CIMA - Exam Entry and Timetable

CIMA uses computer based assessments for the Certificate level. The process for entering for a computer based assessment is different from entering for a paper based exam.

Read this step by step guide to find out how to enter for a Certificate level CBA:

1. Find out where your nearest accredited CBA assessment centre is

All CBA’s are held at assessment centres which have been accredited by CIMA.

The majority of the centres are registered Learning Through Partnership (LTP) colleges so you may find that the college where you are studying is also an accredited assessment centre.

If you are not studying at a college, or if your college does not offer CBA, search the list of accredited CBA centres to find your nearest centre.

2. Contact the CBA centre and arrange to sit the assessment with the centre. You do NOT enter to sit CBA with CIMA

The CBA system is flexible so you can sit assessments at any time of the year. You are not restricted to the May and November exam sittings. Each CBA centre decides when, and how often, they offer the assessments so speak directly to them to arrange a suitable date and time.

3. Pay the assessment fee to the CBA centre

You pay the assessment fee directly to the centre – NOT to CIMA. The assessment fee for 2005 is £35 per subject assessment. Please note that CBA centres may charge administration fees in addition to the standard CBA fee. Please contact your local CBA centre to find out if any additional administration fees will be charged.

4. Before the assessment familiarise yourself with the CBA software by using the online demo

Objective test questions are used in CBA. As well as using the online demo [New window] you may also find it useful to download past objective test questions from the paper based exams for exam practice. You can find these in the Study Resources area [New window] of the website.

5. Take the assessment

6. Receive your results and feedback as soon as you finish the assessment

You will see your results and indicative feedback onscreen as soon as your assessment has finished.

If you are successful you will receive a Certificate of Achievement and your exam status will automatically be updated at CIMA.

If you are unsuccessful the feedback which you receive will indicate the areas of the syllabus where you should concentrate your studies. You can arrange your re-sit as soon as you are ready.

Important dates and deadlines

The CBA system is very flexible so you can sit your Certificate level assessments as and when you are ready.

This means that it is possible to fast track through to the Managerial level exams if you so wish. If you plan to do this, please be aware that the following progression rules apply:

You must pass all five Certificate level computer based assessments before you can sit Managerial level papers. You must complete all computer based assessments by 1 March in order to sit Managerial level papers in May. The deadline is 1 September if you want to sit Managerial level papers in November.

Only registered students can enter the exams so if you are not yet registered to become a CIMA student, please do not submit an Exam Entry form with your new student application form. Details of how to enter the exams will be sent to you once you have registered.

CIMA Accredited CBA centres are available worldwide. For details ---click here--- [New window]

Enter for Professional level

How to enter CIMA’s Managerial, Strategic and TOPCIMA exams

Your first step is to download or view on screen the user guide, exam entry section. It is very important that you read these instructions in full and then follow carefully to successfully complete your exam entry online.

Online user guide (link to)

Frequently Asked Questions (link to)

You are required to abide by the Rules of exam entry. You need to accept these rules when you enter exams, so please read through carefully. You may only enter papers at one exam centre; it is not possible to sit exams at more than one centre. You also need to accept upon entry the summary of exam rules and regulations which are available for you to read and accept on the last page of exam entry, before you select Submit.

Rules of Exam Entry:

Please download [Word Document; 163 KB; New window] the Rules of Exam Entry. It is a requirement of exam entry that you read and understand all of these rules. When you book CIMA exams you are accepting these rules. Rules may change between exam sittings each year, so it is important to read them each time you enter exams.

Exam Fees

Managerial papers are: £57 each
Strategic level papers are: £62 each
TOPCIMA is: £83

Important dates and deadlines

Entry for May 2005 exams opens on 2 February at 09:00 UK time.

Entry closes at standard entry fee level on 14 March.

Exam entry online remains open from 15 March until 21 March BUT:
a) A late fee of £160 will apply in addition to exam fees and
b) Payment must be online by credit/debit card

Within 24 hours of entering you will receive an email confirmation of your entry. If you do not receive this please access your exam entry online and check your entry carefully. If all the papers you want to sit are displayed you do not need to do anything else apart from post payment if you did not pay online. If your entry is not displayed then it is likely that you did not complete your entry. You will need to start again.

Take me to exam entry now

If you are already a registered student, the following information is relevant. However, for more comprehensive information about taking exams (such as suggested study combinations and transfer arrangements), contact MCG --here-- [New window]

Exams to be held between 23- 25 May 2006

	Managerial level	Strategic level and TOPCIMA
Day 1 (23 May)
9.10am	Paper P1 Management Accounting Performance Evaluation	Paper P6 Management Accounting Business Strategy
1.40pm	Paper P8 Financial Analysis
Day 2 (24 May)
9.10am	Paper P2 Management Accounting Decision Management	Paper P9 Management Accounting Financial Strategy
1.40pm	Paper P4 Organisational Management and Information Systems
Day 3 (25 May)
9.10am	Paper P5 Integrated Management	Paper P3 Management Accounting Risk and Control Strategy
1.40pm	Paper P7 Financial Accounting and Tax Principles	Paper P10 Test of Professional Competence

Exam dates for 2005 - 2006

CIMA examinations will be held on

Year	November Exams
2006	21,22,23

Click ---here--- to contact CIMA students services centre.