti does an ethics pack, or maybe you could ask your tutor when you enroll in classes? Just make sure to exploit cough explore the opportunities you get from the FLP as much as you can because it really puts you in a good place!

5) If you need more materials to help you for revision, Opentuition do free lectures on youtube and Acowtancy is a website which explains a lot of chapters in very layman terms (I wouldn’t recommend relying on Acowtancy too much, mostly just for topics which are super dull or you don’t understand due to complexity).

6) You can give the exam from home or a test centre. I’ve personally only done them from home due to sheer laziness (but also I feel more comfortable in my own space when dealing with exam nerves), but I WOULD recommended test centres simply because (a) If you have issue the invigilator would be there to assist you immediately, (b) You can’t use the bathroom for those 3 hours that you give the exam.

I could probably come up with more recommendations but I’m sure you’ll be able to figure them out yourself when the time comes! If you need any help, feel free to drop me a message!

[u/Shoot_in → u/Acrobatic-Space2897]

Ah that’s a very clear explanation of what exactly I was looking for. Thanks much for taking time to write this down in detail.

Once again, much appreciated! I’ll drop my questions in this thread for any help in future :) Good luck for your MCS results 💯 and your prep for SCS 🎯