You should only use this contact option to request an extension to the 7-year rule. To learn how the 7-year rule impacts you, visit our FAQ page
ACCA exams at the Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills level have no time limits. Once you sit and pass these exams and start to take the Strategic Professional exams, the 7-year rule would begin.
The rule means you have 7 years to pass the Strategic Professional exams once you pass your first Strategic Professional exam. If you don’t pass all the Strategic Professional exams and reach affiliate status within 7 years, you’ll lose any Strategic Professional passes achieved after 7 years. These will need to be re-taken in order to complete the qualification.
The rule is in place to ensure that the knowledge you gain from these exams is still relevant in an ever-changing business world.
If difficult personal circumstances have prevented you from taking examinations, you can apply for an extension to the time limit.
We will consider each individual case carefully but cannot guarantee that an extension to the time limit will be granted. We can only grant requests for extension under the most extenuating of circumstances, such as critical illness or bereavement after long-term care.
The maximum extension we can grant under any circumstances is one year (four exam sessions). We can only grant one request for extension per student.
Please be aware that expired results cannot be extended once they have expired and converted exemptions will not be extended.
How to make a request for extension
It’s important to make your request during the correct extension request window, which will be dictated by the expiry date of your exam. Requests may be submitted from results release day of the session before your exam is due to expire. All extension requests must be made by the standard entry closing date of the session your exam will expire.
To request an extension, send us a message and fill in the relevant information. Please make sure you upload any relevant supporting documents.
We’ll consider your case carefully and let you know the outcome of your request.