The A-Star Programme is a CIMA India route for commerce graduates with a CGPA of 7.5 or more who finished their degree in the last 5 years. It is part of CIMA India's CGMA Finance Leadership Program (FLP). The likely route is 15 exemptions and 1 exam, for £2,000 + 18% GST, over about 6 months. On the standard route, most B.Com graduates have 12 exams left instead.
What is the CIMA A-Star Programme?
CIMA has 16 exams in total. They run from the optional Certificate in Business Accounting through the Operational, Management and Strategic levels.
A-Star is one of CIMA India's special pathways. It sits inside the Finance Leadership Program (FLP). On A-Star you sit 1 exam, and the other 15 are exempt. For most B.Com graduates, that means 1 exam instead of 12.
Please confirm with CIMA India which exam your one exam is. We do not name it here. Ask CIMA India before you plan your study or buy any course.
Who qualifies for A-Star?
CIMA India's pathway sheet (27 Aug 2026) lists three conditions:
- you are a commerce graduate (B.Com; if your degree is a BBA or similar, ask CIMA India whether it counts);
- your CGPA is 7.5 or more;
- you completed your degree in the last 5 years.
Meeting these conditions makes A-Star your likely route. CIMA India confirms it when you apply.
What does the £2,000 + 18% GST fee include?
The fee is charged in pounds, and 18% GST is added on top. Here is what it covers, according to CIMA India's pathway sheet:
| Included in the A-Star fee | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Registration | Your CIMA registration is covered |
| Exam fee, 2 attempts | If the first attempt does not go well, a second attempt is already paid |
| FLP online platform | The online study platform used for FLP |
| Mocks | Practice exams before the real one |
| Live sessions | Live classes during the programme |
| Past papers | Earlier exam papers to practise on |
The programme takes about 6 months.
What documents do you need for A-Star?
CIMA India asks for four things:
- the application form;
- all semester mark sheets;
- your final degree certificate;
- a government ID.
A-Star applications go to CIMA India, not through the standard online registration. Have every semester's mark sheet ready before you start the form.
A-Star vs the standard route vs FLP: which is best after B.Com?
The same graduate can often choose between three routes. Here they are side by side.
| A-Star | Regular FLP | Standard route | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who | Commerce graduates, CGPA 7.5+, degree in the last 5 years | Graduates and postgraduates with under 6 years' experience | Anyone. No minimum education is required |
| Exams you sit | 1 (15 exempt) | 1, 2 or 3 case studies | Most B.Com: 12. Some universities: 8 or 9 |
| Fee | £2,000 + 18% GST | £2,000 or £3,400 + 18% GST | £99 registration, then a fee per exam and a yearly subscription |
| Fee includes | Registration, exam fee (2 attempts), FLP platform, mocks, live sessions, past papers | Registration, exam fees (2 attempts each), FLP platform, live sessions | Exemptions are free. Each exam is paid when you book it |
| Time | About 6 months | 6 to 18 months | Your own pace |
The standard route in more detail
On the standard route, your degree decides where you start. CIMA's exemption calculator (read 16 Oct 2026) gives these examples:
- Most B.Com degrees (Mumbai, Calcutta, Madras, Gujarat, Osmania, IGNOU): 4 exempt, 12 left. You start at the Operational level.
- Delhi University B.Com: 9 left.
- Christ, Bangalore University and SRCC B.Com: 8 left.
Your degree needs 50% overall to count. Exemptions are free.
Exam fees in India are Band 2. In 2026 they are £135 for each Operational test, £241 for the OCS, £154 for each Management test, £250 for the MCS, £241 for each Strategic test and £354 for the SCS. After the first year, the student subscription is £150 a year. Fees rise 2 to 4% on 1 January 2027.
The standard route costs less up front and lets you move at your own pace. A-Star and FLP cost more at the start, but you sit far fewer exams and the fee bundles study support.
What if my CGPA is under 7.5, or I graduated more than 5 years ago?
Then A-Star is unlikely to be your route. You still have two good options:
- Regular FLP, if you are a graduate or postgraduate with under 6 years' experience. You sit 1, 2 or 3 case studies.
- The standard route, starting where your degree places you.
One rule matters if your degree is older. On the standard route, degrees 7 or more years old get Cert BA exemptions only. That means 12 exams left, even if your university usually gets more.
Does A-Star make you a CIMA member?
Passing the exams is one part. CIMA membership needs 3 years' relevant experience; ask CIMA India how this applies to you. Full membership gives two titles: ACMA and CGMA (Chartered Global Management Accountant).
Is CIMA a good choice after B.Com?
CIMA India's own page (updated 13 Oct 2026) says CIMA suits corporate finance, FP&A, business partnering and the CFO track. It points to CA for audit, tax or practice. CIMA gives no statutory audit or signing rights in India. It is recognised by multinationals, Indian corporates and Global Capability Centres, with hiring hubs in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Mumbai, Delhi NCR and Chennai.
- Finntutors is a CIMA Global Learning Provider and has won CIMA's Global Pass Rate Excellence Award four times in a row. We are also listed as a Registered Tuition Provider on CIMA India's website.
- Once CIMA India confirms your exam, our matching case study course prepares you for it: OCS, MCS or SCS.
- Start free with our case study mini course.
- We are rated 4.9 on Trustpilot from 100+ reviews.
Not sure which route is yours?
Message us on WhatsApp with your qualification and years of experience. We will tell you your likely route, what CIMA needs from you, and help you apply. CIMA confirms the final route.
Questions people ask
Can I do CIMA after B.Com?
Yes. Most B.Com graduates have 12 exams left on the standard route. With a CGPA of 7.5 or more and a degree from the last 5 years, the A-Star Programme is a likely route with 1 exam.
How much does the CIMA A-Star Programme cost?
£2,000 + 18% GST. It includes registration, the exam fee with 2 attempts, the FLP online platform, mocks, live sessions and past papers.
Which exam do I sit on A-Star?
A-Star has 1 exam with 15 exemptions. Confirm with CIMA India which exam it is before you plan your study.
What if my CGPA is below 7.5?
Look at the regular FLP (1, 2 or 3 case studies) or the standard route. CIMA's exemption calculator shows your standard route start point.
How long does A-Star take?
About 6 months, per CIMA India's pathway sheet.
Please check before you apply. CIMA sets its own fees, exemptions and entry rules, and they can change. This article reflects CIMA's published information and CIMA India's pathway details as of 16 Oct 2026. Your exact route and fee are confirmed only by CIMA when you apply. Contact the CIMA India office ([email protected]), or ask us and we will connect you. Finntutors is an independent tuition provider and does not decide exemptions or fees.
Sources
- CIMA India pathway sheet, 27 Aug 2026 (with CIMA India brochures, Feb to Jun 2026)
- CIMA exemption calculator, aicpa-cima.com/exemption-calculator, read 16 Oct 2026
- AICPA & CIMA fees page, aicpa-cima.com, updated 7 Oct 2026
- CIMA India page, updated 13 Oct 2026
- CIMA India list of Registered Tuition Providers, updated 9 Apr 2026
