CIPS Examinations

CIPS - MCG Centre Number - 005031578

Assessment and examinations

Each level of study requires candidates to successfully pass five modules (sometimes also known as units).
Each module is assessed by a three hour written examination.
Exam papers are written and marked by CIPS, not by the institute or college you might be studying through.
Exams are scheduled by CIPS at set times during the year. These are currently during the third weeks of May, July and November each year but if you are in the UK, additional sittings may be possible. Exam timetables cannot be varied under any circumstances. (please see the current time-table below)
Before you can sit any CIPS exam, you have to be a registered Student Member of CIPS for which they charge a fee, depending on your location. For information on how to join CIPS, please visit the web page ---here--- (Fees for CIPS Membership can be paid online using a credit card or you can submit a hard copy Membership Application Form by post with payment by Sterling cheque or draft.
CIPS also charge a fee for candidates to enrol on their exams. This fee covers the printing of your exam papers, sending the papers to your selected exam venue and collecting them after you have sat the exams. The fee also covers the marking of your written answer papers. For information on current CIPS exam enrolment fees in different locations, please visit ---here--- [External Link; New Window] but please make sure that you check for the correct geographical location.
Registered Members of CIPS can pay exam enrolment fees online using a credit card or submit a hard copy enrolment form by post with payment by Sterling cheque or draft.
There are approved exam venues around the world. They are currently listed on the exam enrolment forms for different regions and can be found on the CIPS web site ---here--- [External Link; New Window] but again please make sure that you check for the correct geographical location.
In addition to the exam enrolment fees which are paid to CIPS, the venue where you sit your exams will normally change you a fee for invigilation. You will need to ask them how much they will charge for the invigilation of each three hour exam.
CIPS has deadlines for exam enrolment. Normally, you will need to enrol at least two months before each exam sitting. Deadlines are listed on the exam enrolment forms.

Examination pass marks

The following pass marks and grade bands will apply to all units at all levels.

* 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.

Exam Timetable

May 2013 - Timetable

Day	Programme	Morning 09-30 - 12.30	Afternoon 14.00 - 17.00
Monday 20 May '13	International Certificate in Purchasing and Supply	Understanding Purchasing Principles (C1)	Selecting the Right Supplier (C2)
	Level 3 - Certificate in Purchasing and Supply	Understanding the Purchasing Environment (L3-01)
	Level 4 - Foundation Diploma in Purchasing and Supply		Effective Negotiation in Purchasing and Supply (L4-01)
	Level 5 - Advanced Diploma in Purchasing and Supply	Management in the Purchasing Function (L5-01)	Operations Management (L5-12)
	Level 6 - Graduate Diploma in Purchasing and Supply	Leading and Influencing in Purchasing (L6-01)	Finance for Purchasers (L6-12)
Tuesday 21 May '13	International Certificate in Purchasing and Supply	Effective Negotiation in Purchasing and Supply (C3)	Managing Inventory (C4)
	Level 3 - Certificate in Purchasing and Supply	Purchasing Operations (L3-02)
	Level 4 - Foundation Diploma in Purchasing and Supply		Developing Contracts in Purchasing and Supply (L4-02)
	Level 5 - Advanced Diploma in Purchasing and Supply	Risk Management and Supply Chain Vulnerability (L5-02)	The Machinery of Government (L5-13)
	Level 6 - Graduate Diploma in Purchasing and Supply	Strategic Supply Chain Management (L6-02)	Strategic Public Sector Programme Management (L6-13)
Wednesday 22 May '13	International Certificate in Purchasing and Supply	The Business Environment for Purchasing and Supply (C5)
	International Advanced Certificate in Purchasing and Supply		Analysing the Supply Market (A6)
	Level 3 - Certificate in Purchasing and Supply	Client and Supplier Relations (L3-03)
	Level 4 - Foundation Diploma in Purchasing and Supply		Measuring purchasing performance (L4-03)
	Level 5 - Advanced Diploma in Purchasing and Supply	Improving Supply Chain Performance (L5-03)	Contracting in the Public Sector (L5 -14)
	Level 6 - Advanced Diploma in Purchasing and Supply	Supply Chain Management in Practice (L6-03)	Public Sector Stakeholders and Governance (L6-14)
Thursday 23 May '13	International Advanced Certificate in Purchasing and Supply	An Introduction to Purchasing Strategy (A7)	Preparing and Managing Contracts (A8)
	Level 3 - Certificate in Purchasing and Supply	Securing Supply (L3-04)
	Level 4 - Foundation Diploma in Purchasing and Supply		Managing Purchasing and Supply Relationships (L4-04)
	Level 5 - Advanced Diploma in Purchasing and Supply	Marketing for Purchasers (L5-10)	Sustainable Procurement (L5-15)
	Level 6 - Advanced Diploma in Purchasing and Supply	Legal Aspects in Purchasing and Supply (L6-10)
Friday 24 May '13	International Advanced Certificate in Purchasing and Supply	International Logistics (A9)	Measuring Performance in Purchasing & Supply Management (A10)
	Level 3 - Certificate in Purchasing and Supply	Purchasing in Action (L3-05)
	Level 4 - Foundation Diploma in Purchasing and Supply		Purchasing Contexts (L4-05)
	Level 5 - Advanced Diploma in Purchasing and Supply	Storage and Distribution (L5-11)
	Level 6 - Advanced Diploma in Purchasing and Supply	Advanced Project Management (L6-11)

CIPS - MCG Centre Number - 005031578