CIMA Case Study Exam Dates 2026: Operational, Management and Strategic
The full 2026 calendar for the CIMA case study exams at all three levels, with every exam window, booking deadline, pre-seen release and results date, taken from the official AICPA and CIMA timetable.
The CIMA case study exams run four times a year, in February, May, August and November. Each level (Operational, Management and Strategic) sits in its own week within the window. We maintain this page with the official dates for the current year and the year ahead, so it stays accurate as each new timetable is confirmed. This edition covers the 2026 calendar in full, and explains how the windows, the pre-seen material and the results cycle fit together, so you can plan your sitting with confidence.
Last reviewed and updated , against the official AICPA and CIMA exam timetable.
- Four windows a year: February, May, August and November
- Three levels: Operational (OCS), Management (MCS) and Strategic (SCS), each sat in its own week within the window
- Three exam days per level: Wednesday to Friday
- Format: computer-based, sat at Pearson VUE test centres or remotely where available
- Pre-seen material is released several weeks before the exam, and each pre-seen covers two consecutive windows
- Results are published roughly seven weeks after the exam window, with a longer gap over the November to January period
The complete 2026 CIMA case study exam dates
Below is every key date for each 2026 window, broken down by level. Booking deadline means the date the exam scheduling window closes, after which you can no longer enter for that sitting. Always schedule well ahead of the deadline.
February 2026
Window 1This window has now passed. It is included for a complete year reference. Its pre-seen was shared with the November 2025 window.
| Key date | Operational (OCS) | Management (MCS) | Strategic (SCS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduling opens | 23 Jul 2025 | 30 Jul 2025 | 6 Aug 2025 |
| Pre-seen released | 19 Sep 2025 | 26 Sep 2025 | 3 Oct 2025 |
| Booking deadline | 20 Jan 2026 | 27 Jan 2026 | 3 Feb 2026 |
| Exam dates | 4 to 6 Feb 2026 | 11 to 13 Feb 2026 | 18 to 20 Feb 2026 |
| Results published | 26 Mar 2026 | 2 Apr 2026 | 9 Apr 2026 |
May 2026
Window 2The May 2026 pre-seen is shared with the August 2026 window.
| Key date | Operational (OCS) | Management (MCS) | Strategic (SCS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduling opens | 22 Oct 2025 | 29 Oct 2025 | 5 Nov 2025 |
| Pre-seen released | 20 Mar 2026 | 27 Mar 2026 | 2 Apr 2026 |
| Booking deadline | 21 Apr 2026 | 28 Apr 2026 | 6 May 2026 |
| Exam dates | 6 to 8 May 2026 | 13 to 15 May 2026 | 20 to 22 May 2026 |
| Results published | 25 Jun 2026 | 2 Jul 2026 | 9 Jul 2026 |
August 2026
Window 3The August 2026 pre-seen is the same document as the May 2026 pre-seen.
| Key date | Operational (OCS) | Management (MCS) | Strategic (SCS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduling opens | 21 Jan 2026 | 28 Jan 2026 | 4 Feb 2026 |
| Pre-seen released | 20 Mar 2026 | 27 Mar 2026 | 2 Apr 2026 |
| Booking deadline | 21 Jul 2026 | 28 Jul 2026 | 4 Aug 2026 |
| Exam dates | 5 to 7 Aug 2026 | 12 to 14 Aug 2026 | 19 to 21 Aug 2026 |
| Results published | 24 Sep 2026 | 1 Oct 2026 | 8 Oct 2026 |
November 2026
Window 4The November 2026 pre-seen is shared with the February 2027 window. Results fall in January 2027 because of the year-end break.
| Key date | Operational (OCS) | Management (MCS) | Strategic (SCS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduling opens | 22 Apr 2026 | 29 Apr 2026 | 7 May 2026 |
| Pre-seen released | 18 Sep 2026 | 25 Sep 2026 | 2 Oct 2026 |
| Booking deadline | 20 Oct 2026 | 27 Oct 2026 | 3 Nov 2026 |
| Exam dates | 4 to 6 Nov 2026 | 11 to 13 Nov 2026 | 18 to 20 Nov 2026 |
| Results published | 7 Jan 2027 | 14 Jan 2027 | 14 Jan 2027 |
How the CIMA case study exams work
The case study exams are the milestone assessments that complete each level of the CIMA professional qualification. You sit one case study at the end of each level, after passing the three objective tests for that level.
- Operational Case Study (OCS) completes the Operational level and leads to the CIMA Diploma in Management Accounting
- Management Case Study (MCS) completes the Management level and leads to the CIMA Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting
- Strategic Case Study (SCS) completes the Strategic level and is the final step toward the ACMA and CGMA designation
- Each case study is a three hour, computer-based exam built around a realistic business scenario
- Within each window, Operational sits first, Management the following week, and Strategic the week after that
- You must pass all three objective tests at a level before you can sit that level's case study
How the CIMA pre-seen material works
Before each case study, CIMA releases pre-seen material: a set of documents about the fictional organisation at the centre of the exam. You study it in advance, so that on exam day you can focus on analysis and application rather than reading.
One point catches many students out. Each pre-seen covers two consecutive windows. The November and the following February sittings share the same pre-seen, and the May and the following August sittings share the same pre-seen. That is why the August 2026 pre-seen dates are the same as the May 2026 dates, and the November 2026 pre-seen will carry into February 2027.
Plan around the pre-seen, not just the exam. Deep, structured pre-seen analysis is one of the biggest differences between a pass and a fail at case study level. Begin the moment your pre-seen is released, not the week before the exam.
Other dates worth knowing
- Objective tests are on demand. The objective tests at each level (E, P and F subjects) and the Certificate in Business Accounting exams (BA1 to BA4) are computer-based and can be sat all year round, not on fixed dates
- Booking deadlines are firm. Each case study window has an entry closing date. Make sure all your objective tests for the level are passed before that deadline, or you cannot enter
- Scheduling opens months ahead. The booking window for each sitting opens well in advance, so you can secure your preferred date and centre early
- The annual CIMA subscription renews every 1 January. Keep it current to stay eligible to book and sit exams
How to plan your 2026 sitting
The dates above are only useful if you build your study plan backward from them. A simple, reliable approach:
- Pick your target window and level, then note the booking deadline and put it in your calendar now
- Confirm you can pass the level's three objective tests before that deadline, and book them early since they are on demand
- Mark the pre-seen release date, and plan to start structured pre-seen analysis from day one
- Sit full mock exams under timed conditions in the weeks before the window
- Keep the results date in view so you know when to plan your next level
Prepare for your CIMA case study with MSL
Study CIMA with Ghana's most awarded professional education provider
MSL Business School prepares CIMA students across the Operational, Management and Strategic levels, taught live and online by experienced lecturers and supported by the MSL Business School App. As Ghana's clear technology leader in professional education, and the first and only provider with multimodal AI for professional exam students, MSL pairs expert tuition with AI study tools built for exam preparation: instant explanations, pre-seen and question walk-throughs, automated quizzes, flashcards and lesson summaries, with text, voice and image input.
We help you map your study plan to the exact window you are targeting, prepare your pre-seen analysis, and rehearse under real exam conditions. The app is free to download on Android, iOS and Windows. When you are ready, you can register for CIMA tuition on our CIMA page.
CIMA case study 2026: frequently asked questions
When are the 2026 CIMA case study exams?
There are four 2026 windows. February (4 to 6, 11 to 13 and 18 to 20 February), May (6 to 8, 13 to 15 and 20 to 22 May), August (5 to 7, 12 to 14 and 19 to 21 August) and November (4 to 6, 11 to 13 and 18 to 20 November). Within each window the Operational case study sits first, then Management, then Strategic.
How many times a year can I sit a CIMA case study exam?
Four times a year, in February, May, August and November. If you do not pass, you can re-sit at the next available window.
What is the difference between OCS, MCS and SCS?
They are the case study exams that complete each level. The Operational Case Study (OCS) completes the Operational level, the Management Case Study (MCS) completes the Management level, and the Strategic Case Study (SCS) completes the Strategic level and leads to the ACMA and CGMA designation.
When is the CIMA pre-seen material released in 2026?
For the May and August 2026 windows the pre-seen is released on 20 March (OCS), 27 March (MCS) and 2 April (SCS) 2026, and the same document covers both windows. For the November 2026 window the pre-seen is released on 18 September (OCS), 25 September (MCS) and 2 October (SCS) 2026.
What is the booking deadline for the 2026 case study exams?
Each window has its own entry closing date by level. For May 2026 the deadlines are 21 April (OCS), 28 April (MCS) and 6 May (SCS). For August 2026 they are 21 July (OCS), 28 July (MCS) and 4 August (SCS). For November 2026 they are 20 October (OCS), 27 October (MCS) and 3 November (SCS). Always book well before the deadline.
When are the 2026 CIMA case study results released?
Results are published roughly seven weeks after each window. May 2026 results are out on 25 June (OCS), 2 July (MCS) and 9 July (SCS). August 2026 results on 24 September (OCS), 1 October (MCS) and 8 October (SCS). November 2026 results are released in January 2027 because of the year-end break, on 7 January (OCS) and 14 January (MCS and SCS).
Are the CIMA objective tests on fixed dates too?
No. The objective tests at each level and the Certificate in Business Accounting exams are computer-based and available on demand throughout the year. Only the case study exams run in fixed windows.
Can I prepare for the CIMA case study exams online from Ghana?
Yes. MSL Business School delivers CIMA tuition fully online across all three levels, with live classes, recordings, structured pre-seen analysis, mock exams and the MSL multimodal AI study app. You can prepare from anywhere in Ghana and across West Africa.