Overview
The CGMA Professional Qualification has three levels: Operational, Management and Strategic. Each level has three on-demand objective tests and one case study exam. The CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting is the entry-level stage with four objective tests.
Who it is for
- People starting in management accounting or finance
- Graduates and school leavers wanting an entry route (Certificate in Business Accounting)
- Finance staff aiming for CIMA membership and CGMA
- Candidates who want on-demand exams at a test centre or online
Versions
Certificate in Business Accounting
BA1 to BA4 objective tests, 2 hours each.
CGMA Professional Qualification
Nine objective tests and three case study exams across Operational, Management and Strategic levels.
Where it is accepted
- Progress to CIMA membership and the CGMA designation
- Management accounting and business finance roles
- Entry route to the CGMA Professional Qualification (Certificate in Business Accounting)
Always check the current requirements of the university, employer, regulator or visa authority you are applying to.
Test format
| Section | What it involves |
|---|---|
| Certificate objective tests (BA1-BA4) | Computer-marked. 2 hours each. BA1-BA3 have 60 questions; BA4 has 85 questions. |
| Professional objective tests | Nine tests, 60 questions each, 90 minutes each. On demand all year. |
| Case study exams | One per level. 3 hours. Human-marked role simulation. Four windows a year: February, May, August and November. |
Total time: Objective tests: 90 minutes (Professional) or 2 hours (Certificate). Case study exams: 3 hours.
Scores and validity
- Scoring
- Results show a pass/fail grade with a scaled score. Case study results also include sectional feedback.
- Validity
- Not confirmed in this check. Contact AICPA & CIMA for rules on how long passes stay valid.
How long results take is shown at the top of this page.
Fees
One-time CIMA registration (from 1 Jan 2026, includes first year of membership)
GBP 99
Source (opens in a new tab)Objective test, each (from 1 Jan 2026, varies by location)
GBP 89 to GBP 123
Source (opens in a new tab)
| Item | Official fee | Source |
|---|---|---|
| One-time CIMA registration (from 1 Jan 2026, includes first year of membership) | GBP 99 | Source (opens in a new tab) |
| Objective test, each (from 1 Jan 2026, varies by location) | GBP 89 to GBP 123 | Source (opens in a new tab) |
Fees are set by the test owner, were checked on 21 October 2026, and can change. Confirm the price when you book. GAPICT never takes exam fees.
On test day
Identification
Two forms of ID at a test centre: a current passport is recommended as primary ID; the second must show your full name and signature. National IDs must be issued in the country where you test.
Arrive early, bring only what the test owner allows, and expect identity checks and a photo at check-in. Read our test day guide and exam day FAQs.
How to book
Exam seats for CIMA / CGMA are booked and paid on the test owner's own system. Delivered through: Pearson VUE.
- 1
Log in to your AICPA & CIMA account, then book a Pearson VUE test centre or OnVUE online slot. Case study exams are booked through the exam dashboard.
- 2
Create or sign in to your account on the official booking site.
- 3
Choose your exam, then a test centre, date and time.
- 4
Pay the exam fee to the test owner and keep your confirmation email.
- 5
Check the ID rules and arrive early on test day.
You book and pay in your Pearson VUE account. Rescheduling deadlines (often 24–48 hours) and fees are set by each exam programme.
Need help booking?
We can walk you through the test owner's registration, step by step.
GAPICT's status with these organisations
- Pearson VUEEnquiry made
CIMA / CGMA FAQs
Can I sit CIMA exams at a test centre?
What changed in 2026?
When can I sit a case study exam?
Can I reschedule a case study exam?
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these official sources on 21 October 2026. If anything here differs from the test owner's website, the owner's website is correct.
- CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting (opens in a new tab)
- CIMA Self-Tailored Learning Pathway (opens in a new tab)
- CGMA Professional Qualification upgrade 2026 (opens in a new tab)
- Pearson VUE: CIMA (opens in a new tab)
- CIMA exam terms (ID rules) (opens in a new tab)
CIMA / CGMA and related names are trademarks of their owners and are used here only to describe the test. GAPICT is independent of AICPA & CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants), is not endorsed by it, and is not currently an authorised centre for this test.