Quick answer: CIPS runs six exam series in 2027: January, March, May, July, September and November. Objective Response (OR) exams run in all six, but Constructed Response (CR) essay exams run only in March (16–17), May (18–19), July (20–21) and November (16–17). Each series has its own booking window, and you can only cancel while it is open.
Planning your next CIPS module? This guide sets out every 2027 exam date, booking window and results date from the official CIPS schedule, explains which modules are essay-style, and shows how to build a realistic exam plan. If you are choosing where to study, explore our CIPS courses in London.
CIPS exam dates 2027 at a glance
The dates below are taken from the official CIPS exam and results schedule. Bookings open at 09:00 UK time on the first day of each window. CIPS can update its schedule, so always check MyCIPS before you pay.
| Series | Booking window | OR exams | CR exams | OR results | CR results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 2027 (OR only) | 1–8 December 2026 | 12–14 January 2027 | None | 29 January 2027 | – |
| March 2027 | 19 January – 9 February 2027 | 8–12 March 2027 | 16–17 March 2027 | 26 March 2027 | 30 April 2027 |
| May 2027 | 23 March – 13 April 2027 | 10–14 May 2027 | 18–19 May 2027 | 28 May 2027 | 2 July 2027 |
| July 2027 | 25 May – 15 June 2027 | 12–16 July 2027 | 20–21 July 2027 | 30 July 2027 | 3 September 2027 |
| September 2027 (OR only) | 10–17 August 2027 | 13–17 September 2027 | None | 1 October 2027 | – |
| November 2027 | 21 September – 12 October 2027 | 8–12 November 2027 | 16–17 November 2027 | 26 November 2027 | 14 January 2028 |
Two details catch people out every year. First, the January and September series are OR only: CIPS states that its centre venues and CR exams are not available in those series. Second, booking windows are short, just eight days for January and September, and the cancellation deadline for every exam is the date its booking window closes.
Still waiting for November 2026 results?
If you sat exams in November 2026, CIPS lists OR results on 4 December 2026 and CR results for the 17–18 November sitting on 15 January 2027. If you need to resit a CR module, the next opportunity is March 2027, with booking open from 19 January to 9 February 2027.
OR vs CR exams: what is the difference?
CIPS uses two exam formats. In Objective Response exams you select an answer from a list of options; these appear across all CIPS qualifications. In Constructed Response exams you write your own answer in an essay or case-study style; these appear in the diploma-level qualifications.
| Objective Response (OR) | Constructed Response (CR) | |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Choose answers from a list of options | Write essay or case-study style answers |
| Where it is used | All CIPS qualifications | Diploma levels (Levels 4, 5 and 6) |
| Series available in 2027 | All six | March, May, July and November only |
| Pass mark (stated by CIPS for Levels 5 and 6) | 70% | 50% |
| Time to results in 2027 | About 2 weeks | About 6–8 weeks |
Which modules are CR exams?
The official CIPS Constructed Response exam timetable (published August 2026) lists the following CR modules. Morning exams start at 09:00 and afternoon exams at 14:00, in the local time of the region you booked.
| Session | Day 1 (Tuesday) | Day 2 (Wednesday) |
|---|---|---|
| Morning, 09:00 | L5M1 Managing teams and individuals (3 hours) L6M3 Global strategic supply chain management (3 hours) | L5M4 Advanced contract and financial management (3 hours) L6M2 Global commercial strategy (3 hours) |
| Afternoon, 14:00 | L4M1 Scope and influence of procurement and supply (3 hours) L6M4 Future strategic challenges for the profession (2 hours) | L4M8 Procurement and supply in practice (3 hours) L6M1 Strategic ethical leadership (3 hours) |
CIPS asks candidates to select only one of the two exams available in each morning or afternoon session. Because CR modules have only four sittings a year and the longest wait for results, they should anchor your plan.
How to plan your CIPS exams in 2027
A simple rule works for most learners: fix your CR dates first, then fit your OR modules around them.
- List your remaining modules and mark each as OR or CR using the timetable above.
- Pick your CR sittings. With four CR series a year, a Level 4 learner might take L4M1 in March and L4M8 in July or November.
- Fill the gaps with OR modules. The January and September series are OR only, which makes them useful for keeping momentum.
- Put the booking windows in your calendar, not just the exam dates. Missing a window means waiting for the next series.
- Leave room for a resit. July CR results are due on 3 September 2027, which still leaves time to book the November CR sitting (window 21 September – 12 October 2027).
Example: a 12-month Level 4 plan starting in 2027
CIPS recommends allowing about 12 months to complete all eight modules of the Level 4 Diploma in Procurement and Supply, with a notional Total Qualification Time of 600 hours. One way to spread the exams across 2027:
| Series | Module(s) | Format |
|---|---|---|
| March 2027 | L4M1 plus one OR module | CR + OR |
| May 2027 | Two OR modules | OR |
| July 2027 | Two OR modules | OR |
| September 2027 | One OR module | OR |
| November 2027 | L4M8 | CR |
This is an illustration, not a rule. CIPS does not set a start or end date for your first exam, so you can book each module when you are ready. Your tutor may suggest a different order.
Booking your exam: self-study vs study centre
- Self-study: you book your own exams in MyCIPS during the booking window, which requires an active CIPS student membership.
- Studying with an approved study centre: CIPS states that its approved study centres book exams for their learners.
- Venue or remote: CIPS exams are computer-based and can be taken at a CIPS exam venue or by remote invigilation. CIPS notes that venue hosting and remote invigilation fees are non-refundable.
- Cancelling: you can cancel only while the booking window is open, in your MyCIPS area.
Exam and membership fees are set by CIPS and are reviewed regularly, so check the current amounts on the CIPS cost of studying page before you book.
Planning from the Middle East and GCC
Booking windows open at 09:00 UK time. While the UK is on GMT (from late October to late March), that is 12:00 in Riyadh, Doha and Kuwait City and 13:00 in Dubai and Muscat; during UK summer time it is one hour earlier. CR exams themselves start at 09:00 or 14:00 in the local time of the region you book, so you do not need to convert exam start times. Remote invigilation means many learners can sit exams without travelling to a venue.
Saudi nationals may also be able to reclaim eligible training and exam costs after qualifying through the HRDF (Hadaf) Professional Certificates programme, where the certificate is on HRDF’s approved list and the employer has not paid. Membership fees are not covered. See the HRDF Professional Certificates page for current rules. For more on studying from the Kingdom, read our guide to CIPS courses in Saudi Arabia.
Next steps
Whether you are starting the CIPS Level 4 Diploma or moving on to Level 5 or Level 6, building your plan around the 2027 CR sittings will keep you on track. You can also study CIPS online.
Explore our CIPS courses in London or contact our team to talk through your exam plan.
Frequently asked questions
When is the next CIPS exam?
After the November 2026 series, the next CIPS exams are the January 2027 OR-only series on 12–14 January 2027, with booking open from 1 to 8 December 2026. The next essay (CR) exams are on 16–17 March 2027.
When do CIPS exam bookings close in 2027?
Each series has its own window. The windows close on 8 December 2026 (January series), 9 February (March), 13 April (May), 15 June (July), 17 August (September) and 12 October 2027 (November). The cancellation deadline is the same date.
Can I take a CIPS essay exam in January or September?
No. CIPS states that CR exams and centre venues are not available in the January and September series. Those series are for Objective Response exams only.
How long do CIPS exam results take?
In 2027, OR results are published about two weeks after the exams, and CR results about six to eight weeks after. For example, March 2027 CR results are due on 30 April 2027.
What is the pass mark for CIPS exams?
On its Level 5 and Level 6 qualification pages, CIPS states a pass mark of 70% for Objective Response exams and 50% for Constructed Response exams.
Which CIPS Level 4 modules are essay exams?
According to the CIPS Constructed Response timetable, the Level 4 CR modules are L4M1 Scope and Influence of Procurement and Supply and L4M8 Procurement and Supply in Practice. Both are three-hour afternoon exams, on day 1 and day 2 of each CR sitting.