Entry for Certificate level

How to enter CIMA's Certificate exams

CIMA uses computer based assessments (CBA) for our Certificate level. The process for entering for a CBA is different from entering for a paper based exam.

Read this step-by-step guide to find out how to enter for a Certificate level CBA.

1. Find out where your nearest accredited CBA assessment centre is.

All CBAs are held at assessment centres which have been accredited by CIMA.

The majority of our centres are registered CIMA Learning colleges so you may find that the college where you are studying is also an accredited assessment centre.

If you are not studying at a college, or if your college does not offer CBA, search the list of accredited CBA centres to find your nearest centre.

2. Contact the CBA centre and arrange to sit the assessment with the centre. You do NOT enter to sit CBA with CIMA.

The CBA system is flexible, so you can sit assessments at any time of the year. You are not restricted to the May and November exam sittings. Each CBA centre decides when, and how often, they offer the assessments, so speak directly to them to arrange a suitable date and time.

3. Pay the assessment fee to the CBA centre.

You pay the assessment fee directly to the centre – NOT to CIMA. The assessment fee for 2009 is GBP41 per subject assessment. Please note that CBA centres may charge administration fees in addition to the standard CBA fee. Please contact your local CBA centre to find out if any additional administration fees will be charged.

4. Before the assessment, familiarise yourself with the CBA software by using the online demo.

Objective test questions are used in CBA. As well as using the online demo you may also find it useful to download past objective test questions from the paper-based exams for exam practice. You can find these in the Study Resources area of the website.

5. Take the assessment.

6. Receive your results and feedback as soon as you finish the assessment.

You will see your results and indicative feedback onscreen as soon as your assessment has finished.

If you are successful, you will receive a Certificate of Achievement and your exam status will automatically be updated at CIMA.

If you are unsuccessful, the feedback you receive will indicate the areas of the syllabus where you should concentrate your studies. You can arrange your re-sit as soon as you are ready.

Visit CIMA Publishing for resources to support your study.

CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting 2006

The 2006 CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting syllabus - consists of five subjects and is examined by computer based assessment.

Important dates and deadlines

The CBA system is very flexible so you can sit your Certificate level assessments as and when you are ready.

This means that it is possible to fast track through to the Managerial level exams if you so wish. If you plan to do this, please be aware that the following progression rules apply:

You must pass all five Certificate level computer based assessments before you can sit Managerial level papers.
You must complete all computer based assessments by 1 March in order to sit Managerial level papers in May.
The deadline is 1 September if you want to sit Managerial level papers in November.