The CIPS (The Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply) qualifications assess a learner’s knowledge and competence through examinations. Each level of study is broken down into a number of study units. Learners are required to sit and pass an exam for each of the units in their course. Exam preparation is something many of us have not had to think about since leaving school, so it can be daunting prospect. But don’t worry, our CIPS expert tutors have created this great guide to help you prepare for your exams.

How many exams should I take in each exam series?

This is often the first question people ask. Before deciding, it’s important for all learners to know they have the flexibility to schedule exams when it suits them. Learners are also able to choose between sitting exams in an exam centre or remotely.

It is then important to consider which level you are studying. If you are studying a high level, you may want to concentrate on one unit at a time to make sure you aren’t taking on too much. You will also need to consider how much time you can dedicate to self-learning. If you can study for several hours every day, you may want to consider studying more than one topic. It’s also important to understand the pace at which you learn. For example, if you can take in and process information easy, you may want to consider studying two units at a time.

You should consider each of these factors thoroughly to support your decision-making process.

When should I take my exams?

At present, CIPS has set the following yearly exam timetable:

March

May

July

November

There are only a few weeks between the May and July exams, so it is best to only sit one exam in these months.  However, there is a larger gap between the July and November and November and March exams. It is therefore more feasible to sit multiple exams in these periods.

It is important to note that we would not advise sitting more than two exams in any one exam period. This is because there is a lot to learn and a lot of material to revise, regardless of the course level.

Careful planning is needed when it comes to scheduling your exams. You need to take into account that unit exams will vary in length and style. Higher credit value units have longer, essay-style exams and lower credit value units have shorter, multiple choice-based exams. When you first start studying a unit you will be made aware of what type of exam you are sitting.

What exams are part of my CIPS qualification?

As mentioned, exams are either multiple choice or essay based. Multiple choice exams are known as objective response (OR) and written, essay-style exams are known as constructed response (CR).

Levels 2 and 3

The Level 2 Certificate and Level 3 Advanced Certificate both consist of five exams in total. They are all OR (multiple choice) exams.

Levels 4 and 5

The Levels 4 Diploma and Level 5 Advanced Diploma both consist of eight exams in total. They both include six OR exams and two CR exams.

Level 6

The Level 6 Professional Diploma consists of seven exams in total. Four are OR and three are CR.

All exams are computer-based, whether you are sitting them in an exam centre or remotely. Results are published four to six weeks after the exam series ends.

What order should I take my exams?

Our guidance to learners is to take exams in chronological order.  Often, material provided in one unit will have been touched on in the previous unit.  As an example, the first unit of Level 4 (L4M1) provides a view of what will come in subsequent units. While CIPS does not dictate the order in which exams should be taken, the learning material has been developed in such a way as to guide the learner through the material in chronological order.

We would recommend taking an exam as soon as you have completed your learning for that unit and have had time to complete the practice questions and exams set out on the learning platform. 

Booking your CIPS exams 

For each exam series, CIPS opens the booking windows around six weeks prior to the exam series. Learners then have a period of two to four weeks to book their exam(s) for that series. Each series is spread out over a two-week period with one week of OR exams and another week of CR exams.

There are normally three exam opportunities each day with places limited for each. When the booking window closes, learners are unable to book exams for that exam series or make changes to any existing exam bookings. If the booking window is missed, learners will need to wait for the next exam series to be able to book exams.

If learners are unsuccessful with their exam, they can retake each one. There is a charge for each exam and/or resit. This is why we always recommend being confident in your learning and fully prepared for each exam before you book.

How much are CIPS exams?

The cost of CIPS exams varies depending on the level and the specific modules you are taking. Generally, the fees for CIPS exams range from £95 to £185 per exam for standard entry, while late entry fees may apply if you register after the standard registration deadline. 

There may be additional costs associated with study materials, training courses, and membership fees if you are not already a member of CIPS. 

How much does CIPS cost?

The cost of obtaining CIPS certification varies based on factors like membership fees, training or study material costs, exam fees, and reassessment fees. Annual membership fees are required for access to resources and networking opportunities. Additional expenses may arise from enrolling in training courses or purchasing study materials. Total costs depend on individual choices regarding study resources and exam registrations.

Our expertise tailored to meet your requirements

Studying for your CIPS qualification with DLC Training means you can access our support whenever you need it. Our tutor team have first-hand experience in the CIPS exam process and understand how to achieve great results. They work with individual learners to plan out when they should aim to take each exam within their course time.

As well as the tutor team, DLC Training learners have access to a dedicated study support team. They can provide guidance on CIPS-approved exam centres verses sitting exams remotely, and point learners in the right direction for booking exams on a date and time that suits their requirements.

You’ve got this! 

Now you know how we recommend planning out your exams, you can concentrate on enjoying your studies and progressing through your course. Don’t forget to download the DLC Guide to Successful CIPS Exams* from the learning platform for useful information, expert tips, and amazing resources to help your preparation for each CIPS exam. 

*Exclusive guide available for CIPS learners studying with DLC Training. 

Written by: Jefferson Cooper, DLC Training Education Team Manager