Accepting or waiving your exemptions

It is important that you're confident that you could successfully attempt any papers that you may be exempt from. This is because the material will be built on in the later stages of the qualification.

Should I accept my exemptions?

If you are not sure whether to accept an exemption - perhaps because it is some years since you covered key topics - we strongly advise you to waive the exemption and attempt the CIMA paper. 

Before accepting any exemptions, you should consider the CIMA syllabus and past exam papers for that subject to make sure you are confident you could pass it.

I want to waive my exemptions

You will need to tell CIMA Contact in writing or by email within eight weeks of receiving confirmation of your exemptions if you wish to do this.

Please note if you do waive an exemption and then fail the CIMA exam you will not be able to reclaim this exemption.

I want to keep my exemptions

If you want to keep your exemptions, you do not need to let CIMA know. You just need to make sure you pay for them. You should ensure that you pay all outstanding exemption fees in full within eight weeks of receiving confirmation of your exemptions.

Wait for written confirmation

We recommend that you wait until you have received written confirmation of your exemptions before you sign up for a CIMA study course.

If you do sign up for courses before receiving this confirmation, we will not accept liability for any course fees.

If you are expecting exemptions and it has been over 20 days since you sent us your certified certificates and transcripts, please email or call us at CIMA Contact.

If you do not accept an exemption and then fail the relevant CIMA exam, you can't get back the original exemption.

Certificate level study resources
Professional level study resources
The full CIMA syllabus

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