CIMA Examination

CIMA exam subjects

Read our recommended route through the CIMA Qualification to maximise your chances of exam success.

CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting

For more details please click here.

CIMA Professional Qualification

Will I get exemptions?

CIMA does offer you exemptions, depending upon your experience and educational background. For example, if you hold an accountancy or business related degree, it is likely you will be exempt from some or all of the CIMA Certificate examinations.

If you hold a relevant degree you do not need to complete the Certificate in order to progress to the Professional Qualification.

You may be entitled to an exemption from CIMA if you:

• are a graduate and have successfully completed a qualification at degree or postgraduate level

• are an AAT student or member

• have completed the Open University Certificate in Accounting

• have completed, or are currently studying, a professional qualification

Please click here for further information about exemptions.

Do I have to take the exams in order ?

You are free to sit the papers in any order, in the module. However, the ICS can be set only at the end of the module.

What language are the exams written in ?

The exams and courses are in English.

What does CBA mean?

Computer Based Assessments are the way to complete your CIMA exams. Computer Based Assessments for most CIMA exams can be sat whenever you like, meaning you can choose the sitting that suits you best.

How do I book an exam?

To sign up for an exam please access your MyCIMA account and contact any authorised Pearson VUE exam center.

For most of the CIMA exams, you will receive your result upon completing the exam so no waiting around to see how you got on. Also, for those who may have been unsuccessful, receiving the result immediately means you can register for the next available sitting on the same day if you wish so.

When and where are the exams ?

Almost all CIMA exams ( for the Certificate Level and each objective test from the Operational, Management, Strategic Levels) via CBA can be taken at various times at any authorised Pearson VUE examination centre across the globe.

The Integrated Case study Exams are sat electronically during the four sessions set by CIMA, in February/ March, May, August and November. Booking a course with us does not automatically enter you for the exams, so you must do this directly with the CIMA through your MyCIMA account.

How long are the exams and what is the pass mark?

The CBAs for the Certificate Level are two hours each and the pass mark is 50%, with immediate result.

The OTs (objective tests) for the professional qualification are 90 minutes long and the pass mark is 70%, with immediate result.

The ICSs (integrated case study exams) for the professional qualification are three hours long and the pass mark is 60%, the result being released at a later stage - the exam is human-marked.