ACCA Exams Move to Centres Only from March 2026: What You Need to Know
Introduction
From March 2026, all ACCA exams must be taken at approved exam centres. Remote proctored exams — the option to sit ACCA papers from home or another private location — have been discontinued.
This is a significant change that affects how candidates prepare, where they sit their exams, and how they manage exam-day logistics. If you are currently studying for ACCA, here is everything you need to know about the transition and how to adapt.
What Has Changed?
During the pandemic, ACCA introduced remote proctored exams as an alternative to traditional exam centres. Candidates could sit their exams from home using a computer with a webcam, monitored by an online proctor. This option was popular — it removed the need to travel to an exam centre and offered more flexibility around scheduling.
From March 2026, this option is no longer available. All ACCA exams — Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills, and Strategic Professional — must now be sat at an approved Pearson VUE test centre or ACCA exam centre.
Why Were Remote Exams Discontinued?
ACCA has cited concerns about academic integrity as the primary reason for discontinuing remote exams. Specifically:
AI and Technology Risks
The rapid advancement of AI tools has made it increasingly difficult to ensure that remote candidates are not receiving assistance during exams. Tools like large language models, AI-powered calculators, and screen-sharing software present risks that are extremely challenging to detect through remote proctoring alone.
Consistent Exam Conditions
Exam centres provide standardised conditions — the same desks, lighting, noise levels, and supervision for every candidate. Remote environments are inherently variable, and ACCA concluded that centre-based exams offer a fairer and more consistent experience.
Industry-Wide Trend
ACCA is not alone in this decision. Several UK professional bodies have moved away from remote exams in recent years, and ACCA's decision aligns with a broader trend towards strengthening exam security across professional qualifications.
How Does This Affect Applied Knowledge Papers?
Applied Knowledge papers (BT, MA, FA) and LW are on-demand exams that were already primarily taken at Pearson VUE test centres. For most candidates studying these papers, the practical impact is minimal — you were likely already planning to sit at a centre.
The key change is that you can no longer choose to sit these papers remotely. You will need to book a slot at your nearest Pearson VUE centre, which may require some advance planning depending on your location.
How Does This Affect Applied Skills and Strategic Professional?
For session-based papers (PM, TX, FR, AA, FM, and the Strategic Professional papers), the change is more significant:
- You must attend a specific exam centre on a specific date. Session-based exams already had fixed dates, but candidates who previously sat remotely now need to factor in travel time and logistics.
- Booking early is important. Popular exam centres may fill up, particularly for the larger sittings (June and December). Book your centre as soon as the booking window opens.
- International candidates in areas with fewer exam centres may need to travel further. Check the ACCA website for your nearest approved centre.
How to Prepare for Centre-Based Exams
If you have only ever taken exams remotely, or if this is your first ACCA sitting, here are practical steps to prepare for the centre-based experience.
Visit Your Exam Centre in Advance
If possible, visit the exam centre before your exam day. Familiarise yourself with the location, the route, parking or public transport options, and how long the journey takes. Removing logistical uncertainty reduces exam-day stress.
Practise Under Exam Conditions
The centre environment is different from home. You will be at an unfamiliar desk, possibly with other candidates nearby, and without the comforts of your own space. Simulate these conditions during your revision:
- Sit at a clear desk with only the items you will have in the exam (calculator, water, ID)
- Work through practice papers in silence, without your phone, music, or other distractions
- Complete full papers under strict timed conditions
Building familiarity with these constraints before exam day makes them feel normal rather than jarring.
Know What to Bring
For centre-based exams, you will typically need:
- Valid photo ID (passport or driving licence)
- Your exam booking confirmation (printed or on your phone)
- An approved calculator (check ACCA's list of permitted calculators)
- Water (in a clear, unlabelled bottle — check centre-specific rules)
You will not be allowed to bring notes, textbooks, phones, smartwatches, or any electronic devices into the exam room. Lockers are usually provided for your belongings.
Arrive Early
Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before your exam start time. Registration and ID checks take time, and arriving rushed or late will affect your performance. Build in a buffer for unexpected delays — traffic, transport disruptions, or finding the building.
Manage Your Energy
Centre-based exams require you to be at your best for three hours or more in an unfamiliar environment. The night before:
- Get a full night's sleep
- Prepare everything you need (clothes, ID, calculator, exam confirmation)
- Avoid last-minute cramming — review your notes briefly, then rest
On exam day, eat a proper breakfast, stay hydrated, and avoid excessive caffeine that might increase anxiety.
Adapting Your Study Approach
The move to centre-only exams does not change what is tested — the syllabus, question formats, and marking criteria remain the same. However, it does place greater emphasis on certain preparation habits:
Build Exam Stamina
Sitting an exam for three hours in a centre is physically and mentally demanding. During your revision, practise completing full-length papers in one sitting without breaks. This builds the stamina you need to maintain concentration throughout the exam.
Strengthen Your MCQ Speed
For papers with MCQ sections, practise answering questions quickly and accurately. In a centre, you cannot pause the clock to check your phone or take an extended break mid-section. Regular MCQ practice builds the speed and confidence you need.
Develop Written Answer Structure
For Applied Skills and Strategic Professional papers, practise writing structured answers by hand or on the computer (ACCA uses computer-based delivery for most papers). Focus on clear headings, concise paragraphs, and well-labelled calculations.
The Positive Side
While the loss of remote exams is inconvenient for some candidates, there are genuine benefits to centre-based exams:
Level Playing Field
Every candidate takes the exam under the same conditions. There is no advantage to having a quieter home, a larger screen, or faster internet.
Fewer Technical Issues
Remote exams were occasionally affected by internet dropouts, software crashes, and proctoring glitches. Centre-based exams eliminate these risks entirely.
Dedicated Exam Environment
An exam centre is designed for one purpose. There are no household distractions, no temptation to check your phone, and no interruptions from family members, housemates, or delivery drivers.
Stronger Qualification
A qualification that is known to be rigorously examined carries more weight with employers. ACCA's decision to strengthen exam security protects the value of the qualification for all current and future members.
Planning Ahead
If you are currently studying for ACCA, here is what to do now:
- Check the ACCA website for your nearest approved exam centres and their availability
- Book your exam centre early for session-based papers, particularly for June and December sittings
- Build centre-based practice into your revision routine — simulate exam conditions at home
- Factor in travel time when planning your exam day logistics
- Continue your preparation — the content has not changed, only the delivery method
Start Preparing Now
The best way to build confidence for centre-based exams is thorough preparation. When you know the material inside out, the exam environment matters less. Focus on covering the syllabus comprehensively, practising hundreds of questions, and developing strong exam technique.
The transition to centre-only exams is a change in logistics, not a change in what it takes to pass. Prepare well, plan your exam day carefully, and you will be ready.