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CIMA Case Study Exam Dates

By the VIVA tutor team Updated November 2026
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CIMA case study exams run in four windows a year: February, May, August and November. Each level sits on its own Wednesday to Friday, Operational first, then Management, then Strategic a week apart. The next window is February 2027: Operational 3 to 5 February, Management 10 to 12 February and Strategic 17 to 19 February. Booking closes about two weeks before each exam.

February 2027

  • Operational (OCS): exams 3 to 5 February 2027. Booking opened 22 July 2026 and closes 19 January 2027. Results 25 March 2027.
  • Management (MCS): exams 10 to 12 February 2027. Booking opened 29 July 2026 and closes 26 January 2027. Results 1 April 2027.
  • Strategic (SCS): exams 17 to 19 February 2027. Booking opened 5 August 2026 and closes 2 February 2027. Results 8 April 2027.

May 2027

  • Operational (OCS): exams 5 to 7 May 2027. Booking opened 21 October 2026 and closes 20 April 2027. Results 24 June 2027.
  • Management (MCS): exams 12 to 14 May 2027. Booking opened 28 October 2026 and closes 27 April 2027. Results 1 July 2027.
  • Strategic (SCS): exams 19 to 21 May 2027. Booking opens 4 November 2026 and closes 5 May 2027. Results 8 July 2027.

August 2027

  • Operational (OCS): exams 4 to 6 August 2027. Booking opens 20 January 2027 and closes 20 July 2027. Results 23 September 2027.
  • Management (MCS): exams 11 to 13 August 2027. Booking opens 27 January 2027 and closes 27 July 2027. Results 30 September 2027.
  • Strategic (SCS): exams 18 to 20 August 2027. Booking opens 3 February 2027 and closes 3 August 2027. Results 7 October 2027.

November 2027

  • Operational (OCS): exams 3 to 5 November 2027. Booking opens 21 April 2027 and closes 19 October 2027. Results 6 January 2028.
  • Management (MCS): exams 10 to 12 November 2027. Booking opens 28 April 2027 and closes 26 October 2027. Results 13 January 2028.
  • Strategic (SCS): exams 17 to 19 November 2027. Booking opens 6 May 2027 and closes 2 November 2027. Results 13 January 2028.

November 2026

  • Operational (OCS): exams 4 to 6 November 2026. Results 7 January 2027.
  • Management (MCS): exams 11 to 13 November 2026. Results 14 January 2027.
  • Strategic (SCS): exams 18 to 20 November 2026. Results 14 January 2027.

Source: CIMA exam timetable , checked 6 November 2026. CIMA can change dates, so confirm yours when you book.

When the pre-seen is released

Each pre-seen covers two back-to-back sittings: November and February share one, and May and August share the next. So if you sit in November and need a resit in February, you keep the same company and the same pre-seen.

  • November 2026 and February 2027: OCS 18 September 2026, MCS 25 September 2026, SCS 2 October 2026.
  • May and August 2027: OCS 19 March 2027, MCS 26 March 2027, SCS 2 April 2027.
  • November 2027 and February 2028: OCS 17 September 2027, MCS 24 September 2027, SCS 1 October 2027.

The pre-seen arrives about seven weeks before the first exam of the pair. That is less time than it sounds, so learn the exam format and the core activities before it lands.

How to choose your sitting

  • Finish the objective tests first. You can only sit a level's case study once you have passed (or are exempt from) its three objective tests, so book the OTs with time to spare before the booking deadline.
  • The first sitting of a pair gives you a second chance on the same pre-seen. Sitting in November or May means a resit in February or August uses a company you already know.
  • Leave room after the pre-seen. Seven weeks is enough for most students if the exam technique is already in place. If you start from scratch, the second sitting of the pair gives you up to about 20 weeks with the pre-seen.
  • Book early. Test centre seats go fast near the deadline, and online slots at popular times fill too.

Prepare with VIVA

Our case study courses for OCS , MCS and SCS are built around the current pre-seen, and the Marked Mock Exam Pack lets you sit full mocks and get feedback against our grid before the real exam. For objective test dates, see CIMA exam dates .

Frequently asked questions

How many times a year can I sit a CIMA case study?

Four: February, May, August and November.

How long do CIMA case study results take?

Between about seven and nine weeks after the exam, depending on the window. The dates above give the exact results day for each one.

Can I resit a CIMA case study in the next window?

Yes. A failed case study can be resat in the next window, and if that is the second sitting of the pair it uses the same pre-seen.

What days are the CIMA case study exams?

Each level has three days, Wednesday to Friday, and you book one slot within them.