CMI (Other exams) study guide
CMI · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
CMI qualifications are management and leadership awards offered by the Chartered Management Institute, which describes itself as the only Royal Chartered Body for management and leadership. The qualification library is organised by job role rather than by a single syllabus, spanning Team Leader (Level 2) through Senior, Director & CEO (Level 7 & 8), plus specialist routes such as Higher Technical Qualifications (Level 5), Leadership for AI qualifications (Level 3, 5 & 7) and Sustainability Leadership Qualifications (Level 3, 5, 6 & 7). The CMI study guide has 9 sections and about 2,034 words.
01Team Leader (Level 2)
CMI Level 2 Team Leading tests the team leader's role in setting purpose, allocating work, communicating, motivating, monitoring performance, health and safety, equality and basic conflict handling. Questions are scenario-based: choose the best action, not the most heroic one.
261 words, about 1 min02Supervisor & First Line Manager (Level 3)
CMI Level 3 First Line Management tests operational planning, work allocation, performance management, feedback, customer service, compliance and problem solving at the team-organisation interface. Convert departmental targets into team and individual objectives using SMARTER.
252 words, about 1 min03Junior Manager (Level 4)
CMI Level 4 Junior Management tests managing teams and projects, budgets, stakeholders, change and decisions. It expects planning, resource control and communication with influence.
254 words, about 1 min04Middle, Operational & Departmental Manager (Level 5)
CMI Level 5 Middle, Operational and Departmental Manager tests translating strategy into departmental plans, leading managers, managing change, finance, talent and cross-functional relationships. Align departmental objectives with organisational strategy using a balanced scorecard: financial, customer, internal process, learning and growth.
211 words, about 1 min05Higher Technical Qualifications (Level 5)
Higher Technical Qualifications are employer-led Level 5 technical qualifications approved against occupational standards. Assessment tests applied knowledge, technical skills and behaviours in context, often through synoptic scenarios covering quality, safety, regulation, project delivery and continuous improvement.
215 words, about 1 min06Leadership for AI qualifications (Level 3, 5 & 7)
CMI Leadership for AI qualifications at Levels 3, 5 and 7 test AI strategy, governance, data ethics, risk, workforce impact and human oversight. Level 3 focuses on responsible use; Level 5 on managing AI projects; Level 7 on board-level governance and value.
216 words, about 1 min07Sustainability Leadership Qualifications (Level 3, 5, 6 & 7)
CMI Sustainability Leadership qualifications test ESG integration, materiality, carbon accounting, stakeholder engagement, circular economy, reporting and governance. Lower levels focus on the manager's area; higher levels test strategy and assurance.
216 words, about 1 min08Professional & Senior Manager (Level 6)
CMI Level 6 Professional and Senior Manager tests strategic analysis, business planning, governance, finance, innovation, change leadership and ethics across functions. External analysis: PESTLE and Porter's five forces.
193 words, under 1 min09Senior, Director & CEO (Level 7 & 8)
CMI Senior, Director and CEO qualifications test board leadership, corporate governance, strategic direction, stakeholder accountability, risk oversight, culture, succession and crisis leadership. Governance differs from management: the board sets direction, oversees and assures; executives manage delivery.
216 words, about 1 min