ACCA SBL March 2020 Exam Results – Instant Poll and Comments

First attempt and passed with 58%, really pleased with that as I came out the exam thinking I hadn’t done well at all because I never applied any models in my answers. This exam is a weird paper in comparison to the other 9 I have sat. Anyway onto Advanced Tax in Sept.

Passed on 2nd attempt with 71%, was honestly convinced I had failed again! I previously got 48%
Thank you so much to Open Tuition on getting me through my ACCA qualification, I am so thankful to now be fully qualified ?

Failed with 42 marks. Q3 was not clear. I have read multiple times. I wasted lot of time on Q3 . I don’t know how to tackle SBL where you are not confirm whether you are writing correct or not.Its my second attempt.First attempt brought 48 marks. I am know demotivated.

Congrats and good luck on your upcoming journey… this is very helpful thank you.

I passed first time with 79% – so thrilled (i’m never this lucky with my exams) 🙁

What I did was, learn (review) the models – just the basic frameworks- Pestel, Porters 5F, SFA, POPIT, (I haven’t listed them all.. but I didn’t dwell too much on it. Models help you frame your answer but if you can’t remember them then even headings to make your points will do. Open tuition notes have them all! But dont waste time making pages of notes, just note down the important models.

I basically practiced all the past papers and made notes and compared them to the mark scheme. I didn’t have time to do a full mock but what I did was I timed how long it took for me to read (and understand!) the exhibits and the questions. So when it got to the exam i knew roughly how long I should spend (took me 50 mins including planning).
I really utilised the reading and planning time in the exam. I actually made a plan for each q. and that helped me so much so when i got to writing the answers. I had my brief bullet points and i just elaborated.
Against each question – make a note of the Exhibit that would help you answer the question.

I made sure that I highlighted the keywords “evaluate” “analyse” and highlighted the format of the answer – if it was an email, or a letter and made sure I wrote in that format (those are easy marks) whether you answer is right or not. Take a highlighter into the exam!!

Always, and I repeat, always refer back to the exhibits. If it’s a newspaper article, quote it or mention a statistic in the article.

Keep your eye on the clock, 4 hours is a long time but flies by in the exam! I even brought nuts to keep me going by the invilator’s said no food 🙁

Common sense goes a long way! It really helps if you’ve been in a working environment as you know how a finance function works to improve processes etc. but can set the tone in the paper whether you have to write on behalf of the CEO or as an auditor. Change your writing tone to sound more formal/informal.as per the question.

Hope this helps 🙂

Fail with 49%. Feeling overwhelmed. Now I have to forget it quickly and put more effort into it. I guess that’s how it works.

Passed with 58% and this was my first attempt. All credit goes to open tuition. I referred only Open Tuition notes and videos. This was not an easy exam to get through without doing homework. Please adhere to the question requirement and then build your answer accordingly. A piece of good knowledge of different deliverable format is a must. The content of the syllabus is quite similar to the pass leanings and the only thing is a good refresh. Think in a practical manner and provide your answer. Don’t try to write the theory as it is. It is not required. The only thing you need to do is apply the theory to practice and provide answers. The paper consists of nearly 25 professional marks and I think that it can be achieved if you pillar strength with homework. Again I would render my sincere gratitude to Open Tuition for the CSR you’re doing for students like me who are self-studying and struggle with office work.

Pauli90

Congratulations and thank you for sharing some beautiful insights.

Congratulation , and thank you so much for a valuable advice

That was meant to be a laughing smiley at the end but apparently the forum can’t handle it!

Passed at first attempt with 58% and so happy.

so sad,

never give up