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Hi, I have never sat a computer based exam and will be taking F9 in March.
I have so many questions, I wonder if someone could help?
– do you get 2 screens/divided screen so that you can see the spreadsheet and the question at the same time?– do you still get pen & paper for rough workings?
– prior to the exam did you practice questions solely on the computer?
– do you have any advice re CBE?
Any help would be appreciated.
– do you get 2 screens/divided screen so that you can see the spreadsheet and the question at the same time?
You get one monitor, the screen is divided so you can see both the question and the answer. The divider can be moved so you see more or less of the answer.
– do you still get pen & paper for rough workings?
You still get rough paper yes. In most of the CBEs I took there was a pen but one time there wasn’t – it’s always worth taking spare pens with you!
– prior to the exam did you practice questions solely on the computer?
I practiced mostly on paper with a few mock exams on the computer.
– do you have any advice re CBE?
Know your basic Excel formulae like SUM. Show your workings in the spreadsheet as much as possible.
The CBE is really not that different to the paper version if you are used to using computers and spreadsheets. I think it’s better as you can edit your answers easily and use the spreadsheet to add things up. This is especially useful on NPV questions.
Practice using the specimen/mock exams provided by ACCA and the learning providers so you get used to the software.
Hi Julia – I’m in exaclty the same position as you. Apart from F2, F3 & F4 which I sat as computer based, I have sat the remaining as paper versions.
I have just come across some free CBE mocks that you can purchase from Kaplan & BPP, see link for ACCA website which gives you the discount codesI’m hoping this will help me, so hopefully it will help you too.
Thank you everyone ! I really appreciate all tips. And thank you for the mock exams link Alison-this will definitely help.
I sat my first CBE a year or so ago for the F5 paper having been exempt for F1-3 papers. I found it really difficult to adjust to their CBEs so my advice to you is… keep practicing on the ACCA website! They have mock areas for you to trial the exams in their format and a specimen paper.
Familiarise yourself as much as you can. I thought I’d be OK as I’m behind a computer screen all day but it is quite different to normal excel. Practice practice practice!
Sorry I know this topic might be closed, but I wanted to ask a quick silly question.
I have only been practising on paper so far and now by reading the above I am worried and I will practise more on the ACCA mock screen.
However, Can we take our own calculator to the exam or do we have to use the one on the computer screen?
If its the one on the screen, I am so not looking forward to it.
See in ACCA’s FAQs https://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/exam-entry-and-administration/computer-based-exams/f5-f9-session-cbes-what-you-need-to-know/f5-f9-session-cbes-faqs-new.html
“As in the paper-based exams, personal calculators can be used, providing they don’t have the facility to store or display text.”
See in ACCA’s FAQs https://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/exam-entry-and-administration/computer-based-exams/f5-f9-session-cbes-what-you-need-to-know/f5-f9-session-cbes-faqs-new.html
“As in the paper-based exams, personal calculators can be used, providing they don’t have the facility to store or display text.”
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