ACCA stands for the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, and its qualification is the epitome of success in finance. While ACCA qualification can be your gateway to the accounts sector, the examination can be a minefield. It comes with various modules, papers, topics to be covered, and tons of test papers, workbooks, and case studies.
Suppose you’re asking yourself, “How do I ace the exam on my first attempt?” you’re not the only one. Every year, millions of students ask themselves this question: Only inJune 2024, 107,506 ACCA aspirants were appearing for the exam!
Eat, sleep, study and repeat – if that is your ACCA exam strategy, then it’s time to think again. ACCA exams need not ruin your sleep if you follow a proper study schedule, check out the tips, and utilise your resources. Here’s a guide on ACCA exam preparation 2024, tips, and study resources.
ACCA Examination Structure
The ACCA examination has three levels, each with a different module. The examination is designed in such a way that by the time you pass them, you will have a strong foundation and understanding of the basic concepts.
Here’s a breakdown of the exam pattern:
Applied knowledge level: This level has three modules: Business and Technology (BT), Management Accounting (MA), and Financial Accounting (FA). The format for all these three papers is the same – multiple-choice questions with a passing mark of 50%. All three papers are 2 hours each.
Applied skills level: This level has six modules, out of which only Corporate and Business Law (LW) is of 2 hours with multiple-choice questions. The remaining modules are Audit and Assurance, Performance Management, Financial Management, Financial Reporting, and Taxation. Along with 60% multiple-choice questions, there’s also a 40% weightage given to subjective questions in these modules, to be completed in 3 hours.
Strategic professional level: This level has four subjective question-based papers, two mandatory and two optional. Strategic Business Leader (SBL) is a module in this level of 4 hours, and the remaining are 3 hours each.
ACCA Study Tips: Top 6 Strategies to Crack the Examination
Crack your ACCA examination with these ACCA study tips:
Draft a study plan
Creating a study plan is crucial to cracking ACCA exams. This ACCA exam strategy gives a sense of organised study, reduces stress, and enhances productivity. It would help if you blocked your study hours with specific subjects or topics. Once you stick to your study schedule, you will retain knowledge better and won’t be overwhelmed with the approaching exams. Here’s a sample study plan:
Subject
Core concepts/Focus areas
Time allotted (per week)
Business Technology
Information system
Data analytics
8
Taxation
Tax compliance
Tax principles
10
Audit and Assurance
Audit principles
Risk assessment
Ethical standards
11
Strategic Business Reporting
Corporate governance
Reporting standards
6
Focus on past papers
Practice is important if you have to pass ACCA exams. So, the strategy in this ACCA exam preparation 2024 guide is to solve the previous year’s papers. Solving past year’s papers will give you an idea about the exam format and time management. You can also solve mock papers and practice questions to boost your confidence.
Do not procrastinate
When you start preparing for an exam early on, you get more time to study and revise. It’s that simple. By starting preparations early, your chances of passing the exam increase manifold, and decrease your last-minute stress. With more time in hand, you can also devote more time to the tougher concepts.
Understand, do not memorise
You need to understand the core concept to avoid memorising the study materials. Memorising is a temporary solution, but it will help you connect the theory with real-life experiences when you grasp the core principle. You will be able to develop analytical skills. This is a study approach that not only works for exams but also in real life.
Look for a study group
Preparing for your exam with a study group helps you stay motivated. Are you stuck on a complicated topic? Your peers become your rescuers. Along with a study group, you can also ask for guidance from tutors or mentors who are more experienced in the field.
Utilise your resources fully
The internet offers an ocean of resources, some relevant while some may not. So, you need to choose your study materials wisely and carefully. Use reputable sources, preferably those accredited by ACCA and revision guides.
ACCA Course Resources to Look for
Here are a few ACCA course resources that you can study from for your ACCA exams:
Official website
They offer support services and update their resources promptly.
Books and publications
Opt for books and study materials that cover the complete syllabus and provide additional resources like workbooks and test papers.
Conclusion
Cracking the ACCA exam will give you global recognition and is a much-needed stepping stone in your career advancement. It enhances your career prospects by opening doors to senior positions, better remunerations, and promotions.
With this qualification, you can also broaden your professional networks. Such a network is helpful to explore job opportunities and share any industry insight. You will get a lucrative opportunity to work in diverse fields: consulting, management, audit, or taxation.
Imarticus Learning offers the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, UK programme, which is recognised in 180+ countries. This globally recognised certificate provides you the much much-needed hands-on training, making you a perfect fit for well-reputed companies.
I get asked about ACCA exam dates more than almost anything else, and it’s usually not because the syllabus scares people. It’s the calendar. Four sessions a year, different deadlines for each, fees that change depending on when you book, and results that land weeks after you’ve already moved on to worrying about the next paper.
Get the timing wrong once, and you’re not just delayed by a few weeks; you’re pushed into an entirely different exam cycle. So let’s fix that. I’m laying out every ACCA exam date that matters right now, the deadlines attached to each one, and how to actually plan around them instead of reacting to them. Your ACCA Certification runs on this calendar whether you track it or not, so you might as well be the one steering it.
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants offers a globally recognised qualification that opens doors to exciting career opportunities in accounting, finance, and beyond. With exams held regularly throughout the year, knowing when and where these exams take place is essential for effective planning and achieving success.
Are you gearing up for your ACCA exams and wondering how to stay on top of the schedule? Understanding the ACCA exam dates is crucial for effective preparation and ensuring you’re ready to excel on exam day.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about ACCA exam dates, from understanding the ACCA timetable to the exam pattern and important certification details.
What Is ACCA And Why The Calendar Runs Everything
Quick context if you’re new to this. ACCA full form stands for the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, and what is ACCA in practice is thirteen exams across three ACCA levels, a professional ethics module, and a practical experience requirement (ACCA PER Examples), all recognised internationally once you’re through. It isn’t one exam you sit and forget. It’s a staged qualification, and each stage only opens up during specific windows throughout the year. That last part is the piece people underestimate. You can’t decide on a Tuesday that you’re ready for Strategic Business Leader(SBL) and sit it the following week. You wait for the session, and the session waits for nobody.
How Many Times A Year Is The ACCA Exam Held
Four sessions a year: March, June, September, December. Each one carries the Applied Skills and Strategic Professional papers, so you get real flexibility in sequencing rather than being locked into one shot annually. A smaller group of ACCA papers under Applied Knowledge, plus certain variants of Corporate and Business Law, run as on-demand computer-based exams you can book almost any working day at an approved centre. Your early papers don’t need to wait on a fixed date at all.
This matters practically, not just academically. Miss your March deadline, and you haven’t lost the year; you’ve just moved to June. That flexibility is one of the more useful parts of how ACCA is built, but it only helps you if you’re actually watching the dates instead of finding out about them after the deadline has closed.
Your academic background can significantly influence how you begin ACCA. Get a practical overview of eligibility requirements, paper structure, and exemptions available based on your academic background before planning your qualification.
Previous Year Exam Dates
ACCA exam dates are scheduled throughout the year to accommodate different student needs and ensure flexibility. These exams are typically held in March, June, September, and December, giving you multiple opportunities to sit for your exams based on your preparation timeline. Each exam session has specific registration deadlines, so it’s essential to plan and register in advance to secure your slot.
ACCA Exam Sessions 2024
Looking at the ACCA Exam Sessions 2024 can help you understand how the examination calendar is typically organised. While these dates have already passed, they provide a useful reference point for comparing schedules, planning future attempts, and seeing how ACCA structures its March, June, September, and December examination cycles each year.
March 2024 Exam Session
Registration Deadline: January 29, 2024
Early Exam Entry Deadline: November 13, 2023
Standard Exam Entry Deadline: January 29, 2024
Late Exam Entry Deadline: February 5, 2024
Exam Week: March 4-8, 2024
June 2024 Exam Session
Registration Deadline: April 29, 2024
Early Exam Entry Deadline: February 12, 2024
Standard Exam Entry Deadline: April 29, 2024
Late Exam Entry Deadline: May 6, 2024
Exam Week: June 3-7, 2024
September 2024 Exam Session
Registration Deadline: July 29, 2024
Early Exam Entry Deadline: May 13, 2024
Standard Exam Entry Deadline: July 29, 2024
Late Exam Entry Deadline: August 5, 2024
Exam Week: September 2-6, 2024
December 2024 Exam Session
Registration Deadline: October 28, 2024
Early Exam Entry Deadline: August 12, 2024
Standard Exam Entry Deadline: October 28, 2024
Late Exam Entry Deadline: November 4, 2024
Exam Week: December 2-6, 2024
ACCA Exam Dates 2025: The December Session
If you’re closing out papers from the last cycle, December 2025 is still worth knowing even with 2026 planning underway. Exams ran Monday, 1 December 2025 through Friday, 5 December 2025, with results out around mid-January 2026, roughly five to six weeks after the exam week wrapped, based on ACCA’s standard post-exam timeline.
Financial Management, Corporate and Business Law, Advanced Financial Management
Applied Skills, Strategic Professional
ACCA groups papers by day so related subjects rarely land on top of each other, which genuinely helps if you’re sitting more than one paper in a single session. If you missed December, don’t treat it as lost ground. Put that energy into the next sitting and use the extra weeks on whichever paper worried you most.
ACCA Exam Dates 2026: Session By Session
This is the part most people actually came here for. The ACCA March 2026 exam dates, the ACCA June 2026 exam dates, and everything after carry their own entry windows, fee tiers, and result timelines. Know them early, and you pay the lowest fee available. Miss them, and you pay a late penalty for the exact same paper.
ACCA Exam Dates March 2026
March 2026 ran Monday, 2 March through Friday, 6 March, with a narrower paper spread than June or December, mostly Applied Skills with select Strategic Professional papers included. If you’d rather sit an exam with fewer candidates in the room, March is usually the smallest sitting of the year, and some students find that noticeably easier on the nerves.
ACCA Exam Dates June 2026
June 2026 ran from Monday, 1 June to Friday, 5 June. One detail worth calling out directly: ACCA removed the late entry for this particular session. The standard entry deadline of 16 April 2026 was your only window. Miss it, and there was no fallback except waiting for September. If you’re mapping ACCA exam dates and fees 2026 against your own schedule, this is exactly the kind of rule that trips people up, so check entry terms fresh every session instead of assuming last year’s rules still apply.
ACCA Exam Dates September 2026
September 2026 ran Monday, 7 September through Friday, 11 September, standard entry closing 27 July 2026, late entry closing 3 August 2026 at a higher fee, results released 19 October 2026. September pulls in a lot of resit candidates who fell short in June, and if that’s you, a focused ten-to twelve-week sprint on your specific weak areas beats a full syllabus restart almost every time.
ACCA Exam Dates December 2026
December is the fourth and final sitting of the year, and it typically falls in the first full week of the month, following roughly the same pattern as December 2025. ACCA confirms exact deadlines and the paper-by-paper timetable around six months ahead of exam week, so if you’re planning this far out, treat early December as a working assumption. Confirm the final dates on ACCA’s official site before you lock in travel or leave.
Session
Exam Week
Standard Entry Deadline
Late Entry Deadline
Results Date
March 2026
2 to 6 March 2026
Early February 2026
Late February 2026
Mid April 2026
June 2026
1 to 5 June 2026
16 April 2026
Not offered this session
13 July 2026
September 2026
7 to 11 September 2026
27 July 2026
3 August 2026
19 October 2026
December 2026
Expected first week of December
Expected late October 2026
To be confirmed
Expected mid January 2027
March 2027
1 to 5 March 2027
Expected late January 2027
To be confirmed
Expected mid-April 2027
One rhythm holds across almost every row here: the standard entry deadline sits roughly six weeks before the exam week, and results land five to six weeks after ACCA exams close. Once that spacing sticks in your head, you stop needing to memorise individual dates and start estimating any future session with reasonable accuracy.
Achieving Your ACCA Certificate
Upon passing your exams, you’ll be one step closer to obtaining your ACCA certificate. This globally recognised qualification opens doors to exciting career opportunities in accounting, finance, and beyond. Celebrate your achievement and consider pursuing further ACCA course details to enhance your professional profile.
It demonstrates your mastery of key accounting principles, financial management, and taxation practices on a global scale. To earn this prestigious qualification, candidates undergo rigorous examinations across multiple modules, each designed to test their practical skills and theoretical knowledge.
The ACCA certification not only validates your expertise but also opens doors to separate career opportunities worldwide, from public accounting firms to corporate finance departments and beyond. It signifies a commitment to professional excellence and continuous learning in the dynamic world of accounting, making you a valuable asset in today’s job market.
The 13 ACCA Exams And How The Levels Actually Break Down
A lot of confusion around ACCA exam registration dates comes down to not knowing which papers sit at which level, and therefore which sitting rules apply to them. The qualification runs across three levels.
Level
Papers Included
Number Of Papers
Delivery Mode
Sessions Available
Applied Knowledge
Business and Technology, Management Accounting, Financial Accounting
3
On-demand computer-based exam
Available year-round
Applied Skills
Corporate and Business Law, Performance Management, Taxation, Financial Reporting, Audit and Assurance, Financial Management
6
Centre-based, with LW also on demand
March, June, September, December
Strategic Professional Essentials
Strategic Business Leader, Strategic Business Reporting
Once the levels are laid out like this, the ACCA applied skills exam dates and the ACCA applied knowledge exam dates stop being two confusing terms and become two separate planning tracks. Applied Knowledge can be moved at your own pace, booked whenever a centre has a slot. Everything from Applied Skills onward has to work around the fixed quarterly calendar. Most people who feel behind aren’t actually behind. They’re applying on-demand thinking to papers that only run four times a year, and that mismatch is where the pressure comes from.
Understanding the ACCA Exam Pattern
The ACCA exam pattern varies depending on the level you’re taking, whether it’s Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills, or Strategic Professional. Each level assesses different competencies and skills required for a successful career in accounting & finance. Familiarise yourself with the exam format & allocate your study time accordingly to optimise your chances of success.
The ACCA exam pattern is structured across three main levels: Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills, and Strategic Professional, each containing specific modules or papers. Exams are predominantly computer-based, though some may still be paper-based, and encompass various question types, such as objective tests and case studies, with more intricate scenarios at higher levels.
Exam sessions are scheduled throughout the year, with Strategic Professional exams held in June and December. Passing marks typically hover around 50-55%, and results are usually available shortly after the exam. Candidates prepare for these exams using ACCA-approved study materials and practice questions to ensure thorough readiness and meet the qualification criteria necessary for advancing their careers in accountancy.
A well-planned exam strategy begins long before registration opens. This detailed walkthrough brings together practical planning tips, preparation milestones, and session-wise guidance to help you organise your ACCA journey with greater confidence.
How Registration Actually Works
Booking a session is simple once you know the order, but the small print around deadlines is where most avoidable stress comes from.
Log into your ACCA Login through myACCA and confirm your eligibility for each paper before you attempt to book anything.
Pick your session from March, June, September or December and check the paper timetable to make sure two of your exams don’t land on the same day.
Book within the standard entry window to lock the lowest fee, since late entry costs noticeably more for the identical paper.
Download your attendance docket from myACCA once it’s live, since it confirms your desk assignment and the exact exam centre address.
Keep your subscription payments current, because an overdue annual fee can quietly block future bookings even when your exam entry itself is fine.
That second point catches more people than you’d expect. Timetable clashes are common, especially if you’re sitting three or four papers at once, and ACCA won’t automatically flag them for you. Build your own quick table before finalising entries, and you avoid that headache entirely.
Key Dates to Remember
To make sure you never miss an important deadline, here are the ACCA important dates you should mark in your calendar:
Registration Deadlines: These are the dates by which you must do your ACCA registration for your chosen exam session. Missing this deadline might incur late fees or prevent you from sitting for the exams altogether.
Exam Session Dates: Mark the dates when your exams will take place. These sessions typically span several days to accommodate different time zones and exam volumes.
Result Release Dates: After you’ve taken your exams, eagerly await the ACCA exam results. ACCA results are usually released within a few weeks after the exam session concludes. Knowing this date helps you plan your next steps, whether it’s celebrating your success or preparing for a re-sit.
Building A Study Plan Around The Calendar
Here’s where a lot of study plans quietly fall apart. Students build their revision schedule first, then squeeze it against whichever exam date happens to be nearest, instead of doing it the other way around.
Pick your session first.
Treat the standard entry deadline as fixed.
Then count backwards to see how many real study weeks you actually have.
Most candidates need three to six months of focused preparation per paper, and that naturally shapes how many papers to attempt in one sitting. Two to four papers per session are sustainable for most people balancing a full-time job. Push past that, and you often trade short-term ambition for a higher chance of a resit, which costs both money and an entire extra session, so pacing yourself is rarely the slower route once you look at the full picture.
Did you know? ACCA pass rates across most papers stay remarkably steady, typically shifting by only two to five percentage points between consecutive sessions.
That’s drawn from ACCA’s own published results data, and it tells you something useful: which session you pick matters far less than how ready you are when you sit it. A well-prepared candidate in September performs just as well as one in June, so don’t let session anxiety push you into rushing a paper before you’re actually ready.
Your ACCA study material choice plays into this too. Whether you’re working through ACCA books, an online ACCA study hub, or a structured classroom program, the resource matters less than whether your revision milestones are actually tied to your chosen exam date instead of floating loosely in the background. Schedule a full mock at roughly the halfway mark of your prep window. It tells you honestly whether you’re on pace or need to adjust before it’s too late.
It’s also worth remembering why this level of planning is worth it. Professionals who complete the qualification typically move into stronger finance, audit, and advisory roles, and ACCA salary insights tend to reflect that progression as experience builds on top of the credential. That’s the real reason the calendar matters. A missed deadline doesn’t just cost you a session; it pushes back everything that qualification is meant to open up for you.
If you want help building a backward plan from your target session to today, Imarticus Learning works with candidates on preparation timelines mapped directly against the ACCA calendar rather than a generic study schedule.
Planning Your Study Schedule
Now that you have the ACCA timetable in hand, it’s time to create a study plan that works for you. The planner helps you organise your study tasks and track your progress as you prepare for your exams. Log in to update your study plans for the next 12 months. Then, create a detailed plan with daily tasks and milestones. Here are some tips to get started:
Block Out Study Time: Start by marking off times when you won’t be available to study between now and exam day.
Set Milestones: Review the suggested tasks and set your own goals to keep yourself on track.
Find Your Best Study Time: Be realistic about when you study best. Early mornings or shorter study sessions throughout the day work better for you.
Schedule Reviews: Plan extra study sessions after finishing chapters to review and reinforce what you’ve learned.
Take Breaks: Take short breaks of 5-10 minutes every hour to stay focused and motivated.
Stick to Your Plan: Try to follow your plan as much as possible, but review it weekly to make adjustments as needed to stay on track.
Building an ACCA study routine around your job takes careful planning rather than extra hours. Learn practical ways to stay consistent, organised, and prepared for every exam session.
Why Choose Imarticus Learning For ACCA Preparation?
Preparing for ACCA is about much more than completing the syllabus. The right learning environment can make it easier to stay consistent, practise regularly, and build the confidence needed for every exam session. If you are considering guided preparation for the ACCA Course, Imarticus Learning offers several features that support learners throughout their ACCA journey.
Gold Approved Learning Partner Status with ACCA, reflecting recognised standards for course delivery, faculty quality, and learner support.
Industry Collaboration With KPMG In India, giving learners exposure to practical business scenarios and the opportunity to earn a joint industry certificate alongside their ACCA qualification.
Kaplan-Powered Study Material, including ACCA books, question banks, practice papers, flashcards, live classes, and on-demand learning resources designed specifically for ACCA preparation.
100% Placement or Internship Guarantee after completing the first two ACCA levels, helping learners gain relevant industry experience while progressing towards qualification.
Pre-Placement Career Bootcamp covering CV building, interview preparation, communication skills, and career readiness for finance and accounting roles.
Money-Back Guarantee offering a 50% course fee refund if learners do not clear all ACCA Professional Level exams, subject to the programme’s terms and conditions.
Expert-Led Live Training delivered by experienced faculty supported by recorded sessions, doubt-solving, and structured mentorship throughout the programme.
Flexible Learning Format that combines live online classes with recorded content, making it suitable for both full-time students and working professionals.
Structured Learning Roadmap that maps the ACCA syllabus into a guided study plan, helping learners progress steadily across all qualification levels.
FAQs About ACCA Exam Dates
Before booking your next paper, it helps to clear up the doubts that almost every learner has at some point. These answers bring together the most frequently asked questions about ACCA exam dates, registration, exam frequency, and qualification planning, so you can move ahead with greater clarity and confidence.
What are the exam dates for ACCA?
ACCA runs four exam sessions a year in March, June, September and December, each covering one exam week at approved centres worldwide, alongside on-demand papers available year-round through ACCA’s booking platform and preparation support from Imarticus Learning.
How many times a year is the ACCA exam?
The ACCA exam runs four times a year, in March, June, September and December, giving candidates flexibility to space out their thirteen papers around personal or professional commitments.
What are the 13 ACCA exams?
The 13 ACCA exams span three levels: Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills, and Strategic Professional, covering subjects from financial accounting and taxation through to strategic leadership and advanced audit work.
How often are the ACCA exams conducted?
ACCA exams run four times a year in fixed sessions, while a smaller set of foundational papers stays available on demand at approved centres almost any working day.
How long does it take to generally complete ACCA?
Most candidates finish the qualification in three to four years, depending on prior exemptions, how many papers they attempt per session, and how consistently they hit their planned exam dates.
How many attempts do we get for the ACCA exam?
ACCA doesn’t cap total attempts for most papers, though Strategic Professional exams must be completed within seven years of passing your first paper at that level, so pacing genuinely matters.
Which exam do I take first in ACCA?
Most candidates start with an Applied Knowledge paper like Business and Technology or Management Accounting, building foundational concepts before moving into fixed-session Applied Skills papers, an approach Imarticus Learning generally recommends for new entrants.
In which months are the ACCA exams conducted?
ACCA exams run in March, June, September and December each year, with every session offering a distinct set of papers across the Applied Skills and Strategic Professional levels.
Navigating ACCA exam dates doesn’t have to be daunting. By understanding the ACCA timetable, exam pattern, and key dates, you can approach your exams with confidence and preparation. Remember to stay organised, plan effectively, and utilise the resources available to you for a successful exam experience.
Make sure you stay on top of things by planning your studies according to the dates of the exams. This will help you get through all the material that is required. Utilise available resources such as study materials, practice exams, and support from educators to enhance your preparation. With careful planning & dedication, you can ensure a successful and rewarding experience during your ACCA exams.
Unlock Your Career Potential with Imarticus Learning: A Guide to ACCA Certification
The ACCA qualification, awarded by the ACCA in the UK, is globally recognised in accounting and finance. It consists of three levels: Knowledge, Skill, and Professional. Accepted in 180 countries, ACCA is renowned for providing extensive career opportunities worldwide.
Imarticus Learning offers a comprehensive ACCA Course that prepares professionals for roles in accounting, taxation, management, finance, and more. Upon enrolling, you not only gain access to a structured curriculum but also a guaranteed career path. Imarticus Learning promises 100% placement assistance or a refund if specific milestones aren’t met, ensuring your investment in education leads to tangible career outcomes.
Discover how Imarticus Learning can accelerate your career with our ACCA course. Enrol today to secure your future in accounting and finance!
