ACCA Exam Dates 2026: Complete Quarterly Timetable and Booking Deadlines

Navigating your professional qualification requires strict calendar discipline. For candidates sitting exams in 2026, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) administers four dedicated quarterly sessions across the year: March, June, September, and December. The final major sitting of the year—the December 2026 session—takes place from Monday 7 December to Friday 11 December 2026, with standard registration closing strictly on 2 November 2026 at 23:59 UK Time and late entry terminating on 9 November 2026.

Understanding these critical milestones protects you against expensive late penalty fees and ensures your revision timeline aligns perfectly with official examination windows. Results for the September 2026 sitting are published on 19 October 2026, whereas the December 2026 results will be officially released on 18 January 2027. Below, we break down the definitive 2026 timetable, day-by-day paper scheduling, fee protection strategies, and a 12-week sitting roadmap tailored for UK and international accounting candidates.

Quarterly Session Breakdown: 2026 Registration Deadlines and Result Windows

Each quarterly cycle follows a structured timeline covering standard entry cutoffs, late entry deadlines, examination weeks, and midnight result releases. Planning your examination order well in advance enables you to transition smoothly between Applied Skills and Strategic Professional papers.

Key 2026 Calendar Milestones

March 2026 Sitting:
Exam Week: Early March 2026 (Monday–Friday)
Standard Entry Closes: Late January 2026 (23:59 UK Time)
Results Released: Mid-April 2026

June 2026 Sitting:
Exam Week: Early June 2026 (Monday–Friday)
Standard Entry Closes: Late April / Early May 2026 (23:59 UK Time)
Results Released: Mid-July 2026

September 2026 Sitting:
Exam Week: Early September 2026 (Monday–Friday)
Standard Entry Closes: Early August 2026 (23:59 UK Time)
Results Released: 19 October 2026

December 2026 Sitting:
Exam Week: 7 December to 11 December 2026
Standard Entry Closes: 2 November 2026 (23:59 UK Time)
Late Entry Closes: 9 November 2026 (23:59 UK Time)
Results Released: 18 January 2027

You can discover broader insights on professional certifications across our articles on professional exam preparation to map out your long-term finance career trajectory.

Monday to Friday Exam Mapping: Applied Skills & Strategic Professional

ACCA standardises its paper schedule across the five weekdays of every exam session. Whether you are writing at a physical British Council or Pearson VUE centre in London, Manchester, or Edinburgh, or completing remotely invigilated computer-based exams (CBE), the day assignments remain consistent.

Monday: Audit & Leadership

Audit and Assurance (AA) and Strategic Business Leader (SBL) take place on Monday. SBL is a 3-hour-and-15-minute integrated case study testing governance, risk, and ethical leadership, while AA evaluates substantive testing and internal controls.

Tuesday: Taxation

Taxation (TX) and Advanced Taxation (ATX) are scheduled for Tuesday. Candidates tackling UK variants must ensure they are up to date with the relevant Finance Act rules and capital allowances applicable to the sitting year.

Wednesday: Performance Management & Advanced Audit

Performance Management (PM) and Advanced Audit and Assurance (AAA) run on Wednesday. PM presents rigorous variance analysis and transfer pricing problems, whereas AAA requires mastery of audit risk evaluation and professional scepticism.

Thursday: Financial Reporting & Strategic Reporting

Financial Reporting (FR) and Strategic Business Reporting (SBR) occur on Thursday. Candidates are tested on IFRS / UK GAAP standard interpretations, consolidated accounts, and complex group reporting scenarios.

Friday: Financial Management & Specialist Options

Financial Management (FM), Advanced Financial Management (AFM), and Advanced Performance Management (APM) conclude the exam week on Friday. AFM focuses on multi-currency hedging, Net Present Value ( ext{NPV}) modelling, and corporate restructuring.

Financial Protection: Avoiding Late Registration Penalties

Booking your exam before the standard registration window shuts at 23:59 UK Time is essential. Entering during the late booking window roughly doubles the exam fee per paper, significantly increasing your out-of-pocket costs or placing undue strain on your employer's corporate training budget.

Smart Booking Protocol

1. Set Portal Reminders for UK Cutoffs: ACCA operates strictly according to UK time (GMT / BST). If you are an international candidate or travelling overseas, calibrate your calendar to UK time to prevent missing the standard cutoff by hours or minutes.

2. Verify Entry Prerequisites Early: Ensure all practical experience requirement (PER) logs, ethics modules, and outstanding annual subscription fees are cleared in the myACCA portal so your account is unrestricted when booking opens.

3. Select Morning vs Afternoon Slots Strategically: Centre slots fill up rapidly in major metropolitan areas. Booking in the early days of standard entry guarantees your preferred venue and time slot, avoiding 08:30 AM starts if you commute from outside the city.

The 12-Week AI Study Sprint Roadmap for 2026 Sessions

Passing ACCA papers on the first attempt requires transitioning from passive syllabus reading to active, question-based application. Structuring your 12 weeks before exam week ensures you develop the cognitive endurance required for the 100-mark CBE format.

Weeks 1–4: Core Concept Mastery and Active Retrieval

Cover the theoretical syllabus, accounting standards, and computational mechanisms. Instead of highlighting textbooks, use active recall drills. Leveraging an AI-powered practice platform helps you identify weak knowledge clusters early and provides instant explanations for tricky standard adjustments.

Weeks 5–8: Section B and C Scenario Application

Begin timed question sets. For Applied Skills papers (PM, FR, FM), focus on Section C constructed response questions using spreadsheet and word processing software. For Strategic Professional papers, focus on technical clarity and concise business communication.

Weeks 9–11: Full-Length CBE Mocks and Diagnostics

Sit at least two full mock examinations under strict exam conditions (3 hours 15 minutes). Use diagnostic tools to assess whether you are losing marks on technical calculations, time management, or failing to hit the professional skills marks (commercial acumen, analysis, scepticism).

Week 12: Precision Polish and Exam Week Execution

Avoid learning new syllabus areas during the final 7 days. Review examiner reports, formula sheets, high-yield IFRS summaries, and mock exam error logs. You can jump directly into targeted question sets using the Thinka practice platform to sharpen your time management under real exam pacing.

Maximising Your 2026 Sitting Strategy

With clear visibility of the 2026 ACCA exam dates, standard deadlines, and results windows, you can plan your path to qualification without costly surprises. Map your target papers, lock in your entries before the standard deadlines, and back your revision with continuous, intelligent practice to walk into exam week fully prepared.