CMCA Exam Preparation E-Learning course
Develop a Plan • Build Skills • Learn at Your Own Pace
Boost your knowledge of community association management and confidence in your test-taking skills at your pace and on your schedule.
Presented by the Community Association Managers International Certification Board (CAMICB), the CMCA Exam Preparation e-learning course is a free, on-demand resource designed to strengthen your test strategies and prepare you for the Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA)® exam.
The program is presented in two distinct parts. The first component features four learning modules focused on reviewing the examination format and creating a preparation plan. The second component includes three scenario-based modules designed to put the most challenging exam subjects in context: Risk Management & Insurance; Financial Controls; and Governance, Legal & Ethical Conduct. Designed to work with your busy schedule, each module takes less than 25 minutes to complete. You can exit and pick up where you left off at any time.
CAMICB is committed to helping CMCA candidates succeed in achieving the essential credential for community association managers.
Disclaimer: Completing this course is not required to become eligible to sit for the CMCA examination and does not guarantee a passing score on the exam. It is optional.
The
CMCA Exam Preparation e-learning course does not include a comprehensive review of the knowledge areas tested on the CMCA exam. It should be considered one component of a well-rounded exam preparation plan.
This resource is a great place to start if you are just getting started on preparing for the CMCA.
The first half of the course is a linear progression of four modules that will give insights about what to expect from the CMCA exam and guidance on structuring your study efforts after you've completed it. The second half is about reviewing elements of the content you'll find on the CMCA exam.
It is recommended that you complete Modules 1-4 in chronological order and then decide in what order you would like to pursue Modules 5-8. However, all modules are always available; you may complete them in whatever order you prefer.
Module 1: An Introduction: Hear from CMCAs about what worked for them when preparing for the test—and what didn't. Find out some common misconceptions about the CMCA and understand how to approach the exam questions.
Module 2: Devising a Study Plan, Part 1 – Prioritizing Topics: Discover how to establish and follow a solid study routine that's tailored to your experience level and learning style. Get an in-depth look at the topic areas covered on the test and participate in a self-assessment exercise to determine which topics should be prioritized in your study plan.
Module 3: Devising a Study Plan, Part 2 – Strategies and Tips: Find out how to implement your study plan. Learn practical tips to make the most of your prep time and take a closer look at some of the study resources available to you.
Module 4: Test-Taking Strategies: Learn how to maximize your potential on exam day. Find out how taking practice tests can improve your performance on the exam, discover some strategies to overcome test anxiety, and see what to expect when you go to the testing center.
Module 5: Risk Management & Insurance – Refresher Content: Apply your knowledge of risk management and insurance topics by putting yourself in the shoes of the community association manager for Lakeside Terrace Condominiums. Decide how to address real-life scenarios and learn from detailed feedback. Use downloadable sample files like Lakeside Terrace's insurance declaration to inform your decisions.
Module 6: Financial Controls – Refresher Content: Revisit your role as Lakeside Terrace's community association manager as you encounter some scenarios that test key knowledge about financial controls. Use the association's downloadable financial documents to make educated choices and gain insight from the feedback you receive.
Module 7: Governance, Legal & Ethical Conduct – Refresher Content: Visit Willow Grove Estates, where you have been hired as the association's first community manager. Consider questions about the association's governance and work with the Board to address legal and ethical scenarios using the downloadable governing documents for guidance.
Module 8: Looking Back and Looking Forward: Take a moment to recall what you've learned and consider what you want to keep working on. Assess how to proceed as you advance toward earning the CMCA.
No. As with all study resources offered by CAMICB, participation in this e-learning course is optional. CAMICB does not assert that the use of any single tool or combination of tools will enhance candidate performance on the CMCA exam.
Yes. This course is available to everyone, regardless of CMCA candidate status. There are no prerequisite requirements.
No. There is no course grade or final exam. This program is offered for educational purposes only.
Many CMCA candidates have expressed a need for guidance regarding the exam preparation process, either because they have not studied for an exam in years or because they experience feelings of stress or anxiety over testing in a standardized environment. As a result of this feedback, the course's first half focuses on creating a study plan, utilizing exam preparation resources, and learning test-taking strategies.
The average time to complete this course is approximately three hours. It is a self-paced program, so you may take more or less time to work through it. Each module is designed to be completed in 25 minutes or less.
Not necessarily. This course doesn't include a comprehensive review of all CMCA exam content. The program includes some content review, but it also provides recommendations for effectively utilizing additional tools and reference materials. This resource should be considered one component of a comprehensive study plan.
CAMICB encourages you to utilize this program in conjunction with the other resources available on the
Examination Preparation resource page, as well as the manual from the M-100 class, if you have access to it. The
CMCA Exam Preparation e-learning course addresses each available resource and gives tips to use them effectively.
You can access the course by clicking the Launch button above. You will need to provide your name and email to register. The course is offered on demand, and you can exit the modules at any time and pick up where you left off when you return by logging in with the same name and email.
The course can be accessed by clicking the Launch button above. Course navigation features are explained at the beginning of Module 1. You can complete the modules in whatever order you prefer, but CAMICB recommends that you complete Modules 1-4 in chronological order, and then decide about the order in which you would like to pursue Modules 5-8.
No. This course is not eligible for continuing education credit.
All materials needed to complete the course are available as free downloadable PDFs linked within the modules. Some of the modules do recommend other study materials from CAMICB's
Examination Preparation resource page, but these are not required.
No. The
CMCA Exam Preparation e-learning course was created by CAMICB to help prepare CMCA candidates for the exam. All CMCA prep classes and study sessions offered by local chapters of the Community Associations Institute are created by those chapters and are not endorsed by CAMICB. You can find out if your local chapter offers any CMCA preparation resources using CAI's
Find a Chapter page.
The following browsers are recommended for accessing the course:
For Windows: Internet Explorer 11, Microsoft Edge (latest version), Google Chrome (latest version), Firefox (latest version).
For Mac: Safari (latest version), Google Chrome (latest version), Firefox (latest version).
For Mobile: Safari in Apple iOS 10 or later, Google Chrome in Apple iOS 10 or later, Google Chrome in Android OS 4.4 or later.
The following browser settings are recommended for accessing the course:
JavaScript must be enabled for the course to work. Font downloads must be enabled to see the correct fonts and characters. When using Internet Explorer, turn off Compatibility View for the site where the course is hosted.
If you have any technical difficulties or other questions regarding the
CMCA Exam Preparation course, please reach out to CAMICB at
info@camicb.org.
