Students' FAQs on remote session CBEs

Information on the availability of centre based and remote session exams for upcoming exam sessions can be found on our Exam Method page

Students must also ensure they have the necessary equipment, internet connectivity and exam environment to successfully run the exam. Watch our video for more information on what these requirements are.

If remote session CBEs are available in your location you will be able to book your exam using Exam Planner.

Watch our video on how book a remote session exam. Alternatively, follow our step-by-step booking guide

Remote session exams are charged at the same standard rate as our centre based exams.  Visit our How to Book page for full information on the exam booking regulations.

Yes, you will be able to select a preferred timeslot for your exam within a specific timezone window based on your location. Timeslots are subject to availability and depending on your location you maybe presented with one or more timezone windows.  Timeslot window are represented by F1, F2, F3 & F4 options during the booking process.  These timeslots represent the following windows:

F1 = 2:00 to 5:45 BST (1:00 to 4:45 GMT)
F2 = 6:00 to 10:15 BST (5:00 to 9:15 GMT)
F3 = 10:30 to 14:45 BST (9:30 to 13:45 GMT)
F4 =15:00 to 18:15 BST (14:00 to 17:15 GMT)

For current timetabling information visit our remote session CBE timetable page.

If you require additional support for your exam, this should be requested via your myACCA account by the standard entry deadline for our exams. 

We cannot guarantee that all requirements will be possible to cater for in a remote exam environment.

View our additional support page.

View what computer/laptop equipment is allowed and what you can have on your desk

If the item is not listed within the diagram above it is not permitted for use in the exam. You will not be able to proceed with your exam if other items, such as additional computer hardware or scrap paper are included on your desk.

Additionally please ensure that your computer/laptop meets the minimum technical requirements to run the exam successfully. This includes specifications on what browser you can use and what settings should be applied. Additionally, work computers generally have more restrictions that may prevent successful delivery so we do not recommend their use. 

View the minimum technical requirements

If your computer/laptop does not meet these requirements unfortunately you will not be able to take the exam successfully and you should therefore not enter for the exam.  Additionally, we recommend using a 17 inch or larger monitor for the exam.

Whilst we aim for all students to have a successful exam experience, due to the nature of remote exams there is a risk of exams being disrupted by technical or connectivity issues. However, there are a number of steps you can take to greatly reduce this risk.

• It is extremely important to check you your computer/laptop meets the minimum technical requirements and passes the system test.  The system test must be conducted on the same equipment and location you'll use during the live exam. If you do not meet either the minimum requirements or pass the system test you will not have a successful exam experience and should not book a remote exam.  

View the minimum technical requirements

Access the system test

• Pop up blockers should be disabled.
• Internet cookies should be enabled. 
• Work computers generally have more restrictions, such as corporate firewalls, that may prevent successful delivery so we do not recommend their use. 
• Only genuine operating system software should be used.

Additionally, we recommend using a 17 inch or larger monitor for the exam.

The remote invigilation software locks the computer during the exam time meaning you cannot access any files or other programmes on the computer during that time.

However, you should close down any applications which are running in the background, except for Finder and OnVUE, when prompted during the check-in process. Any other applications running in the background may interfere with the successful running of the exam. To close applications on Windows, you should open Task Manager by hitting CTRL + ALT + DELETE and selecting all applications, except for Finder and OnVUE, and ending these tasks.

• A dongle is allowed if its purpose is to increase your WiFi signal. but it should not have a user interface
• Using mobile hotspots is not allowed for any reason.

You can sit your exam at home, or an alternative location such as your learning provider or in your office. However, there are some important regulations which must be followed:

• You must be sat at a desk in a closed quiet private room with no other people in the room for the full duration of the exam. 
• The room must have solid walls and door (ie not glass) so no other individual can be seen other your yourself.

View our room and desk setup requirements for remote session exams

Unfortunately if your room does not meet all of these requirements you will be unable to start or complete your exam.  Additionally to reduce the risk of you experiencing any technical issues during your exam, you should run the system test in the exact same location that you plan to sit your live exam. 

View our desk and room setup requirements guide

Yes, as long as there is no writing, or notes, whiteboards with notes etc.  If the invigilator is unsure of what is on the wall you may be asked to remove it.

A docket is issued for remote exams, but it is for information only; you don't need to use it to check in to or launch your exam.

However, you will be required to present photographic ID as proof of your identity during the check-in process.  Whilst local language ID is acceptable, we would recommend using English language ID if you have this available. The following forms of ID are accepted:

• Valid passport
• Driving licence
• National ID card
• Biometric residence permit

No, invigilators are randomly allocated to students and may be from a different region from yourself. You should therefore expect any dialogue with your invigilator to be conducted in English. 

However, there is no need to worry. Wherever you take your exam our exam regulations are the same and all invigilators have been fully trained in adminstering our exams.

For information on what you'll need to do to start your exam read our how to launch your remote session CBE guide.

Ahead of the exam we will provide specific guidance to those under the age of 18 on how to perform the check-in process for the exam. This information details that:

• Your legal guardian must be with you during the check-in process, with a copy of their valid ID.
• During check-in, when asked, choose ‘I am under eighteen years of age’.
• You will then be asked to complete the check-in process.
• Once these steps have been completed, but before your exam is launched, a Greeter will contact you using the chat function in the software and ask your guardian to hold their ID up to the webcam for validation
• Once the Greeter has validated your guardian’s ID, your guardian will be asked to leave the room.
• The exam will then continue as normal.

As long as you have started the check-in process 30 minutes before, or up to 15 minutes after your appointment time, even if you experience a delay in the exam being launched, you will still receive the full time for your exam. For example, if your exam is three hours and 10 minutes long, you will always be given the full exam time.

Unfortunately, we are not able to extend the time of the exam and the timer continues to run.

However, if you feel that you did not get your full time allocated, and if this impacted your performance, you should submit a mitigating circumstances claim to be considered as part of the results processing.

Yes.

You can take one bathroom break of up to 5 minutes during the exam. If you require a comfort break you should:

1) Request a chat with your invigilator by clicking the speech bubble at the top of your screen.  

2) Once the invigilator has opened up the chatbox, you should tell them that you are leaving your desk to use the bathroom. You do not need to wait for their response before leaving your desk. 

3) Once you've returned use the chat function again to let the invigilator know you have returned. They may wish to verify your ID once you return.

The exam is not paused during a comfort break and the exam timer will continue to run.

After the check-in process has been completed, students should keep their phone in the room with them, but out of arm’s reach. The invigilator may use the chat function to indicate that they will call the student, or if connection has been lost with the invigilator, the student should expect a call on the number they entered during the check-in process. During the exam your phone should be kept on silent to avoid disruptions.

Items considered religious apparel are allowed following visual inspection by the invigilator. Visual inspection would be done without asking the candidate to remove or unwrap it, unless upon direct visual observation there is strong visual evidence that a prohibited item is concealed in it.

Fashion accessories such as sunglasses or baseball caps are not allowed as part of the remote exam setup. If you have any accessories that you need for medical reasons, please go to the additional support page on your myACCA account to submit a request for approval.

View our room and desk setup requirement for remote session exams

Yes you can wear a watch, as long as it is not a smart watch which are prohibited.  You may also have a clock on the wall.

There is also an exam timer within the exam platform which will outline how much time you have remaining in your exam.

A noiseless, cordless pocket calculator which may be programmable but which must not have a printout or word display facility in any language may be used.

When you capture photographs of your desk, as part of the exam check-in process, ensure your calculator is included in the photograph of your desk.  This will enable the invigilator to visually inspect your calculator.

No, speaking aloud during your exam is against the exam rules and regulations unless you are in contact with the invigilator to resolve a query.  

A reliable internet connection is an essential minimum technical requirement for taking the exam. In the event of a connectivity interruption the exam software will save the exam and if immediate action is taken to restore the connection will allow you to restart your exam at the same point. We recommend using a wired connection as this will minimise the risk of connectivity issues disrupting your exam experience.

If you do experience a technical issue during the exam, you should immediately contact your invigilator if possible using the online chat functionality. If this is not possible, your invigilator may try to contact you by phone. If you are experiencing repeated disruptions or a disruption for longer than 5 minutes your exam maybe terminated. For further guidance including what to do next, please refer to our troubleshooting guide

Students have rebook, withdraw or mitigating circumstances options available to them.

Please refer to our troubleshooting guide

Students can request mitigating circumstances or an administrative review following their exam/processing of results.  View the deadlines for submitting these requests.

You will also receive an post-exam survey where you'll be invited to provide your feedback on your exam experience. We're always looking at ways we can help support and improve your exam experience, so we encourage all students to complete the survey if possible.

The difference in exam content and exam delivery platforms mean remote on-demand and remote session exams require different exam security and exam functionality requirements. 

For remote session exams

For exam security purposes, no scrap paper is allowed on your desk. These measures are necessary in order for us to maintain the same level of exam rigour as we have at our exam centres, where scrap paper can be used because it is distributed by face to face invigilation staff.

Instead to make rough notes during the exam you can use the digital scratchpad within the exam platform, which you can practice using on the CBE practice platform. Our analysis of student pass rates has shown that students are not disadvantaged when using the scratchpad instead of scrap paper.

Maintaining the security of our exams is always a priority of ours. Remote session CBEs will be remotely invigilated, viewed on screen by an invigilator at all times, and will be as secure and rigorous as our centre-based exams.