Candidates are assessed by an exam for each unit (unless you are granted an exemption). Candidates have the opportunity to sit some units as a work-based assessment, if they are registered with an approved study centre which offers work-based assessment. Ask your study centre for more details.

The exam questions or work-based assessment tasks are designed to test the learning objectives of the CIPS unit content for each unit.

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

Format of exam papers for units within Levels 3, 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.

L3-05 Purchasing in Action

This unit is assessed by a three hour closed-book exam. The format of the exam is a case study scenario with four questions based on the information in the case study. Each question is worth 25 marks. These questions can be a mixture of role play and theory, knowledge and understanding.

L6-03 Supply chain management in practice

This unit gives you the choice of an open-book case study exam or a work-based project. Currently only students who are registered with an approved UK study centre will be able to choose the work-based assessment (project) option. A case study based on a realistic organisation is sent out to candidates and 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. The assessment is a three hour open-book exam comprising four questions based on the case study. Each question is worth 25 marks.

Question paper format - case study summary

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

May 2012
 

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 download the relevant enrolment form below.

Please ensure you download the correct form.

Early bird – 10th February 2012
Normal closure – 16th March 2012

PRICING:
Early bird – R684.00
Normal closure – R760.00

Southern Africa
(Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Mozambique, South Africa and Swaziland)

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.

Exam booking is straightforward and may be completed online for members who are logged into MyCIPS.

Exam sessions five times a year

If you choose to take your exams in the UK you now have five opportunities during the year. 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 and November.

Exam timetables

• January 2012*
• March 2012*
• May 2012
• July 2012*
• November 2012
  

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

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.

Results Statistics - External Examination Pass Rates

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.

Rewarding and recognising outstanding achievement

Please note that all winners must be current members.

CIPS Diamond Jubilee Prize

Awarded to the best Graduate Diploma student, based on the highest aggregate mark at Level 6 Graduate Diploma.

1. Cash prize of £750
2. Framed certificate
3. CIPS memento
4. Personal gift to value of £50
5. Expenses paid to graduation ceremony
6. The Runner up will be awarded a smaller prize in their own right.

Royal Mail Prize

Awarded to the best Graduate Diploma student, based on the highest aggregate mark at Level 6 Graduate Diploma with passes in all examinations for Levels 4 and 5 and no exemptions.

1. Cash prize of £750
2. Royal Mail medal
3. Framed certificate
4. Personal gift to the value of £50
5. Expenses paid to the graduation ceremony

CIPS Bola Afolabi Award

Awarded to the best Graduate Diploma student resident in Africa, based on the highest aggregate mark at Level 6 Graduate Diploma.

1. CIPS membership for 1 year
2. CIPS book tokens to the value of £40
3. Plaque
4. Expenses paid to the graduation ceremony

The two runners up will also be awarded smaller prizes in their own right.

Advanced Diploma Award

Awarded to the best Advanced Diploma student, based on the highest aggregate mark at Level 5 Advanced Diploma.

1. Cash value of £500
2. Framed certificate
3. Personal gift to value of £25
4. Expenses paid to the graduation ceremony

Foundation Diploma Award

Awarded to the best Foundation Diploma student, based on the highest aggregate mark at Level 4 Foundation Diploma.

1. Cash value of £500
2. Framed certificate
3. Personal gift to value of £25
4. Expenses paid to the graduation ceremony

Certificate Prize

Awarded to the best Certificate student, based on the highest aggregate mark at Level 3 Certificate.

1. Cash value of £300
2. Framed certificate
3. Personal gift to value of £20
4. Expenses paid to the Graduation Ceremony

International Advanced Certificate Award

Awarded to the best International Advanced Certificate student, based on the highest aggregate mark in the International Advanced Certificate.

1. Cash value of £300
2. Framed certificate
3. Personal gift to value of £20

International Certificate Award

Awarded to the best International Certificate student, based on the highest aggregate mark at the International Certificate.

1. Cash value of £300
2. Framed certificate
3. Personal gift to value of £20