Becoming a Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA) is a journey filled with both challenges and rewards. Along the way, one common concern that often comes up is: How many times can you retake an ACCA exam if you don’t pass? Understanding the rules about retakes and what it means for your path to ACCA certification is really important.
ACCA sets a time limit for students to complete their Strategic Professional exams. This ensures employers can trust that students possess current and relevant knowledge, which they can apply to enhance their organizations.
When Can I Take ACCA Exams?
ACCA offers four exam sessions per year, with exams taking place over 5 days in March, June, September, and December. These session-based exams allow students to sit for their ACCA papers during these designated exam periods.
Students have the flexibility to take ACCA exams during any of these four annual sessions, which are scheduled in March, June, September, and December. The exams take place over the course of 5 days during each of these months, providing multiple opportunities for students to progress through the ACCA program.
How Many ACCA Exams Can I Take at Each Exam Session?
ACCA allows students to enter a maximum of four exams per exam session. This means that during each of the four annual exam sessions held in March, June, September, and December, students can sit for up to four different ACCA papers. Additionally, ACCA students can take a maximum of eight different exams each calendar year.
This annual limit on the number of exams taken provides structure and guidance for students as they progress through the ACCA program. For more detailed information on these exam progression rules, including how they impact computer-based exam (CBE) cycles, please refer to the dedicated exam progression rules section.
Where Can I Take my ACCA Exams?
ACCA offers students the flexibility to take exams either remotely or at designated exam centers, depending on their location and technical capabilities. For students who can meet the necessary setup requirements, ACCA provides the option to take remote exams.
This allows candidates to benefit from the added comfort, convenience, and flexibility of taking their exams from the convenience of their own homes. The remote exam option is available in many locations around the world.
However, in some regions, the only exam option may be to take the exams at one of ACCA’s designated exam centers. ACCA partners with various organizations to offer these center-based exams, which are held during set exam sessions throughout the year.
Students can search for and select their preferred exam center location using ACCA’s online tools. If you are taking ACCA exams online at home, you can hire an expert to take your online exams at for you.
How Many Times Can You Retake an ACCA Exam if You Don’t Pass?
The path to getting an ACCA certification is not always easy, and many students find themselves facing the challenge of exam failures. The ACCA has established clear guidelines and policies regarding the time limits for each ACCA exam, and it is essential for candidates to understand these rules.
How Many Times Can You Fail an ACCA Exam?
- Fundamentals Level Exam Attempts: Candidates have a maximum of four attempts to pass each Fundamentals level exam . This means that if a candidate fails an exam three times, they will have one final attempt to pass it before they are required to re-register for the entire Fundamentals level.
- Professional Level Exam Attempts: For the Professional level exams, the ACCA also allows a maximum of four attempts per exam . Similar to the Fundamentals level, if a candidate fails an exam three times, they will have one final attempt before having to re-register for the entire Professional level.
- Time Limit for Completing the ACCA Qualification: In addition to the exam attempt limits, the ACCA has also set a time limit for candidates to complete the entire qualification. Candidates have a maximum of 10 years to finish the ACCA program, starting from the date of their first exam attempt. This time limit ensures that the knowledge and skills acquired remain current and relevant.
What is the Seven Year Rule?
The seven-year rule in ACCA exams is a crucial aspect of the qualification process. It applies specifically to the Strategic Professional exams and has significant implications for students who do not complete these exams within the specified timeframe.
Overview of the Seven-Year Rule
The seven-year rule means that students have seven years to complete the Strategic Professional exams once they pass their first Strategic Professional exam. There are rules and standards for students for retaking the ACCA exams.
If they do not pass all the Strategic Professional exams and reach affiliate status within these seven years, they will lose any Strategic Professional passes achieved after the seven-year period. These passes will need to be re-taken for the student to be able to complete the exams component of the ACCA Qualification.
Key Points of the Seven-Year Rule
- Time Limit for Strategic Professional Exams: Students have seven years to pass the Strategic Professional exams once they pass their first Strategic Professional exam
- Impact on Exam Passes: If a student does not complete all the Strategic Professional exams within the seven-year period, they will lose any Strategic Professional passes achieved after the seven-year period
- Exceptions and Extensions: The seven-year rule is mandatory for all ACCA students, and there are no exceptions unless under very extenuating circumstances such as critical illness or bereavement after long-term care
- Employer Requirements: Many employers have their own specific company policies regarding the completion of exams, and the seven-year rule ensures that professionals stay up to date with their skills and knowledge
- Impact on Career Progression: The seven-year rule is important for career progression, as it ensures that professionals maintain their knowledge and skills relevant to the field
How to Make a Request for Extension
To request an extension for your ACCA Strategic Professional exams, you must submit your request during the correct extension request window. This window is determined by your exam’s expiry date, running from the results release day of the session before your exam expires to the standard entry closing date of the session your exam will expire.
Providing insufficient evidence for your extenuating circumstances may result in your request being denied. Failing to make your request within the specified timeframe will also lead to your request being rejected.
How to Stop Failing and Pass ACCA Exam
Passing the ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) exams can be a significant challenge for many students. However, with the right strategies and approach, it is possible to overcome the hurdle of exam failures and successfully complete the qualification.
There are three practical tips and techniques to help you stop failing and start passing your ACCA exams.
1. Be Prepared Enough
One of the most crucial steps to stop failing and start passing your ACCA exams is to ensure you are thoroughly prepared. If you lack a solid understanding of the material, rely on certain questions to come up, or encounter an unfamiliar paper format, you are likely to feel stressed and overwhelmed during the exam.
To address this, it is essential to take as many practice test questions as possible. This approach offers several significant benefits:
- Familiarity with the Exam Format: Practicing with sample questions will help you get accustomed to the structure and layout of the actual exam paper, reducing the stress of encountering an unfamiliar environment on the day.
- Identification of Knowledge Gaps: Attempting practice questions will highlight any last-minute gaps in your knowledge, allowing you to focus your revision efforts on areas that need improvement.
- Exposure to Exam Conditions: Practicing under timed conditions will help you get used to the pressure and time constraints of the actual exam, making the experience more familiar and manageable.
2. Pay Someone to Take the ACCA Exams for You
If you want to pass your ACCA exams on your first attempt, you have an option to pay someone to take the ACCA exam for you. You can pay an expert at Examhelppro to take the ACCA test for you. This is the most convenient and easiest way to pass your ACCA test.
The ACCA exams are rigorous in nature so as to maintain high standards within the profession. The journey to getting your ACCA certification is not easy for many candidates. This is why Examhelppro offers you the fastest and easiest way to get your ACCA certification.
At Examhelppro, an expert can pass the ACCA test on your behalf with a 100% money-back pass guarantee! An ACCA professional will take the ACCA test for you and ensure you will get a guaranteed pass with top grades. Our experts can take the ACCA Test remotely online for you wherever you feel convenient.
3. Coping with Exam Day Stress
Arriving at the exam venue with your heart pounding due to potential lateness or stress caused by forgetting essential items can significantly impact your performance. Therefore, it is advisable to get these little details right, such as arriving early, double-checking your stationery, and ensuring you have all the necessary documents.
By taking care of these minor aspects, you can free your mind to concentrate on the exam itself and increase your chances of success. It is important to practice stress management techniques like deep breathing and mindfulness. While these methods may seem unconventional, they can help combat the physiological aspects of stress by calming the body.
If you continue to do what you have always done, you will get the same results. This principle is particularly relevant when it comes to ACCA exams, where a change in approach may be necessary to break the cycle of failures and achieve success.
FAQs
Can I Still Sit my ACCA Exams if I Miss the Standard Exam Entry Closing Date?
If you are a registered ACCA student and have missed the standard exam entry closing date, you can still use the late entry facility through your myACCA account. This option is available for students who have not already entered for the exam session.
It’s important to note that during the late exam entry period, no exam entries can be amended, regardless of when the original entry was made. This means that if you have already submitted an exam entry, you will not be able to make any changes to it during the late entry window.
Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that your exam entry is accurate and complete before the standard closing date to avoid any complications.
Can I Re-sit an Exam that I Have already Passed?
ACCA students are not permitted to re-sit examinations they have already passed, as this would go against the principles of the qualification and provide an unfair advantage over other students who have successfully completed the exams on their first attempt.
The ACCA exam structure is designed to assess a candidate’s knowledge and skills at a specific level, and once a student has demonstrated their proficiency by passing an exam, they are not allowed to retake that same exam to potentially achieve a higher score.
Do Employers Care about the Number of Attempts or Marks You Got in ACCA Exams?
Employers generally do not care about the number of attempts or marks you achieved in your ACCA exams, as long as you eventually pass and become a qualified ACCA member. According to a survey conducted by ACCA, over 90% of employers are more interested in the qualification itself rather than the pathway to achieving it.
In fact, ACCA exam results are not even shared directly with employers due to data protection laws. Employers cannot find out how many attempts it took you to pass an exam or the specific marks you obtained, unless you choose to disclose this information yourself.
The key is to persevere and complete the qualification, as employers value the skills and knowledge gained through the ACCA program, such as adaptability, tenacity, problem-solving, and the ability to apply knowledge in a business context.
What Should I Do to Avoid Failing my ACCA Exams?
To avoid failing ACCA exams, it is crucial to thoroughly prepare by analyzing the syllabus, organizing study notes, creating a proper study schedule, and practicing with sample questions to familiarize yourself with the exam format and conditions.
Effective study techniques like teaching concepts to yourself, using flashcards for visual learning, and taking regular breaks can also help improve retention and prevent burnout. Additionally, you can pay someone to take the online ACCA exams for you. Examhelppro can remotely take the ACCA certification exams for you and guarantee you a pass.
Read more: How to Cheat on the ACCA Exam
How Many Attempts Do You Get at the ACCA Exam?
ACCA students are allowed a maximum of four attempts per exam paper. However, it is important to note that students have seven years to complete the Strategic Professional exams once they pass their first Strategic Professional exam.
If they do not pass all the Strategic Professional exams and reach affiliate status within these seven years, they will lose any Strategic Professional passes achieved after the seven-year period and will need to re-take those exams.
Is it Okay to Fail ACCA?
Failing an ACCA exam is not the end of the world, as many successful ACCA members have experienced failure during their journey to membership. It is important to embrace the possibility of failure as a temporary setback and focus on learning from mistakes to plan for future success.
Employers generally care more about the end result of the qualification rather than the number of attempts or marks obtained. However, it is important to pass your ACCA exam. If you don’t want to fail you can hire someone to take the ACCA exams for you with a guaranteed pass.
What is the Hardest Exam in ACCA?
There is no definitive “hardest” ACCA exam, as the difficulty level varies depending on individual strengths, weaknesses, and areas of focus. So, what is the hardest exam in ACCA? However, the AAA exam is often considered the most challenging due to its complexity and requirement for integrated knowledge application.
What Percentage is a Pass in ACCA?
To pass an ACCA exam, a student must achieve a minimum score of 50%. However, it is important to note that the pass marks are subject to change based on the difficulty of the exam and the performance of all candidates.
ACCA does not provide a breakdown of marks or the number of attempts to employers due to data protection laws, unless the student chooses to disclose this information themselves.