CIPS examinations are hand written and paper-based with the exception of the one hour e-test for the Level 2 Introductory Certificate in Purchasing and Supply. 

Format (L3, 4, 5 and 6)

Each unit is assessed by a three hour closed-book exam with the exception of Level 3 (L3-05) Purchasing in Action and Level 6 (L6-03) Supply Chain Management in Practice. The format of the exam papers is:

• Section A - A case study with two questions based on the information in the case study. Each question is worth 25 marks.
• Section B - Two questions must be answered from a choice of four which test knowledge and understanding. Each question is worth 25 marks.

Case studies used in Section A progress through the levels as follows;

*All units with the exception of L6-03 Supply chain management in practice (see below).

L3-05 Purchasing in Action

This unit is also assessed by a three hour closed-book exam. However, the format of the exam is four questions, each worth 25 marks, based around a single case study. These questions can be a mixture of role play and theory, knowledge and understanding.

L6-03 Supply chain management in practice

This assessment is a three hour open-book exam comprising of four questions, each worth 25 marks. The questions will all be centred on a single case study which will be based on a realistic organisation. The case study is published on the website at least four weeks in advance of the exam date to allow candidates to analyse the information and prepare for the exam. The case study is approximately 20 pages in length. 

You may book your exams for any unit directly through this website.

1) First choose your exam study centre. Contact the centre directly (contact details will be recorded under their listing on this site) and confirm whether you can sit the exam at their centre. If you are not registered with a study centre, you will need to choose a study centre that accepts any student.

2) Next access our online Exam booking system. You may only do this if you are logged into MyCIPS.

International learners

In addition to booking exams online, international learners have the option of using enrolment forms. We've published the exam enrolment forms in set categories to help you, please see below.

Learners can pay in local currency in Australasia and Southern Africa. Also, learners in the following African countries can pay in local currency at British Council offices in Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Further help and advice

For all enquiries about the exam entry process please contact the CIPS customer response centre.

Telephone: +44(0) 845 880 11 88

Fax: +44 (0) 845 880 11 87
8.30am – 5.30pm Monday to Friday (All times are UK)

Email: crc@cips.org

Each step of your examination journey, from enrolment to results, is outlined in our Examination Enrolment Guidance. The guidance has relevant timetable information for you and includes dates for enrolment and closure, the exam week and when results will be available. To help you to plan your path through your studies and exams to professionalism, we publish examination timetables a full year in advance every July.

If you choose to take your exams in the UK you have five opportunities during the year - January, March, May, July, November. Learners registered with a study centre should first speak to tutors to find out if they intend to offer exams for each session. Those that wish to take exams internationally can do so 3 times a year - May, July, November.

Before attending an exam, cadidates should familiarise themselves with the Rules for Examinations

Exam weeks vary so please take care when completing your enrolment form. You may enter for as many units as you wish in one sitting, however please check that units are not scheduled to take place at the same time.

Exam series timetables

• July 2012*
• November 2012

*Select units are available for the January/March/July sessions.

Try to make the most of the five exam sessions and choose different units for each session. Results published dates may affect your choice of units. To help you to make your choices we have outlined a typical scenario for a learner progressing through the qualification ladder starting at Level 4. It demonstrates that at Level 4, if you pass each unit, you can complete two qualifications in less than one year. Click here to download the Exam Session Scenarios.

Please ensure you download the correct enrolment form.

If you have already booked your exam and would like to enter for more exams, or you to need to re-sit an exam, you can book online or download the relevant enrolment form below.

Below you can download the results statistics for each examination series.  Each download provides details of the number of candidates which sat each unit, and the pass rate achieved for each unit.  Please note examinations taken in January and March are UK-only assessment series.

Statistics up to the November 2006 series relate to our pre-September 2006 qualifications.  The May 2007 statistics relate to the current qualifications but also include statistics for the re-sits of the pre-Sept 2006 qualification.  Statistics from November 2007 onwards relate to the current scheme of qualifications.

July statistics relate to our global exam series. March and January relate specifically to the UK.

Work-based Assessments are an alternative option to examinations for certain units (as detailed below). Currently this option is only available to UK based students. To complete a Work-based Assessment you need to be registered with one of our WBA approved UK Study Centres.

Level 3, 4 and 5

The format of the assignment for Levels 3, 4, and 5 are the same with the exception of the word count, which varies by level. The format is as follows:

L3-05 Purchasing in Action

• Section A; Compulsory task worth 50% (1,200 words)
• Section B; Two tasks from a choice of three. Each task is worth 25% (750 words)
• Section C; Compulsory Reflective Learning Statement (300 words
• Total word count: 3000 words

L4 (All Units)

• Section A; Compulsory task worth 50% (1,700 words)
• Section B; Two tasks from a choice of three. Each task is worth 25% (1000 words)
• Section C; Compulsory Reflective Learning Statement (300 words)
• Total word count: 4000 words

L5-03 Improving Supply Chain Performance

• Section A; Compulsory task worth 45% (2,200 words)
• Section B; Two tasks from a choice of three. Each task is worth 25% (1,250 words)
• Section C; Compulsory Reflective Learning Statement worth 5% (300 words)
• Total word count: 5000 words

There are 3 assessment opportunities per year in February, May and October and candidates have a period of ten weeks to complete each assignment. Further guidance on the assignments can be found here.

Level 6
A Work-based Project is an option for the L6-03 unit, Supply Chain Management in Practice. The level 6 project is a more complex piece of work and is therefore given a maximum completion time of 12 months and can be started at any point during the year. The project can be completed in one of two ways;

i) A work-based project, using the candidate’s own organisation or one with which they are familiar

(ii) A desk-research project, enabling candidates to focus on academic/secondary research of specific areas associated with Supply Chain Management in Practice. The candidate will undertake a review of supply chain theories, and predict potential trends and, indeed, certain phenomena in the future.

These two approaches are equally valid, and should follow the same format;

• Task 1; Introduction, including the background, rationale and objectives (600 words) 
• Task 2; Review of the theory and the development of a set of predictions (1,300 words) 
• Task 3; Case analysis, including application and synthesis (3,000 words)
• Task 4; Conclusions and recommendations (600 words)
• RLS; Reflective Learning Statement (500 words)
• Total word count: 6000 words

Further guidance on the level 6 project can be found here.

Enrolment

Enrolment for all work-based assessments is completed through your study centre. Please contact your local study centre for details.

Assessment fees for all locations are outlined here.

Our Fees and Invoicing Policy can be downloaded here.

CIPS offer the following prizes for each academic year (1st Nov - 31st Oct);

CIPS President’s Award

Awarded to the learner with the highest aggregate mark through completion of Foundation, Advanced and Graduate Diplomas

• £1000 cash prize
• Framed certificate
• CIPS membership for life
• Expenses paid towards Graduation Ceremony (including graduation gown)

Graduate Diploma Prize

Awarded to the learner with the highest aggregate mark through the Graduate Diploma

• £500 cash prize
• Framed certificate
• CIPS membership for 1 year
• Expenses paid towards Graduation Ceremony (including graduation gown)

Advanced Diploma Prize

Awarded to the learner with the highest aggregate mark through the Advanced Diploma

• £500 cash prize
• Framed certificate
• CIPS membership for 1 year
• Expenses paid towards Graduation Ceremony

Foundation Diploma Prize

Awarded to the learner with the highest aggregate mark through the Foundation Diploma

• £500 cash prize
• Framed certificate
• CIPS membership for 1 year
• Expenses paid towards Graduation Ceremony

International Certificate Prize

Awarded to the learner with the highest aggregate mark through completion of both the International Certificate and the International Advanced Certificate

• £500 cash prize
• Framed certificate
• CIPS membership for 1 year
• Expenses paid towards Graduation Ceremony

Please note that all winners must be current members.