ACCA levels of difficulty

Ace2007

Hi All,

I'm thinking of sitting the ACCA exams. From my degree i am exempt from F1,F2 and F3 and maybe F7.

My question is in terms of difficulty how would you rate the remaning exams.
Also would it be hard to sit 3/4 exams at a go (i am working full time, wit no study leave). Like starting now studying for 4 exams in June 2012 seems doable but i've no experience so looking for guidance.

Also what % of the exams are numerical/theory.

Thanks
Ace

Taco Corp

All the remaining exams are difficult, they're professional exams so they are meant to be. But they are definitely passable if you put the effort in. Going to class isn't enough, you need to put in extra work in all the time.

Doing 3/4 exams each session would be very tough. I would suggest starting out with 2 the first time and see how it goes, especially if you aren't getting any extra days for study/exams.

Not sure if there is a specific % split between numerical/theory, but overall (not per exam) there is probably 50/50 split. That's just a rough guess.

Taco Corp

Just read your post again. If you were to study for 4 exams starting now with the aim of doing them in June next year, then that should be no problem. Definitely achievable. But why would you do that? The exams run in June and December each year and the colleges run their classes accordingly. I would suggest starting out with 2 in December and see how you get on.

SBWife

I think the OP has missed the initial registration date for December hence his focus on June.

Of F4 to F9, there is a little divide IMO in that F4, F5 and F6 are a little easier, with F7, F8 and F9 being more difficult. F4 Law and F8 Audit and Assurance are more theory driven but all papers at this level demand an understanding of the theory and rules behind any calculation, and even on the more numbers driven papers up to 50% of the marks will come from explanations.

plys

OP, beware of exemptions - they are a double-edged sword!! :eek:

If there is any doubt as to you being exempt from F7, my advice would be to take the exam in that subject anyway.

F7 (Financial Reporting) is one of those papers that the subject matter is constantly changing. If you haven't studied the topic fairly recently, the chances are your knowledge will be somewhat stale.

Furthermore, you're going to be progressing to P2 which is Corporate Reporting, and if you are going into that fresh, without having done Reporting fairly recently, it's a recipe for disaster. Don't get me wrong, it can be done - but it would be a tough road, and a serious gamble at that.

That's just my tuppence-worth, I'm sure others may disagree.

Oh, and by the way, the closing date for exam entry is Sept 15th (with late registration thereafter). Courses will be starting up at the end of August though. It may take you a couple of weeks to get registered etc, but it would be definitely worth trying to get started now and do one or two exams in the December sitting, as opposed to waiting to do four in June '12.

SBWife

Plys the exam entry closes on October 8th with early entry closing on September 8th - but this is only for students already registered with ACCA. Today is the registration deadline for December exams all paperwork must be received by the country office by COB today.

plys

SBWife wrote: »

Plys the exam entry closes on October 8th with early entry closing on September 8th - but this is only for students already registered with ACCA. Today is the registration deadline for December exams all paperwork must be received by the country office by COB today.

Ok, so unless OP has all ducks in a row and a courier at hand to get the docs to country office by 5pm, there is no chance they'll get to sit exams in December?

I can't remember the timings, but I know when I decided to register, I thought I was doing so in loads of time for the following exam sitting. But by the time I had transcript of results from college etc., I had missed the deadline by a long shot...!

SBWife

Yeah, it's not very clear and the ACCA website seems to be getting more confusing rather than less.

ianuss

This is a quote from ACCA's FB page

You can now register with ACCA at any time of the year, there are no closing dates - go to our 'apply now' tab!
Closing dates still apply for exam entry - 8 is the date: 8 Sept for early exam entry, 8 Oct for standard exam entry and 8 Nov for late exam entry. Please note if you are making your initial application we must receive it at least 20 working days before any of these closing dates.

Ace2007

Yea i looked into it a few weeks back and i could have gotten registered in time and that, but for personal reasons my head wouldn't be in the right place to be studyin for exams this December, therefore i thought that i would sit 3/4 in June cause i feel if i decide to just do 2, i won't bother looking at notes until february, where as if i decide on 4 i'll start before end of 2011.

When i register they would tell me there and then what i am exempt from and what not?

SBWife

Ace2007 wrote: »

Yea i looked into it a few weeks back and i could have gotten registered in time and that, but for personal reasons my head wouldn't be in the right place to be studyin for exams this December, therefore i thought that i would sit 3/4 in June cause i feel if i decide to just do 2, i won't bother looking at notes until february, where as if i decide on 4 i'll start before end of 2011.

When i register they would tell me there and then what i am exempt from and what not?

There's a database on the ACCA global site that explains what exemptions you'll get based on where you got your degree and what it is in https://portal.accaglobal.com/accrweb/faces/page/public/accreditations/enquiry/main/EnqInstitutionsTable.jspx

Ace2007

SBWife wrote: »

There's a database on the ACCA global site that explains what exemptions you'll get based on where you got your degree and what it is in https://portal.accaglobal.com/accrweb/faces/page/public/accreditations/enquiry/main/EnqInstitutionsTable.jspx

Yea i've sene that, it tells me i've exempted from F1,F2 and F3 and possible others depening on what i've studied etc. I've previoulsy emailed them and todl something similar, just gotta send in the documents and see how it goes i suppose.

Are there any weekend courses or are they all mid week?
The BPP notes are probably the best for home study are they?

Taco Corp

Ace2007 wrote: »

Are there any weekend courses or are they all mid week?

I don't think I've seen any weekend only courses. They are usually both mid week and weekend, maybe every second weekend or so. Depends on the module you are doing.

What town/city do you live in?

Ace2007

Surley wrote: »

I don't think I've seen any weekend only courses. They are usually both mid week and weekend, maybe every second weekend or so. Depends on the module you are doing.

What town/city do you live in?

Dublin, but making classes that start before 7 on weekdays would be doubtful.

Do the courses change much year to year, example if i buy notes now, they won't add in new topics for June 2012 exams - or when would the best time to buy the notes be.

Thanks

SBWife

F6 Tax will change, the others should remain the same there were significant changes in many of the F level papers for June 2011 so if you have books designed for this sitting or later you should be okay.

Taco Corp

Ace2007 wrote: »

Dublin, but making classes that start before 7 on weekdays would be doubtful.

Do the courses change much year to year, example if i buy notes now, they won't add in new topics for June 2012 exams - or when would the best time to buy the notes be.

Thanks

If you can't make weekday classes and end up doing home study then I would recommend signing up for the revision courses that are on offer in the colleges around Dublin. They usually go over a Friday, Saturday and Sunday. They are usually on a few weeks before the exams, so just the right time.

liamo01

Im 18 and just got an internship with an accounting firm. I will also have to study for my acca exams and i do get study leave. Any tips or advice for the first couple of exams? Also are the first ones hard?