CIMA Strategic Level
CIMA Strategic Case Study (SCS)
The CIMA Strategic Case Study is the final Case Study examination of the CGMA Professional Qualification.
It brings together the knowledge, skills and techniques developed across E3, P3 and F3 and places the candidate in the simulated role of a Senior Finance Manager.
The examination therefore goes well beyond technical recall.
Candidates are expected to analyse complex business situations, take a long-term strategic perspective, evaluate risk, consider financing and control issues, understand the wider business environment and provide practical advice to organisational leaders.
This page is MSL Business School’s central guide to the CIMA Strategic Case Study and the starting point for our free SCS resources.
Current CIMA SCS cycle
The Strategic Case Study pre-seen released on 2 October 2026 will be used for both the November 2026 and February 2027 examination windows. Once the case is released, MSL will add the case-specific analysis and free resources to the SCS resource centre.
The integrated assessment
What is the CIMA Strategic Case Study?
The Strategic Case Study is the final integrated assessment at CIMA Strategic Level.
It tests whether candidates can apply Strategic Level knowledge in realistic senior-management situations.
Rather than treating E3, P3 and F3 as three separate subjects, SCS presents business problems in which several areas of knowledge may become relevant at the same time.
A strategic decision may require the candidate to consider, for example:
- competitive position;
- long-term strategy;
- stakeholder interests;
- sustainability;
- financing;
- valuation;
- risk;
- internal control;
- governance;
- ethics.
The strongest answers therefore do not reproduce theory in isolation.
They use the relevant technical knowledge to advise the organisation on the particular decision, opportunity, threat or problem presented.
Your simulated position
The role you are expected to play
In the Strategic Case Study, the simulated role is that of a Senior Finance Manager.
This is a more senior and strategic role than the Finance Manager position simulated at Management Level.
The Senior Finance Manager is expected to advise organisational leaders on decisions that can have significant long-term consequences for the business and its stakeholders.
That requires candidates to think beyond the immediate accounting treatment or calculation.
A Senior Finance Manager should be asking:
- What is the strategic objective?
- How does this decision create or protect long-term value?
- What is happening in the wider business environment?
- Which stakeholders matter?
- How should the organisation finance its plans?
- What risks arise?
- How should those risks be managed?
- Are governance and controls adequate?
- What ethical issues arise?
- What should senior management or the Board do?
The tone of a strong SCS answer should therefore be analytical, commercially aware and advisory.
Senior Finance Manager blueprint
The five SCS core activities
The current Strategic Case Study blueprint identifies five core activities associated with the Senior Finance Manager role.
Each examination variant assesses all five core activities within the ranges prescribed by CIMA.
Develop business strategy
- evaluate strategic options;
- recommend strategic decisions;
- evaluate acquisitions and divestments;
- consider opportunities and threats arising from digital technologies;
- respond to sustainability issues.
Evaluate the business ecosystem and business environment
- recommend strategic objectives;
- apply strategic analysis;
- analyse stakeholder needs;
- respond to changes in the business ecosystem;
- recommend appropriate KPIs;
- consider economic, political and currency risks.
Recommend financing strategies
- recommend suitable sources of finance;
- consider dividend policy;
- apply and recommend business valuation approaches.
Evaluate and mitigate risk
- evaluate risks;
- recommend risk responses;
- consider ethical dilemmas;
- evaluate cyber risk;
- recommend internal controls.
Recommend and maintain a sound control environment
- consider internal audit resources;
- recommend appropriate controls;
- evaluate the implications of compliance failures;
- respond to governance weaknesses.
Integrated Strategic Level knowledge
How E3, P3 and F3 come together in SCS
E3 — Strategic Management
E3 provides much of the strategic and organisational context for the examination.
Relevant areas can include:
- strategy;
- strategic analysis;
- organisational ecosystems;
- digital technologies;
- sustainability;
- strategic implementation;
- organisational change.
In SCS, E3 helps candidates understand:
where the organisation should go and how it should respond to changes in its environment.
P3 — Risk Management
P3 provides the framework for understanding and managing uncertainty.
Relevant areas can include:
- enterprise risk;
- strategic risk;
- cyber risk;
- internal control;
- risk responses;
- governance;
- internal audit.
In SCS, P3 helps candidates assess:
what could prevent the organisation from achieving its strategic objectives and how management should respond.
F3 — Financial Strategy
F3 focuses on the major financial decisions that support long-term strategy.
Relevant areas include:
- financial policy;
- sources of long-term finance;
- financial risk;
- business valuation.
In SCS, F3 helps candidates determine:
how strategic decisions should be financed and what their implications are for value.
Current examination cycle
The 2026–2027 Strategic Level blueprint
The current Strategic Level examination blueprint applies to the Strategic Case Study examinations in:
- May 2026;
- August 2026;
- November 2026;
- February 2027.
It is based on the updated CGMA Professional Qualification syllabus introduced for this examination cycle.
For candidates sitting the November 2026 or February 2027 Strategic Case Study, preparation should therefore be based on the current E3, P3 and F3 syllabus and the Senior Finance Manager role reflected in this blueprint.
Format and timing
How the SCS exam works
The Strategic Case Study is a three-hour written business simulation.
Each section lasts:
60 minutes
The three sections are equally weighted.
Each section contains more than one sub-task.
Candidates are given guidance on how much time to spend on each sub-task.
A candidate may finish a section early and move forward, but once they move to the next section they cannot return to the previous one.
After 60 minutes, the examination automatically advances to the next section.
Candidates may be asked to respond in business communication formats such as:
- emails;
- reports;
- memos;
- briefing notes.
The examination is therefore testing more than technical knowledge.
Candidates must be able to analyse information, exercise professional judgement and communicate advice clearly in a business context.
Numbers in context
Is SCS a calculation exam?
The Strategic Case Study is not primarily a calculation examination.
Tasks do not normally require candidates to perform standalone technical calculations in the way an Objective Test might.
However, candidates may need to use, analyse and interpret numerical information when supporting a written recommendation.
The key skill is therefore not simply obtaining a number.
It is understanding what the financial information means for the strategic decision being considered.
Your case context
What is the SCS pre-seen?
Before each Strategic Case Study cycle, CIMA releases information about the fictional organisation and industry that will provide the context for the examination.
This is the pre-seen.
Candidates receive the material before the exam so they can become familiar with the organisation.
The pre-seen may contain information about areas such as:
- the organisation;
- industry;
- products or services;
- customers;
- competitors;
- business model;
- strategic environment;
- governance;
- management structure;
- financing;
- financial statements;
- risk;
- sustainability;
- relevant external developments.
The examination then introduces new unseen information.
Candidates must combine:
their understanding of the pre-seen
with
the new unseen information
and
relevant E3, P3 and F3 knowledge
to advise the organisation.
Current pre-seen
The current SCS pre-seen
The next CIMA Strategic Case Study pre-seen will be released on:
2 October 2026
It will be used for:
18–20 November 2026
and
17–19 February 2027
The case organisation has not yet been released.
MSL Business School has already prepared the resource architecture for the new case.
Once the official pre-seen is available, we will begin publishing case-specific resources and analysis.
Six-stage preparation
How to prepare for the Strategic Case Study
Refresh E3, P3 and F3
The case study is integrated.
Technical knowledge should already be sufficiently strong that you can recognise when a Strategic Level concept is relevant to a business problem.
Understand the pre-seen organisation
Once the case is released, understand:
- what the organisation does;
- how it creates value;
- the industry;
- major stakeholders;
- strategic position;
- financing;
- risk;
- governance;
- financial performance.
Think like a Senior Finance Manager
Move beyond:
“What theory applies?”
towards:
“What should I advise senior management to do?”
Link the syllabus to the case
Ask how E3, P3 and F3 issues could affect the actual organisation in the pre-seen.
Practise unseen developments
Preparation should include new:
- strategic opportunities;
- threats;
- financing decisions;
- acquisitions;
- stakeholder issues;
- risk events;
- governance problems;
- control failures.
Practise under time pressure
The examination contains three fixed 60-minute sections.
Candidates should therefore practise making decisions and writing complete business responses within the available time.
Permanent knowledge library
Free SCS resources from MSL
MSL Business School is building a permanent library of free CIMA Strategic Case Study resources.
For each new SCS case, our aim is to help candidates understand:
- the organisation;
- the industry;
- the business model;
- strategic position;
- financial information;
- financing;
- risk;
- governance;
- sustainability;
- relevant E3, P3 and F3 connections.
The next case will be added when the pre-seen is released on 2 October 2026.
Structured preparation
Study CIMA SCS with MSL
Free resources help you understand the case.
MSL’s full Strategic Case Study preparation goes further into:
- live teaching;
- technical revision;
- structured pre-seen analysis;
- strategic application;
- unseen scenario practice;
- answer planning;
- mock examinations;
- exam technique.
For current schedules, fees and registration, use the main CIMA page.
Looking for the Management Case Study?
Explore MSL’s MCS guide, current case and free resources.
Questions answered
Frequently asked questions about CIMA SCS
What does SCS mean in CIMA?
SCS means Strategic Case Study. It is the Case Study examination at CIMA Strategic Level.
What role do I play in the CIMA Strategic Case Study?
The simulated role is that of a Senior Finance Manager.
Which subjects are tested in SCS?
The Strategic Case Study integrates E3 Strategic Management, P3 Risk Management and F3 Financial Strategy.
How long is the CIMA Strategic Case Study exam?
The examination is three hours long and contains three equally weighted 60-minute sections.
What are the five SCS core activities?
The five core activities are:
- develop business strategy;
- evaluate the business ecosystem and business environment;
- recommend financing strategies;
- evaluate and mitigate risk;
- recommend and maintain a sound control environment.
What is the SCS pre-seen?
The pre-seen contains information about the fictional organisation and its business environment before the examination. Candidates study it in advance and then apply that understanding to new unseen information during the exam.
When is the next CIMA SCS pre-seen released?
The next Strategic Case Study pre-seen is released on 2 October 2026.
Which sittings use the October 2026 SCS pre-seen?
The pre-seen released on 2 October 2026 will be used for the November 2026 and February 2027 Strategic Case Study examinations.
When is the November 2026 SCS exam?
The November 2026 Strategic Case Study exam runs from 18 to 20 November 2026.
When is the February 2027 SCS exam?
The February 2027 Strategic Case Study exam runs from 17 to 19 February 2027.
Can I study the CIMA Strategic Case Study with MSL?
Yes. MSL Business School provides CIMA Strategic Case Study preparation. Current schedules, fees and registration information are available on the main CIMA page.
Analysis and resources by MSL Business School · Updated 26 September 2026
Independent educational resource. MSL Business School is not affiliated with or endorsed by CIMA. Official CIMA material remains the source for examination rules and pre-seen case information.
