Overview
The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) runs a two-part qualifying examination for people who want to become Chartered Accountants (South Africa). The first part was long known as the Initial Test of Competence (ITC). From January 2025 SAICA renamed it the Initial Assessment of Competence (IAC). SAICA says the standard and quality of the exam did not change with the new name. The second part is the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC).
Who can apply
IAC (formerly ITC): You sit it after earning a SAICA-accredited postgraduate qualification. SAICA allows you to write it for three consecutive years, counting from the year after you obtained that qualification.
APC: You need three things before you can enter:
a pass in the IAC;
20 months of a registered training contract; and
completion of a professional programme.
Exam pattern
IAC, from 2025
Three papers, down from four.
Each paper lasts four hours and is based on one scenario, divided into parts for marking. Reading time is included in the four hours, and the required reading comes with the scenario.
Each paper carries 120 marks, so the total is 360 marks.
The papers are written over three consecutive days, Tuesday to Thursday.
APC
This is the second part of the qualifying exam and tests professional competence. SAICA points candidates to its Detailed Guidance to the Competency Framework for the APC for pass marks and assessment criteria, which this page does not reproduce.
Important dates
SAICA lists the IAC and APC dates in downloadable documents, including a document titled APC dates and fees for December 2026. Check those documents for exact dates. SAICA's home page lists the IAC June 2026 results with a date of 28 August 2026.
SAICA has said that 2026 to 2027 will bring changes to the IAC: a digital acumen assessment, public sector content, and a rubric-based format for the third paper.
Fees
Fees follow SAICA's examination and assessment fee and refund policy, and the APC fees appear in the December 2026 dates and fees document. Amounts are not repeated here, so confirm them on the SAICA site.
How to apply
Register online using the online registration links on SAICA's IAC and APC pages. SAICA offers a step-by-step guide for APC registration. For the APC, payment is by direct bank deposit or electronic transfer.
After the exam
SAICA has separate results pages for the IAC and the APC.
FAQs
Is the ITC still the name of the exam?
No. SAICA renamed the ITC the Initial Assessment of Competence (IAC) from January 2025. SAICA says the exam's standard and quality stayed the same.
How many years can I sit the IAC?
SAICA allows three consecutive years, starting the year after you obtain your SAICA-accredited postgraduate qualification.