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F4 & F5 - how long needed to study for exams

  • 14-07-2009 1:47pm
    #1
    sue72
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 31 ✭


    I should be finished F1 - F3 CBE's by end of Sept. I am just wondering if oct/nov/dec is long enough to cover material for F4/F5 by home study
    any thoughts appreciated


Comments

  • #2
    accaguest
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 323 ✭✭accaguest


    First make sure youre not going to try and sit more than 4 exams in one session - sessions go from Jan to June and July to December I think - and CBEs DO count, eg you cant sit f1,2+3 as CBEs in Sept and then take F4 + f5 as papers in December.

    Then its a matter of personal aptitude really - F4 is completely law based so different personalities have wildly different experiences. I personally like theory subjects and prefer written exams over calculation based ones as I make less errors/ feel less pressure in the exam hall etc. As I get through ACCA Im finding it really is hugely if not all about exam technique so this depends on the person, but 2 months to cover the law text (c 300 pages) should be enough if youre willing to put in the work.

    F5 is a very broad syllabus with atrocious pass rates - maybe the worst of all 14 papers. Again it is fine to study and everything is very understandable but the exam setter is extremely particular and so papers can be wildly different from one sitting to the next. Exam technique is all here - spotting the setters little hints etc is invaluable and can only be learnt by studying past papers. The step up from f2 to f5 is absolutely massive. It could be done in 2 months but it will be tough. Personally Id advise F6 instead as Irish tax is fairly straightforward and the syllabus is a lot narrower.

    If youre not going to lectures, while the bpp/kaplan books are good I found Colin Drurys Management Accounting book great for f5. Its very big at around 600 pages but some parts can be skipped and older editions which are fine can be gotten quite cheaply.

    The 2 exams can be done in that time, especially if you find 1,2+3 easy. Also who cares if you fail, it will just help prepare you for the next sitting and looking at the pass rates, more fail than not anyway.

    Best of luck.


  • #3
    sue72
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 31 ✭sue72


    Thanks so much for the feedback. maybe you are right in thinking that F4 & F6 might be more reasonable to acheive in that time frame. F3 is a lot easier then F2 I think so I may even try and get some tutorial support or online help with F5 after christmas. I am actually doing the UK versions - as thats what they teach in dbs (just inquired as wasnt too sure)


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