Exam progression rules

We have four exam cycles a year for both centre-based and remotely invigilated exams. Students can take a maximum of four exams during each exam cycle across a maximum of eight distinct exams over the course of a calendar year. These can be any combination of computer-based and paper-based exams.

Exam cycles

For the four sessions, each exam cycle is as follows:

  • March session: 1 Jan - 31 March
  • June session: 1 April - 30 June
  • September session: 1 July - 30 September
  • December session: 1 Oct - 31 December

These sessions are in line with the exemption closing dates.

On-demand CBE

On-demand Computer Based Exams (CBEs) are available for the first seven papers within the foundation-level qualifications and the Applied Knowledge EXAMS and the Corporate and Business Law (LW-ENG) and (LW-GLO) exams of the ACCA qualification. Please remember that you must be registered with ACCA prior to being entered for on-demand CBEs.

Modular order

Exams must be taken in modular order for the ACCA Qualification, however you can attempt the papers within each module in any order.  If you wish to enter to sit exams in the next module, you must also enter for all outstanding exams in your current module.  

These rules are in place to guide students on an appropriate path through the ACCA Qualification. Ultimately they help students progress through our exams, as they ensure that students build on their learning and are taking the most appropriate exams based on where they are on their student journey.

Whilst the Ethics and Professional Skills module can be taken at any point after completion of the Applied Knowledge exams, the behaviours introduced in the module supports students in successfully completing the Strategic professional exams. We therefore recommend students complete the module before attempting any of these exams.

The modular order for the ACCA Qualification is:

  • Applied Knowledge exams
  • Applied Skills exams
    • Ethics and Professional Skills Module
  • Strategic Professional (Essentials and Options)