Missing an ACCA entry deadline is one of the most frustrating mistakes a student can make. You have studied for months, your notes are marked up, your practice papers are done, and then you realise the entry window closed last night. It happens more often than you would think, and it is entirely avoidable.
This guide is for ACCA students in Zimbabwe who want a clear picture of the exam calendar, how registration works, and what the big 2027 syllabus changes mean for their timetable. At Abeel School of Accountancy, we help students plan around these dates every session, so we have put together everything we wish every student knew before they open myACCA.
A Quick Honest Note About 2027 Dates
Before we go further, one important point. ACCA publishes its exam timetables and entry deadlines session by session, and exact 2027 deadlines are not always available far in advance. Some websites print precise 2027 dates before ACCA has confirmed them. We prefer not to guess.
So in this guide, we give you the confirmed 2026 calendar as a reliable pattern, explain what we know about 2027, and show you exactly where to check the official dates. Always confirm on the ACCA Global website before you book.
How Many ACCA Exam Sessions Are There?
ACCA runs four main exam sessions every year: March, June, September, and December. Each session has its own entry window, standard and late entry deadlines, exam week, and results date.
Two things are worth knowing:
- June and December are the full sessions, offering the widest choice of papers and variants.
- March and September are limited sessions, where only some Applied Skills and Strategic Professional variants run. Check that your specific paper is offered before planning around them.
Some papers, particularly at the entry level, can also be taken on demand at computer-based exam centres throughout the year, so you are not always tied to a fixed session. Check the current rules for your paper.
The 2026 Calendar at a Glance
Here are the confirmed 2026 sessions, which show you the usual rhythm of the year:
| Session | Exam week | Standard entry deadline | Late entry deadline |
| March 2026 | 2 to 6 March | 26 January | 2 February |
| June 2026 | 1 to 5 June | 16 April | No late entry |
| September 2026 | 7 to 11 September | 27 July | 3 August |
| December 2026 | 7 to 11 December | 2 November | 9 November |
Results for the December 2026 session are due in January 2027. If you are reading this in October 2026 and are aiming for December, the standard entry deadline is very close, so do not wait.
All ACCA deadlines are set in UK time (23:59), and there are no separate dates for Zimbabwe. Because Zimbabwe is ahead of UK time, your local deadline falls earlier than you might expect, so aim to book days before, not hours.
What We Expect for 2027
Based on the usual pattern, you can expect 2027 to follow the same four-session shape, with exam weeks in the first week of March, June, September, and December and entry deadlines roughly six to seven weeks beforehand. But treat this as a planning guide only until ACCA confirms the dates.
The big 2027 change: a new qualification structure
2027 is not a normal year. ACCA is rolling out a redesigned qualification, and several tuition providers and ACCA announcements point to these key milestones:
- January 2027: the first teaching window for the new syllabus.
- April 2027: exam entry reportedly opens for the new Foundations and Knowledge exams.
- June 2027: the final sitting of the current Applied Skills and Strategic Professional exams.
- July 2027: the first exams at the new Knowledge level.
- September 2027: the first exams at the new Expertise and Strategic Professional levels.
The new structure introduces levels named Foundations, Knowledge, Expertise, and Strategic Professional. The total number of exams is reported to fall from 13 to 11, with employability modules covering areas like AI awareness, sustainability, ethics, and leadership.
The reassuring part is that ACCA has said your passed exams will not be lost. They will be mapped onto the new structure, and ACCA’s Transition Tool shows where you stand. For more detail, read our guides on when the new ACCA syllabus starts and whether passed ACCA exams still count in 2027.
What the Changes Mean for Your Exam Planning
The key question is not just “when is the exam?” but “which version of the exam will I be sitting?” Here is how to think about it.
If you are close to finishing a level. Try to complete your current-syllabus papers before the final sitting in June 2027. This keeps things simple and avoids relying on transition mapping.
If you are just starting. Most of your early studies will still be under the current syllabus, so begin now rather than waiting. Our ACCA study plan for the 2027 transition shows how to pace yourself.
If you are midway through Strategic Professional. Pay particular attention to the June 2027 cut-off, and check how your remaining papers map to the new Expertise and Strategic Professional levels.
How to Register for an ACCA Exam in Zimbabwe
Booking is done online through your myACCA account. The process is the same whether you live in Harare, Bulawayo, or elsewhere:
- Log in to myACCA and make sure your student registration and annual subscription are up to date. Miss your subscription and your exam entry can be affected.
- Check the exam timetable for your paper, variant, and session.
- Choose your exam centre. ACCA exams in Zimbabwe are held at approved centres, with Harare and Bulawayo the main locations, so choose the one nearest to you.
- Pay the exam fee. Fees are set in pounds sterling and rise if you enter late, so book at the standard deadline wherever possible.
- Download your confirmation and attendance docket when it becomes available, usually a few weeks after standard entry closes.
You can generally amend an existing entry, such as swapping a paper, up to the standard entry deadline, so book early and adjust later if needed.
Practical Tips From Abeel School of Accountancy
Over the years, we have seen the same mistakes repeated. Here is how to avoid them:
- Put the deadline in your calendar, not the exam date. The entry deadline is what catches people out.
- Set two reminders. One two weeks before, one three days before.
- Check your subscription status. An expired subscription can cause problems even if your entry is valid.
- Do not rely on late entry. Some sessions, such as June, may offer no late entry at all, and late fees add up quickly in pounds.
- Plan around results. Results for one session can arrive close to the next session’s entry deadline, so know whether you can wait for your result before entering again.
- Allow for currency swings. Because fees are charged in pounds, set aside a small buffer in your budget.
If you want a personalised calendar, Abeel School of Accountancy can map out your sessions paper by paper. See our ACCA courses to find out how we support students from registration to final exam. And if you are still deciding whether to commit, read is ACCA worth it in Zimbabwe.
Where to Check Official Dates
The most reliable source is always ACCA itself. Use the exam timetable and “important dates and deadlines” pages on the ACCA Global website. For a handy summary of how the sessions and deadlines work, the Opentuition ACCA exam dates page is also useful, but always cross-check against ACCA.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many ACCA exam sessions are there in 2027?
Four main sessions are expected: March, June, September, and December. The 2027 redesign adds new Knowledge-level exams in July and new Expertise and Strategic Professional exams in September.
When are the ACCA exam dates for 2027 in Zimbabwe?
There are no separate dates for Zimbabwe. ACCA sets one global calendar. Exact 2027 deadlines should be confirmed on ACCA’s website as they are published.
What time zone are ACCA deadlines in?
UK time, with a deadline of 23:59. Zimbabwe is ahead of UK time, so book well before the deadline.
What is the difference between standard and late entry?
Standard entry is the normal, cheaper booking window. Late entry is a short extra window with a higher fee, and some sessions, such as June, offer none.
When is the last sitting under the current ACCA syllabus?
June 2027 is reported as the final sitting for the current Applied Skills and Strategic Professional exams.
Will my passed exams count under the 2027 syllabus?
ACCA has said completed exams will be mapped to the new structure and that its Transition Tool will show how. Keep studying as planned.
Can I change my exam entry after booking?
Generally yes, up to the standard entry deadline. Check the current rules in myACCA.
Where can I sit ACCA exams in Zimbabwe?
At ACCA-approved centres, with Harare and Bulawayo the main locations. Confirm availability when you book.
Can Abeel School of Accountancy help me plan my exam calendar?
Yes. Our advisers will build a session-by-session plan around your work, budget, and the 2027 changes.
Your Next Step
Good exam planning is not glamorous, but it is what separates students who finish on time from those who keep rescheduling. Check the official dates, set your reminders, and book early.
If you would like help, contact Abeel School of Accountancy today and let us build a calendar that gets you to ACCA membership with fewer surprises.