CMA Foundation December 2026: exam date, pattern, syllabus and how to apply
The CMA Foundation is the first of the three levels of the Cost and Management Accountancy course of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI). It is held twice a year, in the June and December terms. What students want to know now: the December 2026 Foundation examination is on Sunday 13 December 2026; its form closed on 21 October 2026, the last day with the ₹500 late fee (checked 20 October 2026 in ICMAI's December 2026 time table). If you did not apply, the next chance is the June 2027 term. This guide covers the date, the form, the pattern, the pass rule and a plan for the weeks left.
CMA Foundation at a glance
| Conducting body | The Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI) |
| What it is for | Entry to the CMA Intermediate course (with Class 12) |
| Mode | Offline, multiple-choice, on an OMR sheet at a centre |
| Papers | Four papers of 50 questions and 100 marks each |
| Time | Two sessions of 2 hours on one day, two papers in each |
| Marking | 2 marks a question; no negative marking |
| Language | English |
| How often | Twice a year: June and December terms |
| Official website | icmai.in |
CMA Foundation December 2026 exam date
From ICMAI's time table for December 2026:
| Session | Time (IST) | Papers |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday 13 December 2026, morning | 10.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon | Paper 1 and Paper 2 (100 questions, 200 marks) |
| Sunday 13 December 2026, afternoon | 2.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. | Paper 3 and Paper 4 (100 questions, 200 marks) |
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Last date for the form without late fee | 14 October 2026 (passed) |
| Last date with the ₹500 late fee | 21 October 2026 (passed) |
| Result | Latest by 7 January 2027 |
The examination fee in the same time table is ₹1,500 for an inland candidate and US$100 overseas. Admit cards come with detailed instructions closer to the date. Our CMA Foundation exam-dates page keeps the date in one place.
How to apply for CMA Foundation
- Make sure you are registered for the Foundation course with ICMAI and meet the conditions in the regulations; the time table says only candidates who complete all conditions may appear.
- Go to icmai.in → Students → Examination → Online Application for Examination. ICMAI accepts online forms and online payment only; no offline forms or demand drafts.
- Choose your examination centre. The time table lists centres across India and overseas centres at Bahrain, Dubai and Muscat.
- Pay the fee online (₹1,500 inland, plus ₹500 late fee from 15 to 21 October 2026).
- Keep the confirmation, and watch the pre-examination page for the admit card.
Keep ready: your ICMAI registration number, login details and a photo ID. Queries go to exam.helpdesk@icmai.in.
CMA Foundation exam pattern
| Paper | Questions | Marks | Section weights (Syllabus 2022) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Fundamentals of Business Laws and Business Communication | 50 | 100 | Business Laws 80%, Business Communication 20% |
| 2. Fundamentals of Financial and Cost Accounting | 50 | 100 | Financial Accounting 70%, Cost Accounting 30% |
| 3. Fundamentals of Business Mathematics and Statistics | 50 | 100 | Business Mathematics 40%, Statistics 60% |
| 4. Fundamentals of Business Economics and Management | 50 | 100 | Business Economics 70%, Management 30% |
Each session is 100 questions in 120 minutes, so you have 72 seconds a question. The time table gives one time for the session, not for each paper, so you decide how to split it.
Is there negative marking in CMA Foundation? No. The time table says so plainly. Answer every question; a guess can only help.
What is the CMA Foundation pass mark? The ICMAI prospectus requires at least 40% in each paper (40 marks) and 50% of the total (200 of 400). There are no exemptions and no carry-forward of marks at Foundation, so a weak paper fails the whole attempt.
CMA Foundation syllabus
The four papers follow Syllabus 2022:
- Paper 1: business laws (the larger part) and business communication.
- Paper 2: financial accounting and the basics of cost accounting.
- Paper 3: business mathematics and business statistics; statistics carries more weight.
- Paper 4: business economics and management.
The module list is in ICMAI's Syllabus 2022. Our CMA Foundation syllabus page summarises it.
A plan for the weeks before 13 December
About seven and a half weeks remain.
| Weeks | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Check your admit card details when ICMAI releases them. Take one CMA Foundation mock test session (Papers 1 and 2, 120 minutes). |
| 2–3 | Finish the syllabus. Statistics and Financial Accounting first; together they carry the most marks in their papers. |
| 4–5 | One full session mock a week for each pair of papers. Practise answering a whole session in 110 minutes, leaving 10 to check the OMR sheet. |
| 6–7 | Two session mocks a week, each analysed (how to analyse a mock test). Revise the topics you got wrong. |
| Last days | Light revision of formulae and law sections. Practise the full day: two sessions with a lunch break between. |
The exam is one long day of 200 questions. Practise at least once doing both sessions on the same day, with the break, before 13 December.
Useful links
- ICMAI pre-examination notices and time tables
- ICMAI Syllabus 2022
- Overview of the CMA course
- Free CMA Foundation mock tests on Mockrooms (practice tests, not ICMAI's own)
- CMA Foundation syllabus
- CMA Foundation exam dates
- CA Foundation January 2027 guide
Frequently asked questions
When is the CMA Foundation December 2026 exam?
On Sunday 13 December 2026: Papers 1 and 2 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and Papers 3 and 4 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. (checked 20 October 2026 in ICMAI's time table).
What is the last date to apply for CMA Foundation December 2026?
The form closed on 14 October 2026 without late fee, and on 21 October 2026 with the ₹500 late fee. If you missed it, the next term is June 2027.
Is there negative marking in CMA Foundation?
No. Each question carries 2 marks, and a wrong answer simply scores 0.
What is the passing mark for CMA Foundation?
At least 40% in each paper and 50% of the 400-mark total, according to the ICMAI prospectus.
When will the CMA Foundation December 2026 result come?
ICMAI's time table says the result will be published by 7 January 2027 at the latest.
Is the CMA Foundation exam online or offline?
Offline: multiple-choice questions answered on an OMR sheet at an examination centre.