What You Need To Know About ACCA Exams | Exam Structure, Setting Timetables etc.

The one thing that unites all students across the world is the stress of upcoming exams.

It’s unavoidable. As the exam day gets closer, the panic kicks in. It doesn’t matter if you are 12 or 20 years old.

“If only there was some way to go back in time and prepare better,” is something almost all students mutter under their breaths when they are hastily pouring over textbooks and papers just a few minutes before they write their papers.

If you are an ACCA student, or about to become one, that time to start preparing is now. This is the moment when you set a proper study schedule, organise yourself and start working methodologically.

The ACCA exams are rigorous for a reason. If you pass, you become a globally acclaimed accountant and can apply for top jobs in some of the world’s best financial companies.

The board has ensured only the deserving students get this honour. If you want to be one of them, you have to put in the work.

To help you on your study journey, here is everything you need to know about the ACCA exams. Give yourself enough time and commitment, set your goals and you’ll be sailing through the exams with flying colours.

About the ACCA course

The ACCA program offers one of the best accounting qualifications worldwide. There are 3 levels and 13 subjects to clear before you are officially declared an ACCA-certified accountant.

All students must complete three components of the ACCA certification if they want to become members of this prestigious organisation.

These components are:

1. The ACCA exams
2. The Ethics and Professional Skills module
3. The Practical Experience Requirement

In this blog, we shall explore the first element, the ACCA exams.

List Of ACCA subjects:

Also Read – The ACCA Syllabus – All Levels Explained In Detail

What you should know about the ACCA exams

By now, you must have figured out if you qualify for any exemptions in the ACCA exams. Students who hold professional qualifications such as a CA or MBA can look up the ACCA exemption calculator to figure out their eligibility.

Also Read – List Of ACCA exemptions you might get!

ACCA Exam structure

All ACCA exams are computer-based or CBEs, so you can take the tests wherever you are. The exams are split into two levels. The first one is the fundamental level, which consists of the knowledge and applied skills modules. There are a total number of 9 papers here.

The second level is the professional which has the last four papers.

On-demand CBEs

On-demand CBEs are flexible and can be taken any time of the year at your convenience. You get the results immediately after you finish your exam and within 72 hours, the scores will be revealed on your ACCA account. All three applied knowledge papers are given on demand — Accountant in Business, Management Accounting and Financial Accounting.

You can choose the order in which you want to take each ACCA exam. The Corporate and Business Law paper in the Applied Skills Level is also an on-demand paper.

Session-based CBEs

You can take the Applied Skills and Strategic Professional Level exams during four planned ACCA exam sessions a year. These occur in the months of March, June, September and December. Students who are planning to appear for the exam should book their seats ahead of time. You can register as early as 14 weeks before the test date. The exam results will be revealed six weeks after you give your papers.

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ACCA Exam pattern

Each level of the ACCA exams follows a different pattern.

ACCA Exam centres

You can take the ACCA exams in most of the major cities in India, such as Mumbai, New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Cochin, Kolkata and several others. The fees per exam are roughly Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000, depending on the difficulty level.

ACCA Passing grades

You need a minimum score of 50% in every subject to pass the ACCA exams.

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How to prepare for the ACCA exams

• Prepare a study schedule.

You have to be smart about your prep work for the ACCA exams. Start planning in advance and allow yourself a realistic study timetable to ensure you have enough time. The ACCA board also recommends you learn the syllabus with an approved learning partner such as Proschool. These classes are taught by reputed industry professionals who help you grasp the material better.

• Read the study guide and official books first.

ACCA experts suggest you study from approved content. The providers are BPP Learning Media and Kaplan Publishing. These sources offer the latest updated study material and question banks. If you register with a reputed coaching centre, you will receive access to the official books as well.

• Understand the type of questions asked in each module.

When reading the questions in the ACCA exams, you have to break down the meaning of what is asked. Take note of the main verbs used in the questions, such as ‘analyse’, ‘assess’ and ‘calculate’, ‘compare’ and ‘criticise’. Ensure you know the requirements for each of these words and answer accordingly. It helps to practise in advance so you are prepared.

• Work on mock tests and practice papers.

Ask any top ranker for tips on passing the exams, and you’ll learn the value of mock tests and practice papers. Try and solve as many as you can. Write down the answers. Time yourself. Set up exam conditions and work accordingly. Correct your mistakes, and then start the process all over again. Coaching institutes will also offer several practice papers for you to get better acquainted with the ACCA exams. Remember, practice makes perfect.

• Read examiner reports on the ACCA website.

The website offers a section on the examiners and how they mark papers. It also includes common mistakes most students make and how to learn from them. This gives you a unique insight into what the examiners are looking for when grading ACCA exams.

• Check your eligibility for exemptions.

If you hold a professional degree or certification, you may be eligible for exemptions from the exam. The ACCA website has an exemptions calculator that analyses your qualifications and university to determine if you can skip some papers. This can help free up your time to concentrate on studying for fewer ACCA exams.

Also Read – How Much Work Experience Do You Need to Complete Your ACCA Degree?

How Proschool prepares you for the ACCA exams

Proschool is an approved ACCA Learning partner, one of India’s top ACCA coaching institutes and well-known among the student community for its excellent track record. Students who enroll with Proschool successfully clear the ACCA exams and start their careers on the right note.

One of the main reasons for this is that the professors are industry specialists who use their knowledge and expertise to help students master the course. They use innovative teaching methods, hands-on training techniques and practical approaches to learning. This helps students ace the ACCA exams and do well in their jobs in the accounting industry.

Highlights of learning with Proschool:

• Students can enrol in one of the 15+ ACCA coaching centres set up in all the major cities in India.
• There is also an option to register for online classes.
• Your ACCA registration is free once you enrol with Proschool.
• Students who don’t clear the ACCA exams on the first attempt receive unlimited classroom sessions till they pass the papers.
• Additional resources, such as mock tests and practice papers, are available for all students. There are over 600 questions for every subject.
• Once you clear the course, you can log into the Proschool placement portal to access a wide range of jobs in your chosen field.

FAQs

• Do I get exemptions if I have an MBA or CA?

Yes. Most qualified CAs and MBA holders can get up to nine exemptions from the ACCA exams. Check on the website to find out the exact details of your exemption.

• Is ACCA tougher to crack than CA?

The CA is known for highly rigorous exams that are difficult to clear. In comparison, the ACCA exams have a higher passing rate. The ACCA exam structure is more flexible than the CA. That doesn’t mean that the ACCA aren’t difficult on their own. You will still need to work hard to clear the ACCA exams.

• What happens if I don’t clear the ACCA exams?

If you don’t pass on your first try, take the exams again. Approved ACCA partners such as Proschool help students with doubt-clearing sessions and revisions so they are better prepared for the second attempt.

• Can I do the ACCA course after B.Com?

Definitely. The ACCA course is perfect for B.Com graduates, as the students come from a strong accounting background. These graduates may even be eligible for exemptions in the first four papers of the ACCA exams.

Conclusion

The ACCA exams follow a specific format yet are flexible. While the papers may be challenging or complex, students who have prepared themselves well in advance and followed the study tips listed in this post tend to do very well in their exams. Don’t be in a rush. Take the time to learn your concepts and hone your skills. If you enrol with an approved learning partner, your teachers will ensure you are well-equipped to clear the ACCA exams and begin your accounting career.