While ACCA presents its own unique challenges, some ACCA exams stand out as particularly difficult for many candidates. Person’s strengths, weaknesses, and experiences can influence the perceived difficulty. What is the hardest exam in ACCA?
However, certain exams consistently emerge as more challenging based on factors such as pass rates, syllabus complexity, and the level of technical and practical application required.
ACCA Exam Structure and Levels
The ACCA qualification consists of 3 main levels:
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Applied Knowledge (3 exams)
This is the starting point for achieving the ACCA qualification. Exams include Business and Technology (BT), Management Accounting (MA), and Financial Accounting (FA). It covers the main areas of financial and management accounting
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Applied Skills (6 exams)
Examines the principal technical subjects that students are expected to have an advanced understanding of Corporate and Business Law (LW), Performance Management (PM), Taxation (TX), Financial Reporting (FR), Audit and Assurance (AA), and Financial Management (FM).
It develops knowledge and skills in these subject areas to a level equivalent to a bachelor’s degree
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Strategic Professional (4 exams)
This section provides specialized skills and techniques required to become an expert accountant in a consultancy or high-level advisory role. Each exam is 3 hours long
This level consists of 2 Essentials exams (Strategic Business Leader and Strategic Business Reporting) and 2 Options exams (Advanced Financial Management, Advanced Performance Management, Advanced Taxation, or Advanced Audit and Assurance).
Pass Rates for ACCA Qualifications
The exam pass rates for ACCA qualifications have shown a mixed performance in recent years:
Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills Exams:
- Pass rates for the Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills exams in December 2023 ranged from 49% to 84%, with the highest pass rates in FA1 (83%) and MA1 (84%), and the lowest in FTX (50%) and FFM (38%).
- Pass rates for these exams have generally been in the 60-80% range over the past few years, with some fluctuations.
Strategic Professional Exams:
- Pass rates for the Strategic Professional exams in December 2023 ranged from 35% for the DipIFR exam to 81% for the FMA exam.
- DipIFR exam pass rates have been more volatile, ranging from 35-60% over the past several years.
- Other Strategic Professional exams have generally maintained pass rates in the 60-80% range.
Foundation Level Exams:
- Pass rates for the Foundation level exams in December 2023 were in the 63-83% range.
- These pass rates have been relatively stable over the past few years, with most exams seeing pass rates between 70-80%.
ACCA reported that 113,636 students entered for the December 2023 exam sitting, which saw 132,301 exams completed. They also noted that 4,503 students completed all their exams and will move to affiliate status.
ACCA encourages students to make full use of their learning resources, including the ACCA Practice Platform, which they state can improve pass rates by up to 20%. They also highlighted changes to the Strategic Business Leader exam format as an area of focus for students.
Overall, the ACCA pass rate data shows a mixed performance, with some exams maintaining strong pass rates while others have seen more volatility.
How Many Exams Do You Need to Pass?
To become a Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA) member, you need to pass a total of 13 exams. These exams are divided into two categories: the Fundamentals level and the Professional level.
The Fundamentals level consists of 9 exams:
- 3 Applied Knowledge exams (AB, MA, FA)
- 6 Applied Skills exams (LW, PM, TX, FR, AA, FM)
Once you have completed the Fundamentals level, you can progress to the Professional level, which consists of 4 exams:
- 2 Essentials exams (SBL, SBR)
- 2 Options exams (choose 2 from: AFM, APM, ATX, AAA)
In addition to passing the 13 exams, ACCA candidates must also complete 3 years of relevant practical experience to become a fully qualified ACCA member. If you fail an exam, you can retake the exams based on the time limits for retake.
Which ACCA Exam is the Hardest?
Based on the recent ACCA exam pass rate data, the ACCA exam that appears to be the hardest is the Advanced Audit and Assurance (AAA) exam. The AAA exam had a pass rate of only 34% in the December 2023 sitting . This is the lowest pass rate among all the ACCA exams.
The pass rates for AAA have consistently been low over the past few years, ranging from 29% to 45% . This indicates that students tend to struggle with this particular exam.
In comparison, other Strategic Professional exams like Advanced Financial Management (AFM) and Advanced Performance Management (APM) had pass rates of 45% and 34% respectively in the December 2023 sitting.
The AAA exam tests candidates’ advanced knowledge and skills in areas like audit and assurance, professional ethics, and current issues in the audit and assurance field. The breadth and depth of content covered, as well as the requirement to apply this knowledge in complex, real-world scenarios, likely contributes to the lower pass rates.
ACCA has noted that the Strategic Professional exams, including AAA, are designed to assess candidates’ higher-order skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and professional judgment. This makes them more challenging compared to the Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills exams.
The advanced nature of the content and the requirement to demonstrate complex professional skills are likely the key factors contributing to the difficulty of this exam.
Why Does the AAA Exam Have the Lowest Pass Rate?
- Exam Difficulty and Content Complexity: The AAA exam tests advanced knowledge and skills in areas like audit, assurance, ethics, and current issues. The breadth and depth of content covered, as well as the requirement to apply this knowledge in complex, real-world scenarios, contribute to the lower pass rates compared to other ACCA exams.
- Requirement for Higher-Order Skills: The AAA exam, like other ACCA Strategic Professional exams, is designed to assess candidates’ critical thinking, problem-solving, and professional judgment abilities. Demonstrating these higher-order skills is more challenging for students compared to the Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills exams.
- Consistent Low Pass Rates: The AAA exam has consistently had the lowest pass rates among ACCA exams, often ranging between 29-45% in recent years. This indicates that students tend to struggle with this particular exam more than others.
- Common Student Mistakes: According to the ACCA examiner, common student mistakes in the AAA exam include: writing without development, not answering the question as set, quoting standards without application, using vague phrases, poor presentation, and lack of accounting knowledge. These issues contribute to the low pass rates.
How Can I Pass All the ACCA Exams?
There are two main tips: effective exam preparation and seeking expert help.
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How Can Students better Prepare for the AAA Exam
The AAA exam tests advanced knowledge and skills in audit, assurance, ethics, and current issues through 4 long, scenario-based questions. It assesses higher-order skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and professional judgment, rather than just technical knowledge.
Familiarize yourself with the exam structure, question types, and the breadth of content covered. Passive learning techniques like reading and highlighting are not enough. You need to understand the “why” behind the knowledge and how to apply it in real-world scenarios.
Practice applying your knowledge by working through past exam questions and sample answers on the ACCA Practice Platform. Develop the ability to analyze complex situations, identify risks, and recommend appropriate audit procedures.
Understand the different command verbs used in questions (e.g. “evaluate” vs “list”) and tailor your answers accordingly. Pay close attention to the keywords and requirements in each question. Learn how to manage your time effectively and allocate marks appropriately across the 4 questions. Consider enrolling in a structured AAA revision course with an experienced tutor.
Utilize ACCA’s technical articles and other exam support resources to further develop your understanding. Ask your tutor or peers for feedback on your practice answers to identify areas for improvement.
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Pay Someone to Take ACCA Exams for Me
The most convenient and easiest way to pass your ACCA exams is seeking expert help. You can pay someone to take ACCA exams on your behalf, ensuring a guaranteed pass. This service not only secures online ACCA exams for you but also eliminates any risk of failure.
For those seeking a perfect solution, hiring an expert offers an affordable and reliable option. It’s often touted as the easiest and fastest way to achieve ACCA certification without the stress of preparation or the uncertainty of exam outcomes.
When you opt to pay for an expert to take your ACCA exams, you’re essentially outsourcing the entire process of studying, understanding, and passing the exams. This can be particularly appealing for individuals with busy schedules or those who struggle with the rigorous demands of ACCA preparation.
With the assurance of a guaranteed pass, you can focus your energy and time on other professional or personal pursuits, confident that your ACCA qualification is being handled efficiently and effectively. This is the easiest way to get ACCA.
FAQs
Is CFA Harder than ACCA?
The CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) qualification is generally considered more difficult than the ACCA qualification. This is due to several factors:
- Exam Difficulty and Pass Rates: The CFA exams are known for their low pass rates, with only around 10-20% of candidates passing each level. In contrast, ACCA exams have higher pass rates, typically around 30-50% for the fundamental papers and 20-40% for the professional papers. This indicates that the CFA exams require a higher level of knowledge and understanding to pass.
- Breadth and Depth of Content: The CFA curriculum covers a very broad range of topics in investment management, including portfolio management, equity analysis, fixed income, derivatives, and more. The depth of knowledge required in each topic is also very extensive. ACCA, on the other hand, covers a wider range of topics in accounting, finance, and business, but the depth is generally not as intense as the CFA. The sheer volume of material in the CFA program makes it more challenging to master.
Is the ACCA F9 Hard?
The ACCA F9 Financial Management paper is considered one of the more challenging exams within the ACCA qualification. The F9 syllabus covers a wide range of advanced financial management topics, including working capital management, investment appraisal, business valuations, and corporate restructuring.
The breadth and depth of the content make it a demanding paper. F9 is not just about memorizing facts, but requires candidates to apply their financial management knowledge to real-world scenarios.
This application-based approach makes the exam more difficult compared to the more theory-focused earlier ACCA papers. The pass rates for the F9 paper have historically been lower than many other ACCA fundamental papers, typically ranging from 30-50%.
This indicates the relative difficulty of this exam compared to others in the ACCA program.
Can You Pass ACCA on Your Own?
Yes, passing ACCA exams on your own is entirely possible and widely encouraged. While the journey may be challenging, it’s achievable with dedication, commitment, and effective study strategies.
Preparing for ACCA exams involves engaging with study materials provided by ACCA, attending classes or online tutorials, and dedicating sufficient time to understanding and practicing exam techniques.
Many candidates find it helpful to set realistic study schedules, break down study materials into manageable chunks, and regularly review their progress. Utilizing past exam papers and mock exams can also provide valuable insight into the exam format and help identify areas needing improvement.
However, if you want to pass your ACCA exams fast and with ease, you can hire an expert to take the ACCA exams for you. An expert can help cheat on your ACCA exams without being caught and ensure you get top grades.
What is Harder, ACA or ACCA?
Comparing the difficulty of the ACA (Associate Chartered Accountant) and ACCA qualifications is not straightforward, as they have different structures and focus areas.
- Exam Structure: The ACA qualification, offered by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), has 15 exams across three levels. The ACCA qualification has 13 exams across three levels. The higher number of exams in the ACA program suggests a greater overall workload.
- Syllabus Depth: The ACA syllabus is generally considered more technically rigorous and in-depth, particularly in areas like auditing and taxation. ACCA has a broader scope covering accounting, finance, and business management.
- Pass Rates: ACA exams tend to have lower pass rates compared to ACCA, with some ACA papers having pass rates below 50%. This indicates the ACA program may be slightly more challenging overall.
The difficulty level can vary based on an individual’s background, strengths, and preferred areas of focus. Both the ACA and ACCA qualifications are highly respected and demanding in their own right.
Is ACCA Harder than CIMA?
Comparing the difficulty of the ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) qualifications is not straightforward, as they have different structures and focus areas.
- Exam Structure: ACCA has 13 exams across three levels, while CIMA has 17 exams across four levels. The higher number of exams in the CIMA program suggests a greater overall workload.
- Syllabus Depth: CIMA has a stronger focus on management accounting and strategic decision-making, while ACCA covers a broader range of topics in accounting, finance, and business management. The depth of the CIMA syllabus in management accounting concepts may make it more challenging for some candidates.
- Pass Rates: CIMA exams tend to have lower pass rates compared to ACCA, with some CIMA papers having pass rates below 50%. This indicates the CIMA program may be slightly more challenging overall.
The difficulty level can vary based on an individual’s background, strengths, and preferred areas of focus. Both the ACCA and CIMA qualifications are highly respected and demanding in their own right. The choice between the two ultimately depends on the candidate’s career aspirations and preferred specialization in accounting and finance