CMA examination spreadsheet
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The Institute of Certified Management Accountants (ICMA) will be adding new spreadsheet functionality to the essay portion of the CMA Exam beginning with the May/June 2011 testing window. The spreadsheet will be available on only a few select questions; as a result, some candidates will not receive any questions using the spreadsheet. Candidates receiving the spreadsheet will receive it on only one question.
The instructions and demo below will allow you to familiarize yourself with this added functionality prior to your test date. This new functionality will make it easier for you to align columns of numbers and perform certain calculations that can sometimes be more difficult in a text box format. Please be aware that the spreadsheet does not have the same exact functionality of the popular spreadsheet products with which you may be familiar. Therefore, it is critical that you devote some time to familiarizing yourself with the functions and information provided below by practicing with the Spreadsheet Demo.
You will also be provided additional instructions on your exam day during a tutorial session prior to the start of the exam. We urge you not to use the exam tutorial session as your initial spreadsheet practice but to take some time before your exam date to practice using the spreadsheet and its functions. Practicing with the spreadsheet early on will greatly improve your testing experience when using the spreadsheet.
On your date of testing, your performance will be graded on the information that you supply as it pertains to the scenario. All work entered on the spreadsheet will be captured and scored. The design, layout or format of your response will not be graded.
Spreadsheet Buttons
The following buttons will be available in your examination.
Using the Spreadsheet
You may use both the mouse and keyboard to navigate within the spreadsheet. The scroll bars to the right and at the bottom allow you to see additional columns and rows. Anything you enter into the spreadsheet will be recorded as part of your answer.
If you need to move data, use copy or paste. We recommend that you not use cut to copy as you will lose your data if you inadvertently click the wrong function.
To move to the cell below use the arrow key, hitting the "enter" key does not move the cell down.
To clear cell content you cannot use the "delete" key, use the "backspace" key instead.
You cannot insert or delete rows or columns on the spreadsheet.
Any text typed in a cell will not appear beyond the cell unless you widen the cell. Try to keep text typed in a cell to a minimum.
Resizing the Cells
The columns and rows can be resized by holding the cursor between the column or row. Hold down the left mouse button and move the column or row to the desired size. Release the mouse button when you are done.
Entering Text into the Cells
To enter text in a cell, select that cell by clicking on it or moving to it using the arrow keys. Enter the text in the cell and when you are finished press "Enter" or use the "arrow key".
Entering Formulas
To add, subtract, multiply or divide candidates can type the information directly in the cell where you want the function to appear. All formulas must begin with an "=".
Candidates are expected to know how to use the following functions listed below (examples shown).
Add: =B1+B2
Subtract: =B1-B2
Multiply: =B1*B2
Divide: =B1/B2
Sum: =Sum(B1:B4) (You can populate the sum range by either typing the formula or using the mouse to highlight the range)
You can populate a cell with a formula by using the mouse and clicking on the cell where you wish to type the formula. Do NOT use the arrow key. If you use the arrow key you will leave the cell you are populating with your formula and you will lose your work. Use the "enter" key instead.
To use the formula bar, click on the cell in which you wish to enter the formula. Then select the fx button on the menu bar. Select the formula you wish to use from the list and click on the formula. The formula will appear under the list. If this is the correct formula, double click the formula in the list. The formula will auto populate in the formula bar. Complete the formula with the necessary values. Select OK or hit enter when done. The screen will return to the spreadsheet. Click enter on the cell with the formula to populate the results of the formula.
Copy and Paste Functionalities
You can use the Copy and Paste buttons in the menu bar to copy data from cell to cell. You may also use this tool to copy a formula and apply it to additional cells and the coordinating cells as dictated in the formula. Please take the opportunity to test these functionalities.
Formatting
Do not waste valuable time trying to format data, we do not grade formatting and your time is better spent in making sure you complete the entire exam. Should you desire to format a cell you should click on the cell you wish to format. Then click on the properties icon which is the icon on the far right on the menu bar. To format as Currency, click on Cell Type then click on the drop down menu and select Currency.
To insert commas click on the "+" sign to the left of "CellType" then select "ShowSeparator" and click on the drop down menu and select "True". Click OK and your currency in the cell will have comma separators.
To insert decimals click on the "+" sign to the left of "CellType" then select "DecimalPlaces" type the number of decimal places you wish to show in the box next to "DecimalPlaces" and click OK.
Sample Question
Below is a sample test question. Please take this opportunity to practice by using the demo to answer this question.
Matchpoint Racquet Club (MRC) is a sports facility that offers tennis, racquet ball and other physical fitness facilities to its members. MRC owns and operates a large club with 2,000 members in a metropolitan area. The club has experienced cash flow problems over the last five years, especially during the summer months when both court use and new membership sales are low. Temporary bank loans have been obtained to cover the summer shortages.
The owners have decided to take action to improve MRC's net cash flow position. They have asked the club's financial manager to prepare a projected cash budget based on a proposed revised fee structure. The proposal would increase membership fees and replace the hourly tennis and racquet ball court fees with a quarterly charge that would allow unlimited usage of the courts. The new rates would remain competitive when compared to the rates of other clubs in the area. Although there will be some members who do not renew because of the increase in price, management believes that the offer of unlimited court time will increase membership by 10%.
The proposed fee structure is shown below, along with the current membership distribution. The membership distribution is assumed to remain unchanged. All members would be required to pay the quarterly court charges.
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