It is not uncommon for students to often ask tutors and other senior students for a 'success formula' or method to study for an examination. I remember myself in the days I started my ACCA studies having asked my tutor what was needed to pass. Ultimately at the lag end of my stint as an ACCA student and doing the final papers in the curriculum, I have come to understand and appreciate more, the fact that there is no single 'magic success formula' to crack the exam. If there were, why wouldn't every ACCA student adopt it?
However, there was something that all my teachers and seniors advised me on and something that I understood better and better as I moved ahead passing one paper after other- the vitality of managing one's marks or rather one's time in an examination.
Personally I have always believed the ACCA board has been doing an excellent job in ensuring that the difficulty and standard of papers and students passing the examinations remain approximately the same every year. I am sure that the post-exam review and appraisal processes make sure that tougher papers are marked better and easier ones are marked tougher. In such a situation, coincidentally or not the pass rates for almost all papers except auditing and tax have remained at around 50% over the last couple of sittings. Therefore, if one is well prepared and does better than half of those appearing in the exam, one can be certain to pass.
But to do better than the other half, mere knowledge and skill will not suffice. The most critical aspect in any examination is to manage one's time and give sufficient time to get the easier marks.
It is vital to note that the initial marks are easier to get than the later ones in any question. In other words even if you attempt all the questions and do fairly well in each of them you will pass but if you fail to attempt all the questions your chances of passing are poor. It is only wise to allocate the time available uniformly over the number of marks. Say in a 90 marks exam for 2 hours(120 mins.) you would devote approx 1.34 minutes per mark.
Often students get bogged down by a question and fail to proceed to the next question even after the time allocated to the question is over. In the end they fail to complete the paper and thus fail the examination. The examiners, as I have learnt from my experience, are not looking for perfectionists. They test the understanding and ability to apply knowledge and hence it is only prudent to proceed to the next question after the time allocated irrespective of whether you have completed the question or not.
As long as you do all the questions required in the time allocated moderately you are certain to pass the exam.
It is the dream of every student to one day qualify as a professional accountant and become a member of the association and I am certain students would do very well in the exams if they managed their marks and time allocation. Managing one's time in the exam goes a long way not just to pass your exams but also in building a professional accountant who respects the value of time and appreciates its prudent and efficient utilization.
Hi, i would like to know
if i do not have any accounting background and knowledge.
is it advisable to take up ACCA?
I hope to specialise in accouting. i hope to know what is the recommeded preparation i need to take.
for your advise.
Posted by: Francis | 25 November 2009 at 16:45
Hi Abhishek,
For queries related to the qualification and entry requirements please contact [email protected]
Regards
Vignesh
Posted by: Vignesh | 22 October 2009 at 11:12
Dear Sir..
I am A B.Com Graduate from India..
I have not scored well in my B.com Graduation.
and i want to apply for ACCA.
My question is, that is there a minimum percentage requirement for applying for ACCA (Considering Excemptions in Mind)
Please do tell .. as my decision of joining depends on it
Posted by: Abhishek Sharma | 17 October 2009 at 09:22
Hello Raja
Thank you for your comment. As this refers to a technical area, please contact our dedicated customer services - ACCA Connect either via phone call 0141 582 2000 or e-mail [email protected]
They will be able to answer your question directly from there.
Kind regards,
James Johnston
Business Relationship Manager
ACCA - UK
Posted by: James Johnston | 21 July 2009 at 11:49
I have been graduated for 2years & have ICWAI-Inter from India. I am I eligible to enrol in ACCA? How long will it take to clear the exams.
Thank you
Posted by: raja | 14 July 2009 at 19:23
Dear Usman Khan,
Having read your query I can safely say that you should get 4 clear exemptions, papers F1-F4 having studied an MBA in Pakistan. In terms of studying for the further exams, it is choice you can make whether to do this full time or part time, or self study. Full or part time will mean you will have that direct support from your tution provider and as part of the course costs, all the materials and resources will be provided. However, you can simply buy the resources directly from your local tuition if you wanted to go for self study. I hope this helps.
Best wishes,
James Johnston
Business Relationship Manager
ACCA UK
Posted by: James Johnston | 19 December 2008 at 14:42
I have completed MBA Marketing & Finance. If i join ACCA then can i get any course exemption.
If yes, then what exemption?
Regards,
Usman Khan
Posted by: Usman KHan | 19 December 2008 at 14:16
Hi I am interested in having Qualification of ACCA how many suubjects could be exempted as I have done MPA from Karachi University Pakistan in 2000
and Please helpme with Do I need to attend regular classes for all these courses or Can I pick it up by reading and exercising myself
Posted by: Aziz U Khan | 19 December 2008 at 14:16
Hi,
2 years ago i have enrolled for CA(inter) under ICAI. I gave 2 attempts but i m not able to clear it. Though i have been the topper through out my academics, this failure is really killing me. So i have decided to go for ACCA but still not sure what to do. I just want to know that will 6 hours a day enough for getting through acca examinations.
Posted by: sufia | 13 October 2008 at 21:16
Miraj,
Appreciate your response on the blog.
Yes, you can certainly appear for paper F4 only in Dec 08. But make sure you have cleared F1 - F3 bfor Jan 31st. Otherwise, your F4 results will become invalid, I guess!!!
Regards
Vignesh
Posted by: Vignesh | 01 October 2008 at 16:29
Hi, I m a BBA Graduate from Bangladesh. I M impressed about this blog...Nway i jst wanna know whether I can sit for a single paper(like F4) rather doing two or more papers at a particular session(like Dec2008).... I would be honored 2 get replied.
Thank you
Posted by: MIraj | 18 September 2008 at 21:08
Luke,
Choosing one variant over another one will not alter the value of ACCA qualification that you obtain. You just need to choose what is suitable for you and required in your work sphere
Rgds
vignesh
Posted by: vignesh | 09 September 2008 at 07:06
Hi Luke,
The pass rates for different papers on ACCA are different. However to give you a basic idea, the pass rates vary between some where around 30% on the tougher papers like Performance Management, Advanced Audit, Advanced Tax, etc to around 55% on the comparitively easier/leniently marked ones. The pass rates for each sitting/paper are provided on the website. You might care to have look at it if you want the exact pass percent.
The choice of variant for subjects like Financial Reporting, Tax,Law are required. Depending in your background you can choose any of the variants, thoug International students generally take INT variant on reporting and their local variant on tax. In law you can choose between English and International law.
Regards,
Vignesh
Posted by: Vignesh | 09 September 2008 at 07:04
Hi Luke,
The pass percentage for ACCA currently stands at 50%. When you register for ACCA you will have to choose a specific country for which you wish to base yourself in, i.e indicate where you want to take your exams- UK or elsewhere. However, this does affect the standard of exams you will be taking as they are the same standard globally. Therefore you will be studying for a Global Professional Qualification that sings the same hymn and is recognised within 170 countries.
I hope this helps,
James Johnston
Business Relationship Manager
ACCA - UK
Posted by: James Johnston | 02 September 2008 at 14:24
Hi Sir,
Can you tell me what is the pass percentage for ACCA? Also, I have heard that you would need to choose a variant before giving the exams. Eg: Global or country specific. Is that so? If it is and we have to choose a certain varient, lets say, UK, what difference will it make in the exams and later on. Will it be a global degree anyways?
Posted by: Luke D | 28 August 2008 at 18:10
Dear Rajeevkemani- delhi
That's great you're interesed in registering with us after your MBA- Finance. The process to do this is very simple, as you can register today online from the following link http://www.accaglobal.com/join/register/online
In terms of finding out what exemptions you can claim please visit the following webpage http://www.accaglobal.com/join/acca/exemptions as from here you can click on a link in the page which will take you to our Global exemptions database. Once you are in simply type in your institution and select the relevant country. You will then be given all the programmes from your institution for which you can view what exemptions we offer, your MBA should be in there. However, you are likely to be granted papers F1 - F4 as exemption with an MBA.
I hope this helps, and welcome to ACCA!
James Johnston
Business Relationship Manager
ACCA - UK
Posted by: James Johnston | 27 August 2008 at 11:45
Dear All,
I am final year student of MBA-Finance, would like to persue ACCA, can anyone can provide me how to enroll and how to claim exemption.
Thank you,
Rajeevkemani- delhi
Posted by: Rajeev Kemani | 25 August 2008 at 09:39
Hi Tiki,
Considering that you did F4,F5,F6 this time and did not pass, I would suggest you stick to merely these three papers, identify where you went wrong and get all three with excellent marks (perhaps a commendation?)
I guess you need to re-strategize and convince yourself that spending a lot of time on studies dosen't help if you are unable to concentrate and keep worrying about your domestic issues! Make sure you spend quality time (forget all your domestic probs) and that you stick to a stringent timetable and start studying today. I am sure you will pass with flying colors!
Good luck Tiki!
Rgds
Vignesh
Posted by: Vignesh | 20 August 2008 at 17:18
I really need help and guidance, This round i failed my f4,f5,f6.(june2008) sitting all with 30 marks ++I did passed my f1-3 for dec2007. I really determine to study this course. The probable reason that i fail because i keep force myself work even i'm a full time student bec my family complication and financial difficulties. My dad abandon my whole family members and he said he's not coming back for at least 6 years. I need guidance on which paper should i take in this dec2008 sitting. I'm currently studying ACCA f7-9. I really don't know which paper to choose to retake. I know i must do 4papers but i don't know which one should I choose. I'll stop do side job and focus to nail it this time. I need guidance....
Posted by: tiki | 18 August 2008 at 13:30
Hi Nurali,
Managing Work and studies together is certainly difficult but not daunting!
With a clear plan as to what you would do over the 4 months prior to the exam, you would have no issues!!!
Just keep sufficient time aside and also assess how many exams you can do per sitting keeping in mind your domestic and work constraints, before enrolling for the exam. Taking too less or too much load will never help!
Regards,
Vignesh
Posted by: Vignesh | 12 August 2008 at 18:22
I read you're cracking for ACCA!
I would like to ask you a question if you can help out. I had done my graduation in commerce 2002, I just want to do part time so can you tell me the way to handle work and studies together. Is it the same as CA in India?
Posted by: NURALI VIRANI | 11 August 2008 at 16:18
Dear Ravi,
With hard work and dedication, ACCA like any other course will be cake-walk!
You dont have to rewrite all the papers if you fail 1 paper in a group/set/level/segment like in the ICAI exams.
Yet again,as you have pointed out the percieved difficulty of a qualification is personal and distinct, it differs from person to person. I would suggest that you run through the syllabus which is available on the web for the ACCA subjects and get a feel of the whole thing! I think you will be able to do well, assuming you take up ACCA studies!!!
Regards,
Vignesh
Posted by: Vignesh | 05 August 2008 at 17:16
Thanks Mohan!!!!!
I am glad by seeing your gr8 response... however, I am not intended to degrade either ACCA or CA, just I want to know the difficulty level ... that's it...because I personally feel CA is tough... if you fail in a single subject you need to write all the exams again in those respective level. That is why I am bit worried...just want to know the difficulty level... is it very tough to get through this course? I am an average student. Waiting for your valuable response....
Posted by: A Ravi Chandra | 28 July 2008 at 18:37
Dear Ravi,
I am glad to note your interest in ACCA.
With reference to your query on the level of difficulty of ACCA as compared to the prestigious CA qualification in India, I feel it would inappropriate to make a comparsion as the ACCA qualification is a global qualification which focuses more on the development of professional capabilities and trains you to adapt to any situation or environment that you may work in as against the prestigious,knowledge-focussed and highly competetive ACA(ICAI) exam.
The ACA from ICAI is primarily a qualification which focusses more on the knowledge requirements and learning relevant in the Indian environment (e.g. in Law, Tax ). The ACA qualification has much more content in it than the ACCA, whereas the ACCA exams test you on those generic aspects and has an edge over the ACA(ICAI) in providing you a platform for continous education and making you amenable to varying environments, i.e. it tests your capability to adapt to different industries & responsibilities, without having to go through the ordeal of focussing largely on really-heavy subjects like Law, Taxation and Auditing/Accounting under national standards. This will be extremely useful if you intend to continue working in practise or industry in India, but if you have plans to move out of the country and work elsewhere, the above-mentioned may not be very relevant for you.
However, let me once again emphasize the fact that ACA and ACCA are equally prestigious qualifications and a comparsion is inapt!
Best Wishes!
Vignesh
Posted by: Vignesh | 21 July 2008 at 17:37
Hi Mohan,
I am Ravi Chandra from India, currently i am working for a Investment company. I am planning to enroll in this course. Before that i would like to know, is it very tough to get passed in this ACCA exams? Also i would like to know that is it having same exam pattern like CA in india? Looking forward to have your valuable suggestions and guidance..
Cheers
A Ravi Chandra
Posted by: A Ravi Chandra | 20 July 2008 at 18:24