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?

arm2250 wrote: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.

Q3 the risk management one? Didnt like that question

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?

Mine also froze when the 15min warning came up - nothing worked to close it but luckily I pressed the escape button and it finally closed I was also asked not to use a scientific calculator... didn't realise that was a thing? Have used the same calculator for every ACCA exam to date plus I'm due to sit the AFM paper on Friday, which I'll definitely need a scientific calculator for :') In terms of the exam, I have a feeling like it was a good exam to sit. Although Q3 coming up with suggestions to improve efficiency of a production process I found difficult, coming from a job in practice... struggled for any ideas!

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

Fair paper but i just struggled with ideas and feel my points were too general. At least i attempted all questions so hoping to scrape a pass but you never know with ACCA..

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

Outsourcing and press release? I am sure I had neither of these today??

Think there were 2 variants

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 had this. What did you write for the risk register question ?

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)? I didn't realise they did different 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 :)

Yes there's just not enough time to really think of good strong points. And personally I thought it was hard to come up with points with the company itself as wasn't a great deal going on other than technology and environment I thought! It's so hard to get good points in short time so you just write down as much as you can, even when some you know are a bit too general.. And the marketing question I was so confused as they gave you the presentation with so much on already, I thought it was almost like taking that info and adapting it slightly... but they gave so much info already so i thought it felt too easy to just copy and adapt.. Who knows!!

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.