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CIMA Exam Dates: Upcoming Windows and How to Book

By the VIVA tutor team Updated June 2026
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CIMA Case Study exams run four times a year - February, May, August and November. The next window is August 2026: OCS sits 05-07 Aug, MCS 12-14 Aug and SCS 19-21 Aug, with scheduling closing roughly two weeks before each exam. Full pre-seen, booking and results dates are below.

Planning and scheduling your studies well is key to passing your CIMA exams first time. The CIMA Case Study exams take place four times a year: February, May, August, and November.

📌 Bottom line: Most students mainly want two things: the exam sitting dates and the pre-seen release dates. These are summarised below, followed by the remaining key dates for each exam window.

1. Quick Reference: CIMA Case Study Exam Dates & Pre-seen Releases

Here is the official timetable for the remaining 2026 windows.

August 2026 CIMA Case Study exams

  • OCS - pre-seen released 20 Mar 2026, exams 05-07 Aug 2026
  • MCS - pre-seen released 27 Mar 2026, exams 12-14 Aug 2026
  • SCS - pre-seen released 02 Apr 2026, exams 19-21 Aug 2026

November 2026 CIMA Case Study exams

  • OCS - pre-seen released 18 Sep 2026, exams 04-06 Nov 2026
  • MCS - pre-seen released 25 Sep 2026, exams 11-13 Nov 2026
  • SCS - pre-seen released 02 Oct 2026, exams 18-20 Nov 2026

(Source: the official CIMA exam timetable

2. How the CIMA Case Study Windows Work

  • Four sittings per year: February, May, August, November.
  • Three exam days per level: Operational (OCS), Management (MCS), Strategic (SCS).
  • Pre-seen documents cover two windows:
    • November + following February share the same pre-seen.
    • May + following August share the same pre-seen.
  • Format: Exams are computer-based and sat at Pearson Vue centres (or remotely where available).

3. Other Important Dates

While exam sittings and pre-seen releases are the most critical, it’s useful to be aware of other dates:

  • Exam scheduling windows: when you can book your slot.
  • Exam entry closing dates: don’t miss these!
  • Result release dates: usually 6-8 weeks after each exam window.
  • Certificate dispatch dates: when CIMA issues official awards (Dip, Adv Dip, ACMA/CGMA).

Below you can find the full schedules for these other key dates.

May 2026 window (exams sat; results pending)

  • OCS - results release 25 Jun 2026
  • MCS - results release 02 Jul 2026
  • SCS - results release 09 Jul 2026

August 2026 window

  • OCS - scheduling opens 21 Jan 2026, closes 21 Jul 2026; results 24 Sep 2026
  • MCS - scheduling opens 28 Jan 2026, closes 28 Jul 2026; results 01 Oct 2026
  • SCS - scheduling opens 04 Feb 2026, closes 04 Aug 2026; results 08 Oct 2026

November 2026 window

  • OCS - scheduling opens 22 Apr 2026, closes 20 Oct 2026; results 07 Jan 2027
  • MCS - scheduling opens 29 Apr 2026, closes 27 Oct 2026; results 14 Jan 2027
  • SCS - scheduling opens 07 May 2026, closes 03 Nov 2026; results 14 Jan 2027
📌 Tip: Make sure you have all your Objective Tests/FLP assessments passed before the Case Study exam entry deadline.

4. Preparing for Your Exam

Once your exam is booked, your focus should shift to preparation:

5. FAQs

When is the next CIMA Case Study exam?

The next window is August 2026, with exams on 05-07 Aug (OCS), 12-14 Aug (MCS) and 19-21 Aug (SCS).

When were the August 2026 pre-seens released?

The May/August 2026 pre-seen documents are already out: OCS on 20 Mar 2026, MCS on 27 Mar 2026 and SCS on 02 Apr 2026. They are available for download via CIMA's Study Hub

How many Case Study exams are there each year?

Four: February, May, August, and November.

Do I need to book my Case Study exam early?

Yes. Each exam window has an entry deadline. Always schedule well in advance.

Closing advice

Good luck with your upcoming exam! Remember: success in the CIMA Case Studies depends not only on planning your exam date, or passing your preceding exams/assessments, but also on taking ultra realistic mocks, performing deep pre-seen analysis, and application-focused preparation.

This is precisely what you get with VIVA. Start with our resources today, or take your preparation to the next level with our full Case Study courses.

Frequently asked questions

When is the next CIMA Case Study exam?

The next window is August 2026: OCS on 05-07 Aug, MCS on 12-14 Aug and SCS on 19-21 Aug 2026.

How many CIMA Case Study exams are there each year?

Four windows per year: February, May, August and November. Objective Tests can be sat on demand year-round.

Do I need to book my CIMA Case Study exam early?

Yes. Each window has a scheduling deadline roughly two weeks before the exam, and all preceding Objective Tests or FLP assessments must be passed before the entry deadline.