Exemptions Query (Forfeiting for Qualifications > 5 yrs. old)

Hello, everybody!

I just received the confirmation email stating that I have been accepted as an ACCA student, but I have a small confusion and I would need your kind advice, if possible.

I have been granted two exemptions from exams (BT and LW) based on my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. However, I completed my studies more than five years ago (2017), and it is mentioned in the email that this might later affect my eligibility for a Practicing Certificate (in the UK is what I’m interested in).

From what I understand, does this mean that I cannot become an ACCA Affiliate unless I take those exams as well?

What I would like to ask is whether it would be better to forfeit these exemptions in this case. My thought was to keep them for now, just to facilitate my access to the next exams (given that they need to be taken in order), and eventually forfeit them after I finish the other exams and return to them at the very end. At the same time, is it worth doing this just for two exams, or would it be better to give up these exemptions now to avoid creating future issues (and also to avoid paying exemption fees unnecessarily if I end up forfeiting them later on) and take all the exams from start to finish?

Do you have any experience with this or can you advise me, please, in this regard?

Thank you in advance!