Qualifications 2013 refers to CIPS unit content which was launched in March 2013. CIPS examinations for Qualifications 2013 units are hand written and paper-based. 

The following principles are adhered to when CIPS exam papers are developed:

1. The unit content will be assessed through the use of the learning outcomes (LOs), and parts thereof, published within the unit content guides.  All LOs will be assessed within every assessment.
2. All LOs within a unit are weighted equally. The coverage of each LO within an assessment is equally weighted.
3. All questions within an assessment are compulsory. There are no optional questions. All assessments are marked out of 100%.
4. The standard of the assessment is set by the LOs within the unit content. 

With the exception of the exams for AD3 Improving competitiveness and PD3 Strategic supply chain management, all examinations are closed-book. 

Exam duration

Exams for units within the Diploma, Advanced diploma and Professional diploma in procurement & supply qualifications are 3 hours.  Exams for units within the Certificate and Advanced certificate in procurement & supply operations qualifications are 2 hours. 

Exam format

Professional diploma in procurement & supply

Advanced diploma in procurement & supply

Diploma in procurement & supply

Advanced certificate in procurement & supply operations

Certificate in procurement & supply operations

Qualifications 2006 refers to CIPS unit content which was launched in September 2006. CIPS examinations for Qualifications 2006 units 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 outside of the UK can do so three 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

• March 2013
• May 2013
• July 2013
• November 2013 (Qualifications 2006)
• November 2013 (Qualifications 2013)

*Select units are available for the January, March and July exam series.

The expected timescale for the issue of certificates, once a candidate has completed and passed a qualification level is 2 - 4 weeks.

Qualifications 2006 refers to CIPS unit content which was launched in September 2006. Qualifications 2013 refers to CIPS unit content launched in March 2013. 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.

Qualifications 2006 refers to CIPS unit content which was launched in September 2006. 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.

Qualifications 2006 refers to CIPS unit content which was launched in September 2006.

Work-based Assessments are an alternative option to examinations for certain Qualifications 2006 units (as detailed below). This option is only available to learners registered with a study centre approved to offer work-based assessment. 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.

Our Fees and Invoicing Policy can be downloaded here.

Qualifications 2006 refers to CIPS unit content which was launched in September 2006. 

The following pass marks and grade bands will apply to all Qualifications 2006 units at Levels 3-6 in purchasing and supply, including the International certificate and the International advanced certificate in purchasing and supply.

• Distinction  75 - 100%
• Credit         60 - 74%
• Pass           50 - 59%
• Fail               0 - 49%

It should be noted that the exit award at each Level is not graded.

For the Level 2 Introductory certificate in purchasing and supply, the following pass marks and grade bands applies:

• Pass           75%