IMA (USA)
CSCA — Certified in Strategy and Competitive Analysis
Reality check
- Official fees
- ₹57k–₹1.2L
- USD 600 exam-only, or USD 1,295 bundled with the IMA Strategy and Competitive Analysis Learning Series
- Months to complete
- 3–6
- Pass rate
- Not published by IMA
- Training
- None mandatory
- Requires an active CMA
Recommend when: Strategy and leadership track after the CMA
Hold back when: Not yet a CMA
Official fees in INR (registration, exams, membership — coaching excluded), realistic months including any mandatory training, and the awarding body's published pass rate. Verify with the awarding body before you register.
- Who it is for
- CMAs moving into strategy, planning and senior business-partner roles.
- Structure
- 1 exam · 60 MCQs + 1 case study · 3 hours. Strategic analysis 25%, creating competitive advantage 40%, strategy implementation & performance evaluation 35%.
- Eligibility
- Must have passed both CMA parts to sit; the CSCA is awarded only to active CMA holders — so it pairs with the CMA, not with the CPA alone.
- Duration
- 2–3 months.
- Exam windows
- January, May and September (Prometric).
- Experience requirement
- Via the CMA.
- What comes next
- —
Facts last reviewed: 2026-10-23
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