Students' FAQs on exam entry

Can I take the ACCA Qualification exams in any order?

You can attempt up to a maximum of four papers per examination cycle. There are two examination cycles per year: 1 February to 31 July and 1 August to 30 January.

Papers must be taken in line with the following module order. However, you can attempt the papers within each module in any order:

• Knowledge (F1-F3) – available by computer-based exam (CBE) or paper-based format
  
• Skills (F4-F9) – available by paper-based format
  
• Essentials (P1-P3) – available by paper-based format
  
• Options (P4-P7) – available by paper-based format.
  

For example, you can take F3 before F1 and F2, but you must complete all three exams before taking F4.

If your status allows you to enter for papers across modules, please remember that you must complete the papers in order and enter for outstanding papers in your current module if you wish to enter to sit papers in the next module.

For example, you may have already passed papers F1 and F2. You can enter for papers F3 and F4 at the same time, but you would not be allowed to only enter for F4.

How many exams can I take at each exam session under Foundations in Accountancy?

There is no restriction to the number of exams you may attempt, allowing you to choose to sit as many or as few papers as you like at each exam session. You are, however, recommended to attempt a maximum of four papers in each six-month period.

How will I know when to enter for exams?

ACCA paper based exams are held twice a year – in June and December. Providing you keep your annual subscriptions up to date, you can enter for exams any time via myACCA, as long as you are not waiting for any exam results! If you are waiting for results, you need to wait until these are received until you make a new entry. Paper based exam results are available on 8 February for the December exams and 8 August for the June session. Please note that some exams can be taken as computer-based exams and you can sit these at any time of year.

What is the best way to enter for my exams?

Registering for your exams online using myACCA is the fastest and easiest way to enter for your exams. You will receive immediate acknowledgement of your exam entry and you can

• submit an early exam entry any time of the year (closing dates above)
• enter for exams early and save money
• enter for one of the next two exam sessions, June or December
• make amendments to existing exam entries up until the standard entry closing date – including changing exam centre, variant papers or entering for more exams

Can I send my entry in a letter or by email?

Due to the complexity of the information that must be collected, the risk of error and the volume of entries received each session, it is not possible for ACCA to manually process exam entries from letters, emails, faxes or print outs from myACCA screens.

The fastest and easiest way to enter for exams is online through myACCA. If you are unable to make an online examination entry you may be able to download an entry form from myACCA. Students should allow enough time to receive the form and return it to ACCA before the exam entry closing date.

If you have any further queries you can contact ACCA Connect.

Can I still sit my exams if I miss the exam entry closing date?

If you are a registered student and have missed the standard exam entry closing date, you have up to three weeks to submit your exam entry through the online late exam entry process on myACCA.

There is a charge per paper to use this service. You will find details of the costs under the Essential Information section for your qualification. Please note that this is only an online service. The deadlines for this service are 8 May for the June exams and 8 November for the December exams.

How do I know if I have been entered for the exams?

An email is sent at the end of the online exam entry process. If you do not receive this, please check your myACCA account to see if your exam entry has been successful. Retry if your exam entry does not show and funds have not been collected from your bank account.

If I am not sure if you have received my exam entry, should I submit another one?

You should only submit one exam entry form per exam session. To check to see if your exam entry has been processed, please visit myACCA in the first instance and visit the exam entry section. If your exam entry details are not recorded, please contact ACCA Connect.

How do I find out where to go on exam day?

You can log on to your myACCA account approximately four to six weeks before the exam session to download and print your exam attendance docket. This will include the address of the centre where you have been allocated, the papers you have been entered for and the desk numbers you should be directed to at the venue.

Please remember that you must take your docket with you to the examination centre. Please also take official photographic identification such as a passport, driving licence or national identity card.

Will I be able to sit my exams at the centre that I have requested?

In the vast majority of cases, you will be allocated to the centre of your choice. On very rare occasions, when demand exceeds capacity, ACCA may have to allocate you to the nearest alternative centre. You will be told about this on your exam attendance docket.

In some cities, where demand is very high, students may be allocated to one of a number of different halls which make up a centre. As these halls can be in different locations, it is important that you read the venue details on your attendance docket carefully.

The network of available venues changes on a session-by-session basis so never assume that the venue from your last sitting will be the same as the one for any future sessions.

I would like to change my exam entry on myACCA, is this possible?

Yes. Via myACCA you can make amendments to existing exam entries up until the standard entry closing date – including changing exam centre, variant papers or entering for more exams.

I would like to sit my exam at a location that is not listed, can I do this?

If you wish to sit exams at a location that is not listed on the exam centre list or on the special exam centre list, you will need to submit a request in writing. You can send this to  students@accaglobal.com or to ACCA Exams, 2 Central Quay, 89 Hydepark Street, Glasgow G3 8BW UK by the 8 March for June exams and 8 September for December exams.

ACCA will only set up special centres if a suitable, independent administrator can be found. If it is not possible for us to arrange an exam sitting at the location you have requested, you will be offered the opportunity to sit your exams at the nearest regular exam centre.

I require special facilities at the exam centre, is this possible?

It may be possible for special arrangements to be made for you. If you need additional facilities then please notify the exams department in Glasgow. In such cases, medical evidence of the nature of the disability must also be submitted. We will need to receive your request and documentation by 8 April for June exams and 8 October for December exams. Requests submitted after this time will not be considered. We will aim to make the necessary arrangements.

You may have already informed us about special facilities you require at exam centres. If this is the case, this will be recorded on the exam entry form we send to you. Again, standard exam entry closing dates apply and these are 8 April for June exams and 8 October for December exams.

+44 (0) 141 582 2000
students@accaglobal.com