All professions are evolving rapidly to keep pace in this data-driven age, and the accounting profession is no different. Accountants must be forward-thinking and fast-paced to respond to dynamic challenges at the workplace. A professional qualification like ACCA is helpful for candidates looking to pursue a career in accountancy globally.
During their preparation journey, ACCA aspirants and budding professionals often face doubts like ‘Is ACCA hard?’ or whether the exams are too challenging to clear. While such anticipations are legitimate, there is no definitive yes or no answer because difficulty levels are mostly relative. In other words, some candidates might find the ACCA exams more difficult than others.
However, the key to success in your ACCA journey is understanding the exam pattern and dedicating yourself to preparations adequately.
In this blog, we explore the difficulty level of the ACCA program and provide you with some essential tips to ace the exams. Before we go into these details, let us briefly revisit the fundamentals of the ACCA qualification.
What Is the ACCA Qualification?
ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is a global body for professional accountants and administers the ACCA qualification.
Aspiring accounting professionals seek the ACCA qualification to gain accountancy skills, values, and knowledge. After completing the program, these professionals pursue successful careers in various capacities at leading global accounting firms and agencies worldwide.
The ACCA qualification is ranked at the Master’s level. Candidates with two A Levels and three GCSEs in five subjects, including Mathematics and English (or equivalent qualifications), can register.
For Indian students, passing the 10+2 levels is the minimum eligibility requirement for registration. Higher qualifications like graduation, post-graduation, CA, CMA and CS qualify candidates for multiple ACCA exemptions. On completion of this ACCA program, a candidate becomes an ACCA member.
In addition, candidates must fulfil the following criteria to achieve the ACCA qualification:
- Complete 13 ACCA papers based on qualifications and prior experience
- Practical work experience of almost three years in a relevant role
- Complete the Ethics and Professional Skills module
How Hard is the ACCA?
Candidates consider ACCA exams challenging as these demand a thorough understanding of various accounting principles, perseverance and solid dedication. ACCA exams are rigorous and challenging, testing practical application knowledge and theoretical knowledge simultaneously.
The ACCA syllabus is extensive, covering topics like financial management, taxation, management accounting, audit and assurance, corporate and business law, financial reporting, strategic business reporting, and so on.
Along with the syllabus, the exam duration is stringent as well. Time management is critical for completing the exam papers within the stipulated timeframe.
You can understand the difficulty level better by analysing the ACCA pass rates over the years.
How To Pass ACCA Exams – Essential Tips for Completing the ACCA Qualification
One of the most common questions posed by ACCA aspirants is how to pass ACCA papers. However, clearing all the exam levels on the first attempt is possible with proper preparation, time management skills, and hard work.
Here are some essential tips for clearing the ACCA exams:
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Know the syllabus
The ACCA syllabus has three levels: Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills, and Strategic Professional. Candidates must pass one level before moving on to the next level.
Each level has different modules. While the Applied Knowledge Level has 3 modules, the Applied Skills Level has 6. There are two essential and two optional modules (you have to choose 2 modules from 4 available) at the Strategic Professional Level.
Some modules are more difficult than others and have a low passing rate. But that should not be a problem. To clear each module successfully, understand the syllabus well in the beginning. This way, you can identify and dedicate ample time to your weak areas.
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Prepare a study plan
Once you know the syllabus, you can prepare a well-structured study plan. Allocate time for each module and try to finish it within the timeframe. Create a realistic timetable and develop a study plan defining your learning goals.
Create manageable sections of the syllabus so you can learn them faster and retain them easily. While revising, you can track your progress and work on areas which need improvement.
With a well-structured study plan, you can finish the syllabus on time and have abundant time for revision.
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Sign up for ACCA prep courses
Many candidates study or work while pursuing ACCA. Syllabus completion and time management might be challenging for them. Many institutes offer online and offline ACCA prep courses to aspirants.
These learning platforms offer expert guidance on clearing the ACCA exams and provide comprehensive study materials, including textbooks, notes, revision kits and practice questions.
Enrolling in the preparation courses provides constructive and able guidance on the question types and the overall exam format. These courses familiarise candidates with the exam content.
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Take mock exams
One of the tricks of how to pass ACCA exams is to take mock exams. One of the most effective ways to prepare for the ACCA exams, these mock tests familiarise you with the exam format.
With the mock exams, you can identify the areas where you need improvement and more hard work. Most importantly, you will enhance your time management skills because this is one of the biggest challenges in the ACCA exam.
You will also learn how to approach different questions efficiently via the mock test papers.
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Keep calm
Any competitive examination is stressful, and ACCA is no different. However, the key to success in these exams is to remain calm and composed before and during the exam.
Try maintaining your stress levels even when the questions seem tough. Gather yourself, give yourself some time, and things will start falling into place. If you cannot clear the paper once, you can always retake the examination.
Conclusion
ACCA aspirants looking for answers to questions like how hard is the ACCA or how to pass ACCA exams will get some ideas from this blog. Achieving the ACCA qualification might not be a cakewalk, but you can clear the exams with proper guidance, effort, and hard work.
If you are an ACCA aspirant, you can enrol in The WallStreet School’s Online ACCA Prep Program or Classroom Bootcamp ACCA Prep Program. With 100% placement assistance, skill-based training, and detailed presentations and notes on each topic, the bootcamp and online courses thoroughly prepare the candidates for the ACCA exams.
Enrol today and begin your journey to success!
Contact us via email or phone (+91-9953729651) for more detailed information.
FAQs
- Which is the toughest paper in ACCA?
Most students find the Audit Assurance (AA) paper in the Applied Skills Level to be the toughest. This paper also has the lowest passing rate.
- Is it possible to finish ACCA in one year?
Candidates who have qualified CA can complete ACCA in just 6 months. Exemptions on ACCA papers are also available with other professional qualifications.
- Does the 12th standard score matter in ACCA?
Students with a score of 65% in Mathematics and English and 50% in other subjects in the 12th standard exams are eligible to register for ACCA. Those not eligible may join through the Foundations in Accountancy qualifications.
