Choosing practice
How to choose CIMA case study practice
A checklist to use with any provider, including us. For each point: the questions to ask, why it matters and how we do.
01
Marking speed
Ask
- How long until I get a mark back: minutes, days or a week?
- Is there a limit on how many answers are marked?
- Is marking slower near the exam, when everyone is practising?
You improve by writing, getting feedback and writing again. The longer the wait, the fewer rounds you fit in before the exam, and the less you remember about why you wrote what you did.
How Eighty Marks does
Every task is marked by AI in about a minute, within fair-use daily limits set for a full day of practice. In-depth reviews of a mock take longer: they are ready by 7am the next morning.
02
Depth of feedback
Ask
- Do I get a mark against each of CIMA's four competencies, or one overall grade?
- Does it tell me what to change, not just what was wrong?
- Can I see a better version of my own answer?
- Who marks it: a qualified tutor, an AI, or both? Is that said plainly?
A single number tells you where you are, not how to move. Feedback you can act on names the competency, the requirement and the change to make.
How Eighty Marks does
Marks on the technical, business, people and leadership competencies, strengths, the points to fix and the biggest win, plus your own answer rewritten to the next level up with the reason for each change. Marking is by AI, not a human tutor, and you can query any mark for a person to check.
03
Mocks
Ask
- How many full mocks are there for my pre-seen, and are they all different?
- Are they timed and in exam order, on a screen like the real one?
- Can I build up with shorter sittings first?
- Are mocks marked, and how quickly?
A full mock is the closest thing to the exam: three hours, four sections, one company. A few different mocks, built up to from shorter sittings, tend to beat one paper sat several times.
How Eighty Marks does
Pass includes timed section practice and half mocks. Pass Plus adds up to 5 full mocks per level, each with different tasks, four timed sections in exam order. How many there are depends on the question bank for your pre-seen. Every mock is marked by AI on submission.
04
Price per exam window
Ask
- Does one price cover both exam windows that use the same pre-seen, or only one?
- What does it cost if I sit later than planned?
- Are in-depth reviews or extra mocks charged on top?
Each pre-seen is used for two exam windows. A price that looks low for one window can cost more if you need the second.
How Eighty Marks does
Pass is £249 and Pass Plus is £449 per level, covering both windows of the current pre-seen. If you sit later, a £29 extension carries your plan into the next pre-seen. Pass Plus includes 3 in-depth reviews; more are £39 each or £99 for 3.
05
Guarantees
Ask
- What exactly do I have to do to qualify: attend, complete, score?
- What do I get if I don't pass: money back, or more access?
- Do I have to fill in forms, or is my effort tracked for me?
Most guarantees come with conditions. Read them before you buy, so you know what you are relying on.
How Eighty Marks does
Pass Plus has resit cover. If you don't pass a sitting you take while your plan is active, after doing the practice, we'll cover the next pre-seen's windows free. To qualify, complete at least 40 marked answers at your level, and one full mock exam at that level, then report your result. One resit cover per purchase. Pass Plus only.
06
Proof the marking is right
Ask
- Has the marking been checked against qualified markers?
- Are the results published, including where it disagrees?
- What happens if I think a mark is wrong?
Fast marking only helps if it points you the right way. Ask how a provider knows its marks are close to a real marker's.
How Eighty Marks does
We are double-marking a sample of answers with qualified human markers, and publish how closely the marks agree once there are enough to say something reliable. Any student can query a mark in the app, and a person reviews every query.
Also worth checking
- Is practice set in your actual pre-seen company, or in a generic one?
- Does it work on your phone, and is it accessible if you use a screen reader or need more time?
- Can you try it free before paying, without a card?
- Is it clear that the provider is independent of CIMA?
Many students use more than one source: a course for teaching, and a practice tool for writing and feedback. Pick what fills the gap in your own preparation.
AI marks are a guide to help you improve. They are not CIMA marks and not a prediction of your result. Prices and features are correct as of this page's last update; the pricing page is always current.
Judge us on one task
Try one marked task free, no card needed, and use the checklist above on us.