AAT exam booking is the moment your study plan becomes real. Up until you have a date in the calendar, it is all preparation. The moment you book, it becomes a countdown. Every AAT student will book multiple exams across their qualification, and each one has to go through the same basic process: register as an AAT member, pick a venue or remote invigilation, pay the fees, and turn up with the right ID.

The AAT exam booking process is not complicated once you have done it once, but there are just enough moving parts (fee changes from 1 September 2026, remote invigilation options, cancellation windows) that most students want a clear walkthrough before their first attempt. This guide sets it all out for 2026.

Before you book: register as an AAT student first

You cannot book any assessment without an active AAT student membership. Your AAT registration number is required at every stage of AAT exam booking. If you have not registered yet, do that first at aat.org.uk. The process takes minutes and gives you access to MyAAT, the AAT Lifelong Learning Portal, sample assessments, and the ability to book exams through approved training providers and assessment venues.

If you are enrolled with a training provider like Sepera College, they will typically confirm your registration and can guide you through booking. If you are self-studying, you handle registration and booking yourself. Either way, the registration must be active on the date you sit the exam or the assessment cannot go ahead.

Your AAT exam booking options

AAT assessments are computer-based and can be sat in one of three ways in 2026:

• At your training provider: If you study with an AAT Approved training provider that also holds assessment approval, you can book directly with them. This is the most common route for classroom and blended learners.
• At an AAT Approved assessment venue: Independent venues across the UK deliver AAT exams for students of any provider. Useful if you are self-studying, or if your training provider does not offer in-person assessment.
• Via remote invigilation: Sit the exam from home, supervised online through the PSI system. Requires a working webcam, quiet environment, and specific PSI browser software. Available for most assessments.

Remote invigilation has expanded significantly since 2020 and is now the default route for many distance learners. In-person AAT exam booking still tends to be preferred where the assessment is complex or the student wants the formal exam-room environment.

The AAT exam booking process step-by-step

The exact steps of AAT exam booking vary slightly depending on which route you choose, but the core sequence is consistent:

1. Confirm your AAT student registration is active. Log in to MyAAT and check your status.
2. Choose your assessment. Identify the exact unit and level, e.g. Introduction to Bookkeeping (Level 2), Financial Accounting: Preparing Financial Statements (Level 3), Applied Management Accounting (Level 4).
3. Decide between in-person and remote invigilation. For remote, check the technical requirements first: webcam, microphone, PSI browser, quiet room, government-issued photo ID.
4. Choose a training provider or assessment venue. Search the AAT website for approved venues near you, or check whether your training provider offers direct AAT exam booking.
5. Check availability. Booking windows vary. Some venues offer weekly availability, others fortnightly or monthly.
6. Book and pay. Provide your AAT registration number and date of birth. Pay the fees. You will receive a confirmation email with venue details or, for remote, the PSI login link.
7. Confirm and diary the date. Add it to your calendar with a study countdown, ideally including at least one full mock exam in the final week before the assessment.

Some training providers require you to have completed course assignments before they will confirm your AAT exam booking. This is common for distance learners and prevents students booking before they are ready.

AAT exam booking fees in 2026

AAT exam booking fees changed on 1 September 2026 as part of AAT’s annual fee update. The current position:

• AAT assessment fees (until 31 August 2026): £38 to £68 per exam depending on unit and level.
• AAT assessment fees (from 1 September 2026): £40 to £70 per exam.
• Remote invigilation fee (until 31 August 2026): £39 on top of the AAT assessment fee.
• Remote invigilation fee (from 1 September 2026): £41 on top of the AAT assessment fee.
• Training provider or venue admin fees: Varies. Some providers charge an admin fee on top of AAT fees, others include everything in a course package.
• Re-sit fees: Full assessment fee is charged again for each re-sit. There is no discount for retakes.

Total cost per AAT exam booking in 2026 for a Level 3 unit taken via remote invigilation is therefore roughly £77 to £109 depending on the specific unit and timing. Some training providers include all exam fees in the course price, which is worth checking before you assume you need to pay separately.

How far in advance should you book your AAT exam?

The minimum notice for AAT exam booking depends on the format:

• In-person at an assessment venue: Typically at least 2 days in advance, sometimes longer depending on the venue’s own booking system.
• Remote invigilation: At least 7 days in advance is standard.

The realistic answer is different. Most students book their AAT exam 4 to 8 weeks in advance, which gives enough time for focused revision without letting the date drift so far into the future that motivation drops. Booking too early means you might not be ready. Booking too late means you scramble for available slots at popular venues.

Rescheduling, cancelling and refunds

Once your AAT exam booking is confirmed, changing it is possible but not always free:

• More than 14 days before the exam: Most venues allow a free change of date or a full refund.
• Within 14 days of the exam: An admin fee (typically £30) usually applies for changes or refunds.
• Within 24 hours of the exam: No refunds or transfers, in most cases. This applies even if you are unwell, so a doctor’s note may be your only route to any accommodation.
• Chargeback disputes: Do not initiate a card chargeback against a training provider without contacting them first. Chargeback fees will be added to any amount you owe.

The 14-day rule is not universal. Some providers have different cancellation windows written into their terms. Read them before you book, particularly if your circumstances are unpredictable.

What to bring on the day of your AAT exam

For an in-person AAT exam booking, arrive at least 30 minutes early and bring:

• Valid government-issued photo ID. Accepted forms include a valid passport, UK driving licence, or nationality document with photograph. The name on your ID must match the name on your AAT registration exactly.
• Your AAT registration number. Written down somewhere or accessible on your phone.
• A calculator (if permitted for that unit). Check the specific assessment rules for your unit.
• Water in a clear bottle. Most venues allow this.

For remote invigilation, the day-of requirements are slightly different. You will need the PSI browser installed and tested in advance, a working webcam and microphone, a quiet private room, and the same photo ID held up to the camera at the start.

AAT exam booking mistakes to avoid

The errors that catch first-time students out most often:

• Wrong unit booked. Booking Level 2 Elements of Costing when you meant Level 3 Management Accounting Techniques. Always double-check the exact unit name at AAT exam booking, because refunds for wrong-unit bookings are not generally offered.
• ID name mismatch. Booking under a maiden name but presenting ID under a married name, without the marriage certificate. Amend your MyAAT profile in advance.
• Booking without an active registration. Some students let their AAT membership lapse and try to book. The system may take payment but the exam cannot proceed without active registration.
• Underestimating remote invigilation setup. The PSI browser can conflict with other software. Test it several days before, not on the morning of the exam.
• Late arrival at in-person venues. Arriving less than 30 minutes before the exam can result in refused entry, particularly at busy assessment venues.
• Booking multiple exams too close together. Back-to-back AAT exam bookings within a few days of each other rarely produce good results. Space them out.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does AAT exam booking cost in 2026?

The AAT assessment fee is £38 to £68 per exam until 31 August 2026, rising to £40 to £70 from 1 September 2026. Remote invigilation adds £39 (or £41 from September). Some training providers also charge admin fees on top.

Can I book an AAT exam without a training provider?

Yes. You can book AAT exams directly through any AAT Approved assessment venue, provided your AAT student registration is active. Search the AAT website for venues in your area or check remote invigilation options.

How far in advance do I need to book my AAT exam?

In-person AAT exam booking typically requires at least 2 days notice, remote invigilation at least 7 days. Most students book 4 to 8 weeks ahead to balance revision time with keeping motivation high.

Can I change my AAT exam booking after paying?

Usually yes, with conditions. More than 14 days before the exam, most venues allow a free change or refund. Within 14 days, a £30 admin fee typically applies. Within 24 hours, no refund or transfer is normally possible.

What ID do I need to bring to my AAT exam?

A valid government-issued photo ID that matches the name on your AAT registration. Acceptable forms include a valid passport, UK driving licence, or a nationality document with a photograph. If your ID name differs from your registered name, bring a marriage certificate or deed poll.

You have your AAT exam booking. Now what?

The moment your AAT exam booking is confirmed is when serious preparation should start. AI Accounting Tutor is built for exactly this window: the four to eight weeks between booking and sitting. Unlimited AAT-style practice questions, adaptive difficulty targeting your weak topics, and instant worked solutions for every attempt.

Start your subscription and turn the countdown between AAT exam booking and exam day into a proper preparation programme. For official AAT information on assessment venues and the booking process, visit the AAT website.