Each unit in an ABE qualification is assessed by an open-book exam (OBE) an assignment, or in the case of Level 4 a traditional timed exam (see Our Assessment Methods).
Assessments for our Business Management-based portfolio take place twice a year (second quarter and final quarter), plus there is an additional assignments-only window in March. There are a series of deadlines for these assessment sessions and accredited centres are supported by regular reminders to ensure there is plenty of time to prepare. New learners can be registered throughout the year but there are closing deadlines if they wish to take assessments in a particular session and existing learners need an active membership in order to book.
- Click here for the November 2026 assessment timeline
- Click here for the March 2027 assessment timeline
- Click here for the May 2027 assessment timeline
Our Executive Leadership suite and sustainability qualifications are all assessed by assignment and operate on a monthly eight-week turnaround throughout the year.
Please note: assignments and OBEs must be received by the deadline. We will not accept late submissions except unless very exceptional circumstances, at the discretion of ABE, in which case there will be an additional charge to cover our incurred costs.
Link to grade and award information
November 2026 assessments
Open-book exam release date: 20 October 2026 - question papers will be available on the portal from this date.
Learners' submission deadline: 10 November 2026 - all learners’ assessments must be submitted to your centre by this date.
Centres' submission deadline: 17 November 2026 - centres must submit all assessments to ABE by this date. Please note: learners CANNOT submit assessments to centres (or ABE) after 10 November.
Timed exam dates: 25 & 26 November 2026
Results day: 10 February 2027
March 2027 assessments (assignments only)
Bookings open: 4 January 2027 - start booking your March assessments from this date.
Assignment brief release date: 14 January 2027 - assignment briefs will be available on the portal from this date.
Registration deadline: 21 January 2027 - new learners wishing to take March assessments must be registered with ABE by this date (lapsed members also need to re-register by this date).
Booking deadline: 4 February 2027 - all bookings and payments for March assessments must be received by this date.
Learners' submission deadline: 11 March 2027 - all learners’ assessments must be submitted to your centre by this date.
Centres' submission deadline: 18 March 2027 - all learners’ assessments must be submitted to your centre by this date.
Results day: 12 May 2027
May 2027 assessments
Bookings open: 11 March 2027 - start booking your May assessments from this date.
Assignment brief release date: 22 March 2027 - assignment briefs will be available on the portal from this date.
Registration deadline: 18 March 2027 - new learners wishing to take May assessments must be registered with ABE by this date (lapsed members also need to re-register by this date).
Booking deadline: 5 April 2027 - all bookings and payments for May assessments must be received by this date.
Open-book exam release date: 23 April 2027 - question papers will be available on the portal from this date.
Learners' submission deadline: 14 May 2027 - all learners’ assessments must be submitted to your centre by this date.
Centres' submission deadline: 21 May 2027 - centres must submit all assessments to ABE by this date. Please note learners CANNOT submit assessments to centres (or ABE) after 14 May.
Timed exam dates: 27 & 28 May 2027
Results day: 11 August 2027
Grades and awards
Grades
Successful candidates will be awarded a Pass, Merit or Distinction in each subject where applicable.
This is the grading for the ABE's RFQ qualifications (the core syllabus):
| Mark | Grade |
| 70% + | Distinction |
| 55% - 69% | Merit |
| 40% - 54% | Pass |
| 0% - 39% | Fail |
ABE's short awards have a slightly different grading scale as follows:
| Mark | Grade |
| 80% + | Distinction |
| 65% - 79% | Merit |
| 50% - 64% | Pass |
| 0% - 49% | Fail |
ABE's QCF grades (from the syllabus delivered from 2011 - 2017) were as follows:
| A* | 75% - 100% | Higher Distinction |
| A | 65% - 74% | Distinction |
| B | 50% - 64% | Merit |
| C | 40% - 49% | Pass |
| D | 30% - 39% | Marginal Fail |
| E | 15% - 29% | Fail |
| F | 0% - 14% | Unclassified |
| CF | - | Criteria Fail |
Top Paper Awards
ABE believes in rewarding success. Twice a year, we honour our highest Distinction achievers in each unit with a special Top Paper Award. Recipients and their tutors get a special certificate and the chance to publicise their achievement. All learners also receive one year's free subscription.
Click here to read the latest Top Paper stories.
Our assessments have been judged to be the most up-to-date and relevant available. They develop skills that help learners become an invaluable asset in the workplace. Find out all about them.
