Key ACCA Exam Dates and Deadlines: A Step-by-Step Guide

One missed ACCA deadline could delay your qualification by months. The question is... do you know all the important dates? Let's go through the complete ACCA exam timeline before it's too late.

Quick Answer:
ACCA runs four exam sessions every year — March, June, September, and December. Each session has a standard entry deadline, a late entry deadline, and a results date roughly 5–7 weeks after exams end. Missing a deadline means waiting for the next session, so tracking the ACCA exam calendar early is essential.

ACCA exam dates refer to the fixed windows when Applied Skills and Strategic Professional papers are held. Deadlines are the cut-off dates for registering, paying fees, and locking in your exam entry.

Missing these dates doesn't just delay your exam — it can also mean higher fees or losing your preferred exam centre.

Key terms every student should know:

ACCA runs four exam sessions each year: March, June, September, and December. Applied Knowledge papers (Business and Technology, Management Accounting, Financial Accounting) and Corporate and Business Law are available as on-demand computer-based exams (CBEs) year-round, so students don't need to wait for a fixed session for these.

Here's the confirmed 2026 exam calendar:

December 2026 dates are not yet officially published by ACCA. ACCA confirms full timetables at least six months ahead, so always verify final dates on the official ACCA exam timetable page before booking.

Each session offers different paper availability:

Applied Knowledge papers and Corporate and Business Law remain flexible, on-demand options throughout the year — useful if you're just starting your ACCA journey.

Before booking any exam, you must complete ACCA student registration through the MyACCA portal. Registration itself isn't tied to exam sessions, but exam entry is.

Once registered, you can book exams for any upcoming session as long as you're within the entry window. Registration steps typically include:

ACCA uses a tiered entry system:

For example, for September 2026: standard entry closes 27 July, and late entry closes 3 August. Booking during standard entry is always the safer, more affordable choice.

Exam fees vary by paper level and entry timing:

Students in Pakistan, India, and the UAE should check local fee structures on MyACCA, as currency and regional pricing can differ slightly.

Results are typically released 5–7 weeks after the exam session ends:

Results appear on MyACCA at midnight UK time, so students outside the UK should check local time conversions before staying up to check scores.

ACCA exams are delivered as computer-based exams (CBE) at approved exam centres worldwide. Remote (home-based) exams are being phased out in many regions where centre-based options exist, so most students now sit exams at a licensed centre.

Before booking, confirm:

A realistic ACCA study timeline works backward from your exam date:

Pairing your schedule with structured coaching — such as the programs at ICT Business School — helps keep your study plan aligned with real exam windows instead of guesswork.

Pakistan – Students in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad can book exams at local approved centres; deadlines and fees follow the same global ACCA calendar.

UK – Exam centres are widely available across major cities, with standard MyACCA booking timelines.

India – Centres are available in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore, following the same global session structure.

UAE – Dubai and Abu Dhabi students can book through approved centres; check local fee currency on MyACCA.

Malaysia & Singapore – Both regions follow standard global session dates with local centre booking.

Canada, Australia, South Africa, and Nigeria – All follow ACCA's global exam calendar, with centre availability confirmed through MyACCA at the time of booking.

Students weighing broader qualification pathways alongside ACCA can also explore advanced corporate and taxation courses at ICT or review why choose ICT Business School for structured exam planning support.

Experienced ACCA tutors recommend these practical habits:

When are ACCA exams held? ACCA exams are held in March, June, September, and December each year, with Applied Knowledge papers available on-demand year-round.

What is the ACCA exam deadline for the next session? For September 2026, the standard entry deadline is 27 July, and late entry closes 3 August.

How do I register for ACCA exams? Create a MyACCA account, confirm eligibility, and book your papers for your chosen session before the entry deadline.

Can I book ACCA exams late? Yes, most sessions offer a late entry window, though it comes with a higher fee than standard entry.

How many ACCA papers can I take in one session? Students can typically sit up to 4 papers per session and a maximum of 8 papers per year.

When are ACCA results released? Results are usually released 5–7 weeks after each exam session ends, viewable through MyACCA.

Are ACCA exams computer based? Yes, all ACCA exams are now delivered as computer-based exams (CBE) at approved centres.

What happens if I miss the ACCA exam deadline? You'll need to wait for the next available session, as late bookings aren't possible once the final deadline passes.

Planning your ACCA journey doesn't need to be stressful. Get expert guidance and structured support — contact ICT Business School today or explore our courses to stay on track with every ACCA session.

Related resources: ICT Business School blog, HND Higher National Diploma, Level 7 Extended Diploma, and Pearson BTEC Level 3. For additional planning tools, see BACO Consultants and MegaFreeTools.

Note: December 2026 ke exact dates ACCA ne abhi officially publish nahi kiye (verified via live search), isliye maine wahan "expected/pending" likha hai instead of guessed dates — jab ACCA official timetable release karega, wo section update kar dena. Chahen to main file version bhi bana doon?