Exams

What is the pass mark for the examinations?
What are the styles of questions set in the ACCA qualification?
Are the questions in the paper based Knowledge module exams the same as in the computer based exams?
Are more practice questions available?
I would like to know why I can no longer access past examination papers for F1-F3 As a tutor, and indeed a previous marker, I know that a major factor of exam success is practice of past exam questions and, as a result of not having access, the hurdle for most students become higher?
Why have ACCA made all the papers at Fundamentals level contain compulsory questions only?
What should I do to make the best use of the additional 15 minutes of reading and planning time?
Does the published pass rate include CBE?
Under the online marking system piloted in June 2009, markers have scripts allocated to them on a completely random basis rather than being allocated most or all the scripts from individuals exam centres. Could this make it more difficult for markers to achieve consistency, particularly where candidates from a centre may take similar approaches to questions or have a similiar perspective on issues as a consequence of being more likely to have been taught together?
I understand my exams will be marked on-line. What does this mean for me?

1. What is the pass mark for the examinations?
50% for all exams which is 45/90 for the Fundamentals Knowledge module exams.

2. What are the styles of questions set in the ACCA qualification?
Exams vary in their structure and style. For detailed and specific guidance on this candidatescnadidates should refer to the individual syllabuses and study guides on the ACCA website. Most examinations will consist of a mix of computational and written questions. Certain subject areas lend themselves better to written questions than others, but in testing a particular area, both computational and written theoretical questions may be set so you should be prepared for both.

3. Are the questions in the paper based Knowledge module exams the same as in the computer based exams?
Both exams, paper based or computer based will cover the same syllabus areas and will have the same number of questions. The difference is in the style of question - the paper based exam consists of multiple choice questions only and the computer based exam consists of a variety of styles including multiple choice, number entry, multiple response or multiple response matching.

4. Are more practice questions available?
The ACCA website includes a full sample exam for both the paper-based and computer-based versions. In addition ACCA’s approved publishers include practice questions and practice exams as part of their study materials. These materials are intended to support both paper-based and computer-based exams and therefore include CDs and/or online materials to support revision for computer-based exams

5. I would like to know why I can no longer access past examination papers for F1 - F3? As a tutor, and indeed a previous marker, I know that a major factor of exam success is practice of past exam questions and, as a result of not having access, the hurdle for most students becomes higher?
The questions for the F1, F2 and F3 exams can be the same questions as those that from the question bank for computer-based exams (CBE). As such, they are part of a large bank of questions that are used on a regular basis and so cannot be released. ACCA also wishes to discourage the temptation for candidates to simply commit to memory a large bank of past questions and answers in the hope that these are repeated in live exams. It is more important that they are aware of a representative range of styles and type of exam style questions and prepare for exams in a more formative way. This is best achieved by practicing on formative style questions from the study materials and by self testing their knowledge from interactive exercises supplied within these tuition materials and where relevant, in class.
In order to help students prepare for their exams, there is a pilot paper available for each of the exams. The pilot paper is available in both paper format and CBE format.
Furthermore, after each session, the examiner for each of papers F1 to F3 produces an examination report that releases up to three questions in which students performed badly, together with an explanation of what went wrong. Over time this can be a useful additional bank of questions.
The examiners each reviewed the initial question banks by the Official publishers (BPP Learning Media and Kaplan Publishing). Thus, using these texts gives confidence that the students are practising questions of the right type and right standard.
A technical article has been written to help with answering multiple choice question types. A further article is available soon showing the full range of resources available in preparing for these papers. This article emphasises the importance of working longer questions in preparation for F2 and F3 exams as this allows students to perform better on the questions that test application, as well as smoothing the transition to the equivalent Skills module papers. In summary, without providing actual past exam questions, there are a number of resources available to students to assist them in passing these Fundamental Knowledge papers.

6. Why have ACCA made all the papers at Fundamentals level contain compulsory questions only?
Allowing any degree of choice at the Fundamentals level might have encouraged some students to avoid learning certain aspects of each syllabus, on the grounds that they could avoid answering a question on this topic in any given paper. ACCA's view is that all the subject areas within the nine subjects are 'fundamental' to the work of an accountant. Therefore, only including compulsory questions within examinations at the Fundamentals level will encourage students to study more broadly to gain a more rounded knowledge and understanding of all subject areas within each syllabus.

7. What should I do to make the best use of the additional 15 minutes of reading and planning time?
Reading and planning time was introduced to the ACCA three hour examinations as a way of helping candidates prepare and organize themselves better for taking their exams. The main purpose is to ensure that candidates have time to read requirements carefully so that they are clear on what examiners are asking for – something that most examiners find that students are often not good at and regularly comment on in their reports. Using the time productively can help a candidate make the appropriate choice of questions to answer, where choice exists and can help a candidate gain a better understanding of the material contained in each question. This is particularly helpful in answering case study questions, where quickly reading the information can help candidates with identifying key pieces of information that may be relevant.
For more information there is an article on reading and planning time published in student accountant.

8. Does the published pass rate include CBE?
No, at present it is only written paper

9. Under the online marking system piloted in June 2009, markers have scripts allocated to them on a completely random basis rather than being allocated most or all the scripts from individual exam centres. Could this make it more difficult for markers to achieve consistency, particularly where candidates from a centre may take similar approaches to questions or have a similar perspective on issues as a consequence of being more likely to have been taught together?
It is felt that randomising the allocation of scripts will make it much easier to achieve marker consistency across examination centres and it will make it much easier for examiners to monitor and ensure that markers are marking consistently and comparably with each other.

10. I understand my exams will be marked on-line. What does this mean for me?
There are important instructions to follow to ensure your exams are marked fully on-line. As an organisation which has innovation as one of its core values, ACCA is committed to utilising the latest technology to provide services and support to you as students. The number of ACCA students taking exams has increased significantly over the years and using on-screen marking will ensure our exam results service can be delivered within the existing timescales.
In June, the papers attempted on the last day of the session will be marked on-screen rather than on paper and as a result the way you complete your script has changed.
'What does this mean for you?' - Primarily it means there is less form filling as you won't have to complete your details on a registration sheet (CRS) as well as your script booklet as these two documents are now combined in a new look candidate answer booklet.
In addition you will be asked to write your name on the front of the new candidate answer booklet. This page is not presented to the markers at any stage. It will only be visible to ACCA staff when resolving any queries that could potentially arise.
It has always been important to read and follow exam instructions carefully, however it is vital now that we are using this new technology.
There are six critical instructions to follow in order that your exam paper can be marked correctly using the new on-screen technologies. You will be reminded of these instructions again on the day of the exam.
1. Please complete your personal details on the front of the script booklet. Plus it is essential that you bubble (fully colour-in the appropriate circle) the following details very carefully
registration number
desk number
paper description for exam being taken
exam centre.
2. Please start each question on a new page and the question number should be bubbled in the section at the top of the page.
3. Please use black pen at all times; to complete your details on the booklet and when answering the exam questions.
Pencil, fountain pens, gel pens and other colours of pen (including highlighter pens) will not be picked up by the scanning technology and could result in questions not being marked correctly.
4. Please score out incorrect answers rather than use correction fluid.
5. Please do not write in the margins as this information will not be presented to the marker during the marking process.
6. Please do not write answers across the centre of the booklet as the middle margins will not be visible in the marking process.

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