ACCA Exam Dates

The ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) qualification is one of the world’s most respected credentials in accounting, finance, and business. ACCA exams are offered multiple times a year in structured sessions that allow flexibility and strategic planning for students. Whether you’re just starting the ACCA journey or preparing for Strategic Professional papers, knowing the exam sessions, dates, and booking deadlines for 2026 is essential to effective preparation and success. 

ACCA Exam Sessions in 2026

Unlike many professional exams that occur only once or twice a year, ACCA provides four main exam sessions in 2026, spread across the year. The sessions are:

March 2026 Session (Centre-Based & CBE)

• Exam Dates: 2–6 March 2026 (centre-based)
• Entry Opens: 4 November 2025
• Standard Deadline: 26 January 2026
• Late Entry: Available until 2 February 2026
• Results: Around 11–13 April 2026
   

This session covers most Applied Skills and Strategic Professional exams, though some variants may be offered only as on-demand Computer-Based Exams (CBEs) in certain locations. 

 June 2026 Session

• Exam Dates: 1–5 June 2026
• Entry Opens: 3 February 2026
• Standard Deadline: 16 April 2026
• Late Entry: Usually not available for this session
• Results: Around 13 July 2026
   

The June session is typically the biggest and most comprehensive, with virtually all ACCA papers (Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills, Strategic Professional) available at centres worldwide. 

 September 2026 Session

• Exam Dates:1–5 September 2026
• Entry Opens:5 May 2026
• Standard Deadline:20 July 2026
• Results: Around 12 October 2026
   

The September session is ideal for students who want more preparation time after mid-year results or who want to split exams across multiple sittings.

December 2026 Session

• Exam Dates:1–5 December 2026
• Entry Opens:4 August 2026
• Standard Deadline:27 October 2026
• Results: Around 15 January 2027
   

The December session is often used by candidates aiming to finish their ACCA exams before year-end or by students balancing work and study schedules.

Key Deadlines (2026)

Registration & Entry Deadlines

• Be sure to book by the standard deadline (e.g., 26 January for March, 16 April for June) to avoid unnecessary complications and fees.
• Late entry options may be limited or unavailable, especially for the June session, so planning early is crucial.
• Mandatory system tests (for remote or on-demand exams where offered) are usually scheduled a few weeks before the exam window. 

How ACCA Exams Are Delivered

ACCA offers exams in different formats:

• Centre-based exams: Traditional exams taken at approved ACCA centres worldwide.
• Computer-based exams (CBE): These may be available for certain papers and variants in specific sessions or regions, giving flexible scheduling.
   

Important update: Starting March 2026, remote (home-based) exams are being phased out in many regions where centre-based provision exists, to ensure exam integrity and security. 

Strategic Planning for 2026

Match Papers to Sessions

• Applied Knowledge & Skills papers can often be taken in March or June.
• Strategic Professional papers are best planned across June and December for full availability.
• Consider pairing difficult papers with easier ones within the same session for balanced preparation. 

FAQs on ACCA Exam Dates 2026

How many ACCA exam sessions are there in 2026?

There are four main sessions - March, June, September, and December.

Can I take any ACCA paper in any session?

Most papers are available in all major sessions, but full variants (especially Strategic Professional) are most widely offered in June and December.

What happens if I miss the entry deadline?

You may miss that session or incur additional fees if late entry is allowed — and for some sessions, no late entry is available at all.

When are ACCA results usually declared?

Results are typically released 4–6 weeks after the session ends — for example, June results around 13 July 2026.