CBE EXAMS

I doubt it. If the paper based version has been phased out in your country I don’t think ACCA will allow you to sit it as a special case. What was their response to your complaint? And why are the CBEs not favourable to you?

OK, I understand, but are you not taking the exams to work as an accountant in real life? You will find that most accountants use Excel every day.

The reason the exams have become CBEs and feature these components is to make them more like real life work. Even if you finish your exams, you still won’t be effective in the workplace if you can’t use basic spreadsheet functions.

You say you are not comfortable with it and are slower – well the only way to get comfortable and faster is to practice more and get used to it. Computers are not going away!

Can you wear noise silencers or listen to music?

@benghazi10 said:
Chris i am not familiar with the excel and word to provide answers to my exam questions. I prefer the paper based since i am more comfortable with it and fast with the paper based than the computer based.

Yes, it could be hard to move from paper based exams, which most of the students are accustomed to, to computer based exams but CBEs reflect the modern day working environment. They help to fit in the Corporate world where everything is moving from manual to being computerised.

In fact, the Strategic Level (Previously Professional level) papers will be changed to computer based too in the future.

So, it is prudent to get use to of the CBEs and use the resources provided by ACCA (constructive response workspace, Free CBE Mock exams etc) to practice.

Don’t worry, the functions are really basic of the word processing and spreadsheet software. However, if your typing is slow you may need to speed that up to benefit from the CBEs.

Below is a link that would be of your help.

https://www.accaglobal.com/us/en/student/exam-entry-and-administration/computer-based-exams/f5-f9-session-cbes-what-you-need-to-know/learning-support-for-f5-f9-session-cbes-new.html

Honestly, once one gets familiar with the CBEs, he will prefer them over PBEs and find CBEs better option.

Hope that helps.

@lisamaley said:
I completely agree, I’m in the same position as you – AFM will be my first paper based and I’m dreading it, I was hoping they would have changed the strategic papers to CBE before I got there!

Completely agree with you…

You really need to master Excel and word to a lesser extent. The CBEs are a simplified version and so much easier than writing it out and using a calculator for everything.

It is amazing that so much of accountancy is learnt on the job and the exams alone don’t give you the skills to become a good accountant. They are certainly complementary and provide a lot of knowledge but applying that knowledge is rather different to passing exams. Having the spreadsheet function is a good step towards the real world.

I hope the P papers do move to CBEs. I’m taking my time so plan to do those in a year or so. What are the chances of it happening in the near future?