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Computer based exams (CBE)
- When do I need to register as a student if I wish to sit my first exams as computer-based exams (CBEs)?
- I am completing the ACCA Qualification and wish to take exams by CBE. How does that affect any attempts at paper-based exams?
- I am a CAT student and wish to take exams by CBEs. How does this affect my paper-based attempts?
- I am an MSER candidate and wish to take my MSER exams by CBEs. How does this affect my paper-based attempt?
When do I need to register as a student if I wish to sit my first exams as computer-based exams (CBEs)?
If you are wishing to sit F1, F2 and F3 of the ACCA Qualification as CBE, the following initial registration closing dates apply: 15 August for December exams and 31 December for June exams the following year.
An extended registration closing period is available through licensed CBE centres if you wish to attempt CBEs for the Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) Qualification. These dates are:
- 1 January–28 February. This will allow you to sit CBEs between 1 January-31 March and still sit paper-based CAT exams in June.
- 16–31 August. This will allow you to sit CBEs between 16 August–30 September and still sit paper-based CAT exams in December for the December session.
Please note the above dates only apply if you wish to sit CAT exams as CBEs and the normal closing dates for initial registration apply if you wish to sit CAT exams as paper-based exams. List of licensed CBE centres
I am completing the ACCA Qualification and wish to take exams by CBE. How does that affect any attempts at paper-based exams?
Papers F1, F2 and F3 are available by CBE. You are eligible to sit a maximum of four papers in a six-month cycle, by a combination of CBE and paper-based exams. The cycles are:
- 1 February–31 July
and
- 1 August–31 January.
If you wish to take CBE exams please indicate this on your exam entry form each session and then you can enter to sit the balance of your four exams at the paper-based session. E.g. you can enter for F1 and F2 by CBE and then select to sit F3 and any one paper from F4 - F9 at the paper-based session.
I am a CAT student and wish to take exams by CBEs. How does this affect my paper-based attempts?
Papers T1, T2, T3 and T4 are available by CBEs. There are no restrictions on the number of papers you can attempt each session as a CAT student. Due to timetable restrictions, if you wish to attempt T1 and T6 or T2 and T7 at the same session you should select to take T1 / T2 by CBEs.
I am an MSER candidate and wish to take my MSER exams by CBEs. How does this affect my paper-based attempt?
Papers MMA and MFA are available by CBEs. If you are a mature student and complete MMA and MFA by CBEs, you will automatically be transferred to the ACCA Qualification with effect from your next eligible paper-based session, determined by the usual exemption closing dates i.e. if you transfer by 31 January, you will be able to take ACCA Qualification paper-based exams in June; if you transfer by 31 July, you will be able to take ACCA Qualification paper-based exams in December.
If you complete both MMA and MFA by CBEs, you will be transferred to ACCA Qualification register and will be eligible to take the paper F1 by CBE within 48 hours of passing both papers.
The normal closing dates apply in relation to progressing with the paper-based exams and you will be sent an entry form for your first eligible session in either February or August.