HOT OFF THE PRESS: CIPS has just announced the shake-up to their annual exam schedule is being postponed until 2025. The dates of when and where you can take your CIPS exams will now be changing with effect from January 2025 and not next year, as previously planned.
From 2025 onward, there will most likely be a regular exam series at the end of January, primarily for the OR 6-credit (multiple-choice) exams. Obviously, timing for these exams is going to be tight, with many learners juggling family commitments in the preceding seasonal festive weeks - but we think this might be an ideal opportunity for anyone needing to catch-up on their study programme or undertake a re-sit.
These January 2025 exams will probably be closed to learners, and so the only opportunities for you to sit your CIPS exams in January 2025 will be at a private approved exam centre (such as our own Cordie exam centre in Christchurch) or via the remote invigilation technology option.
Exams in March 2025 will probably remain unchanged. This has always been a popular exam series, as it gives learners plenty of time to receive their exam results from the November series and plan their next studies. All exam types are likely to continue to be available at all the currently available exam centres.
In recent years, CIPS has been trialling the use of September as an additional exam series. This has only been marginally popular, as for many learners it means studying through the summer months of July and August which is traditionally a time for family holidays. The latest announcement suggests that these September exams may now become a permanent feature from 2025 onwards, but this is a long way off and we will await the official announcement with interest.
As soon as CIPS has made their formal announcement, we will update you. It is important to give you as much advance notice as possible so that you are able to plan your study time and also other important events in your professional and domestic calendar.