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 2026 and 2027 is essential for effective study planning and successful progression. This guide outlines the key dates and considerations for ACCA students based in the UAE.<h2 id="26a0c6e2-fe71-48bb-9630-950db8833c8b" data-toc-id="26a0c6e2-fe71-48bb-9630-950db8833c8b" style="text-align: left; font-size: 24px; line-height: 1.2;">Quarterly Examination Structure</h2>The ACCA maintains a quarterly examination schedule for professional level papers, with sessions in:December 2026 Session<ul><li>Examination dates: December 7-11, 2026</li><li>Results release: January 18, 2027</li></ul>March 2027 Session<ul><li>Examination dates: to be confirmed by ACCA (check ACCA's Important dates page)</li><li>Results release: to be confirmed by ACCA (check ACCA's Important dates page)</li></ul>June 2027 Session (final sitting of the current Applied Skills and Strategic Professional exams)<ul><li>Examination dates: to be confirmed by ACCA (check ACCA's Important dates page)</li><li>Results release: to be confirmed by ACCA (check ACCA's Important dates page)</li></ul>September 2027 Session (first sitting of the new Expertise and Strategic Professional exams)<ul><li>Examination dates: September 2027, exact dates to be confirmed by ACCA (check ACCA's Important dates page)</li><li>Results release: October 2027 (exact date to be confirmed by ACCA)</li></ul>These dates apply to the sessional Applied Skills and Strategic Professional exams at UAE exam centres.<h2 id="eefc960a-990c-496c-bc47-63f7a62ef23c" data-toc-id="eefc960a-990c-496c-bc47-63f7a62ef23c" style="text-align: left; font-size: 24px; line-height: 1.2;">Registration and Entry Deadlines</h2>Timely registration is critical for securing preferred examination slots and avoiding late entry fees:December 2026 Session<ul><li>Standard entry deadline: November 2, 2026</li><li>Late entry deadline (additional fees apply): November 9, 2026</li></ul>March 2027 Session<ul><li>Standard entry deadline: to be confirmed by ACCA (check ACCA's Important dates page)</li><li>Late entry deadline (additional fees apply): to be confirmed by ACCA (check ACCA's Important dates page)</li></ul>June 2027 Session (final sitting of the current Applied Skills and Strategic Professional exams)<ul><li>Standard entry deadline: to be confirmed by ACCA (check ACCA's Important dates page)</li><li>Late entry deadline (additional fees apply): to be confirmed by ACCA (check ACCA's Important dates page)</li></ul>September 2027 Session (first sitting of the new Expertise and Strategic Professional exams)<ul><li>Exam entry: opens May 2027 and closes August 2027 (exact dates to be confirmed by ACCA)</li><li>Late entry deadline (additional fees apply): to be confirmed by ACCA (check ACCA's Important dates page)</li></ul>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.<h2 id="b6e4699d-1941-43aa-93df-8226edd61cd1" data-toc-id="b6e4699d-1941-43aa-93df-8226edd61cd1" style="text-align: left; font-size: 24px; line-height: 1.2;">Computer-Based Examination Availability</h2>Applied Knowledge level examinations and selected Applied Skills papers are available through computer-based examination (CBE) with more flexible scheduling:On-Demand CBE Sessions<ul><li>Business and Technology (BT)</li><li>Management Accounting (MA)</li><li>Financial Accounting (FA)</li></ul>These papers can be taken year-round at approved CBE centres throughout the UAE, subject to seat availability.Session CBE Examinations<ul><li>Corporate and Business Law (LW)</li><li>Performance Management (PM)</li><li>Taxation (TX)</li><li>Financial Reporting (FR)</li><li>Audit and Assurance (AA)</li><li>Financial Management (FM)</li></ul>These papers are sat in ACCA's quarterly exam sessions: all variants are offered in June and December, and limited variants in March and September.<h2 id="f2a59983-36f2-4852-b74d-42872676c793" data-toc-id="f2a59983-36f2-4852-b74d-42872676c793" style="text-align: left; font-size: 24px; line-height: 1.2;">UAE-Specific Examination Considerations</h2>Several factors affect examination planning for UAE-based candidates:Ramadan Accommodation Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin around February 8 and end around March 8 or 9, 2027 (subject to moon sighting), so it may overlap with the March 2027 examination session. Check <a target="_blank" href="https://hamzah.academy/acca-in-uae/">ACCA</a>'s guidance for your exam centre during Ramadan.Candidates should check specific Ramadan arrangements when registering for the March 2027 session.Summer Temperature Considerations The June examination session coincides with peak summer temperatures in the UAE. Candidates should:<ul><li>Allow extra travel time for potential air conditioning issues in transportation</li><li>Bring appropriate hydration to the examination centres</li><li>Consider temperature factors when selecting morning or afternoon examination slots</li></ul>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.<h2 id="9b160df3-cb9a-4eae-bd3e-608f1c9fb54b" data-toc-id="9b160df3-cb9a-4eae-bd3e-608f1c9fb54b" style="text-align: left; font-size: 24px; line-height: 1.2;">Practical Examination Planning</h2>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:<ul><li>10-12 weeks for Applied Skills papers</li><li>12-15 weeks for Strategic Professional papers</li></ul>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:<ul><li>Scheduling complementary papers together (e.g., Financial Reporting with Audit and Assurance)</li><li>Allowing sufficient breaks between examinations for recovery and final preparation</li><li>Balancing workload across different examination windows rather than concentrating on papers</li></ul>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.<h2 id="5cee43a8-91b7-4933-924a-d0a8c11dd664" data-toc-id="5cee43a8-91b7-4933-924a-d0a8c11dd664" style="text-align: left; font-size: 24px; line-height: 1.2;">Results and Progression Planning</h2>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 2026 and 2027.

View important ACCA 2026–2027 exam dates, deadlines, and CBE info for UAE students. Plan your ACCA journey in Dubai, Abu Dhabi & beyond.

Important ACCA Exam Dates in UAE for 2026–2027

ACCA exam tips, study guides and career advice from Hamzah Academy tutors. Practical help for every ACCA paper, from BT to SBL.

Important ACCA Exam Dates in UAE for 2026–2027

Important ACCA Exam Dates in UAE for 2026–2027

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