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Dear Forum,
I am returning to my ACCA studies after 5 years break and I realised that the format has now changed to CBE. Since I intend to self-study due to my circumstances, I was wondering whether it is at all possible to study through books and revision kit alone given that the exam will be computer based. Do I need to enrol with a course provider (which I cannot do at this stage) to be able to study the new exam format or is this possible through self-study? How do you study for a CBE without practicing it on a PC but just books? I will be studying the international version.
I appreciate any feedback from any of you.
Regards
JimmyHi Jimmy,
You do not really need to study differently for a CBE than a paper exam. The material being examined is the same in both cases, you are just inputting your answers in a different way. I have self studied and passed all of F5-F9 first time without attending classes. I did most of my revision on paper.
The ACCA website has specimen exams for each CBE which you can use to get used to the software. For the section A and B questions, these are answered by clicking buttons. Occasionally there are questions which require you to drag and drop or enter numerical figures also.
The main difference is in section C, where you’ll be entering your answers in a spreadsheet or as typed text. For the spreadsheet questions, it’s important you know the basic Excel formulae such as SUM and how to enter multiplication, division and indices (* for multiply, / for divide,^ for indices). Advanced formulae such as VLOOKUP are not required. You should practice using the software to get used to laying out your answers. You must show your workings, and then link your answers to your workings.
The advantage to CBEs is that it can be quicker to type answers than write them if you are a quick typer. You can edit your answers easily, and the spreadsheet questions can calculate totals for you and update values automatically if you change a number in your workings.
If you are comfortable with computers and spreadsheets you will be fine with the CBE format, but if you’re nervous and not confident with computers you might find it more difficult than paper based. At the end of the day, working as an accountant you will be typing and using spreadsheets more than paper so you might as well get used to it now!
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