OCS: Operational Case Study
The Operational Case Study (OCS) is a 3-hour exam that tests your ability to apply knowledge from E1, P1, and F1 to a realistic business scenario. Unlike objective tests, the OCS requires written responses and is human-marked. It is sat in one of four exam windows per year and is the gateway to the Management level.
Exam Information
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Format
- Written responses to tasks based on a pre-seen scenario, integrating knowledge from E1, P1 and F1
Constituent Units
This case study integrates knowledge from the following units:
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the OCS exam structured?
The OCS is a 3-hour computer-based exam with several tasks based on a pre-seen scenario published in advance. You write responses to realistic business problems that integrate knowledge from E1, P1, and F1. The exam is human-marked against published assessment criteria.
When can I sit the OCS?
The OCS is available four times per year in February, May, August, and November exam windows. You must pass all three Operational level objective tests (E1, P1, F1) before you can sit the OCS.
What is the pre-seen material?
CIMA publishes a detailed case study scenario several weeks before the exam. This pre-seen includes financial statements, organisational background, and industry context. You should analyse this material thoroughly before the exam, as the exam tasks will be based on this scenario.
What is the pass mark for the OCS?
The OCS pass mark is not a fixed percentage. Your script is marked holistically against competency criteria, and a pass/fail decision is made based on your overall performance across the tasks. Examiners look for practical application of knowledge, not just theoretical recall.