Cap 2 2015 Thread

account15

Thought it might be worthwhile having a thread for those of us sitting CAP 2 next June

I realise it is still very early days but `from talking to others the CAP 2's require hard work from day 1.

I myself am doing all four exams.

Would love to hear from past CAP 2 students about any tips/advice they would have or what they would do differently if they were doing them again.

prettyrestless

Don't leave all the study til study leave, there's a lot to get through and the time goes quicker than you think!

Try your best at the interim exams. If you're adequately prepared, they're easy-ish marks and it takes the pressure off a little in the summer.

Practice as many questions as possible, especially in FR. You can't learn FR off, you just have to practice questions and journals.

It's worth trying your best at the mocks, you might still fail but it's handy to practice timing, etc.

If I can think of anything else, I'll let ye know

jus_tin4

audit is the same as FR, notes mean feck all! its all about adaption

glued

Anybody know what the SFMA tutorial covers on Thursday? Is it a help class for students struggling or is it just another lecture with new content?

ChartAccount

Im doing audit and Tax. I have never done an open book exam!

Is there a class or something to show you how to prepare the audit file?

I think i heard something like that!

Do you guys have any chartered grinds notes for Audit and tax?

jus_tin4

tbh open book really doesn't help at all, it can help if there is a piece of information you are looking for but tbh thats about it! what i did was tab all the important bits like substantive testing, gathering good audit evidence etc....i learned from the mocks that taking stuff from the book will more lose you marks than gain them. its all about adaption of what you know and whats in front of you. and audit answers can be very short... it took awhile for me to get around the aca solutions and whats actually needed in the exam.... and then the best thing you can do is just questions, thats what going to get you the 50% and thats what its all about really

jus_tin4

Anyone any tips on FR? I'm pretty lost on it

Aca student29

hi y'all

dont know if im really best to give these tips, as i am repeating 3/4 exams
again this year. But this is what I am going to try this year. the exams are
all about technique, timing and strategy, 90%!. honestly, last august and
November, I saw ppl pass that had trouble calculating depreciation, and
others who were the best brains in the class and always gave their input fail,
it is so dis-heartening!!

Aca does not prepare you for these exams well enough, and I cannot stress the timing issues, along with been able to scan the exam paper effectively to get the best q's answered.
YOU WILL NOT FINNISH THE PAPER COMPLETELY, especially sfma & Fr this was a hard pill to swallow but everyone was in the same boat to some degree. I am aiming to focus on questions over & Over and then if I have time will do some background reading etc, not easy when your in a busy practice, let me tell ya when you get home you don't want to look at a calculator!!! The FR assessment is VITAL, as I observed last year there was in reality and according to the exam reports a trend with the assessment those that did well in interim passed summer, not the case with sfma, I got 11/15, and got 38% in summer, 46% in autumn, I know ppl that got 7-8/15 and passed in summer!! so focus on FR.

Also dont use up all your holidays and hold some in case for September, especially if you are doing 4 subjects as it is unlikely you will get all 4. some ppl do, but not as many as you think, i heard of 1 and i dont know the person, the norm seems 2 pass first time!

Sorry to put a downer on it, but i wish i heard this last yr, i would maybe have adopted a different approach and would have not left all to study leave, and i chose not too do mocks
as i was busy with work nd stuff and had no prep done, BIG MISTAKE. if all you can do is write your student no. i would still sit them to get a proper feel! Open book is crock of ****,and would only be useful for tax, but is not allowed.

Anyone else have any thoughts??

Aca student29

hey,

I would learn off your rules for Tax, don't wait for cgs notes to be out, it is actually a book they give so
its not easy to photocopy and it will be kinda late out, and last years is no good.
Audit is a very passable subject and I would do aca revisions
for that, i did and got it on repeat. The open book is not a good strategy to adopt as it too time consuming.

I would have only 1 folder and know it inside out as well as having it tabbed as panic will do crazy things to u in the
exam. Do questions over and over, and in particular the ethical standards the ES1 etc. come into every question
nearly, and is a big no no to mess up.

Take it handy with your study and pace yourself, i wish i did modular as i would have had the time to focus more
on just 2 at a time and it makes a great foundation. I did a month of FAE whilst awaiting the results and i actually thought
it easier than cap 2 although still a lot of work but less technical and more interpretation and advice, so honestly go
back to the days of learning your times tables and learn all rules etc. that way if you have the time, it will benefit you
hugely!!

Aca student29

hey,

I would learn off your rules for Tax, don't wait for cgs notes to be out, it is actually a book they give so
its not easy to photocopy and it will be kinda late out, and last years is no good.
Audit is a very passable subject and I would do aca revisions
for that, i did and got it on repeat. The open book is not a good strategy to adopt as it too time consuming.

I would have only 1 folder and know it inside out as well as having it tabbed as panic will do crazy things to u in the
exam. Do questions over and over, and in particular the ethical standards the ES1 etc. come into every question
nearly, and is a big no no to mess up.

Take it handy with your study and pace yourself, i wish i did modular as i would have had the time to focus more
on just 2 at a time and it makes a great foundation. I did a month of FAE whilst awaiting the results and i actually thought
it easier than cap 2 although still a lot of work but less technical and more interpretation and advice, so honestly go
back to the days of learning your times tables and learn all rules etc. that way if you have the time, it will benefit you
hugely!!
Aca student29 is online now Report Post

Aca student29

hey chart Account,

I would learn off your rules for Tax, don't wait for cgs notes to be out, it is actually a book they give so
its not easy to photocopy and it will be kinda late out, and last years is no good.
Audit is a very passable subject and I would do aca revisions
for that, i did and got it on repeat. The open book is not a good strategy to adopt as it too time consuming.

I would have only 1 folder and know it inside out as well as having it tabbed as panic will do crazy things to u in the
exam. Do questions over and over, and in particular the ethical standards the ES1 etc. come into every question
nearly, and is a big no no to mess up.

Take it handy with your study and pace yourself, i wish i did modular as i would have had the time to focus more
on just 2 at a time and it makes a great foundation. I did a month of FAE whilst awaiting the results and i actually thought
it easier than cap 2 although still a lot of work but less technical and more interpretation and advice, so honestly go
back to the days of learning your times tables and learn all rules etc. that way if you have the time, it will benefit you
hugely!!
Aca student29 is online now Report Post

cap2again

Can anyone post the notes and question & solution packs for FR, Auditng and SFMA. I'm In a small firm and don't have access to themas i am repeating. It would be much appreciated.

cap2again

Can anyone post the notes and question & solution packs for FR, Auditng and SFMA. I'm In a small firm and don't have access to them, as i am repeating. It would be much appreciated.

prettyrestless

Aca student29 wrote: »

Aca does not prepare you for these exams well enough, and I cannot stress the timing issues, along with been able to scan the exam paper effectively to get the best q's answered.
YOU WILL NOT FINNISH THE PAPER COMPLETELY, especially sfma & Fr this was a hard pill to swallow but everyone was in the same boat to some degree.

I disagree with some of this. I think ACA does as much as they can but you have to work away yourself throughout the year which can be difficult on top of work I know.

It's very possible to finish all the papers, but it really does take work. With FR I wrote out the template for the sploci and sofp at the start of the exam and just put on figures as I went. I knew the layouts off by heart so I didn't even have to think about it.

I think the most important thing is to figure out how many minutes you have per q and stick to it. You should be able to attempt all parts of the paper.

Everyone should attempt the mocks. You won't have time to study but just bring in your notes and books and practice using them. You will more than likely fail the mocks but they are so handy! Don't just sign your name and leave! I know people who did that last year and they really regretted it afterwards.

ChartAccount

Does anyone havr cgs notes for audit snd tax...Thanks

ChartAccount

Has anyone heard of the ACArevisions .com ????

TitianGerm

ChartAccount wrote: »

Has anyone heard of the ACArevisions .com ????

I never heard of them to be honest. They are a little cheaper than Chartered Grind School though and on a month earlier from a quick browse so that might help get you in exam mode earlier.

I personally would choose CGS as they get such great feedback from students.

When do we receive results from the interim assessments?

Boss of all men

Results are out on the 27th of February for the assessments

Aloicia

Can anyone post the answers to the FR interim exam Jan 2015 please. Thanks

miii

Hi

I am sitting SFMA this year in June and wondering if anyone would be willing to send me their notes for it as mine are out of date, thanks in advance would really appreciate it.

TitianGerm

Hi guys I'm looking for a favour. I failed FR and Tax ROI last year so I was just looking to get the updated tax notes for this year. If any kind soul would like to send me on a copy I'd be so grateful. You can PM and I'll give you my email address.

claireon88

Hi folks, I'm sitting sfma and fr this year so could email anyone wanting up to date notes. If you private mail me your email addresses I will get around to it at some stage in the next few weeks for you.

bigmc23

claireon88 wrote: »

Hi folks, I'm sitting sfma and fr this year so could email anyone wanting up to date notes. If you private mail me your email addresses I will get around to it at some stage in the next few weeks for you.

PMd you claire

ChartAccount

Hi guys, does anyone have Audit and Tax notes please!!! Thanks

jus_tin4

anyone tips on how to prep notes for SFMA?

ChartAccount

Seriously. Does anybody have audit notes please.........someone here must have them but probably just too busy to pdf them but interim exam is soon.

im looking for act grind notes. .I have paid for grinds but I want notes now but they dont give them till classes.

Help. Stress is kicking in big time lol.

claireon88

Hi folks,

I think I've replied to everyone that wanted a copy of FR and/or SFMA notes.

If you haven't received an email from me and wanted the notes could you PM me your email address again and I'll get the notes sent through to you.

Thanks

CAIgirl

How's everyone getting on ? Booked the chartered grind school course hopefully that will be good

Bubbaclaus

Does anyone know when we will be getting the mock results?

elle.en

Bubbaclaus wrote: »

Does anyone know when we will be getting the mock results?

I've heard 2nd May but not sure how true it is

elle.en

Mock results are up now. Have heard a good few people suspecting errors with theirs though.

That Audit interim was a car crash

elle.en

Yeah I fell just short of the 50%, even though it felt easy enough while doing it. Same with the mock. Will have to go through all examiners reports because I'm obviously missing something!

Boss of all men

Could someone post the Mock papers and solutions for Financial Reporting and SFMA if they get a chance. I'm a repeat student and don't have access to these. Thanks

connect1988

Hi, I was also hoping someone could post up this years mock paper and solutions for FR as I'm a repeat student and don't have access to it? Thanks

claireon88

Hi all,

How do you upload the mock papers? I can't find how to add an attachment.

If someone could tell me, I can upload the SFMA and FR mocks? Or if you don't know how to upload attachments, please private message me your email address and which papers you want and I'll email them through to you.

Thanks

TitianGerm

claireon88 wrote: »

Hi all,

How do you upload the mock papers? I can't find how to add an attachment.

If someone could tell me, I can upload the SFMA and FR mocks? Or if you don't know how to upload attachments, please private message me your email address and which papers you want and I'll email them through to you.

Thanks

Save down the papers to your laptop/phone. Then create a post on boards and there should be an option to attach files below where you type your post.

claireon88

emmetkenny wrote: »

Save down the papers to your laptop/phone. Then create a post on boards and there should be an option to attach files below where you type your post.

I don't have an option to attach file. I've read on another thread that you have to have posted 50 times before this option becomes available.

If you have this option, if I emailed them to you could you attach them to the thread?

TitianGerm

claireon88 wrote: »

I don't have an option to attach file. I've read on another thread that you have to have posted 50 times before this option becomes available.

If you have this option, if I emailed them to you could you attach them to the thread?

Yea of course. Email them to me and I'll post them up for you. I'll PM you my email.

Aurellia

Today was Financial Reporting revision and i just don't know, feel i am way off passing any papers, even with loads of study and zero procrastination!!
I've audit revision tomorrow and thursday so will see how that goes .
Seriously considering doing either ACA Revisions or Chartered grind school in Cork ? Has anyone any feedback on these.
Am worried i won't gain any more insight but will lose three days as well as €170 per subject or else it will be a blessing as i can ask questions as to whats confusing me!

connect1988

Hi, I was also hoping someone could put up the revision pack that the lecturers work off in there revision classes? That's if it is up of course as I see on the timetable that the revision classes are at the start of June. Thanks in advance

spillit67

Revision courses are what you make of them. There's no one answer to them.

I've always liked them personally but I miss most lectures during work time so make of that what you will.

I wouldn't consider 3 days of 10-5 immersion in a subject with over 30 days to the exam a waste of your time resource though.

Aurellia

connect1988 wrote: »

Hi, I was also hoping someone could put up the revision pack that the lecturers work off in there revision classes? That's if it is up of course as I see on the timetable that the revision classes are at the start of June. Thanks in advance

I can send u the pdf's ive them downloaded from zip . Pm me ur email address

Aurellia

spillit67 wrote: »

Revision courses are what you make of them. There's no one answer to them.

I've always liked them personally but I miss most lectures during work time so make of that what you will.

I wouldn't consider 3 days of 10-5 immersion in a subject with over 30 days to the exam a waste of your time resource though.

Do you know the last few days it's actually highlighted areas im stuck on and the temptation to look at the mobile is gone as I turned it off so I'm going to so FR this weekend !
Plus I actually found it a great help .

Just hope ACA reviaions are as good .

asc720

Hi All,

I was hoping if someone could send me on financial reporting notes, specifically if you had fx consolidation ones to hand...I know the institute do a revision kit which would be great if I could also get a copy of?

I passed Cap2fr last year...I since switched to acca after sfma, shattered my dreams.

If you need any advice as to approaching the other three exams I'd happy to advise.

Best,

Patrick

Mh2014

Hi All,

I was wondering if someone could do me a favour and pass on a copy of this years mock papers and solutions for FR, SFMA and Auditing. Thanks very much.

ACA2015

How is everyone getting on with the study 12 days out? I'm oscillating between despair and semi contentment depending on how I get on in the past papers...procrastination has been cut out nearly with the fear of what's to come.

I'm just trying to get through as many past papers as possible before next week and keeping my folder's tidy. Tabbing up questions and answers where they might be of some use.

Pretty much started on Monday, fear set in. No idea how ill do now, Tax hasn't clicked at all.

trooperdx3117

Its scary to think how close they are now! I think i'm okay, I have all my templates for FR, SFMA and Auditing written up and i'm doing past exam papers. It just seems like everytime I do a past exam paper and then look at the solutions there's always something i've missed.
Its really worrying for these because I keep thinking you could come out thinking you did okay and then find you did poor. How is everyone else preparing?

ACA2015

For FR I'm just going through question after question. I have a decent question bank of extra questions and just doing them. Going to try and do another sitting of the paper one morning early next week to try and get my timing down. I'm still shocking at consolidations, I do have a template and mechanics set up now so I'm hoping I can bluster my way to a pass in that Q with that and practice. Really need to look at cash flows as well. I need to hit 50/100 bang on in this one as I did terrible in the assessment.

SFMA I don't know what to think. My study method was definitely flawed on it for the first couple of weeks, I think jumping straight into exam questions would have been the best method. I wasted a bit of time going over theory. I'm doing a variance question every couple of nights now and just going over question after question on other topics. Hoping a lovely theory question on Strategy or Performance Measurement comes up. Just need 43/100 in this one.

Audit I definitely have neglected. Squeaked a pass in the interim assessment (and the average was pretty poor which was surprising but good for me I guess) with no work and work in it so haven't done too much but I think I might pay for the neglect. I was very confident after the revision session but who knows. Just going to do a half day next week on exam technique which seems to be crucial for this one and a few questions here and there. Night before really will be for getting into the audit mindset.

Tax is the easiest one on paper as it's a straight up memory exam we're all used to but again I've really neglected it. I suppose the best approach is just to go through a checklist for each of the 4 areas. That's going to be a big memory dump on the Tuesday after cramming all day on the Monday.

Just have so much to do at this point ha.

I know what you mean on the exam solutions, it's even worse when you read the examiner reports and the tone of them. Makes you feel like such a cabbage when you have just repeated the same mistakes he/she is moaning about. We only need to get 50% of that quality though is what I keep telling myself!