Planning for ACCA examinations requires careful attention to scheduling, registration deadlines, and examination windows. For candidates pursuing their qualification in the United Arab Emirates, understanding the specific ACCA exam dates for 2025 is essential for effective study planning and successful progression. This guide outlines the key dates and considerations for ACCA students based in the UAE.
Quarterly Examination Structure
The ACCA maintains a quarterly examination schedule for professional level papers, with sessions in:
March 2025 Session
- Examination dates: March 3-7, 2025
- Results release: April 14, 2025
June 2025 Session
- Examination dates: June 2-6, 2025
- Results release: July 14, 2025
September 2025 Session
- Examination dates: September 1-5, 2025
- Results release: October 13, 2025
December 2025 Session
- Examination dates: December 1-5, 2025
- Results release: January 12, 2026
These dates apply to paper-based examinations for Applied Skills and Strategic Professional level papers across all UAE examination centres.
Registration and Entry Deadlines
Timely registration is critical for securing preferred examination slots and avoiding late entry fees:
March 2025 Session
- Standard entry deadline: January 13, 2025
- Late entry deadline (additional fees apply): January 27, 2025
June 2025 Session
- Standard entry deadline: April 14, 2025
- Late entry deadline (additional fees apply): April 28, 2025
September 2025 Session
- Standard entry deadline: July 14, 2025
- Late entry deadline (additional fees apply): July 28, 2025
December 2025 Session
- Standard entry deadline: October 13, 2025
- Late entry deadline (additional fees apply): October 27, 2025
UAE candidates should note that popular examination centres in Dubai and Abu Dhabi often reach capacity during the standard entry period, making early registration advisable.
Computer-Based Examination Availability
Applied Knowledge level examinations and selected Applied Skills papers are available through computer-based examination (CBE) with more flexible scheduling:
On-Demand CBE Sessions
- Business and Technology (BT)
- Management Accounting (MA)
- Financial Accounting (FA)
These papers can be taken year-round at approved CBE centres throughout the UAE, subject to seat availability.
Session CBE Examinations
- Corporate and Business Law (LW)
- Performance Management (PM)
- Taxation (TX)
- Financial Reporting (FR)
- Audit and Assurance (AA)
- Financial Management (FM)
These papers are available during seven testing windows throughout 2025, providing greater flexibility than traditional paper-based sessions.
UAE-Specific Examination Considerations
Several factors affect examination planning for UAE-based candidates:
Ramadan Accommodation Ramadan 2025 is expected to begin around February 28 and conclude around March 29, overlapping with the March examination session. ACCA typically provides scheduling accommodations for candidates observing fasting, including:
- Later examination start times
- Extended breaks between multiple papers
- Adjusted invigilation protocols
Candidates should check specific Ramadan arrangements when registering for the March 2025 session.
Summer Temperature Considerations The June examination session coincides with peak summer temperatures in the UAE. Candidates should:
- Allow extra travel time for potential air conditioning issues in transportation
- Bring appropriate hydration to the examination centres
- Consider temperature factors when selecting morning or afternoon examination slots
Location-Specific Availability While major cities (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah) offer examination centres for all sessions, smaller emirates may have limited availability for certain papers, particularly at the Strategic Professional level. Candidates in these locations should register early to secure places.
Practical Examination Planning
Effective utilisation of the ACCA exam dates in the UAE requires strategic planning:
Study Scheduling Most UAE training providers align their course timetables with examination sessions, typically allowing:
- 10-12 weeks for Applied Skills papers
- 12-15 weeks for Strategic Professional papers
Candidates should back-calculate from examination dates to determine the optimal timing for course commencement.
Multiple Paper Strategy Candidates taking numerous papers in the same session should consider:
- Scheduling complementary papers together (e.g., Financial Reporting with Audit and Assurance)
- Allowing sufficient breaks between examinations for recovery and final preparation
- Balancing workload across different examination windows rather than concentrating on papers
Practical Experience Coordination Candidates completing workplace experience requirements alongside examinations should plan their workload accordingly, particularly during peak business periods that may coincide with study needs.
Results and Progression Planning
Understanding results release timing helps candidates plan their qualification journey:
Results Publication Examination results are released via the ACCA online portal at noon GMT on the published dates, corresponding to 16:00 UAE time.
Next Session Registration Results release dates are typically aligned with standard entry deadlines for the subsequent session, allowing candidates to make informed decisions about their next papers based on current results.
Progression Ceremonies: The ACCA UAE office typically holds progression ceremonies for successful candidates approximately four to six weeks after the results are released. These events provide valuable networking opportunities for newly qualified members.
By carefully monitoring these ACCA exam dates and planning accordingly, UAE-based candidates can optimise their examination performance and maintain steady progress toward qualification completion. Strategic timing considerations should form a central part of any ACCA study plan for 2025.
