SBLACCA Paper SBL exam was - March 2021 Exam - Instant Poll and comments

relatively straightforward

I thought question 3 was the hardest part by miles. Q1 was good to look at the receivable day payables profit per employee etc. Q2 just compare the different model which thought was fine. My exam crashed the last 15 mins anybody have that issue?

My exam froze in the last 15 mins too, the 15 min pop came in and that was it, I couldn't close it to continue.

What did you all say regarding best sales and marketing approach?

Dont worry guys, im sure you 3 have dine well and will pass! Ive not sat it remotely, but think might give it a try next time If you dont mind could you tell me how it works Did you start at 10am UK time exact and end 4 hours later? How do they invidulate you? And does anyone remember all the questions in todays exam? At least you can relax till the results come out :) when do they release this?

In that case, how did you manage that?

My exam froze with 15 minutes to go too! Very frustrating. Also, the invigilator asked me why I was looking down when I was just working a sum on my calculator. I was very annoyed he’d ask such a thing. Did anyone else get asked anything like this?

I could not tell you if I passed or failed, I managed to attempt all the questions I just feel for the first two questions I spent too much time trying to get those 30 marks lets hope I get at least 20. Good luck to you all.

I could not tell you if I passed or failed, I managed to attempt all the questions I just feel for the first two questions I spent too much time trying to get those 30 marks lets hope I get at least 20. Good luck to you all.

Exactly what happened to me I've already applied for migrating circumstances

I think exam was fair enough. Found it difficult to write about sales and marketing strategy so just wrote about knowing your customers, performing market segmentation, doing targeted marketing, using e-marketing and social media, creating brand image around environmentally sustainable products. Question about explaining why trainee accountant was allowed to post without approval and provision caught me off guard, all common sense answers. Organisational structure i think i messed up, suggested flat without even knowing what it is :) Thank god there was no <IR> or ICO or Cyber Security... fingers crossed!

Exam itself was not too hard, however I ran out of time. Agree that Q3 was the hardest so left till the end, but didn't have time to answer it! :)

You have to test your system before you start the exam. Check the spec of your computer to make sure it works! You can check this on the My ACCA/ ACCA homepage. Make sure all other applications have been shut down. The invigilator can see you on the webcam. It starts promptly as the time you choose. There are different variants. You take 4 pictures of the room.

harryks89 wrote:My exam froze with 15 minutes to go too! Very frustrating.

Examiner told me to stop leaning on my hand as he could not see my mouth!

Does anyone remember the questions for the morning paper? I am now pretty sure I missed one completely!

cherine wrote:My exam froze in the last 15 mins too, the 15 min pop came in and that was it, I couldn’t close it to continue.

I had this message as well and it crashed as I could not close so I asked for help as I could not close window. The exam invigilator said to press ESC and it then worked for me! At least you all know what to do if it happens again :). They should tell students this though!

I had review the performance via 1) financial statements, 1a) analyse the market penetration/diversification, 2) Risk register, 3)manufacturing process improvements, 3b)internal controls for that process, 4)outsourcing slides and finally 5) press release

MAB123 wrote:I had review the performance via 1) financial statements, 1a) analyse the market penetration/diversification, 2) Risk register, 3)manufacturing process improvements, 3b)internal controls for that process, 4)outsourcing slides and finally 5) press release

I think I had the same questions. However I think Q3 was the risk management question not Q2

Think there were 2 variants

Well I added up what I think the marks on offer were and I am short 12 so maybe there was a (ii) within one the questions? Can anyone remember? I mentioned adding probability of risk, embedding risk into culture, formalising risk approaches, adding risk ownership

I also dont remember seeing outsourcing or press release questions.

laurentatnellx wrote:Phew I was worried then. Was yours still about the packaging company though? I take it you didn’t have a question about change of organisational structure on 5) and the market and sales strategy on 4)?

Don't know how they come up with the variants- just random :)

Couldn’t tell how I’ve done either. First question I just calculated as many ratios as I could and explained the results. Struggled with some ideas on the marketing strategy front but as it’s a highly competitive market, I just talked about focusing on product differentiation and where they’ve added/can add value. There were a few points in their proposals of what they want to achieve such as using biodegradable materials. Talked about how they should highlight that in marketing, as well as that they’ve simplified the design so it shows they’ve added value to the product.. and also market how it would benefit the consumer as compared with competitors..also talked about how that could use data analytics as well for current and future marketing purposes like keeping an eye on what price point consumers may be willing to co sided other products, using the internet, finding out what their main priorities are, extra services they would like. First attempt, 2nd to last paper and I’m not holding my breath.

amaniel wrote:I also dont remember seeing outsourcing or press release questions.

Just hope the markers know which questions they are marking as they are all mismatches! haha

I had: 1a) evaluation of financial and operational performance b) evaluation of the proposed strategies; market penetration, diversification 2) risks for the diversification strategy 3) response to auditors management letter that highlighted 3 issues 4) development of marketing and sales strategy 5) changes to the organisational structure Felt the exam was too straightforward for a strategic paper as they had given the results of the PESTEL analysis, and slides with info on marketing mix which was handy. Couldn't really write much for the risk question. Not sure if my answers were enough for a pass, i think they werent up to the level of SBL. Anyway, it could always be much worse than this i guess

I also had review the performance via 1a. financial statements, 1b. analyse the market penetration/diversification, 2) Risk register, 3)manufacturing process improvements, 3b)internal controls for that process, 4)outsourcing slides and finally 5) press release 1a. Too many calculation and explanations but run out of time about liquidity ratios which was important 1b. Suitability, Feasibility, Acceptability. Again run out of time towards the feasibility and acceptability. I mentioned that printing not environmental friendly affecting reputation of main business, economic of scale, need NPV and further details about cost / benefit analysis. Also said that diversification can offer a more balanced portfolio but bot of them have the same input as raw material which is paper. 2. Risk register and how to improve risk. I mentioned COSO and some of its benefits, appoint risk manager and the benefits, external risk audit and the benefits, update current risk register as it does not include mitigation of risk. Run out of time about rest COSO benefits (communication etc.) 3. (a) I mentioned CAM, CAD and 3d printing for exhibit 5 or 6 and online platform for ordering. I used them to restate the full process. (b) Controls with explanation of them Supervision of automated process, quality control, daily report of production process (inventory, work in progress, finished goods, scrap and waste created etc.) and inspection of finish goods. 4. Outsourcing one slide per activity, HR routine not offering comp advantage but not too complex can reduce some overhead cost. The IT support complex and competitive advantage but outsourcing can offer expertise, low cost and make cost variable, cons was 3rd party involved and expertise not in house. 5. Corporate Social responsibility, corporate citizen, assurance to investigate what the article said and some more but again i run out of time. It was my first time, time management very important if i had half an hour more it would have been a pass. Good luck to all of you

I really felt that info in this paper was really lacking. Exhibit one and 2 should be swapped around. It didn't give you no where enough information on the company so could barely Answer press release question. Also, q3 just felt it was there to trick us, especially when asking about the production process.

In q3 i think that they gave the answer in one of the two last exhibits where they said about automation, Computed aided design, computer aided manufactured, 3d printing and e-platform to order products. i agree info about the company was not available. Too small exhibits, it took me less that 20 minutes to read them.

Yeah they did mention cad, cam and I mentioned tqm and how it would help to reduce inventory and need improved supplier relations but wasn't much more to write Last 15 mins my computer froze so should hopefully get few marks for that. Thought presentation was fine which was pros and cons and first question was like accounting dream question

I think that i remember risk management and something about to improve it, and i read three times the question, it seems that i got it wrong.