becker study programme review

I haven’t – but consider this. If they only value it at that price level the ‘value’ is dubious. OpenTuition’s materials appear to me to be of good quality and they’re free…

After a couple of months now using this F5 material, here’s my verdict:

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VERDICT 7/10

Having used and observed other materials, some albeit in more detail than others, I would say that Becker’s ACCA course books are a worthy contender but of course with some striking demerits.

THE GOOD >> +7 pts

– Detailed and sensible explanation to the topics, concepts and theories
– Good topic sequencing (There’s one of the providers [LSBF] that’s notorious for odd sequencing and even unforgivable omissions in some of their texts)
– Providing Side Notes (like a caveat or some important FYI’s on the side of the pages)
– Good layout
– Extensive ACCA syllabus coverage
– Quality of paper used
– Relevant examples used

THE BAD >> 0 pt (-1pt)

– Not enough examples within each topic
– Page numbering is a bit weird and unconventional (it may just be them wanting to be different with such odd numbering style but I think the usual 1,2,3 … to whatever volume there is, would have been better)
– The charts and diagrams (especially the diagrams) within the text book can sometimes be too over ambitious…it often fails to be simplistic in its presentation of diagrams and charts. This may not necessarily be a bad thing but in my world, it doesn’t sit too well
– Revision Kit needs some more examples

THE UGLY >> 0 pt (-2pts)

– Explanation of the examples and revision texts are inadequate. Their reasoning doesn’t resonate with me, in that the solutions in the book are supported with very little explanation of how certain figures are arrived at. The theoretical aspects of the solutions are covered fairly well, but the calculative bits are just so unimpressive. You just need to be new to a particular topic and attempt to get explanation from their solution bank over a quiz to understand how frustrating their calculations/workings are.

I honestly feel it’s not up to par in that regard and have already written to their team about my dissatisfaction. They’ve promised to review my comments. Whether they will actually heed and take it onboard is a completely different issue.

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So overall, Becker is to me offers good and competitive course material in terms of richness of content. Well, to sum up my take on the product, I intend to continue using Becker’s course materials again and again – for my two last F papers and the P papers, and will complement my study with OpenTuition lectures as I normally do regardless of which book I am reading.

Hope this helps