[pawelski]

Hi Yizhen,

I have also only used Kaplan materials throughout my study and I passed all my exams 1st time, except for P3.

For P3 , I went through Kaplan textbook, practice kit, their online mocks and knowledge check questions (you got access to that when you purchase their materials , you just need to set up an account online) and additionally HTFT Partnership ( only mock exams),

Using the above study materials, I got to the exam and I failed with 98 points. My biggest issue were long scenario type of questions with ‘select all that apply’ answer key.

So I started looking for materials with similar question structure and came across Astranti. Their questions for P3 from the get go seemed to be far more advanced and complex (difficult) than Kaplan’s and HTFT mock exam questions.

After 3 additional weeks of study I passed the exam with 103 points. Not overly happy with the final result but pass is a pass.

Good luck!

[pawelski]

Good luck!

[pawelski]

Hi @Livitup,

As per my previous post, P3 exam is a tricky one, cramming the knowledge from the textbook is unfortunately not enough to pass this exam as the examiner expects you be able to apply that knowledge and this is not always so easy as it seems to be.

But don’t be discouraged – it is not that difficult to pass this paper, you just need to study smart.

In my exam I had about 20-30 scenario questions – this means that you have to feel comfortable with this type of question.

I gained the confidence to deal with this kind of questions by using Astranti materials:

– 5 mock exams
-100 P3 video question explained

Go through all of the questions, spent some time analysing the answers, then attempt mock exams and again analyse the answers. Then try to go back to the textbook to fill any knowledge gaps identified by the mock exams.

I am sure you can do it – and you will do it! Remember its not that difficult but you need to spend some time on it.

The above 2 elements helped me to deal with the scenario type of question (where you have to apply the knowledge in real life setting).

I was kind of disgruntled and put off by long scenario questions but the above materials helped me to get the confidence and familiarity with these type of questions.

[pawelski]

I wanted to add some update to the above.

I have now passed P3. I would recommend that if you are struggling with this exam as I was, go for Astranti series with 100 video question explained and their mock exams (5 exams all together).That set gives you familiarity with scenario questions. If you worked through them , you will get some additional confidence and won’t be dreading those long questions loaded with a lot of information.

On top of that I also used htft partnership mocks. They were rather helpful too.

I would say this: If you rote learn Kaplan text book by heart and do all the exercises there , you have 70-80% chance to pass it first time.
But also please remember the time management is extremely important with this exam. It was the first exam when I run out of time.

Good luck with your P3 exam.

[pawelski]

Sweet, that makes sense. Thank you for taking the time to answer my question. Much appreciated.

[pawelski]

Thank you everyone for extensive answers. Much appreciated.

It seems there is no people studying Strategic level at all on this forum….

[pawelski]

Just to reiterate – I have 25 questions with model answers regarding Pipping Tea pre seen material for Management Case study that took place in May’22 and will be examined during the next management case study exam in Aug’22.

It prepared me very well to my exam in May.

If you interested in getting the material please contact me directly on:bluecoxcool@gmail.com.

Thanks

[pawelski]

Thank you buddy. Those things are really unclear in terms of syllabus.

[pawelski]

Hey,

Yes , you can have exam at home – you need to run an equipment tests via https://home.pearsonvue.com/Test-takers.aspx first to make sure your broadband and computer are compatible – obviously you need a camera on your latpop.

You cannot have 2 screens (i.e. laptop connected to a bigger monitor display) – it is not allowed.

You cannot have anything apart from keyboard and mouse on your desk – this is checked by the invigilator before the exam (via your laptop camera) , you need to show the whole room and vicinity of the desk at which you take the exam. Once the exam starts you cannot leave you seat until the end of the exam.

You are allowed to have a drink in a transparent glass ,bottle etc. but it should be within your reach , not necessary on the table.

YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO HAVE ANY PAPERS DURING THE EXAM – electronic version of pre seen is available during the exam.

I find CIMA registering process for the exam at home a bit daunting ( numerous pictures need to be taken via mobile etc. plus the instruction on the screen not always correspond with what you can see on the screen) but i guess this is the price you have to pay to be able to take exam from the comfort of your own place.

Below are the questions I had during my OCS in Nov’20

Accounting profit
CVP – muliproduct break even
Digital costing and ABB – budgeting for a number of sleep clinics created by the enterprise
Sales variance, KPI i and what can be capitalisez under IAS 16.
Relevant costs and what additonal factors need to be taken if using relevant/irrelevant costs
What factors should be taken into consideration while investing in short term instruments.

[pawelski]

You welcome Imraan. Good luck with the rest of OT.

I am off for preparation to OSC now.

[pawelski]

@souvik

Variances were tested quite a bit in the version of the exam i had (especially operational and planning variances) so make sure you can do it quickly. Also make sure you know the reasons causing each of the variance (material, sales, labour, and overheads – its important).

Good luck

[pawelski]

@margot2611

Nie ma sprawy- powodzenia :-).

In case of opentuition materials i found about 30% -40% of crucial information missing in comparison with Kaplan textbook (a lot of information around variances, budget and forecasting technics)- it is really difficult to imagine passing the P1 exam if your preparation has been solely based on OT knowledge bank.
However I found their quiz test questions very useful as they test your knowledge from slightly different angle.

Theory questions – there were all sort of questions in the exam:

– some asked to select the correct formula for variance (each element of the formula was described by words i.e. material usage efficiency variance = (standard material used for actual production generated – actual materials used) x standard cost per unit ,etc.

– there was a short real life scenario given (about some company) and you had to select the best type of the budget that would suit the company described.I found reading the bits in the Kaplan text book with the book picture quite useful.

– quite a few questions testing your knowledge around sensitivity analysis, stress testing, expected value and what type of attitude to risk a specific person/company has.

– budget types and advantages were pretty well tested – you need to know those details.

– a few questions about what causes specific variances especially variable and fixed overhead variances.

If you know how to calculate things then you should be able to use that knowledge and common sense to answer the question.

Hope this helps.

I found the time to be a bit of the problem as each question required a bit of brain excercise so being totally focused is important.

I can see you have take E1 already – can you advise (maybe in a new topic or in private message) how did you find it and how to best prepare for that exam.Thanks and good luck.

[pawelski]

@souvik

I would say Kaplan mocks are more difficult simply because they contain far more questions which require calculation and that takes time ,i.e. every time I did Kaplan mock exam (or test builder capacity) it contained 50%-75% of calculation questions which is not the case in the real exam. Real exam had at most 30% of questions that required calculation.
That is a good bit as usually theory question are easier to answer in terms of time.

You need to be well prepared in terms of theory – so using Kaplan text book is a great tool.
I have to admit though that there were about 5-7 questions in the exam which were not covered in the text book so be prepared for that – i had to use my overall knowledge and common sense to answer them.

Also if you still can i would advise you to get Cima Aptitude 2 set of exam questions – they are really helpful (its only £20 i think but its well invested money).

Good luck and remember keep going through the questions in the exam (dont get discouraged if you get a few difficult in a row).

[pawelski]

Hi Sophie,

Thanks for sharing you experience.

Can you advise what HTFT 50 is?

[Author]

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